from 1,600€

Brilliant 4.7rating (11)

Wildlife Research & Conservation

location
2 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Make a real difference in the conservation efforts of Africa
  • Gain valuable field experience in wildlife and biology
  • Get involved with white rhino behavior research
  • Real world conservation skills and scientific research
  • Beach side living whilst helping protect African wildlife

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Wildlife Research volunteers, interns and students are involved in various research and conservation initiatives and projects within the game reserves.

About the Program


The Wildlife Research and Conservation program gives wildlife enthusiasts, volunteers, students, scientists and interns of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to get involved in conservation, research and wildlife management. Participants spend five days per week assisting in ...

About the program

About the Program


The Wildlife Research and Conservation program gives wildlife enthusiasts, volunteers, students, scientists and interns of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to get involved in conservation, research and wildlife management. Participants spend five days per week assisting in various capacities of research and wildlife conservation. Assistance is given through field work (data collection, behavior observations, trail camera deployment), entering and analyzing data, maintaining trail cameras and analyzing their photos. We leave evenings and weekends open which allows the chance to explore South Africa and take part in various cultural and tourist activities. Based in the beautiful coastal town of Hartenbos, South Africa our participants have a unique experience of working hands on in conservation on a free roaming wildlife reserve while living within walking distance to our pristine blue flag beaches.

​​Operating with the embodiment of Nkonzo Wildlife ideals and goals, the mantra of “Educate Act Empower” is nowhere more evident than in the Wildlife Research and Conservation Program. Participants are assisting in critical hands on research and conservation initiatives in the field that impact the wildlife and environment in both short and long term goals and solutions. These two areas, Educate and Act, work together to foster and facilitate the most important aspect of these ideals, to Empower. Through hands-on initiatives and education one leaves Nkonzo Wildlife with a better understanding of the problems plaguing African wildlife, the efforts being made to assuage these issues, and how they can continue to work with conservation and make a change for the better of wildlife, ecosystems, and our planet.


Field Work



When participating in the Wildlife Research and Conservation program volunteers, interns and students are involved in various research and conservation initiatives and projects within the game reserve. Projects and initiatives are peer-reviewed and foundational concepts to improve the welfare and understanding of wildlife in and outside protected areas. Primary work is dedicated to field observations and duties, data management and wildlife management assistance. All participants rotate through the various initiatives at Nkonzo Wildlife when participating in the Wildlife Research and Conservation Program, this includes our research.
 ​
Current work is being done on white rhino social behavior, hyaenid resource use in Fynbos, behavioral flexibility of bovids and wildlife fatality on roads. As a volunteer, intern, or student you will be working alongside the team to observe, collect data, develop projects, and data entry. Please keep in mind that time spent on the various projects will be determined by monthly quotas, weather, and animal cooperation. Training in “bush basics” such as survival, track and sign, reading animal behavior, and ethical approach methods will also be provided. The team takes great pride in only ethical operations and approaches and find it important to provide the information and understanding as to why we operate in the field the way we do.


Typical day

The following is a tentative schedule that we follow each week (Monday to Friday). We ask that all volunteers, interns, and students understand that our work is conducted on a free roaming reserve of 11,000ha. and that schedules may change based on animal locations, accessibility, weather, and other ...

Typical day

The following is a tentative schedule that we follow each week (Monday to Friday). We ask that all volunteers, interns, and students understand that our work is conducted on a free roaming reserve of 11,000ha. and that schedules may change based on animal locations, accessibility, weather, and other factors. Additionally, an average of two days per month are set aside for workshops and academic based coursework that is facilitated in town and not on the reserve.


​​​7:30 a.m. Breakfast

8:00 a.m. Depart for Field Work

9:00 a.m. Begin Data Collection or Training

12:30 p.m. Packed Lunch on the Reserve

1:15 p.m. Continue Data Collection or Training

3:00 p.m. Finish Field Work

Free Time


Free-time activities

​All of our volunteers, interns, and students stay together in the pristine town of Hartenbos. 

Various activities can be booked for weekends. Nkonzo Wildlife also leads multiple weekend trips (2 or 3 nights) to lesser known areas of the Western and Northern Cape that are exclusive to our ...

Free-time activities

​All of our volunteers, interns, and students stay together in the pristine town of Hartenbos. 

Various activities can be booked for weekends. Nkonzo Wildlife also leads multiple weekend trips (2 or 3 nights) to lesser known areas of the Western and Northern Cape that are exclusive to our volunteers.

​Please note, these weekend activities are not included and will be available at an additional cost.


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 (basic level)

Required Documents

CV, medical insurance and registration form

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 and Friday from 08:00 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Nkonzo Wildlife

Included

  • Shared accommodation
  • Cold Breakfast 7 days per week
  • ​Basic Lunch Monday-Friday
  • Conservation fees
  • Daily access to game reserve
  • Work related transported
  • 24/7 emergency standby team
  • Guided research and management activities
  • All training and training material
  • Housekeeping
  • Airport Transfer (GRJ)
  • Free WiFi

​Not included

  • All dinners 
  • ​(fully equipped self-catering kitchen available)
  • Curios and other souvenirs
  • ​Drinks
  • Weekend activities
  • Flights
  • Visa
  • Laundry
  • Anything not state

Airport Pickup at George Airport

Volunteers can be picked up from the George Airport (GRJ) or the Mossel Bay Bus Stop. One of our team members will meet you there and take you to your accommodation for the month.

Accommodation

All of our volunteers, interns, and students stay together in the pristine town of Hartenbos in 4 Star self catering accommodation. The facility is highly secure and safe with restricted access that only allows our students, staff, and fellow travelers staying at the facility to enter. The facility also mandates 24/7 security personnel and is located in the safest town in South Africa.

Students have their included cold breakfast 7 days a week and are provided basic lunches in the reserve on work days. Students are responsible to supply their own dinners.

There are various activities that can be booked for weekends and downtime. Nkonzo also leads multiple weekend trips (2 or 3 nights) to lesser known areas of the Western and Northern Cape that are exclusive to Nkonzo volunteers.

Please note, these activities are not included and are available at the students’ own expense.

As students stay in Hartenbos they are also within walking distance to many restaurants, Hartenbos Seafront, shops, and takeaway places.

Food & Beverages

Cold Breakfast is included seven days per week, basic lunches are included five days per week on the reserve. Dinners are self catering as is weekend lunches. Volunteers are responsible for their own cool drinks and snacks.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is George Airport (GRJ) in George. 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

Participants will be met by one of our team members at George Airport (GRJ), South Africa to be transported to their accommodation. Once at the facility participants will be given a tour of the accommodation as well as appropriate introductions and instructions for the remainder of the day. The following day will be our orientation and safety Introduction which will include reserve operations, living in South Africa, recommended areas such as beaches, restaurants, shops and introductions on the research and conservation work they will be assisting on during their time here. Depending on schedules, orientation may be done on day of arrival. The next day will begin with field operations. Arriving and departing flights should be scheduled to and from George Airport (GRJ), South Africa.

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,600€
4 weeks 2,715€
24 weeks (max. stay) 16,877€
Average fees 751€/week

Program fees

751€ per week 2 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 24 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 Nkonzo Wildlife during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Nkonzo Wildlife

Brilliant 4.7 rating (11 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2013

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Amanda

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Nkonzo Wildlife is a unique company that focuses on regional conservation and strengthening the relationship between conservationists and the general public.

Meet your organization

Nkonzo Wildlife is based in the southern region of South Africa in the Cape Floristic Region, a biodiversity hotspot and the most diverse floral kingdom in the world. Research focuses on regional conservation management, behavioral ecology, and human-wildlife coexistence. Visit our various pages to learn about participating in our research or contact us if interested in undertaking your own research.​

11 reviews · rating4.7

Corinna Pachmayr rating5

2019 at Wildlife Research & Conservation

I've spent two weeks with Nkonzo in September 2019 and had a fantastic time! Met great people, had so much fun, learned so many new things: overall just an amazing experience with impressions that will stick with me forever. Arno and Mandi are very great people, they are so kind, know basically ...
Chelsey rating4.6

2016 at Wildlife Research & Conservation

It's hard to describe my experience at Nkonzo Bush Academy in words. I feel so fortunate to have participated in this unique experience in the African Bush. Arno is a an absolutely amazing instructor and will teach you so much along the way as you encounter a variety of African wildlife and plants. ..
I would recommend this to anyone considering working with wildlife, it was the best time of my life! you are surrounded by wonderful people and sites. Truly an amazing ...
This was an incredible experience. I had signed up for half a week and by the second day I knew I would be staying the full week. Arno not only runs a structured course but he preaches ethics. His passion radiates through his teaching and grasps you. I would recommend anyone looking for an authentic ...
Jonathan rating4.4

2016 at Wildlife Research & Conservation

Such an amazing experience! I learnt a lot about tracking animals on foot and respecting their ''homes''. Saw all the beautiful animals when I went on the Bush Academy. Thank you Arno for the amazing ...
A wonderful breathtaking experience. I learned so much in such a short time. Definitely would recommend to all friends and family. If you have a chance to go, take it. An experience of a life time. One Life, Live It! Thanks again Arno and Mandy for ...

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