Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (Kapama)

  South Africa

Hoedspruit

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All Year

Description: If you have always had a passion for the fastest cat in the world, and you want to get close to them, then Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) is the project for you! Situated near the Kruger National Park, HESC is located within the beautiful Big 5 Kapama Game Reserve, so not only will you get hands-on with the care of cheetah, and other endangered species, you also become involved with other game reserve activities such as wilderness walks and bush camp outs.

HESC has established itself as one of the leading private research and breeding facilities for endangered species in South Africa. It is concerned with the breeding and maintenance of endangered indigenous species within South Africa, and is particularly concerned with the breeding of cheetahs. Kapama is home to sick and orphaned cheetahs as well as the very endangered King Cheetah.

This project is very hands-on and volunteers have the chance to get involved with the rehabilitation of these cats, which also entails feeding at least twice a week. You will be working with the wildlife department, and accommodated on the reserve.

The program is offered for 3 weeks, on a monthly basis. Dates are set, so please contact us to get additional information.

Highlights: All the work done is based on the reserve's needs, so although the exact nature of the work cannot be guaranteed, all the work done is very worthwhile. You should get the opportunity to become involved with most of the following:

* Monitoring programs (general antelope and the Big5)
* Feeding of animals in the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding centre for Endangered Species
* Environmental education on conservation
* Lectures on various topics of reserve management
* Camping in reserve to get the African feeling
* Star gazing
* Immobilizing of wild animals
* Target Shooting (various calibers in order to expose volunteers to anti-poaching)
* Capturing of wild animals when required by the reserve or the sanctuary
* Assisting the vet with veterinary procedures
* Game drives through the reserve
* Assisting in hand raised animals
* Visit to Camp Jabulani (to visit an elephant herd)

Qualifications: None.

Cost in US$: GBP 1549 for 3 weeks

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 17 -35 (some placements open to more mature volunteers)

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Worldwide Experience's Mission Statement: Worldwide Experience strives to conserve what man is fast destroying- our own environment. We support conservation and community projects through the recruitment of volunteers from around the world to help work on these diverse, and worthwhile projects. If you are thinking of taking a Gap Year or even just want to get away for your summer break Worldwide Experience will have the placement to suit you. From 2 weeks-3 months, we have projects in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Sri Lanka, and our experienced team will help place you on a project that will suit your needs the most. Moreover, all the programmes have been set up with the needs and requirements of the placement in mind. This means that whether you're helping to dart a lion, track a cheetah, ID an elephant or teach a class of children, you are making a difference through your work there. Your safety is also in the forefront of our minds, and as a fully bonded tour operator, all volunteers booked to travel through us will be protected by bonding, as required by ABTA and ATOL. We can also organise all flights direct from our UK office.

Year Founded: 2003