from 2,420€

Perfect 4.6rating (57)

Safari & Big 5 Conservation

location
2 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Help conserve the Big 5 in a private Game reserve. Assist with wildlife research, monitoring and much more.

Looking for a unique Conservational volunteering experience? How about taking up our volunteering project set in a South African wildlife reserve home to the big 5? You will be working along a team of talented individuals all striving towards a common goal of expanding and creating habitual ...

About the program

Looking for a unique Conservational volunteering experience? How about taking up our volunteering project set in a South African wildlife reserve home to the big 5? You will be working along a team of talented individuals all striving towards a common goal of expanding and creating habitual environment for free roaming Wildlife!

This project is based in one of the biggest Game Reserves in the province, comprising of 18000 hectares! Through endless analyzing, monitoring and recording, what the team has found is that the biggest threat to predatorial and game animals such as; lions, hyenas, elephants etc. who requires lots of space, is the loss of habitual environment due to farming and human presence. As a countermeasure, the project is currently trying to increase the size of the reserve by including previous cattle ranches on the boundary making that a growth of 20%. If a successful working model can be formed there will be opportunity to expand the reserve even further.

Come be a part of this amazing opportunity and volunteer for a minimum of 2 weeks! The work is physically demanding, yet very rewarding! Be a part of this amazing and niche experience!

You will be volunteering alongside other international volunteers and local experienced staff who will guide and train you during your experience. No special equipment required and there are also no specific requirements. 

You will be living in a private or semi-private room in the Center’s cottage house. Depending on how many other volunteers are attending this project at one time, you may share your room with 1 other volunteer (same sex). The cottage consists of 2 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms, a big living and dining room area where everyone enjoy dinners together. Outside there’s a bonfire area where volunteers can sit a have meaningful conversations under a starry sky and there’s also a lovely pool that volunteers can enjoy during the scorching summer days!


Typical day

Since the area the project is currently based in was previously a cattle farm adjoining the Dinokeng Game Reserve which is the first free roaming Big 5 game reserve in Gauteng, the aim of the project is to convert that area into habitat suitable for wild and free roaming animals and incorporation ...

Typical day

Since the area the project is currently based in was previously a cattle farm adjoining the Dinokeng Game Reserve which is the first free roaming Big 5 game reserve in Gauteng, the aim of the project is to convert that area into habitat suitable for wild and free roaming animals and incorporation into the Dinokeng reserve. As such, the project will offer you the unique opportunity to be involved the daily tasks as follows:

  • Removal of old fences used for cattle farming, Conducting game counts when required and sex and age ratios of varied species in the vicinity. Volunteers will need to assist in creating and indigenous plant nursery and landscaping around the accommodation and assist with the demolition of old cattle kraals and dipping troughs etc.
  • Bush walking for a couple hours to observe droppings, various plants, mammals, insects, birds, reptiles and animal track. Game drives in an open vehicle with the intention of viewing animals in their natural habitat. Lessons in conversation and the ecology of the area as well as animal behavior monitoring. Removal of alien vegetation, anti-erosion work, road repairs and bush clearing.
  • Monitoring of collared animals. Accompanying Rangers on anti-poaching patrols. Any other conversation activity that may pop up from time to time.
  • Fire management depending on the time of year and fire regimes.
  • Volunteers will also need to assist with the building of the additional volunteer accommodation. There is salvageable structure that is ideal for further accommodation that the project intends repurposing.
  • There is another dilapidated building that the project intends to salvage and renovate with the intention of accommodating university students or other persons wishing to do research projects within the reserve.
For more information regarding what a typical day will look like during your preferred dates please message us.

Free-time activities

With the project, volunteers have the opportunity to restaurants & pizzeria for lunch, visit architectures and towns, shopping, visit a Brewery and Cidery for samples of various craft beers and ciders and so much. If you intend to do any other activity outside of the project, you will have to cover ...

Free-time activities

With the project, volunteers have the opportunity to restaurants & pizzeria for lunch, visit architectures and towns, shopping, visit a Brewery and Cidery for samples of various craft beers and ciders and so much. If you intend to do any other activity outside of the project, you will have to cover that fee by yourself.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Required Documents

CV, Resume, Letter of Motivation, Two pics and Signed Policies and Liability form (provided during application process)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 07:00 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Fronteering Travel

The Fee includes:


  • Accommodation - You will be living in a private or semi-private room in the Center’s cottage house. Depending on how many other volunteers are attending this project at one time, you may share your room with 1 other volunteer (same sex). The cottage consists of 2 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms, a big living and dining room area where everyone enjoy dinners together. Outside there’s a bonfire area where volunteers can sit a have meaningful conversations under a starry sky or there’s also a lovely pool that volunteers can enjoy during the scorching summer days!
  • Meals - Volunteers will be provided three meals a day for their entire stay on the project. Special arrangements such as vegan or vegetarian food can be made as well. The food offered is not vegetarian unless you specify your special dietary needs before you arrive, this includes special dietary needs for medical conditions.
  • Transportation - Transfers to and from Oliver Tambo International Airport for arrival and departure
  • Ongoing service and 24/7 Emergency Contact

Airport Pickup at O.R. Tambo International Airport

You will arrive in Kempton Park where you will be met by the Project’s transport team at the arrival hall. You’ll then be transferred to your accommodation on the project site. 

Accommodation

You will be living in a private or semi-private room in the Center’s cottage house. Depending on how many other volunteers are attending this project at one time, you may share your room with 1 other volunteer (same sex). The cottage consists of 2 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms, a big living and dining room area where everyone enjoy dinners together. Outside there’s a bonfire area where volunteers can sit a have meaningful conversations under a starry sky and there’s also a lovely pool that volunteers can enjoy during the scorching summer days!

Food & Beverages

Volunteers will be provided three meals a day for their entire stay on the project. Special arrangements such as vegan or vegetarian food can be made as well. The food offered is not vegetarian unless you specify your special dietary needs before you arrive, this includes special dietary needs for medical conditions. Any other snacks and beverages, meals and other entertainment off the venue are at the cost of the volunteer. There’s also a small general supply store relatively close by in case volunteers are interested in buying anything.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

There are no specific start/arrival dates for this project however, we recommend that you arrive on a  Monday!


 

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 2,420€
3 weeks 3,196€
4 weeks (max. stay) 3,875€
Average fees 1,089€/week

Program fees

1,089€ per week 2 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 4 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Fronteering Travel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Fronteering Travel

Perfect 4.6 rating (57 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Patrick

Spoken languages: English, Dutch, German

About the project

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs related to wildlife and indigenous people in less visited places of this world as well as more unique destinations.

Meet your organization

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs in some of the last frontiers of this world as well as more unique locations that other organizations ignore. From Field research programs in the Far north of Canada and Husky ranches in the Canadian Arctic to Amerindian community programs and wildlife conservation in the Amazon Rainforest and everything in between.

Most of our programs Focus on either wildlife rehabilitation and release, wildlife conservation & research or involve local indigenous communities.

Fronteering currently offers programs in Canada, Guyana, USA, Australia, Brazil, Borneo, South Africa, Madagascar and Panama.

True good causes: FRONTEERINGS volunteer abroad projects are either existing local projects or projects that are build from the group up by FRONTEERING. What these projects have in common is that you will be supporting a true good cause! You will have the opportunity to help where the need is the greatest. Our projects focus on helping the local communities, wildlife, indigenous people and the environment in cooperation with the local/indigenous communities. We focus on true volunteer projects where your effort really makes a difference. That’s why through Fronteering you will rehabilitate injured & orphaned wildlife with the goal to release the animal. That is the reason why will not send you to some far southern country to cuddle with tame lions & tigers with any real purpose. If you want to volunteer abroad with a real purpose, contact us!

Safety: At FRONTEERING we do our outmost best to provide the safety measures needed for our Volunteer Abroad projects and Adventure Travel Trips. However due to the fact that many of our projects and trips involve wild animals and/or are in remote locations there is a small element of risk involved. Not all of our projects and trips are for the faint at heart however we do cater to those of all walks of life. If you are not too sure about the suitability of a Volunteer Abroad project or an Adventure Travel trip then feel free to ask as we are always ready to answer any questions or discuss any doubts that come to mind. For more information please check our Safety & In-country Support section before you volunteer abroad.

A real adventure: We do not want our volunteers to end up trying to safe or clean up some small patch of rainforest which in some places they might call a wilderness. Instead you will volunteer in the immense jungle of the Amazon rainforest or venture in to the vast Canadian wilderness! Our volunteer abroad projects are situated in the remote areas of the world and we focus on countries and regions with the lowest population densities. We at FRONTEERING focus on what works; from sleeping in the jungle underneath the stars with nothing more than your own private hammock to back-to-basic cabins in the northern tundra with a cozy smothering fireplace and no electricity! When you volunteer abroad with FRONTEERING you can be sure it will be adventure.

Off the beaten path: With FRONTEERING volunteer abroad projects you will venture to places less visited. We focus on places that are fairly undiscovered where the nature, wildlife and indigenous cultures are still common. You will have the great opportunity to see these amazing places while they are still unspoiled and pure. It is these places where there is the most to lose but even more to gain through successful conservation work and sustainable tourism. 

Community involvement: Foremost when volunteering abroad the well being of the community should come first. For all of our trips we use local guides, local transportation and local communities so that through sustainable tourism we can help to protect the environment, wildlife and sustain the way of life of indigenous cultures & communities. More and more and governments choose the long term benefit of sustainable tourism over the short term gain of mining and logging. A good example is Gabon which in 2002 after recommendations from environmental researchers set up 13 new national parks. The government of Guyana is currently considering protecting its entire rainforest region which still covers 80% of the country. Hopefully through our combined effort this dream will one day become true.

Mission
FRONTEERING specializes in organizing volunteer abroad projects to preserve the environment, wildlife and indigenous people throughout the world while giving the volunteers a real and raw experience in some of the most beautiful and often remote places in the world to make a true difference.

Vision
FRONTEERING strives to provide real off the beaten path volunteer abroad experiences worldwide that satisfy the need for volunteer projects that truly makes a difference for the environment, wildlife and indigenous people.


57 reviews · rating4.6

Deirdre Conroy rating4.2

2024 at Pantanal Wildlife Research

My experience on this volunteer program was excellent due to the hard work and planning by my host Alexine. She is a fund of knowledge and is dedicated to her project (Peccary Project, see also on Instagram, peccary_queixada_project). I also worked with an amazing team working with the giant ant ...
Liliane Zistl rating5

2023 at Exotic & Domestic Animal Caretaker

I really enjoyed my stay at this program. I had the chance to work with different animals that I woudn't have gotten otherwise. The people there are very kinde and courteouse. Because the work is not always the simplest, they give you the weekend of with the possability to go to Saint Pete or Tampa. ..
Hanna Somsky rating5

2023 at Exotic Wildlife Caretaker Assistant

Can get really good hands on experience with a very diverse group of animals. Ranch care takers are very knowledgeable about the animals and will gladly spend time sharing their stories and experiences with you. If you are looking for somewhere that can you know the place and people you're ...
Théo SMITH rating4.8

2023 at Scottish Husky Ranch Caretaker

I spent 6 weeks there, it was a great experience. The hosts are super friendly and very welcoming. The dogs are adorable and kind. The landscapes are magnificent and unique If you are looking for a new experience, go ...
Cindy Lamaha rating5

2023 at Exotic Wildlife Caretaker Assistant

Dear future volunteer, The Hawaii sanctuary is not just a project where you will be taught about all the different kinds of animals and their behaviors, you will also learn a lot about humans, about yourself and you will learn how to feel home at a place that is not your own. If you thinking about ...
Jasmine McPherson rating5

2023 at Exotic & Domestic Animal Caretaker

This sanctuary is an absolute amazing place, I'm glad I stayed. They provided a good place to stay and I learnt a lot while with them. They let me experience different situations while with them. Definitely recommend for any volunteer. ..

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Johannesurg

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Contact Patrick
  Excellent response rate
English, Dutch, German

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