Big 5 Wildlife Project

  South Africa

Port Elizabeth

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Inquire for the specific date

Description: This is your opportunity to get involved in game reserve management working alongside top conservationists and wildlife, including Africa's Big Five species. You'll find your experience stimulating, challenging and an exceptional learning experience, that most people only dream of.

The Volunteer Project is designed to offer volunteers the opportunity to be involved in all conservation related projects on the reserve. During your stay, you may see yourselves as "assistant conservation managers" as all of the work done by you will improve the quality of the reserve and the data collected by you will be utilized by Kwantu management in making important conservation decisions for the reserve. As a volunteer you therefore derive a good deal of satisfaction from your work, as your efforts directly contributes to improving the reserve.

While getting involved in every aspect of hands-on conservation management on the reserve, you will learn many conservation skills and have the experience of a lifetime. To top it all off, we have a brilliant community outreach programme. Our volunteers assist at a local rural farm school by providing food prepared by our chefs. Come and make a real difference and have fun doing so!

Game Introduction - There is an ongoing programme for the introduction of additional different African mammal species.
Fire Management - An important driving force in savanna ecosystems (depending on the time of year and fire regimes)
Game Capture and Introduction - Our 2008 volunteers had the amazing once in a lifetime opportunity to assist with the capture of Lion, Blesbuck, Wilderbeast, Springbuck, Zebra, Impala and other species .

And get a chance to take a game ranger course that will equip you with the theoretical lessons and practical training you need to become a qualified field guide, while helping to educate both tourists and locals about the fundamental importance of nature conservation.

Highlights: Kwantu rests gently on the legendary Sidbury Plains. Here the cries of British Settlers rang out in the 1820's as they battled Bushmen, Hottentots, Xhosa tribes and wild animals to establish a new life in Africa. Weary travelers and locals shared tales of blood curdling encounters with lions, leopards, elephants and other ferocious beasts as they rested at Pollards Inn, a popular stopover on the wagon route that ran north from Algoa Bay.

To support their prospering sheep farming community, the settlers built the village of Sidbury, which is the site of one of the oldest Anglican Churches in South Africa. St Peter's Church was built in 1838 and remains at the hub of Sidbury community life today. This quaint English Frontier town is also home to one of the oldest cricket grounds in South Africa, which continues as a celebrated feature of Sidbury village.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Visit our website for more details

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other