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Outstanding 4.92rating (5)
  • Life On Land

Volunteer on Game Reserve with Big 5 Animals

location
2 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Support a project that is as authentic as it can get - from locals and for its local wildlife: passionate, experienced and sustainable
  • Don't just talk - learn and see what Wildlife Conservation means, get active and broaden your horizon!
  • Vital field experiential education contribute to your future career goals

Highlights

  • Support a project that is as authentic as it can get - from locals and for its local wildlife: passionate, experienced and sustainable
  • Don't just talk - learn and see what Wildlife Conservation means, get active and broaden your horizon!
  • Vital field experiential education contribute to your future career goals
  • Be part of an international team, make friends and memories for lifetime
  • Enjoy weekend excursions to Port Elizabeth
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups

    About the program

    Relocate to the incredible setting of the South African bush for the animal encounter of a lifetime, working closely with the entire spectrum of safari wildlife on a work

    The Project:

    Participants on this volunteering program stay at a private Game Reserve about an hour NE of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The Reserve was set up on old agricultural land and covers around 6,000 hectares, with a perimeter stretching over 80 km. On this unique project, you live and ...

    About the program

    The Project:

    Participants on this volunteering program stay at a private Game Reserve about an hour NE of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The Reserve was set up on old agricultural land and covers around 6,000 hectares, with a perimeter stretching over 80 km. On this unique project, you live and work at the park, actively helping with the effort to protect endangered species in an area home to all of Africa’s Big 5 - Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Elephants and Cape Buffalo.

    The Reserve engages in extensive and vital conservation programs, as without these conservation efforts, wildlife in the area would not be sustainable.      

    Volunteer Role:

    As a volunteer, the activities you can look forward to participating in include, but are not limited to:

    • Removal of alien vegetation
    • Lion tracking and monitoring
    • Tree planting and landscaping
    • Flora & Fauna workshops
    • Wilderness trail walks and patrols
    • Fence patrol
    • Game counts (in season)
    • Game captures & tracking (in season)

    Typical day

    Training:

    During your time on the Reserve, you will also learn a number of key skills from the many guides and animal experts who work there, including:

    • Orientation in the bush
    • Introduction to wild animals
    • Animal tracking (footprints) 
    • Bush survival skills
    • Various tree species and their benefits/ harms
    • Ant

    Typical day

    Training:

    During your time on the Reserve, you will also learn a number of key skills from the many guides and animal experts who work there, including:

    • Orientation in the bush
    • Introduction to wild animals
    • Animal tracking (footprints) 
    • Bush survival skills
    • Various tree species and their benefits/ harms
    • Anti-poaching and fence patrol

    Life on the Reserve:

    You will start your days volunteering at 0830 and finish at approximately 1630 Monday to Friday, with timely breaks for re-fuelling! Food is varied and plentiful, with western favourites as well as local specialities available.

    Your home away from home will be comfy dormitories shared with other volunteers. Dorms are single sex, with 2-bed partitioned areas for privacy. Volunteers at the centre come from all over the world, creating a lively community of like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds.

    Weekend Excursions:

    Weekends are free time. Either relax and un-wind at the Reserve, enjoying the park and its close-knit community, or head out on a weekend excursion to Port Elizabeth. Transport and shared hostel accommodation for weekend excursions are included in your fees.

    Free-time activities

    Weekends are free time. Either hang out at the Reserve, enjoying the park and its close-knit community, or head out on a weekend excursion to Port Elizabeth. Transport (subject to scheduled times) and shared hostel accommodation for weekend excursions are included in your fees. If you would like to ...

    Free-time activities

    Weekends are free time. Either hang out at the Reserve, enjoying the park and its close-knit community, or head out on a weekend excursion to Port Elizabeth. Transport (subject to scheduled times) and shared hostel accommodation for weekend excursions are included in your fees. If you would like to upgrade to private accommodation, volunteers are welcome to do so but at your own cost. Volunteers are also free to organize their own excursions around the Eastern Cape Province at their own 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 (intermediate level)

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    Commitment and passion for nature, animals and Africa, fluency in English, teamwork

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Included in the price is accommodation, 3 meals a day from Monday to Friday and brunch and dinner on the weekends, project equipment and project training, return airport transfer and project donation. 

    Airport Pickup at Port Elizabeth International Airport

    A dedicated transfer service to and from Port Elizabeth runs at set times every weekend.


    If multiple volunteers are arriving on the same day, you may have to wait for the last arrival to land. Transfer time may vary for this reason. If your outbound flight departs on Sunday morning, you will be transferred to Port Elizabeth (as per the above schedule) the day before and provided with accommodation so that you can be fresh for your journey. Should you be departing on the Monday or later, you will have the choice of going on the weekend excursion and staying over in Port Elizabeth on the Sunday night, or spending your last weekend on the Reserve and returning to Port Elizabeth on Sunday afternoon to spend the night there. 

    Accommodation

    Your home away from home will be comfy dormitories shared with other volunteers. Dorms sleep up to 20, with 2-bed partitioned areas for privacy. Sleeping areas are single sex, with shared lounge and dining areas for all. Wi-Fi is available throughout. In some cases where volunteers want to stay as a couple, this can be arranged at an extra cost and also depends on the availability of rooms, unless arrangements were made prior to arrival. A laundry service is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays subject to a nominal fee.

    Food & Beverages

    All your hard work will give you an appetite to match your favourite Big 5 animal. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered:

    Breakfast: 0930 – 1000
    Lunch: 1300 – 1400
    Dinner: 1800 – 1900

    Basic breakfast consists of cereals, bread, butter, jam, tea, coffee and cheese, with extras like eggs, sausages
    or baked beans. Western menus feature heavily for lunch and dinner with as much variety as possible, ranging
    from burgers, chicken and chips, vegetarian dishes, potato casserole etc. You definitely won’t go hungry!

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth. 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

    Arrival and Departure
    Your entry and exit point when travelling to South Africa is Port Elizabeth International Airport. You must arrive on a Monday in time to catch your 16:00 transfer to the Reserve. The reserve is approximately 85km NE of Port Elizabeth. Homeward flights should also depart on a Monday, if possible. If you choose to stay in Port Elizabeth after your program has ended then you will need to organise your own accommodation and transport to the airport.

    If you would like some help booking your flight then let us know and we can provide you with details of flight providers.

    We are able to offer this program on a rolling basis, meaning you can start on any Monday. If your ideal travel dates aren't shown below do contact us and we can arrange a date for you!
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 1,440€
    3 weeks 2,160€
    4 weeks (max. stay) 2,880€
    Average fees 720€/week

    Program fees

    720€ 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

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.9
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers
    •
    2017
    I felt it was a life-changing experience. I had a great 6 weeks living in the jungle, learning many useful skills. I met some great people ...

    Location

    Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Port Elizabeth

    Meet your project coordinator

    Gapforce
    5
    reviews
    4.92
    Outstanding
    1989
    Founded

    Verified

      Excellent response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    You might also be interested in

    Volunteer Abroad  >  Animals  >  Wildlife Conservation in South Africa
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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