About the Program
The Endangered Species Project allows you to participate in hands on monitoring of some of Africa’s most endangered species such as Rhino, Cheetah and Southern Ground Hornbill.
This project is ideal if you want to truly experience the “wild” side of Africa. Our bush camp is based in a Limpopo game reserve which is home to the ‘Big 5′. This means you will get to encounter, and live among, elephants, lions, rhino, leopards and buffalo while working with us.
We will teach you basic bush survival skills and how to navigate your way through the African bush!
During your stay, your days will be spent mostly on foot walking through the reserve, learning how to track the animals. You will be approaching endangered species on foot and recording their behaviour, location and condition.
The collected information is then used by the reserve management and anti-poaching teams, as well as national conservation efforts to help save these endangered species.
Furthermore, you will take part in vehicle based monitoring to see the amazing Big 5, as well as habitat work to help with the monitoring process.
You will receive a 2 day Volunteer Johannesburg Orientation: Arrive in Joburg or Jozi, as it is known locally, and get shown around by people who know the city well. The Johannesburg Orientation is excellent for first-time visitors to find their feet the local way and meet other volunteers on your project.
Highlights:
- Arty districts of Newtown and Braamfontein
- Constitutional Hill
- Telkom Tower
- Nelson Mandela Bridge
- Jazz Walk of Fame
- Mary Fitzgerald Square
- Traditional South African meal
Typical tasks
Volunteer tasks are focused on monitoring, which forms the basis for the majority of our research assistance on the reserve. We conduct monitoring drives in the mornings and afternoons. The monitoring coincides with times of increased activity of the specific animals we are observing. We also spend time on foot tracking the more elusive animals, which is an amazing way to experience the bush. During the drier winter months, we have several hides based at waterholes which allow you to observe the various animals and their interactions at close quarters. The volunteers will also spend time attending to habitat management requirements on the properties and the greater reserve.
Project Highlights
- Learning about South African wildlife conservation
- Helping out in saving endangered species
- Going on game drives and seeing wild animals up close/li>
- Experiencing what it is like to live in the bush
This is a unique experience for people who want to get more out of visiting a game reserve in South Africa. Everyone who joins us on this exciting program will get to experience the African bush in its extremes, from elephants strolling through camp to the tropical heat and the surprisingly cold winter nights.
If you have a love of nature and want to participate in helping to save Africa’s endangered species, this is the project for you.
