Wildlife Conservation and Game Reserve Management Volunteer in the Eastern Cape of South Africa on a beautiful 15,000 acre Game Reserve - home to the "Big 5" - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. With fantastic scenery this reserve boasts grassy savannah plains with a wide variety of bush flora, many watering holes and the wide and captivating Bushman's River... Volunteers also get to work on valuable community development iniatitives.
Duration & Fees
- £875 - 2 weeks
- £1,195 - 3 weeks
- £1,545 - 4 weeks
- £2,195 - 6 weeks
Start Dates
Any date throughout the year.
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- A contribution to the project itself
- Daily transfers for your activities
- Orientation and introduction to the project. "On-the-job" educational activities and support from volunteer co-ordinator and local staff
- All accommodation including 3 meals a day
- Unlimited tea, coffee and water and Laundry and domestic service
- One night in the luxury safari lodge with four course meal
What's not included
- Travel Insurance (to include cover for repatriation)
- Flights
- Transfer to and from the airport – we can arrange your return transfers for £120 return, if you are happy to have a flexible transfer. £165 return (private hire)
- Use of internet and telephone
- Soft drinks, wine, beer
- Visas and any trips/activities undertaken other than in the planned expedition
This beautiful game reserve is located approximately 700 kilometres from Cape Town and just 45 minutes' drive from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. It began in 1999 as a joint conservation venture that allows animals to be re-introduced to an area in which they freely roamed in the past. The land was originally used to keep sheep and cattle and the challenge has been to re-establish the original flora and fauna and return the land to its natural state. It now boasts grassy savannah plains, many watering holes and the spectacular Bushman's River. As well as the "Big 5" it is home to many small mammals, birds and insects and some really spectacular scenery. Volunteers become involved in all aspects of conservation and the longer the stay, the more in depth the experience will be. Language, cultural and socio-economic barriers will be experienced in the community programme but the efforts of all volunteers are so much appreciated and the smiles and thanks for the contributions that are made remain with volunteers for the rest of their lives. It is a truly life-changing experience!
Conservation Work
Constant monitoring and management of game takes place on the reserve throughout the year and volunteers play an active part "behind the scenes" on various conservation projects, providing accurate and up-to-date information on the reserve and its wildlife to those who make the life changing decisions within the reserve. One of the highlights for the volunteers is the managing of the lions that have been newly introduced to the reserve and they may also become involved in some of the following:
- using telemetry to locate the lions and observe their behaviour - particularly at sunrise
- data capture - perhaps of the giraffes on the reserve - including any juveniles
- identifying wildlife and capturing photographs to add to each individual's file
- erosion control and road maintenance
- wetland rehabilitation
- fence patrol and maintenance
- alien plant control and bush clearing
- navigation and compass orientation
- target shooting
- guided bushwalks
- bush survival - perhaps even camping under the stars (weather permitting)
- report writing and data updating
- kayaking or boat trips on Bushman's River (depending on weather conditions)
The priorities on the reserve change continuously and may affect the involvement in certain projects, but all volunteers will be involved in many areas of conservation and reserve management. They will also gain an insight into the environmental and management issues facing a game reserve and will become proficient in the techniques of collecting and analysing information which contributes towards conservation and returning the land to its natural habitat.
Community Development Work
Children's AIDS Orphanage
The Paterson Children's AIDS Orphanage provides a home for between 12 - 30 children aged between 4 - 12 years of age. Volunteers visit the orphanage several times a week, helping to organise games and generally playing with the children - who are always excited to see the volunteers arive.
Food 4 Thought Programme
Volunteers have recently developed a garden at the orphanage to grow herbs and vegetables. It is hoped to train the local community to become self-sufficient by growing enough food for themselves as well as making an income by selling the surplus.
Other relaxing and fun activities:
There are lots of activities for volunteers - some of which are detailed below:
Bush Camping
This is an experience in itself - setting up nothing but a sleeping bag and fire to cook on for the night. Watch the beautiful night sky above; hear the sounds of the nocturnal life and even maybe the lions roaring in the distance. A fantastic experience - to barbecue on an open fire while watching the stars above!
Navigation and Compass Orientation
Volunteers can learn how to navigate during the day using signs of the bush, and at night using the stars. Compass skills are essential for anyone going into the African bush.
Xhosa Bush Tour
This tour is led by an experienced Xhosa guide who will point out the different medicinal uses of plants, tell local folklore and the meanings behind the names of flore and fauna - guaranteed to make anyone laugh!
Target Shooting
Most people are scared of guns - but this is usually because they are unfamiliar with them and do not know how to use them properly. Live firearms are not used unless handled by an experienced guide and the basic principles of firearm handling and shooting are taught through the use of air rifles within a very safe and controlled environment.
Canoeing
To get the best and most accurate animal observations, all resources have to be used. Volunteers often canoe along the Bushmans River which is the main water source for the local animals. If done correctly, volunteers can get up close and personal with all types of animals whilst they take a drink or a mud bath!
Boating
Volunteers may get the opportunity to cruise along the Bushmans River in a boat - on a day safari. Luscious vegetation on the river banks provides great habitats for frogs, reptiles, birds and small mammals.
Fishing
The Bushmans River is abundant with different types of fish and volunteers often are asked to catch them for population and species diversity calculations. Carp - an alien species - is one of the least desired occupants. Fishing rods and lines are used to catch this species in particular to control the population in the river. Fishing usually takes place during a leisurely paddle in the canoes.
4-Star Lodge Experience
Volunteers are treated to this 4-star guest experience at the Safari Lodge which is tucked away in a valley, ideal for the best wildlife viewing. They enjoy one night's accommodation with four course dinner and breakfast. This intimate lodge with its unique safari huts has all the comforts of a graded 5-star lodge and occupants can tune into the sounds of nature in a truly undisturbed retreat. In the evening volunteers enjoy sitting around the fireside under a canopy of stars.
Darting and Relocations
The reserve is fully operational and there may be occasions when volunteers may be asked to assist with work involving the vet or the ecologist. Darting and relocations only take place if really necessary and requested by the vet.
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Volunteers are accommodated in an 8-bedroomed house in the nearby town of Paterson (10 minutes from the Reserve). It is a converted railway station which overlooks a large garden and is within walking distance of the local bar and shops. Most rooms are doubles, with 3 sharing one bathroom, 2 sharing a second bathroom and 1 room en suite. Each bathroom has a large hot water shower. There is a communal dining and sitting room with digital satellite tv, well equipped kitchen and office space. A sun room provides additional seating and internet and telephone are available in this room for email, booking activities and research only. A small charge is made. The house has a large garden with a braai (BBQ) and fire pit for chilly nights and social gatherings of volunteers.
All meat, fruit and vegetables are provided for volunteers at the house who are responsible for cooking evening meals in the communal kitchen. Breakfast and lunch are to be prepared individually as activities vary. Volunteers should take enough food and drink with them to last the day. Sweets and snacks can be purchased on the way to the reserve. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be catered for but should be advised in advance when booking. Three meals per day are provided.
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
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I had an amazing time on the project, and thank you for all your help!
A truly amazing experience, from putting a smile on the faces of the children in the orphanage to engaging in practical conservation work and seeing the wildlife in their natural habitat, my 2 weeks on the project was unforgettable. Excellent customer service, I had a lot of questions and all were answered promptly. The volunteer coordinator, Steve, was brilliant and made sure everyone had a great experience. (The project was) very valuable as we worked on maintenance in the reserve and helped identify new animals and family relations between animals. In the orphanage we were working on growing a vegetable patch and some fruit trees which will be very beneficial in the future for the children.
Our volunteer experience started with an overnight stay at the 5 Star Luxury Lodge where we enjoyed a three course dinner and breakfast – surrounded by nature in all its beauty. Fantastic! Our daily activities started at sunrise when, using telemetry, the lions were located and their behaviour observed and recorded. Data on elephants was collected as well as taking photographs to add to each individual elephant’s file. There were two opportunities to assist with game capture – the first to work with the vet to locate, dart and capture two buffalo that had escaped from a nearby farm – which was exciting and interesting to learn how animals react to the darting process and the stress involved and how this can be overcome. The second opportunity was to help capture four golden wildebeest – and working with the vet and nurse we were allowed to perform the injection under their supervision. There is also land maintenance to be carried out on a daily basis – mending fences etc and we also had a lecture on the use of firearms and were taught how to shoot using a pallet gun. One afternoon was spent at the Orphanage helping to build a new gate for the vegetable patch which supplies food for the children. It is hoped to plant fruit trees such as peach, plum, orange and lemon which will be a lovely addition and a great treat for the children. One night we had a sleep-out on the reserve and did a night drive to spot some of the nocturnal animals in their activities. We cooked on an open fire and then took turns in keeping watch throughout the night. We also helped out at an education day for the local schools – each taking a group of children to teach them about biodiversity – as well as entertaining them and interacting with them during breaks and at lunch. This was a great day.
Leah, Ireland, aged 21 (Eastern Cape Wildlife Conservation Volunteer)
Many thanks for your assistance with booking my trip and for your patience.
Joanne, South Africa/UK, aged 42 (Eastern Cape Wildlife Conservation Volunteer)
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We arrived at the reserve four weeks ago not knowing what to expect. Some of us had travelled alone and were quite nervous about meeting the rest of the group.
After meeting for 5 minutes we set off to track the lions and were all blown away by seeing Mufasa, Scar and the three 5 month old cubs. We noticed our facilitator was using what looked like a television ariel to find the lions but we soon learned that this was called telemetry.
Every day we used the telemetry kit to track down and monitor the lions. By the end of the four weeks we were experts in using telemetry and competed every day to get the quickest time. The record currently stands at 9 min 30 sec- beat that! Monitoring the lions was a key activity which we did every day. Doing this is critical for the future success of the game reserve and its sustainability.
Other animal activities which we were involved in included elephant monitoring, jackal count, game counts, crocodile capture and animal relocation.
One of the main highlights was coming eye to eye with Norman, the 36 year old elephant bull. He was so close that if we reached out of the land rover we could have touched him. It was a breath taking experience!
We were also involved in community based projects which included giving a life science lecture to the children at the local school and undertaking some maintenance on the school building.
Twice a week we visited the local orphanage. This was one of the most rewarding experiences during our time here as we got the opportunity to bond with the underprivileged children there. Every time we went we played different games with them and also did some arts and crafts which they really enjoyed.
Other activities we took part in included camping under the stars in the Reserve; a survival challenge where we had to construct our own shelters and had minimal provisions; canoeing on the bushman’s river; rifle handling; alien tree removal; fence and road maintenance. Another opportunity we were lucky to have was a behind the scenes tour of the Born Free Foundation.
During our time off we socialised with the locals and the rangers at the nearby pub or at the volunteer house. The house we lived in is situated in the small town of Paterson, a short drive from the Reserve and has a resident dog called Odie who likes to join in the fun. At the weekend there was lots to do in the surrounding area - from sky diving to horse riding in Addo National Park. We even took on the worlds highest bungee jumping at Storms River. Last but not least we had Ettiene, our facilitator, to thank for all the amazing experiences we had and the knowledge he gave to us. His enthusiasm made our stay interesting, fun and memorable and we all left with fond and happy memories of our time spent at the Game Reserve.
It has been an experience of a lifetime and we all plan to return in the near future.
Vicki, UK, aged 27 (Eastern Cape Wildlife Conservation Volunteer)
Excellent overall standard of service provided by Amanzi Travel
Christine, UK, aged 60 (Eastern Cape Wildlife Conservation Volunteer)
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I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the game reserve. The work was a good combination of manual labour and animal monitoring, with plenty of fun activities thrown in, such as 4x4 driving, game drives, nature walks and target shooting. The manual labour was never for very long and it was clear how it was necessary for maintaining the reserve. The reserve is beautiful and it was fascinating to observe the animals in their natural habitat. We had very early starts to see the lions but we soon got used to them and they are worth it! Visiting the Born Free centre was another highlight for me. The accommodation was basic but clean and comfortable, with internet access, satellite TV and laundry service. The local pub was very handy for socialising and we frequented it nearly every night! I also really enjoyed our visits to the orphanage, and thinking up creative ways to teach them numbers and letters. Due to the language barrier it was often tricky to communicate with them but the children seemed to benefit most from our attentions and cuddles. There were plenty of activities to do at the weekend in the surrounding area, including bungee jumping, skydiving, horse riding and the essential trip to Addo Elephant National Park.
It was a very rewarding trip and I would recommend it. I met some great people there and had a lot of fun, while feeling like I made a difference and learnt a lot about conservation.
Alice, UK, aged 25 (Eastern Cape Wildlife Conservation Volunteer)