CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE PROGRAMMES

If the thought of traveling to Africa, living in a pristine game reserve, and working with some of Africa’s wildest animals excites you, come and join us on a lifechanging Conservation and Wildlife Experience programme. You are offered a unique and rewarding experience at any of our world class reserves, while enjoying a hands-on bush adventure in a safe environment. Our programmes are not only fun and challenging, but also offer personal development while making a valuable contribution to the conservation of Southern Africa’s natural resources. We pride ourselves in meeting your expectations and offering you safety and operational excellence throughout your stay. Cultural immersion is an integral part of our programmes, and you will be enriched by the experience of living and working with our local people. Come and enjoy the diversity of our many cultures and make a difference in the lives of Africa’s people. Release yourself to the sights and sounds of the African bush … a wonderful way to learn about the beauty of nature. Explore, dream, discover and work in the wild!!

The safety of our volunteers and students are our most important priority. Our Conservation and Wildlife Experience programmes are presented with the safety and security of our participants in mind. All the reserves and conservation organizations adhere to strict safety criteria, and we only operate programmes in environments and areas that are politically stable and safe.

A representative of our partners or their staff member meets all volunteers and students upon arrival at their final destination. Volunteers on flights via Johannesburg International Airport (JIA) with a minimum connecting time of 5 hours for an onward domestic flight, are also met at the airport and assisted with their transit connecting flights. All conservation programme placements include return airport transfers from the nearest airport to the relevant reserve or programme host. During the first few days after arrival all participants are given a local country orientation and area induction. This includes important details on your conservation placement such a geographic location, overview of the programme, objectives and outcomes, course content, participant responsibilities, local customs, culture and conduct.

Costs of Conservation and Wildlife Experience programmes do not include any international travel arrangements. Participants are responsible for making their own flight bookings to the designated airport at their final destination. If we have more than one volunteer from a specific country travelling to the same reserve over the same period of time, our office will advise participants of other contact details in order to make arrangements to travel together. Students and volunteers that do need a visa will have to apply and pay for such visa with the relevant issuing authority in their country of residence. Some countries may require official invitations and other immigration documents from South Africa, which we will forward to participants at their cost.
Important: All participants must obtain travel, medical, accident and emergency repatriation insurance before travelling to South Africa. Details of minimum coverage required are provided on request.

CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES AND WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES:

All programmes offer a unique, fun-filled, practical experience, which at the same time imparts a remarkable amount of practical knowledge to students and volunteers. Programmes include regular evaluations, assignments or informal presentations on the subject matter covered during the week. Students will also be assessed on the practical skills they’ve learned, and will receive a Course Completion Certificate after a stay of 4 weeks.

Our reserve is situated in the Greater Kruger National Park on a 15 000 hectare concession enclosed within the Kruger National Park. This is prime Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo - area and the wildlife of this region is unsurpassed. The world-renowned KNP offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares is unrivaled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. Many areas remain in an absolute pristine state and can only be explored and enjoyed on foot. Highly qualified rangers and Shangaan trackers render these excursions unforgettable and provide our students with insight into the ways of the wild, as well as traditional African customs and beliefs. All our field guides have special interests and will enthrall students with talks and demonstrations on the fascinating habits of reptiles, insects and other smaller creatures which play an important role in the functioning of the entire ecosystem. The open plains teem with large herds of zebra, wildebeest and other general wildlife. White rhino, elephant and buffalo abound in the numerous pans and mud wallows. The camp comprises an area of 35 hectares surrounded by an electrical fence, which gives peace of mind to students and staff when moving around the camp during day or at night. The camp has a bush interpretation walking trail within the camp fence line, a bird hide for bird enthusiasts, a recreation area with a swimming pool, soccer field, sand volley ball pit, and a bush bar. The camp also boasts a well-equipped resource centre with internet and e-mail facilities and a small computer library. An outside undercover venue and two seminar rooms with comprehensive audio visual equipment are used for lectures, presentations and guest speakers.

All Conservation and Wildlife Experience Programmes are open to male and female applicants over the age of 18 yrs. Conservation is very much hands-on and students will take an active role in the various reserve activities while learning more about the ecology and wildlife. There is some physical work involved and participants must be fit, healthy and have a willing attitude to get involved with all aspects of the programme during their stay. In some instances female volunteers may not be allowed on anti-poaching patrols at night. Programme hours which could involve active work are Monday – Friday (07h00 – 16h00) and Saturdays (07h00 - 13h00). Sundays are off-days and if possible day trips are arranged for Saturday afternoons and / or Sundays.

All programmes have been developed with the assistance of conservation organisations, wildlife authorities, national parks and training facilitators. This pool of resources ensure that participants are given the best possible learning experience, and can benefit from specific guest speakers and industry leaders sharing their knowledge in their various areas of expertise. Staff at our host reserves is specifically trained to share their skills and area knowledge and many are considered specialists in their field. They follow the designed programme content whilst adapting it to the needs of the students and the reserve environment. All programmes maintain a high degree of education, training, learning and general hands-on experience. Participants are given the chance to experience the African bush first hand and learn about conservation, the ecosystem, wildlife and community involvement in the protection of our bio-diversity. Students and volunteers are also given the opportunity to develop their bush skills and increase their knowledge of all aspects of the environment, from soils and grasses, to insects and birds, through to mammals and animal behaviour. Volunteers will also be involved with various community outreach programmes such as teaching in schools, building projects, day clinics and opportunities for debate and cultural exchange. Students will participate in game drives, nature walks and sleep outs under the African sky. Visits to some of the world’s most famous reserves situated right on our doorstep, and excursions to animal rehabilitation centers, wildlife sanctuaries, reptile parks and other area attractions are all part of the programme. Our exciting field trips take volunteers into other Big 5 reserves where they are involved with research projects such as the tracking and monitoring of Rhino, Buffalo, Elephant, Lion and Wild Dogs in their natural environment. Close encounters with these magnificent animals will give students a whole new respect for them!
Theoretical and practical aspects of the programme are followed on a weekly basis, yet allowing for other interesting opportunities as they arise. This may result in time constraints and some programme items might be negated altogether. The group will be consulted as to which items are dropped. Our experience has proved that different groups have different interests and though all the subjects are covered with each group, the intensity and depth in which the subject matter is covered depends on the specific interests of the group.

Accommodation at the reserve offers relaxing bush comfort with all modern conveniences. Our Conservation and Wildlife Experience programmes are structured to allow for a comfortable long term stay while combing your time in the bush with true outdoor wilderness adventures. Students and volunteers stay within the reserve making for unforgettable memories in close proximity to the African bush and its wildlife. Accommodation is provided in thatched chalets, log cabins and self contained units. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with WC, shower / bath, a lounge area, and a private outside patio to enjoy the African sunsets! Accommodation for mobile camping or permanent bush camps are provided in tents equipped with single or double beds, mattresses and sleeping bags, with separate nearby ablution facilities. Most meals are prepared by the reserve staff and are served in the dining hall and restaurant areas. Outside trips and special events may require students to participate in the preparation of meals. Wherever possible the catering staff will meet special dietary requirements. A healthy breakfast or brunch is served in the late morning comprising of fruit, cereal or porridge, toast and a cooked meal such as bacon and eggs. Tea, coffee and sandwiches are served in the mid afternoon. Dinner is a full course meal in the dining hall or under the stars in the outside boma.

Basic costs are per person sharing on a two person per room basis, and includes –

Costs are subject to change, exchange rate fluctuations, and availability. Costs can be changed without notice until full payment is received. Fees do not include any adventure sport activities which can be arranged on request.

All Conservation and Wildlife Experience Programmes offer an individual four week experience tailored to the reserve activities and projects of that area. Our reserves however also offer participants the opportunity to combine programme options in different regions. Students and volunteers can have a comprehensive holistic experience with exposure to all the different eco-systems of Southern Africa. Extensions are therefore encouraged for additional 4 week programmes in other regions.

Conservation and Wildlife Experience Programmes are hosted every month except during the December festive season. These are very popular programmes and interested students and volunteers must confirm bookings well in advance.