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South Africa Wildlife Reserve Volunteers

location
1 - 4 weken  ·  Leeftijd 18 - 50+
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Highlights

  • 70% of volunteers are 18-22 years old
  • Get an all-round experience of life on a Big 5 game reserve
  • Play a valuable part in the sustainability of the region

Highlights

  • 70% of volunteers are 18-22 years old
  • Get an all-round experience of life on a Big 5 game reserve
  • Play a valuable part in the sustainability of the region
  • Learn about the conservation of local fauna & flora on a structured project
  • Volunteer on a project located in the heart of the African wildlife

  • Je hoeft nog niets te betalen

    Vooral geschikt voor

    Leeftijd 18+
    Alleenstaanden
    Groepen

    Over het programma

    Be part of a life-changing experience that allows you to work behind the scenes on a world-class wildlife reserve in South Africa! 🦏

    As a South Africa Wildlife Reserve Volunteer, you will get the opportunity to work behind the scenes on a world-class wildlife reserve. In addition, you will gain a rich education in conservation management. South Africa's volunteer programs provide a fantastic opportunity to engage in meaningful ...

    Over het programma

    As a South Africa Wildlife Reserve Volunteer, you will get the opportunity to work behind the scenes on a world-class wildlife reserve. In addition, you will gain a rich education in conservation management. South Africa's volunteer programs provide a fantastic opportunity to engage in meaningful wildlife volunteer work in South Africa. If you have a real passion for animals then this South Africa wildlife volunteer program is the opportunity for you.

    BACKGROUND TO THE WILDLIFE PROGRAM

    The South Africa wildlife volunteer program is home to vast populations of the incredible 'Big 5'. In Africa, the Big 5 game animals are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo. The term originates from hunters. More specifically, hunters would refer to the animals as the five most difficult to hunt on foot in Africa.

    Poaching of wild animals is on the rise in most parts of Africa. Consequently, more species are becoming endangered. Most noteworthy, the Big 5 species represent the highest-profile examples of being threatened with extinction. Other threats come in the form of diseases from domestic animals. Cattle and dogs can easily spread disease into wild animal populations.

    Alien species of animals and plants introduced to Africa represent another threat to the extinction of flora and fauna. Whether introduced deliberately or accidentally, alien species compete with native species for limited food and water. Furthermore, the earth’s changing climate is making much of Africa more prone to drought. This puts even more pressure on all species to compete for scarce water. In the same vein, the human population is diverting rivers for their own needs, leaving many other species high and dry.

    All of these are exacting a terrible toll on Africa’s once-thriving wildlife. Game reserves and their conservation efforts in South Africa aim to play a role in counteracting these threats. They provide a large area of land where wild animals can live safely. Not only this, they represent a managed ecosystem that encompasses many miles of beautiful terrain.

    The focus of a game reserve is specifically on animals (fauna). However, there can be an equal concern with all aspects of native biota of the area (flora, fungi, etc.). Volunteer support in conservation-based activities at the game reserve provides big support to maintaining the flora, fauna and biodiversity.

    This project was established to return the natural land to its former glory. This includes being home to the wildlife species that once roamed freely here. Since its beginning, the project has worked hard to successfully reintroduce native wildlife and flora. To help sustain the environment, volunteers take part in a variety of conservation and maintenance-based activities on the reserve.

    WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT

    South Africa Big 5 Wildlife Reserve - This fabulous South African game reserve is situated on the Eastern Cape and spans over 6,000 hectares. This experience aims to give volunteers a holistic experience of life on a game reserve. Consequently, as you complete wildlife volunteer work in South Africa, opportunities and exposure will come in abundance. Not only will you be exposed to the majestic Big 5 family but also conservation of all types of fauna and flora. They all go hand in hand.

    The game reserves education and rehabilitation centre is home to several species of endangered predators. For example, lions, Bengal tigers and cheetahs. The dedicated conservation team is committed to the preservation of these elusive creatures. Subsequently, this is done through rehabilitation and releasing them back into the wild. The team will conduct such a process whilst considering the effects on a managed ecosystem.

    The work is exciting and varied with lots to learn! Naturally, due to the wild and predatory nature of the animals, this is not a hands-on experience. Furthermore, interaction and close-up monitoring of these animals is not an option as a South Africa wildlife reserve volunteer.

    Big cats like the 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. This was after an arduous 4 years of work and research at the wildlife sanctuary.

    This is a program designed for volunteers interested in having a true African wildlife experience. In other words, on the South Africa wildlife volunteer program, you will make a difference to the local wildlife and environment. Activities for this program vary on a daily 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. Naturally, this is dependent on the number of South Africa wildlife reserve volunteers at the time. Each group will have an outdoor volunteer coordinator as a leader and mentor.

    The groups will be engaged in different daily activities. However, each group 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.

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

    The volunteer tasks are largely a combination of land management and animal management program activities. Here is just a small selection of the volunteer opportunities you can expect to get involved in during the week on the wildlife volunteering abroad program:

    • Lion monitoring

    • Rhino monitoring

    • Educational lectures and classroom activities within local communities

    • 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

    Your efforts will help to make sure the reserve is a safe and suitable environment for these animals to not just survive but thrive. The activities for the week are extremely varied so no two days will be the same. It’s not all work and no play as the program is designed to provide a physical and fun experience every day.

    OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING IN SOUTH AFRICA

    Additional Opportunities - On an ad-hoc basis, the local team sometimes arranges evening reptile shows, lectures, and cross-cultural dance shows. Additionally, volunteers may also have the opportunity to experience extra major conservation activities. Examples can include capturing of wildlife animals, game introduction and fire management activities. These activities take place on an ad-hoc basis but certainly provide volunteers with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    Free Time - It is important to note that the reserve is based remotely. Therefore, volunteers are encouraged to embrace all facilities and aspects of life on the reserve. During free time on the reserve, volunteers have great amenities around them. For example, volunteers can relax in the lounge and swimming pool. Alternatively, choose to enjoy the entertainment room and tennis courts. At weekends, transfers to and from Port Elizabeth run complementary at fixed times from the reserve. Volunteers usually agree on weekend trip plans in one big or two smaller groups, and you can choose what you wish to get up to whilst there, it’s all easy to arrange on a whim.

    Cape Town Volunteer Extension - A trip to South Africa is not complete without visiting and exploring everything Cape Town has to offer! Participants joining us at the wildlife reserve project have the opportunity to extend their trip by joining one of our Cape Town community projects for a period of 1 week+. Please note you may choose to join in a tourist capacity or join our Childcare project if doing 1 week in Cape Town. If staying 2 weeks or more, then you are able to join the Teaching Program (if running). Participants will need to fly from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town on the Sunday following the completion of their first program and the one-way domestic flight is included in the extension price.

    Weekends - Your project work in South Africa runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our South Africa Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.



    Dagelijkse activiteiten

    YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

    Each volunteer in South Africa participant will play a big part and benefit to the conservation efforts of the reserve. All your daily activities are shown on the itinerary which will be displayed on the volunteer notice board. The itinerary will show you what ...

    Dagelijkse activiteiten

    YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

    Each volunteer in South Africa participant will play a big part and benefit to the conservation efforts of the reserve. All your daily activities are shown on the itinerary which will be 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 around volunteering with animals in conservation, you can discuss these with the local team.

    On the South Africa wildlife volunteer program, you will play a key role in saving the precious wilderness. This is not just for the here and now, but also for protecting it for future generations. So, if you fancy rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty in a once in a lifetime setting then this is the program for you. Whether it be for 1 week or part of a gap year, there is no better place to volunteer with animals in conservation than when you complete volunteer work in South Africa.

    Working hours as a conservation volunteer are generally quite fixed across Monday-Friday. They are split into a morning and afternoon session. The morning session is often more physically demanding where temperatures are relatively cooler running from around 9:30am-1:00pm. A lunch break then follows with the afternoon session usually running 2:30pm-4:30pm thereafter. Please note that times are subject to change based on summer/winter times and the activities. Finally, as volunteers are based on the reserve, they are only ever a short jeep drive or walk from where their daily volunteer tasks take place. Any project transport required is included in the Program Fee.


    Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

    Volunteers 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 ...

    Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

    Volunteers 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.


    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 van 09:00 - 14:00

    Diensten ingesloten

    Diensten ingesloten

    Diensten op locatie

    • Accommodation 
    • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
    • Airport Pick Up & Drop Off
    • In-Country Orientation
    • 24 Hour Support

    Afhaal aan de luchthaven op Port Elizabeth International Airport

    You should arrive into Port Elizabeth International Airport (airport code PLZ) on the Monday. Your flight into Port Elizabeth should arrive between 9am – 3:30pm if possible. Our taxi leaves Port Elizabeth at the latest at 4pm on a Monday (or when the last volunteer lands if before), which means a 5:30pm arrival time at the reserve at the latest (it is about a 90 minute road journey from the airport to the reserve). 

    Accomodatie

    During your time on the South Africa volunteer programs you will live in one of our Volunteer Houses. This is located right in the middle of the reserve compound. The accommodation is basic but comfortable. Furthermore, it offers a friendly and lively atmosphere for international volunteers. 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 for your volunteer work in South Africa. Volunteers will be transported to each volunteering activity on the reserve. This service is included in your Program 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. Alternatively, they 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. In addition, hot showers are usually available.

    There are communal areas across the accommodation. They come with comfortable sofas, fridge space, books and tea/coffee stations to enjoy some relaxation. Wi-Fi is available (although intermittent) in the main lounge area outside of volunteering hours. This is a short walk from the volunteer accommodation. Volunteers have access to the swimming pool, tennis courts and entertainment room during downtime as well.

    Furthermore, a chargeable laundry service also operates once per week for all volunteer in South Africa participants. As a result, volunteers can hand over their clothes to be washed, dried and returned to them. Most importantly, the reserve has on-site security throughout. This includes around the accommodation compound and on the main entrance into the reserve.

    Eten & Drank

    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
    Je hoeft nog niets te betalen

    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

    This program starts every Monday year-round

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

    Programmakosten

    1 week (min. verblijf) 706€
    2 weken 1.185€
    3 weken 1.664€
    4 weken (max. verblijf) 2.143€
    Gemiddelde kosten 620€/week

    Programmakosten

    620€ per week 1 - 4 weken Leeftijd 18 - 50+

    Betaalmethodes

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    GEEN CREDITCARDKOSTEN


    Duurtijd

    1 - 4 weken

    Waarborg

    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

    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.

    Je hoeft nog niets te betalen
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