Kruger to Coast Wildlife Field Studies in Southern Africa

  Mozambique

Inhambane

  South Africa

  Swaziland

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter 
Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: 1st Monday of every month: 2010: 4-Jan, 1-Feb, 1-Mar, 5-Apr, 3-May, 7-Jun, 5-Jul, 2-Aug, 6-Sep, 4-Oct, 1-Nov, 6-Dec

Description: Join as a student on the Kruger to Coast Field Study Project to explore Kruger Park, assist with current research on threatened birds, mammals and reptiles in Swaziland and snorkel with whale sharks in Mozambique.

The project starts with a 5 day educational tour of Kruger National Park. Kruger National Park is probably Africa's most famous conservation area. Spanning nearly 20,000 km it covers a vast array of habitats and associated wildlife. It has an aura of ancient times and offers some of the best opportunities in the world to view Africa's big game. You will have the opportunity to walk guided through the bush on foot and take part in a night drive to look for nocturnal wildlife whilst learning about the conservation management of the park.

The next phase of the project involves two weeks of field based wildlife research. The wildlife field work involves joining All Out Africa's ecologists in the collection of field data, while living in an African nature reserve and gaining hands-on training and experience. The research may involve weighing, measuring, tagging and banding young birds (especially raptors), bats and reptiles (snakes and tortoises) to monitor their condition and enable the study of their population dynamics and dispersal. It also may involve fitting radio-transmitters to track the animals to determine their home range, distribution, and movements. Lectures will be structured around the field work and each student will choose their own research project depending on the time of year and the Project Co-ordinator's guidance in matching you with an appropriate project. Though no specific fitness requirements need to be met, these projects often involve a lot of walking through the bush both on and off paths on fairly flat terrain.

The Project ends with a 7 day marine conservation tour of Mozambique. Mozambique is an Old Portuguese colony and having emerged recently from a civil war, it is now booming as a beach destination. Tofo is a laid-back beach village in southern Mozambique and offers some of the best opportunities in the world to swim with Whalesharks. With diverse coral reefs, whales, and nesting turtles Tofo is a marine paradise close to the historical port of Inhambane. You'll take a whale shark safari to snorkel with the oceans biggest fish and if you have a diving license will have the opportunity of exploring the coral reefs and possibly diving with manta rays and sharks! You will also spend a day kayaking out to one of the local islands.

Highlights: - Explore Kruger National Park
- Help with cutting edge ecological research
- Learn hands-on field research techniques
- Handle threatened species in Africa
- Experience life as a wildlife researcher in African game parks
- Explore the beaches and marine life of Mozambique

By participating in the Kruger to Coast Field Study Project, in addition to visiting some of the regions most exciting wildlife areas and learning through a field study program you will help conduct and fund wildlife research and monitoring with other students under the guidance of the All Out Africa co-ordinators. You will engage in walking and driving through game reserves to locate and monitor nests and roosts of threatened birds (vultures, storks) and bats breeding in north-eastern Swaziland. You may help erect nets and harp traps to capture bats and birds, and record habitat and environmental variables associated with the collection of the above information. You may gain hands-on experience of handling wildlife and using tracking equipment. Being based in Hlane Royal National Park, you are sure to have regular big game sightings and enjoy game drives into areas with lions, elephants, rhinos, and many other animals all while contributing to an important long-term project.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: Between ages of 18 and 70 and a graduate or future tertiary student of biology, zoology or ecology.

Cost in US$: 2702

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Committed people from around the world wanting to experience southern Africa, learn some hands-on field research techniques and get involved in a worthwhile research program.

Age Range: 18-70

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

Participants Travel Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of up to 12

Scholarships are Available. For highly experienced or qualified wildlife researchers, a scholarship may be available based on submission of a proposal and full CV with references.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

All Out Africa's Mission Statement: To engage people from around the world in research and action for a sustainable Africa.

Year Founded: 2004