Big Five Wildlife Supporter
Animal Monitoring
Assisting in the tracking and monitoring of lions, white & black rhinos, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, buffalos and hyenas. It is vital for the reserve to understand their movements and behavior, and you will have the opportunity to get close to these amazing animals on a daily basis. Together with monitoring drives, you will assist the project rangers in processing camera traps to monitor and record sightings, and then analyze the data you've collected. This, in turn, will give you the opportunity to learn a great deal about the animals' behavior.
Anti-Poaching
During your animal conservation volunteer work, you will be involved with anti-poaching, looking out for suspicious tracks, reporting any low flying aircraft, joining the sleep outs, and even having the unique possibility to fly on a microlight to check the reserve from above.
Helping out with alien plant removal, road restoration, rubbish removal, fire control, game capture, and bush clearing. A balanced eco-system grants a greater quality of life for the animals, so you'll be working to keep all flora and fauna happy!
Typical day
In one sense there is no ‘normal’ day volunteering as a wildlife conservationist in South Africa! Each day will bring different challenges and opportunities set by both the Park manager and the animals themselves!
A typical week however might consist of a combination of volunteering with wildlife and going on exciting activities. Every day will bring something new and give you the chance to get up close and personal with some of South Africa’s amazing wildlife. Depending on the volunteering needs, you might be up at the crack of dawn removing alien invader plant species, doing game monitoring or having to go out in the evenings to do some game captures.
You will also be involved with a major tracking project in our local area which is currently monitoring the movements of many leopards and hyenas by the means of camera traps. Volunteers are needed to check these cameras frequently and record the sightings.
You will see what it takes to run a game reserve by taking part in day to day jobs like fence patrolling, path clearing and physical eradication of foreign plants. These tasks involve physical labour and will be hard work but they are essential to help maintain the reserves and the animals within them.
In general, the day will be split into two sections. You’ll go on two game drive per day (unless on house duty), the first starting at 5.30/6am and returning around 11.30am, the second leaving at around 3pm and return at around 8pm.
Free-time activities
Our trips in South Africa are included in our itinerary and include river safaris, beach trips and other projects related to your placement. Please ask your trip adviser for full details.
Zoo
Program Requirements
Included Services
Your fees include:
Agape insurance – the most comprehensive travel insurance provided as standard in the industry, accommodation in a hosted volunteer house, three meals a day - seven days a week, airport pick up and drop off, orientation, all agape admin and registration, in-country support from our experienced South African staff, a donation towards Agape’s projects, pre- and post-program support from your trip adviser and all wildlife conservation activities – your itinerary is all-inclusive.
You will arrive at the airport in Johannesburg and be
met by one of our staff in South Africa. You will then be
driven to your accommodation in Marakele, around
three and a half hours drive away.
You will live and work in the Marataba section of
the Marakele National Park. The Marataba is a 24,000 hectare area
only accessible to other volunteers and a few tourists resident at
one lodge.
You will be staying with the other volunteers and staff in a large,
comfortable and sprawling ex-farmhouse which also acts as
headquarters for the conservation work undertaken. As the house is
in the Park it is half an hour’s drive from the nearest large town with
full amenities, so you’ll need to plan ahead for any shopping.
Accommodation is in dorm-style rooms, so
you’ll be sharing with other volunteers. There is also a private room
available for an extra cost, please ask your trip adviser for further
details and availability.
There are sofas, facilities for tea
and coffee, and some wildlife books. The house itself is situated right between breeding camps, allowing
you to wake up every morning and see antelopes, zebra, and other
game. But don’t worry - there is a fence so you’ll be fully protected
from any potentially dangerous animals!
Breakfast will be a continental spread. Lunch will be provided each day of your placement. This will usually consist of pasta, risotto, burgers, eggs or
salads.
Dinner is also provided every weekday and will consist of a variety of meals including stews, pastas as well as
more traditional South African meals. There is also occasionally the opportunity of BBQs under the stars as a
special treat.
Sundays are days off for our partners, so duty volunteers get the chance to cook for the group.
Dates & Fees
Details on arrival
Your trip
adviser will take you through the arrival procedure. They
will also provide a checklist covering all the necessary
preparation for your trip (vaccinations, visa, etc.), as
well as a list of contact numbers to take with you in case
of difficulties.
In general, our South Africa program runs from Tuesday to
Tuesday. So you’ll need to schedule your arrival and departure for
Tuesdays. This is to ensure all volunteers get the same opportunities
to experience all of the activities and projects available.
Upon arrival in your accommodation you will be met by the staff
and other volunteers, and get a chance to make yourself at home.
You’ll then be given a full orientation, including a safety briefing,
introduction to the local area, and a more thorough idea of your
itinerary for your stay.
Program fees
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