Volunteer South Africa: Conservation & Wildlife

Big 5 Wildlife and Conservation Project in South Africa

Based in a malaria free, private game reserve not far from the Addo Elephant NP in South Africa, the Big 5 Wildlife and Conservation Volunteer Project gives you a once in a lifetime opportunity to get a hands on experience with some of Africa's most incredible wildlife.

The reserve that you will be working on was started in 1999 when plans were made to provide a sanctuary for lions, some of which have come from the Born Free Foundation and now have have adapted well to their new environment. The reserve is now also home to orphaned elephants as well as an abundance of other animal and bird life.

Some of the volunteer work that you could be asked to undertake includes the tracking and monitoring of released cheetah on foot as well as managing and maintaining the cheetah breeding project. Lion monitoring, the upkeep of the elephant enclosures. General game capture and translocation, taking part in game counts and species records as well as day to day l reserve duties that include: erosion control, vegetation rehabilitation, road and fence maintenance. There is also the option to work with the reserve vet when she is on site or working on neighboring reserves as well as community work in the form of wildlife conservation education.

Some topics that you will cover on the project include: how to approach wild animals on foot, darting and Rifle handling course during the two day survival camp, wildlife nutrition and feeding, a short course in wildlife immobilization, marine education (1 day) and an optional snake handling course and reptile park upkeep.

Accommodation
Whilst this volunteer project can be customised to suit your needs, most people stay for about a month where you live on the reserve in a comfortable farm style house. Here you can socialise and take some time to relax from the days tasks at the honesty bar and lapa (outdoor fire pit). Regular visitors to the house include Rhino, Buffalo, Cheetah, Giraffe and a range of Antelope. If that is not enough, the house also has satellite TV and internet.

More Details & Enquiry Form >> Wildlife and Conservation Project in South Africa

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South African National Parks Volunteer Programme

This project is ideal if you are looking for long term voluntary work as well as the possibility of gaining some qualifications that could lead to you becoming a fully qualified safari guide (field guide). On this project you will play a part in the long term conservation of South African national parks and lasts for 6 months or one year.

On the course, you will gain high-profile experience in environmental education and conservation, and receive comprehensive training including a two-week placement at the world famous Kruger National Park. Volunteers will work for either six months or year in and around South Africa’s most famous national parks. With membership fees, manuals and exam fees included, you also have the opportunity to gain a Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) level one theory qualification that will not only allow you to gain a valuable qualification but also enhance your Knowledge & appreciation about the fauna and flora in the Park that you are working in.

Your first two weeks will be spent on a training course at the Kruger National Park, then you will be transferred to the park they have been assigned to. This could be in a wild arid area such as the Kgalagadi Transfrontier park or a coastal area such as Tsitsikamma on the Garden Route, it just depends on each parks permanent staff situation, available accommodation etc, but each park is an area of outstanding natural beauty and extremely important for the future of South Africa.

More Details & Enquiry Form >> South African National Parks Internship Scheme

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Read More About >> How to become a Safari Guide

Wildlife Volunteering Programs in South Africa

South Africa is our most popular African wildlife research and conservation program destination. The choice of jobs range from working with all forms of wildlife including elephants, rhino, leopards, monkeys and cheetah's where you will study and help conserve the wildlife of Southern Africa, to a project where you help to propagating rare and endangered plants.

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