The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a magnificent creature whose natural habitat ranges across Africa and the Middle East. It is unique amongst large felines in having semi-retractable claws that mean it cannot grip and climb as other large cats can but these fixed claws provide it with unrivaled speed. The cheetah can accelerate from a standing start to 100 km/h in 3 seconds and can hit a top speed of between 112 and 120 km/h over short distances.
The cheetah unfortunately originates from a small gene pool and there is little genetic diversity in modern animals. This makes the animals susceptible to disease and they are particularly affected by conditions that affect their skin and bones. The cheetah’s natural habitat is the open biotope with large expanses of open land and abundant prey suited to their hunting style. These two factors have led to ever increasing pressure on the cheetah as the land available to them diminishes and they come into conflict with human land use. This has led to small pockets of cheetah with an increase in inbreeding and therefore a reduction in the genetic variation in the population and further increased susceptibility to disease.
The cheetah is included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature list of vulnerable species. The African subspecies is threatened and the Asiatic subspecies is at critical risk. Just over 12,000 cheetah remain across 25 different African countries.
Volunteers have the opportunity to join 8 expert caretakers whose passion is the cheetah. These people will help train and guide you in their vital work to ensure the ongoing success and vitality of the cheetah population. The project welcomes the collaboration of conservation students as well as acting as a source of expert advice for those interested in the conservation of the cheetah. There is a structured programme of activity for the tamed and wild cheetah in order to ensure their continued good health on the reserve. The programme consists of nursing, feeding, long walks, running exercises and interactions.
Volunteers will participate in an initial 2 week training programme in which time they will learn everything they need to know about the cheetah, the environment they will be working in and the structured activities of the project. After this training period, the responsibilities of the volunteer will gradually increase under the supervision of the full time staff as the volunteer grows into their new role and their confidence in interactions with the cheetah increases.
Volunteer Activities:
- Cheetah walks
- Cheetah exercising (runs)
- Cleaning cheetah camp/enclosures
- Food preparation
- Training the cheetah
- Animal care - feeding, cleaning, health checks, breeding for the rabbits and pigeons
- Guest interaction - introductory talks and Q&A sessions
- Supervising guest interaction with the animals
Additional activities:
- Safari
- Visits to Ceres (the nearest town)
- Feeding the rhino, buffalo, lion, hippo etc.
Future work:
Construction work is under way to introduce elephants in need of care to the reserve. Orphaned and maltreated elephants will be offered sanctuary at the reserve and volunteers will assist in the care of these animals.
A cheetah breeding project has commenced at the reserve and volunteers will have the opportunity to help with the cheetah observation in breeding couple selection. Volunteers will also help care for the cubs that result from successful interactions!
Cheetah release - cheetah are being released into the main reserve from the cheetah reserve and volunteers will help monitor the released cheetah with GPS tracking collars. Work will involve monitoring the health, feeding activity and behaviour of the cheetah as they integrate into the larger reserve.
South Africa
Why visit South Africa?
Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa, stretching from the hippos in the Limpopo River to the penguins waddling on the Cape, takes some beating. There’s the deserted Kalahari, Namakwa’s springtime symphony of wildflowers, iconic Table Mountain and Cape Point, Africa’s biggest game reserve - Kruger National Park - boasting the most mammal species of any game reserve, and the magnificent peaks and plunging valleys of the escarpment of Drakensberg.
Cape Town is widely described as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Some of its more famous landmarks include Table Mountain, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades), Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak, Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. A combination of historical coastal charm and urbane sophistication, Cape Town has some of the finest beaches and is also the gateway to the lush Cape Winelands, famous for world-renowned wines. From here, it is an easy journey to the Whale Route, where Southern Right whales can be seen (June - November) and humpback whales, Bryde's whales, Minke whales and bottlenose dolpins can be viewed year round.
The Garden Route is renowned for its beaches, indigenous forests, nature reserves, lakes, mountain ranges, adventure opportunities and hiking trails. Plettenberg Bay is a relaxed beach paradise with spectacular walks and hikes where one can watch dolphins and whales on eco-marine cruises. With some of the world's finest beaches, the Eastern Cape's untouched and pristine coastline also has a rich social, cultural and political history. Port Elizabeth is the gateway to the Eastern Cape, and the perfect complement to the Garden Route. Cape St Francis is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline, in and around Africa's largest man made web of canals and waterways, and is renowned for its long, sandy beaches, surfing, rock fishing and tranquil lifestyle.
Kruger National Park is the flagship of South Africa's game reserves, offering an unrivalled wildlife experience over two million-hectares. Private concessions operating within and alongside Kruger National Park feature luxurious, exclusive game lodges with many exciting safari activities. Some of these lodges are unfenced, allowing for the free movement of wildlife. Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North West province, is one of South Africa's largest private Big Five game reserves and features numerous lodges and camps. The Waterberg area in the northwest is also malaria-free and is aptly named for its strong streams that flow even in dry seasons, making for excellent game viewing. Both reserves are great for those seeking an accessible malaria-free wilderness experience.
Durban is a sub-tropical city and the gateway to KwaZulu-Natal. It offers a unique mix of Zulu, Indian and colonial cultures. Visit the Anglo-Zulu battlefields, take a fascinating glimpse into Zulu culture, hike in the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains, dive the reefs, marine and coastal reserves of Maputaland, as well as experience Big Five game reserves. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is renowned for saving the white rhino from the brink of extinction, and Phinda Private Game Reserve is well known for its award-winning lodges and conservation initiatives.
Johannesburg meaning "Place of Gold", is South Africa's economic powerhouse. This vibrant and cosmopolitan city is home to many attractions including the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, and also offers shopping from world-class to atmospheric curio markets. Known as the "Jacaranda City", the state capital of Pretoria features beautiful blossoming trees, significant old buildings and fascinating museums, including the Transvaal Museum, home of Mrs Ples, the australopithecine fossil found at the Cradle of Humankind.
Highlights of South Africa
- Breathtaking scenery, quaint coastal villages, cosmopolitan cities, wine routes and exclusive bush lodges.
- Exciting Big Five safaris in unspoilt wilderness areas.
- Malaria-free game viewing and sunshine all year round.
- See Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held in prison for 27 years.
- Go up Table Mountain by cable car for stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and beautiful Cape Town.
- Whale watching and great white shark cage diving.
- Beautiful, pristine beaches perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
- The Cradle of Humankind: Sterkfontein is one of the world's most productive and important palaeoanthropological sites.
Climate
For Johannesburg:
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer (September - April) |
25 °C |
10 °C |
| Winter (May - August) |
19 °C |
4 °C |
| Rainfall: October to March, with November to January heaviest |
South Africa has typical seasons of weather for the southern hemisphere, with the coldest days in July-August. The Benguela Current, a cold motion that moves from the lower South Atlantic Ocean, causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast. On the central plateau, which includes Free State and Gauteng provinces, the altitude keeps the average temperatures below 30 °C.In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to freezing point, and in some places, even lower. Heavy snows have fallen recently for the first time in decades in Johannesburg. During winter, it is warmest in the coastal regions, especially on the Eastern Indian Ocean coast and Garden Route, where it has year round mild weather with occasional rain. As winter is cooler and drier, it is more suitable for hiking and outdoor pursuits, and is also a good time for game viewing as vegetation is less dense and thirsty animals congregate around rivers and other permanent water sources.
In summer, South Africa experiences the hottest temperatures and this is generally when most rain falls, October – March. However, there is one exception - the Western Cape, which is a winter-rain area that enjoys a Mediterranean climate (average 26°C).
Christmas to mid-January, and Easter are the height of the peak season for visitors.
Autumn (April/May) and Spring (mid-Sept to November) are ideal almost everywhere.
Key Facts
Population – 50 million
Capital – Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)
Currency – Rand (ZAR)
Official Language(s) – Afrikaans, English (South African English), Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 27, international access code 00