vanaf 668€

Briljant 4.7rating (414)

Wildlife Reserve Supporter

location
581€ per week  ·  1 - 4 weken  ·  Leeftijd 18 - 50+

  Geverifieerd door Volunteer World
  Zeer hoog Responsgraad
Contact coördinator

Highlights

  • Volunteer with the Big Five in a South African wildlife reserve
  • Experience the unique chance to work alongside this fascinating wild animals
  • Enjoy the rewarding feeling of saving South African's wildlife by helping injured or orphaned animals to get back on track
  • Meet like-minded people from all over the world and build life-long friendships

Vooral geschikt voor

Leeftijd 18+
Alleenstaanden
Koppels
Groepen

Over het programma

PMGY’s Big 5 Wildlife Experience is a life-changing experience that allows you to work behind the scenes on a world-class wildlife reserve in South Africa!

Introduction

PMGY’s Big 5 Wildlife Experience is a life-changing experience that allows you to work behind the scenes on a world-class wildlife reserve in South Africa! It is the ultimate wildlife programme, where volunteers get the opportunity to enjoy hands-on involvement and a rich education in ...

Over het programma

Introduction

PMGY’s Big 5 Wildlife Experience is a life-changing experience that allows you to work behind the scenes on a world-class wildlife reserve in South Africa! It is the ultimate wildlife programme, where volunteers get the opportunity to enjoy hands-on involvement and a rich education in Conservation Management. If you have a real passion for animals and the conservation of endangered species then this is the programme for you.

This fabulous South African Game Reserve is situated on the Eastern Cape and spans over 6000 hectares. This experience aims to give volunteers a holistic experience of life on a game reserve with exposure not only to the majestic Big 5 family but also conservation of all types of fauna and flora – they all go hand in hand.

The game reserve’s education and rehabilitation centre is home to a number of species of endangered predators including lions, Bengal tigers and cheetahs. The dedicated conservation team are committed to the preservation of these elusive creatures by rehabilitating them and releasing them back into the wild, while needing to consider the effects on a managed eco system. The work is exciting and varied with lots to learn! Naturally due to the wild and predatory nature of the animals, volunteers are advised to note that interaction and close up monitoring of these animals is not an option for the participants on the programme.

Bengal tigers are also found at the centre. Their population has deteriorated at an alarming rate. Over the last 100 years hunting and deforestation have reduced tiger populations from hundreds of thousands to perhaps fewer than 2,500. The centre has been lucky enough to see the birth of a Bengal tiger cub after an arduous 4 years of work and research.

This is a programme designed for volunteers interested in having a truly African experience while making a difference to the local wildlife and environment. Activities for this programme vary on a day to day basis and are dependent on weather and other factors (so please expect the itinerary to change from time to time!).

The itinerary is designed in such a way that volunteers are divided into groups of up to 10 volunteers per group, depending on the number of volunteers. Each group will have an outdoor volunteer coordinator as a leader and mentor.

The groups will be engaged in different daily activities, but will all do the same type and number of activities by the end of the week. In some cases all the groups might do the same activity at the same time depending on the type of activity.

Working hours are generally quite fixed and split into a morning and afternoon session. The morning session is often more physically demanding where temperatures are relatively cooler running from around 9.30-13.00. A lunch break then follows with the afternoon session usually running 14.30-16.30 thereafter. Please note that times are subject to change based on summer / winter times and the activities.

During their free time, volunteers can relax in the lounge, swimming pool, on the tennis courts or in the entertainment room. At weekends, if volunteers choose to head back into Port Elizabeth, then transfers in both directions do run complimentary at fixed times from the reserve with no additional costs.

On an ad-hoc basis, the local team sometimes arrange evening reptile shows, lectures, and cross cultural dance shows.

So it is a busy yet highly rewarding and exciting programme from start to finish. The dedicated volunteer coordinator will ensure that you have a wonderful learning experience, make a real contribution to the reserve and leave with a stronger understanding of the conservation issues in South Africa.

So, if you fancy rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty in a once in a lifetime setting then this is the programme for you!

Can I use this program as part of a university or college placement? 

It is certainly possible to use one of PMGY’s programmes as part of your university or college placement. Project staff can sign off any paperwork required by your course tutors. PMGY regularly receives medical, childcare, psychology and nursing placement students at our projects around the world and we have ties with some of the leading universities.

If you’re a course tutor and would like further information about how one of PMGY’s programmes could meet the placement requirements for your degree course then please contact us.

Is it safe to travel to PMGY destinations?

Although our volunteers work in the developing world, we always ensure our host locations are safe. Each programme has been extensively researched and has passed our strict vetting process. Our UK team undergo an extensive routine when establishing our in-country infrastructures and we continue to monitor our safety procedures on a regular basis. Furthermore, we monitor the stability of our volunteer destinations on a daily basis. Through our constant contact with consulates and embassies and our reports from our overseas teams, we are able to ensure that our volunteers are never placed in unstable regions.

The PMGY team have visited and participated in every programme we offer and verified them based on our own independent criteria. We carefully inspect every little detail of our set-up. From inspecting the living conditions, checking out the neighbourhoods you’ll be staying in, to tasting the food you’ll be eating – each and every programme we establish has gone through a lengthy and rigorous vetting process. Risk assessments have been written for all areas in which PMGY operate and our experienced local coordinators are always on-hand to manage any emergencies that may occur. Our UK team are always on the road reviewing our risk management procedures in the field and monitoring local conditions. 

In emergency situations we have the necessary protocols and equipment in place and we are able to evacuate our volunteers from potential dangers. Our local coordinators are trained to deal with emergency circumstances. 

When you join PMGY we will send you a digital Volunteer Handbook. This document addresses a range of issues such as health, safety, visa issues etc. Furthermore, our UK team are only ever a phone call away should you wish to discuss any aspect of your upcoming programme. When you arrive in-country, you’ll be given a comprehensive safety briefing during your orientation course by our local coordinators. We will go through everything from emergency procedures, how to use local transport and cultural differences. You’ll also be given the opportunity to purchase a local SIM card, something we strongly suggest, so you’re contactable at all times. We will provide you with a full list of the important contact numbers that you’ll need to know.

All our local teams are experienced development professionals who have years of experience in hosting international volunteers. They are our representatives on the ground and will assist you 24/7 throughout your stay. Whether you need to call home, travel at the weekend or require urgent assistance – they are there to support you.

While we cannot guarantee your volunteer experience to be 100% trouble free we have taken all the necessary precautions to make sure each programme is as safe as possible.



Dagelijkse activiteiten

Your efforts will help to make sure the reserve is a safe and suitable environment for these animals to not just survive but thrive. You will get the chance to get up close and personal with some of South Africa’s most famous residents. There will be the possibility to care for lions, elephants, ...

Dagelijkse activiteiten

Your efforts will help to make sure the reserve is a safe and suitable environment for these animals to not just survive but thrive. You will get the chance to get up close and personal with some of South Africa’s most famous residents. There will be the possibility to care for lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards. 

The activities for the rest of the week are extremely varied so no two days will be the same. Its not all work and no play as the programme is designed to provide a physical and fun experience every day. The volunteer tasks are largely a combination of land management and animal management program activities. Here is just a small selection of the things you can expect to get involved in during the week:

  • Lion monitoring
  • Rhino monitoring
  • Educational lectures and classroom activities
  • Removal of alien vegetation
  • Planting of indigenous trees
  • Landscaping
  • Re-establishment of vegetation and vegetation management
  • Fence and anti-poach patrols
  • Fence repairs and road maintenance
  • Monitoring of predators in the rehabilitation centre
  • Game counts

All your day to day activities are shown on the itinerary which is always displayed on the volunteer notice board The itinerary will show you what activity your group will be doing and at what time. If you have any suggestions, you are also free to discuss with the local team.


Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

IN & AROUND THE GAME RESERVE

PMGY volunteer in South Africa Wildlife participants are based on the Sidbury plains in the Eastern Cape. The reserve was initially home to Sidbury village, built by British settlers to support sheep farming communities.

On the reserve, you will encounter the impressive ...

Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

IN & AROUND THE GAME RESERVE

PMGY volunteer in South Africa Wildlife participants are based on the Sidbury plains in the Eastern Cape. The reserve was initially home to Sidbury village, built by British settlers to support sheep farming communities.

On the reserve, you will encounter the impressive Big 5 roaming freely on the Sidbury plains. Kwantu Reserve is located off the beaten track around a 90-minute drive from central Port Elizabeth. At weekends transfers to and from the reserve and Port Elizabeth are included in the Program Fee. Due to the more remote location of the project, you usually stay on-site at the reserve for the entire week.

Participants generally volunteer on a Monday-Friday basis and the weekends are free to relax or travel further afield. As our volunteers will testify, the wider travel opportunities are extremely important to the whole experience and it is something we certainly recommend. Our local team are able to arrange activities, transport and accommodation but please note this is usually an independent experience outside of the core program.

WEEKENDS AROUND THE GAME RESERVE

PORT ELIZABETH

Port Elizabeth is a city on Algoa Bay in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. Port Elizabeth (PE for short) fringes Algoa Bay at the western end of the Sunshine Coast, and offers many good bathing beaches, great surf spots and excellent water sports. Marine life in the bay is also sensational, with plenty of dolphins and whales that can be spotted throughout the year. The city centre, once a place to avoid, has started to smarten up thanks to a few urban regeneration projects, and it boasts numerous heritage buildings that are well worth a gander.

JEFFREYS BAY

Jeffreys Bay is a town located in the Eastern Cape province and is one of the five most famous surfing destinations in the world. Jeffreys Bay is a popular tourist destination because of its surfing opportunities and the Blue Flag beach. Jeffreys Bay is famous for abundant seashells, great seafood and calamari. The nearby Kabeljous, Seekoei and Krom River lagoons host numerous water birds and are also ideal for many different watersports including canoeing, boardsailing and fishing.

TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK

Tsitsikamma National Park is an area of the Garden Route National Park, on South Africa’s southern coast. It encompasses a marine reserve, deep gorges and local vegetation. The Mouth Trail crosses a suspension bridge over Storms River. The Otter Trail leads you to Nature’s Valley, with birds including the Cape batis. Bungee jumping is popular reason for volunteers and adventurers to visit Tsitsikamma. Bloukrans Bungy is the highest commercially operated Bungy Jump from a bridge, in the world.


Voorwaarden

Voorwaarden

Minimum leeftijd: 18 jaar

Om deel te nemen aan het programma dien je tenminste 18 jaar oud te zijn op de startdatum van het programma. Er kunnen uitzonderingen gemaakt worden indien je een bewijs van toestemming kan aantonen van uw wettelijke voogd(en) of samen met je ouders deelneemt.

Taalkennis

Je dient over volgende taalkennis te beschikken Engels (gemiddeld niveau)

Bewijs van goed gedrag en zeden

verplicht

Nationaliteitsbeperkingen

Geen beperkingen. Helpende handen van over de hele wereld zijn welkom.

Andere vaardigheden

You should also be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas then these must be declared to us during your online application.

Tijdsinzet

Uw helpende hand wordt verwacht op maandag, dinsdag, woensdag, donderdag en vrijdag

Diensten ingesloten

Diensten ingesloten

Afhaal aan de luchthaven op Port Elizabeth International Airport

Programmes start every Monday each month.You will be met at the airport by one of our local staff or an appointed driver who will be holding a named sign. They will take you to your accommodation where you will spend the rest of your day at leisure. You must arrive before 4pm on the Monday start date. 

Accomodatie

Volunteer House

During your time with PMGY in South Africa you will stay at one of our Volunteer Houses, located right in the middle of the reserve compound. The accommodation is basic but comfortable and offers a friendly and lively atmosphere. You’ll be living with other volunteers from around the world, so you’ll make plenty of friends along the way.

We will transport you via jeep to and from the accommodation onto the reserve or project setting for the volunteering activity. This service is included in your Programme Fee.

You will be housed in either the Kubs Quarters or Mafusa Camp dorms. The dorms are single sex dorms. Volunteers are provided with bed linen, cupboard space and a mini locker safe to store any valuables. We strongly recommend that volunteers bring a padlock, although these can often be bought from our small shop on site if forgotten. Bathrooms are shared In a dorm like form with a western style toilet, and hot showers are available. There is communal areas across the accommodation with comfortable sofas, big screen TVs, fridge space, books and tea/coffee stations to enjoy for some relaxation and downtime.

Wi-Fi is available (although intermittent) in the main lounge area a short walk from the volunteer accommodation outside of working hours. A chargeable laundry service also operates once per week, where volunteers can hand over their clothes to be washed, dried and returned to them. Volunteers have access to the swimming pool, tennis courts and entertainment room during downtime as well.

The reserve has on site security throughout both around the accommodation compound and on the main entrance into the reserve.

Eten & Drank

MEALS

Meals are aimed to be as varied as possible across the week so that each day is different.

The breakfast consists of cereals, bread, butter, jam, peanut butter, tea, coffee and cheese, but sometimes we serve eggs, sausages or baked beans, and sometimes a combination of the above.

As for lunch and dinner we have a wide variety ranging from burgers, chicken and chips, macaroni cheese, vegetarian dishes, potato casserole and so on (so you definitely won’t go hungry!). All meals come with a salad option as well.

Please note that all meals are served at the Mafusa dining area, and no cooking is allowed in any of the kitchen areas.

Note: Our team will do their best to cater for any dietary requirements but there may be instances where you may need to purchase alternative ingredients at your own expense.

Internet toegang

Makkelijke toegang op de project site

Wat is er NIET inbegrepen?

Wat is er NIET inbegrepen?

Vlucht tickets

De dichtste luchthaven is Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth. We assisteren u met het vinden van goedkope vluchten naar Zuid-Afrika. VIND GOEDKOPE VLUCHTEN

Reisverzekering

Naar het buitenland reizen is een avontuur en het is best om goed voorbereid te zijn. Plots ziek worden of gewond raken, annulaties of diefstal - een reisverzekering voor Zuid-Afrika biedt zekerheid en is een meerwaarde. KRIJG EEN OFFERTE

Vaccinaties

Als je de intentie hebt om als vrijwilliger aan de slag te gaan in Zuid-Afrika dien je eerst medisch advies in te winnen alvorens je eropuit trekt. Kijk de benodigde vaccinaties na voor Zuid-Afrika. VACCINATIE CHECKER

Gegevens over jouw aankomst

You should arrive into Port Elizabeth International Airport on the selected Monday start date. Programmes start every Monday each month.You will be met at the airport by one of our local staff or an appointed driver who will be holding a named sign. They will take you to your accommodation where you will spend the rest of your day at leisure. You must arrive before 4pm on the Monday start date. 

The programme ends on the Sunday of your final week and you should depart the accommodation on this day.

Beschikbaarheid
jan. feb. mrt. apr. mei. jun. jul. aug. sep. okt. nov. dec.

Programmakosten

1 week (min. verblijf) 668€
2 weken 1.108€
3 weken 1.543€
4 weken (max. verblijf) 1.975€
Gemiddelde kosten 581€/week

Programmakosten

581€ per week 1 - 4 weken Leeftijd 18 - 50+

Betaalmethodes

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

GEEN CREDITCARDKOSTEN


Duurtijd

1 - 4 weken

Waarborg (15%)

De waarborg dient om je plek als vrijwilliger te verzekeren. Betalingen worden door PayPal behandeld, onze betrouwbare betalingsprovider. Indien je niet over een PayPal account beschikt, kan je ook met een credit kaart betalen.


Finale betaling (85%)

Uw finale betaling zal worden goedgekeurd door Plan My Gap Year gedurende de aanmeld procedure. Veel voorkomende oplossingen zijn een banktransfer of contante betaling op de projectsite.


Ontmoet je gastheer

Plan My Gap Year

Briljant 4.7 rating (414 beoordelingen)

Agentschap - opgericht in 2011

Geverifieerd door Volunteer World

  Zeer hoog Responsgraad

Gepresenteerd door

Josh

Gesproken talen: Engels

Over de organisatie

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK.
Contact coördinator

Ontmoet je gastheer

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK. We provide safe, affordable, need-driven volunteer programmes from 1 to 24 weeks in 11 countries worldwide.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US…

Founded by volunteers for volunteers, Plan My Gap Year works with local communities in the developing world towards long-term sustainable goals. We know there is no better way to travel and make a positive impact on the world.

We work extremely hard to ensure that our opportunities are affordable for everyone who wants to make a difference. So fees are 100% transparent, something our volunteers really appreciate.

Plan My Gap Year structured programmes create the perfect platform for you to see the world, meet like-minded people and engage in meaningful volunteer work. We have teams in the UK and in our host destinations who will support you 24/7 throughout your time with us. Furthermore, every project on our network is regularly risk-assessed by our UK team to ensure our set up is safe and that our volunteers are making a positive impact.

There is also a great social element to our programmes. Plan My Gap Year puts you in touch with all your fellow volunteers via Facebook before you set off. Our projects receive volunteers from around the world throughout the year, so even if you’re travelling solo, you’re going to meet heaps of people along the way. Plus you’ll have plenty of opportunity to travel the country with your newfound travel buddies – it’s all part of the PMGY experience!

So if you’re thinking of doing something a bit different on your next trip abroad, then why not drop us a line and find out what extraordinary things you could be doing.

AFFORDABLE & TRANSPARENT FEES

Our aim is to make our programmes accessible to motivated travellers irrespective of their financial capacity. Plan My Gap Year focuses on providing the core requirements of a volunteer programme: safety, structure and sustainability.

We are 100% transparent with our fees. That way you know exactly how much of your money goes towards the local community.

Compared to the large majority of volunteer organisations out there, even most charities and not-for-profits, PMGY’s opportunities are significantly cheaper. Furthermore, as our reviews will testify, our support service and structured programmes are second to none.

SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

Your safety is our top priority. All of Plan My Gap Years' programmes have been personally inspected and vetted by the PMGY team – which is not an industry standard by any means. We carry out independent risk assessments on an annual basis and our local teams constantly review the safety precautions we implement. This includes regular staff and safety appraisals.

 Our local teams are made up of highly experienced volunteer coordinators. They have hosted international volunteers for many years and are prepared to react in the unlikely event of an emergency. Whatever the problem, big or small, our local teams are available around the clock.

As part of our commitment to your safety, we keep in constant communication with local embassies and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to ensure we can identify potentially dangerous situations and act upon them immediately. Our UK team are available 24/7 to assist volunteers and their families.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

We support our volunteers every step of the way. Before you go we will provide you with a detailed Volunteer Handbook, which will guide you through how to prepare for your trip. This Handbook contains literally everything you need to know – from what to pack, to how to obtain a visa, to local language guides.

Our experienced UK team are always available to provide assistance. Plan My Gap Year is always available to answer our questions and support you in anyway we can. 

On arrival, a member of our in-country team will collect you from the airport and help you settle in. Your orientation course will teach you everything you need to know about the country, how to stay safe and what to expect from your upcoming volunteer experience. 

Our local team are on-call 24/7. Whether you’ve lost your passport or just want some help in planning a weekend trip, our friendly in-country coordinators provide that safety net to ensure you are well looked after.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

Plan My Gap Years' responsibility is not limited to our travellers but also the projects we support. That is why all our volunteers must provide a Criminal Background Check before they travel.

It is essential that our projects are need-driven and sustainable. We work closely with our local partners to ensure that our volunteers are contributing to bring about long-term development.

PERSONAL TOUCH

We really know our programmes. Our UK team have stayed in the accommodation, volunteered at the projects and met the volunteers. We carefully assess each application we receive so that your personality and skills are suited to the project. Whatever your query, you can feel assured that you will be speaking to someone who can tell you exactly what to expect.

HAVING FUN

One of the best aspects of volunteering is meeting some amazing like-minded people. We place over 2,000 volunteers every year so wherever and whenever you go, you have the peace of mind in knowing you will be living and working alongside other PMGY volunteers. In many of our destinations, we run our own Volunteer House accommodation, which ensures all volunteers live together, and therefore guaranteeing a strong social element. In addition, our local team are always there to help you plan any independent travel or give you some tips for what to do at the weekend.

414 beoordelingen · rating4.7

Belinda Graf rating4.6

2023 at Wildlife Reserve Supporter

I had a good time at the Kwantu game reserve. Staff is very nice and the dorm is cool. You usually work 1-3 hours a day which is not that much. If you‘d rather want to chill at the beach you can. They don‘t care uf you come to „work“ or not. You‘ll see a lot of animals in the car and the ...
Serena Schulze rating5

2023 at Wildlife Reserve Supporter

This volunteer program changed my life, if you are thinking about doing it , don’t hesitate! The employees there are incredible (Felix, Mama Africa, Ally G, Zaza etc). So nice and so smiley all the time. Then the activities are awesome! I don’t have words to describe it. I stayed there 4 weeks ...
Shaked Franks rating5

2022 at Wildlife Reserve Supporter

A must do if you want to come and travel in south africa. Amazing staff, good vibes with other volunteers, a large variety of activities to do over the weekend. And of course the wildlife itself is just majestic. 10/10 ...
Jessica Wulfes rating3.4

2022 at Wildlife Reserve Supporter

I spend 4 weeks in January 2022 in the programm. The first week we have been only 2 volunteers. The weeks after it increased to up to 15. Now i must say the first week was the best, as we actually could to everything ourself instead of often watching others doing somthing. The tasks where often a ...
Myriam Frieser rating4

2020 at Wildlife Reserve Supporter

It seemed to me like being in paradise! I´ve ever searched for something like this! It was so amazing to work in that game reserve, People were so friendly and relaxed. And we had a wonderful weekend at Plettenberg Bay. But than the world fall into Corona Crisis and there was a lot of panik, ...
Neil Waterfield rating2.8

2018 at Wildlife Reserve Supporter

We were picked up from the airport as promised but then taken to a lodge in Port Elizabeth where we were left for six hours with no food or drinks provided., until the final volunteer arrived. Kwantu lodge itself was good and the dorms are comfortable. Wifi however is non existent in the dorms ...

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