African Wildlife Photography and Conservation, South Africa

  South Africa

Kruger Park,  Rural Areas

Term: Throughout the year 
Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: 4 week placement

Description: St. Lucia is situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a beautiful area that was declared as South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and which is called by many "Africa's premier bush-and-beach destination". Encompassing almost half a million acres, it is a stunning and ecologically diverse area, where five different eco-systems join, and where you find savannahs, wetlands, swamps, beaches, and a great wealth of wildlife. The area is home to the Zulu tribe; a group of people with a very lively and colourful culture. It is within this impressive setting that we offer you the opportunity to photograph the phenomenal wildlife in the area, and to help raise awareness in the local community about the importance of conservation.

Creating a Picture Database
In order to preserve indigenous plant life and wildlife, it is essential to get local communities involved. What is lacking in current educational syllabi is a detailed photographic database of the wildlife in the St. Lucia area. In association with the Green Vision Foundation, African Impact aims to create a complete database which will be used for educational purposes. As a volunteer, you will contribute to this goal by taking photographs of as many wildlife species as possible. You will photograph large animals such as elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, as well as smaller creatures such as chameleons, insects, and some of the 521 bird species that call this World Heritage Site home. The best pictures will be included in our database. In addition, we will assist you in getting some of the best pictures published in magazines and / or books. The project is a unique opportunity to encounter some of Africa's most beautiful animals on a daily basis, to improve your photography skills, as well as to contribute to conservational efforts.

Conservation Education
To enhance awareness of UNESCO's objectives and methods, as well as conservational efforts in general, it is vital to involve and educate St. Lucia's local community. As a volunteer, you will visit local schools and community centres, giving classes and workshops about the reason for, and methods of conservation. Your teaching proficiency in this, and other areas, will be based on our orientation programme and extensive training that you will receive from our staff in order for you to be able to do this competently. You will also, along with a conservation education syllabus, use our photography database to do this.
In addition, you will take local school children and orphans into the bush on field trips. By experiencing the World Heritage Site and its wildlife for themselves, the children will learn to appreciate the area they live in, and get a better understanding of why these efforts are being made. It will also provide them with a fun and relaxing day out; something they don't experience often!

Highlights: - Improve your photography skills through a course administered by an experienced wildlife photographer
- Spend many hours in the bush, taking pictures of animals such as rhino, elephant, and possibly even leopard
- Help to create a photo database for educational purposes
- Teach local South Africans about the importance of conservation
- Immerse yourself in the local Zulu culture
- Make friends for life

Qualifications: Minimum 17 years, maximum decided on potential participants' health

Cost in US$: 4 weeks-USD 2590, USD 2330 travel between Sep 09

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Minimum 17 years

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Written Application

African Impact's Mission Statement: African Impact facilitates cultural exchange programmes through volunteer work. We awards you the opportunity to immerse yourselves in local schools, health institutions, communities and wildlife conservation programmes. In this way as a volunteer you are able to leave your mark on a corner of Africa whilst at the same time experiencing a lifestyle that will shift your perspectives and allow you to see our world in a different light. We invite you to join us on a journey to Africa to explore, to inspire and to impact. We invite you to be more than a tourist, but to be a traveller, a conservationist and a humanitarian.

Year Founded: 1999