African Wildlife Conservation for Teens
Coordinator | Graeme
Coordinator | Graeme
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Go on a wildlife safari adventure in a private South African nature reserve.
Visit the famous Kruger National Park and go hiking, climbing, or kayaking in the Drakensberg Mountains.
Live with a group of teens from around the world and make new life-long friends
Learn how you can identify predators, like lions, cheetahs, and leopards, as well as megaherbivores like elephants and rhinos.
Master radio telemetry techniques and learn how to track and record animal movements.
Spot lions, elephants, rhinos and other wildlife on a safari conservation awareness experience with other teens in South Africa.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 15+
Singles
Couples
This project gives you a real and unfiltered look into South Africa’s iconic wildlife. However, unlike a traditional tourist safari, you will learn about conservation issues in the region and what is being done by local organisation like the South African National Parks authorities and international organisations to conserve South African species under threat as well as their habitat.
This wildlife conservation volunteering program is designed for teens between the ages of 15 and 17, to teach them what a career in conservation would really look like. You will learn how to identify South African animals and how tracking them and recording data on their location and behaviour assists with their conservation. You volunteering project also includes a visit to the Kruger National Park and adventure activities in the scenic Drakensberg mountains. Teens will be lead by experts in their field who have been chosen for their mix of relevant experience and ability to mentor and inspire young people.
Although all teen participants are greeted by GVI staff at their arrival destination, flight chaperoning services are also available upon request. Chaperones provide on-flight accompaniment, and in-airport assistance. To book this service please contact one of our enrollment managers.
This wildlife conservation volunteering program is designed for teens between the ages of 15 and 17, to teach them what a career in conservation would really look like. You will learn how to identify South African animals and how tracking them and recording data on their location and behaviour assists with their conservation. You volunteering project also includes a visit to the Kruger National Park and adventure activities in the scenic Drakensberg mountains. Teens will be lead by experts in their field who have been chosen for their mix of relevant experience and ability to mentor and inspire young people.
Although all teen participants are greeted by GVI staff at their arrival destination, flight chaperoning services are also available upon request. Chaperones provide on-flight accompaniment, and in-airport assistance. To book this service please contact one of our enrollment managers.
Rhino Conservation
Activities
Hotspots
Buffalo Conservation
Lion Conservation
Leopard Conservation
Elephant Conservation
Black Rhino
Safari
National Park
African Buffalo
Southwest African Lion
White Rhino
African Leopard
African Elephant
Kruger National Park
Typical day
Typical Itinerary:
Day 1: Saturday
Arrive in the South African province of Limpopo, known for its abundant wildlife. A GVI staff member will be collecting you from the airport and take you to your overnight residence.
Day 2: Sunday
Hop onto a safari vehicle for your first game drive out onto the South African savannah. Spot lions, leopards, and other iconic wildlife species. Watch the sun set over the African plains.
Day 3: Monday
Find out how to identify South African animals based on their appearance, as well as any paw prints or other evidence they leave behind.
Day 4: Tuesday
You will engage in similar activities as on Day 3; learning how to identify South African animals based on their appearance, as well as any paw prints or other evidence they leave behind.
Day 5: Wednesday
Help to engage local primary school students in protecting the local natural environment. Your lunch will be a traditional South African barbeque, known as a braai.
Day 6: Thursday
Help to engage local primary school students in protecting the local natural environment. Your lunch will be a traditional South African barbeque, known as a braai.
Day 7: Friday
Explore the South African wild on foot during an early morning walk. Learn how indigenous plant species are used in traditional South African cultures.
Day 8: Saturday
Create educational resources for the local primary school. Sleep under the stars and feast on a traditional South African potjie dinner, a stew cooked in the open air.
Day 9: Sunday
Head out on your second bushwalk. Take a different route and put your knowledge of plants to the test. Complete a lecture to learn about wildlife. Go on a game drive.
Day 10: Monday
Visit a reptile rehabilitation sanctuary to learn about the important role this organisation plays in engaging the local community in the protection of snakes and other reptiles.
Day 11: Tuesday
Visit the famous Kruger National Park. Spot the African “Big Five”: lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Leave the park just as the African sun sets over the horizon.
Day 12: Wednesday:
Head out in the early morning, one of the best times to spot local wildlife, on a safari drive. In the afternoon and evening, work on educational resources for local primary school learners.
Day 13: Thursday
Go hiking, climbing, abseiling, and kayaking in the Blyde River Canyon, part of the Drakensberg or “dragon’s mountain” range.
Day 14: Friday
On your final morning walk and afternoon safari drive put your newly acquired knowledge of the South African environment to the test.
Day 15: Saturday
Leave the South African wilds behind as you, and your new, life-long friends, travel back to the airport with GVI staff for your return flight home.
Free-time activities
Your local weekend adventures will be your chance to see more of the local area, including a visit to the famous Kruger National Park and a local township or other activity (all adventure activities are subject to availability and substitutions may be made).
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Sports
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 15 years old on the program start date.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24-hour emergency phone
- 24-hour in-country support
- Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
One of our dedicated staff will greet you at the airport and take you to our base.
Most long distance international flights into Johannesburg are overnight flights, so you should be able to book a flight that lands that morning in time for you to get a connecting flight to Hoedspruit. There are 2 scheduled flights per day from OR Tambo airport 10:15am and 12:15am with SAA Express. You will need to be through customs by 09h00 to make the earlier flight.
Accommodation is in shared same sex rooms with shared bathroom facilities at both bases. There is cold running water available for showers. Flush toilet facilities are available, and participants share base duties, including cleaning and other chores.
Dorm Room
Participants take it in turns to prepare meals for the group. Food is very basic with about two thirds of the meals vegetarian. Breakfast could be cereal, fresh fruit, rusks etc., lunch is typically sandwiches, salads and a typical evening meal may include rice, fresh veg, etc.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) in Hoedspruit. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa.
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.
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.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Due to the current situation you have the flexibility of changing the destination and start dates for this program at no extra cost.
2022
- 23 Jul 2022
2 - 2 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$3,970
2 weeks
(max. stay)
$3,970
Average fees
$1,986
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
GVI
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
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.
Your final payment will be agreed with GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
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application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
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Change your reservation at no extra costs
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Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by GVI.
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African Wildlife Conservation for Teens
Spot lions, elephants, rhinos and other wildlife on a safari conservation awareness experience with other teens in South Africa.
$1773/week
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