About the Program
The Big Five Safari Reserve isn't just an ordinary place; it's a conservation champion that emerged in 1999 through the collaboration of dedicated wildlife advocates. Today, the reserve boasts six luxurious lodges, managed by the modern descendants of the original settlers who arrived in 1820.
Wait, there's more! The Big Five Safari Reserve Volunteer Project serves as a haven for animals, offering them a chance to thrive in their natural habitat once more. Imagine restoring the indigenous flora and fauna while allowing nature to reclaim its rightful place.
Attention all adventurous souls and wildlife lovers! Embark on a thrilling journey at this reserve, immersing yourself in the heart of African safari living and contributing to the preservation of nature. Let's unite to make a positive impact in the untamed world!
Guidance and Supervision
The on-site coordinator is a seasoned game ranger who will escort you to and from the volunteer house to the reserve. They will collaborate with you, providing guidance and imparting knowledge about the land, plants, and animals.
Typical Tasks
As a volunteer at the Big Five Safari Reserve,
your primary responsibility is managing the free roaming lions, with the rest
of the day filled with tasks and duties based around the reserve.
The list below provides the details of various
projects experienced by past volunteers. Please note that duties may change at
any time, which means no week at the reserve will be the same!
Short-term Projects:
- Game
capturing, counting and monitoring
- Medicinal use of plants
and vegetation biomes
- Guided walks, tracking
and trails through the reserve
- Nocturnal
predator monitoring
Long-term Projects:
- Game
counting
- Animal
tracking using telemetry sets
- Territorial ranges and
feeding range monitoring
- Lion
health and breeding monitoring
- Giraffe
movement and breeding monitoring
- Local
community sustainability
- Assisting vulnerable
children and AIDS orphans
- Birds
in reserves project
General reserve Duties:
- Erosion
control
- Fence
patrol and maintenance
- Alien
plant control
- Bush
clean and clear up
- Road
and boma maintenance
Motivation
Living and working on a safari reserve is a dream for many, and here's your chance to play a role in the broader conservation effort. Remember, even though small changes may take time to impact nature significantly and may not be immediately visible, your contribution as a volunteer or gap year student greatly aids in restoring the land to its former state. Your involvement goes beyond the reserve itself; it also supports future sustainability and has a positive environmental impact. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to explore more than just the reserve by spending time at the community project in Paterson, offering a unique perspective on South Africa and its people.
