The Wilderness Reserve covers 24,700 hectares of beautiful, unspoiled land. The work undertaken is varied and covers two main areas: reserve management and wildlife monitoring.
Wildlife monitoring and conservation activities
- Gender/age ratio analysis of herbivore species
- Elephant, rhino and predator demography monitoring
- Vegetation, ecological and base line surveys
- Cheetah re-introduction and monitoring
- Brown hyaena translocation study - Project Impisi
- Rare antelope breeding project
- Nocturnal mammal monitoring
Reserve management activities
- Sleep outs and monitoring in remote areas
- Erosion control and habitat rehabilitation
- Prescribed burns and alien plant control
- Dartings for veterinary and relocation purposes
- New game introductions
- Anti-poaching patrols and snare removal
- Bush encroachment management and fence and road maintenance
- Reserve clean up
- Building and restoration projects and vehicle and equipment maintenance
There are two really exciting projects at the reserve offering opportunities for volunteers to become involved in research that has the potential for use in other parts of Africa:
The Impisi Project
Volunteers play an integral role in this exciting and ground-breaking study into the brown hyaena including tracking the hyaena for data collection, habitat and scat analysis, and a wide variety of new field techniques. The brown hyaena has an IUCN classification of "near threatened" and conservation efforts are taking part on a global scale. The local issues are of hyaena/human conflict - often in farming areas - and resulting in intolerance and persecution. The research looks at the potential of translocation and habitat use analysis. The hyaenas in the research study had been trapped by farmers and had been due to be shot. They were relocated into the safety of the Reserve and their progress is now being monitored. Volunteers make a real and useful contribution to this study, the results of which could have an important impact in reducing farmer/hyaena conflict and a possible option for their conservation in the future. This is a real opportunity to be in at ground level on this exciting research project.
Cheetah Relocation
The cheetah is one of the world's most endangered cats existing only in fragmented populations in game reserves which play a vital role in protecting the cheetah and maintaining their genetic diversity. They are listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red Data List and permits are needed to hold them on a reserve who have to shown that they have the correct habitat and prey and predator balance for them to live successfully. The Reserve aims to provide this safe habitat where endangered cheetah can thrive, breed and contribute to their species survial and genetic variability. So far four cheetahs have been introduced onto the Reserve and each one is fitted with a radio collar which emits a signal enabling them to be monitored at all times. Volunteers are taught how to use the telemetry equipment to locate the cheetah, and once found data on location, condition and behaviour can be recorded. Interactions with prey and other predators is also noted and this data passed to EWT to assist future decisions relating to cheetah placement and other ongoing cheetah research and projects. This is such an exciting project and volunteers are involved at all stages.
Volunteers live in a lovely shared house located in the Reserve and all kinds of wildlife visit the surrounding bush. An electric fence surrounds the house and garden so volunteers can move freely around. Up to four volunteers share a room and en-suite bathroom and there is plenty of storage and mosquito nets are provided over each bed. All linen except towels is provided and the local house mother does washing - and even ironing! - for volunteers twice a week as well as keeping the house, rooms and bathrooms clean. There is electricity so hot showers and air conditioning is available as well as power for charging camera batteries etc. There is a large open plan lounge with big comfy sofas and dining space for evening meals. Breakfast is normally taken in the large kitchen/breakfast room and there is a library/study area where volunteers can work at big tables. There is also one double room for couples - please request this when booking.
Outside is a braai (barbecue) where many happy evenings are spent chatting and getting to know fellow volunteers, and a small splash pool that allows volunteers to cool off at the end of a day in the hot African sun. There is plenty of space for frisbee, cricket, football and rugby and sporting equipment for volunteers' use. There are safe places for walking or running for anyone who likes to exercise in this way. There are plenty of places outside to just sit and write a diary, take a siesta or watch the animals passing by. Herds of impala, giraffe, rhino, elephant and lion regularly visit and the rare antelope breeding camps border the garden so there is always something to watch! There is also a small, attractive waterhole that was built by previous volunteers which attracts lots of birds, insects and amphibian life. There is even a vegetable garden and volunteers assist with its upkeep so that fresh organic vegetables are available for meals. The house also has internet connection for volunteers to use.
Three meals a day are provided, with many being cooked for you, however volunteers will also need to help with meal preparation as part of their daily duties. Any special dietary requirements must be advised in advance. Soft drinks and snacks can be purchased during the weekly town trip. There is a small tuckshop at the volunteer house which sells soft drinks, chocolate, beer etc.
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