Wildlife Conservation in South Africa

A typical day starts in the early hours of the morning. Accompanied by the other volunteers and an experienced supervisor, you will set off before sunrise seated on the back of in an open off-road vehicle to watch the animals. In order to locate them various gadgets, such as tracking collars, are used. You will learn how to monitor these gadgets and so be able to work more independently. Once the animals have been located, the sighting and the behaviour and food patterns of the animals will be recorded and documented for research purposes. You will return to camp late in the morning and have time to relax as you wish. In the late afternoon it is time for the second trip into the bush. On returning to camp shortly after sunset, the next thing on the agenda is preparing supper and the day finally draws to a close around the camp fire. One day per week is reserved exclusively for data entry and analysis in the camp. In addition to the activities listed above you may also be involved in checking camera traps, carrying out game counts, bird-watching, photographing animals, removing non-endemic plant species or marking accompanying the professional staff to mark certain animals such as rhinoceros for data collection and research purposes. These activities will depend on the length of your stay, the season and necessity.

The project works in four different reserves, each with its own type of vegetation and animal species. If you are only staying two weeks, you will work in just one reserve. If you are staying eight weeks, then you will get to know all four. You will share accommodation with the other volunteers, at a research camp within the reserve.