ABOUT US
The Sibuya Wilderness Experience offers volunteers, as part of a gap year, sabbatical or eco traveling, the unique and exciting opportunity to get behind the scenes and involved with the Conservation efforts of Sibuya Game Reserve.
Volunteers will take part in short and longterm projects which are intended to create sustainability for generations to come. Tasks may vary from physical work to interesting and interactive lecture-based content. Our volunteer program will run from 1 to 4 weeks. In order to guarantee an educational and impactful experience for each volunteer, we will work in small groups with a maximum number of 8 participants.
Together with the team, the volunteers will be accommodated and hosted by Retha and Paul at the beautiful Intaka Bird Lodge (situated close to the Reserve). Happy family vibes, expansive grounds to explore and a large swimming pool with BBQ area make it the perfect spot to relax and unwind from the adventures of the day. Participants will share comfortable twin-bedded rooms with en-suite bathrooms, including full board (3 meals a day).
This is the perfect eco volunteer program for you, if you are looking for a meaningful travel opportunity abroad that put – together with like-minded people from all over the world - your passion for nature, environment and wildlife to good use, trying to make a difference.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Much of our Conservation work will take place at the nearby Sibuya Game Reserve itself as well as at the nearby rivers and beaches. The Reserve is located in Kenton-on-Sea, along the Sunshine Coast of the Eastern Cape in South Africa, about 120 km from Port Elizabeth. This renowned Reserve is home to a wide range of different species of Flora and Fauna, with the stunning Kariega River Estuary meandering through it.
- Wildlife Tracking & Monitoring: Spend your time immersed in Nature, on the trails of Africa's Big Five. Regular monitoring and observation enable us to identify individuals, compile information about the family/ herd structure and determine feeding habits. Activity includes: Game Drives, Game Counts, Game Captures, setting up camera traps and track stations, learning Bush Skills.
- Rhino-Watch/ Anti-Poaching Support: Play an active role in the protection of our Rhino by performing Anti-Poaching night-patrols and learn more about their importance and protocol through night drives and sleep-outs on the Reserve that assist in Sibuya’s Anti-Poaching Unit efforts.
- Reserve Sustainability Projects: Volunteers will assist in the development of a grey-water filtration wetland to further minimize our ecological footprint and will learn hands-on about the benefits of Permaculture and help manage our indigenous tree nursery.
- Alien Plant Control & Botanical Surveys: Alien plants were introduced to the land by the farmers of old for different reasons and uses. Today these invasive plants need to be removed to increase the natural biodiversity and to decrease fire risk. Volunteers take part in Vegetation transects and data collection for monitoring and calculation of Game carrying capacity.
- Marine Explorations, Research & Surveys: The nearby Rivers are being monitored on a regular basis to provide research with much needed information about species population densities, occurrence of critically endangered species, salinity levels and water temperatures. Regular trips to the beach for exploration and learning about the coastal Eco-system and how it works will open eyes to the diversity of life that is so close, yet often unnoticed.
- Community Engagement: Conservation does not stop at conserving Nature alone, but also includes a responsibility to uplift local and impoverished Communities. This responsibility includes environmental education of the Community as to the role and benefit of conserving biodiversity and further stresses the importance of conserving our natural resources. Regular trips are made into the local Community to raise awareness and assist in various Community Projects.
Please note: We say NO to any kind of interaction with wild animals and we strongly dissociate ourselves from so-called sanctuaries, parks or rehabilitation centers that promote Cub petting, Lion walking or interacting with Elephants. These organizations mislead visitors to believe that they're promoting conservation while the truth is that they keep wild animals in captivity and use them for commercial exploitation.
THE TEAM - INTRODUCTION
We are a team of passionate and experienced conservationists working tirelessly to save our endangered and threatened wild- and marine life from extinction - eager to inspire future generations!
Pablo Reufer
“My first visit to South Africa was back in 2014, when I became a Nature and Marine Guide with Ulovane Environmental Training. That’s also when I met Retha and Paul at Intaka Bird Lodge for the first time and since then, it was like home from home. Shortly after completing my course, I started working at Sibuya Game Reserve and I found a passion in understanding Nature better and why it works the way it does. Now I want you to experience Nature our way and understand how to help conserve it.”
Scott Clarke
“Wilderness and my place in it have guided my life’s journey. I grew up in Cape Town where I completed my FGASA Marine and Nature field guide training at De Hoop Nature Reserve after which I gained a National Diploma in Nature Conservation. While working as a field guide at Sibuya Game Reserve I furthered my studies to become a FGASA specialist field guide and completed my postgraduate degree in Environmental Conservation. By exposing people to our conservation work and transferring our hands-on mentality, I know that we can make a difference.”
We look forward to taking you on this unique, impactful and adventurous journey full of unforgettable experiences.