Lion and Tiger Conservation and Game Reserve Volunteerfrom £795 (2 weeks)

Duration & Fees

• £795 - 2 weeks
• £1,095 - 3 weeks
• £1,395 - 4 weeks
• £1,675 - 5 weeks
• £1,945 - 6 weeks

Start Dates

You can join this project throughout the year, we ask volunteers to join on the first and third Monday of each month.

Payment

£180 deposit at time of booking – balance of project fee due 12 weeks before departure

What's Included

• Airport transfers
• Orientation programme
• Short tour of Port Elizabeth
• All food and accommodation (except when you want to eat somewhere else or on excursions)
• Assistance and support from project staff 
• Project t-shirt and cap
• Possible planned weekend excursions into Port Elizabeth

What's not included

• Flights to Port Elizabeth
• Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement which must include cover for repatriation
• All items of a personal nature, such as gifts and clothing
• Visas
• Transportation that is not related to the project
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in South Africa

This project will give you the opportunity to work alongside and be trained by experts in game reserve management and conservationists. The project will expose you to all of Africa’s Big Five species. Volunteers will be involved in all of the conservation related projects on the reserve. All of the work done by volunteers on the project makes a very real contribution to the quality of the work undertaken by the reserve. Data collected as part of the volunteers work will be used by the reserve managers to plan for future provision and conservation management. This leads to a good deal of work satisfaction on the part of volunteers working on the project.

Whilst getting hands on with project work, you will also have the opportunity to learn many conservation and bush skills as part of your stay. The project also runs a community outreach programme to assist the local population. Volunteers assist at a local rural farm by providing food to the local community that is provided and prepared by the chefs on the project. Volunteers will also assist the guides from time to time with guest hosting.

Animal Interaction

The project houses a huge variety of wildlife including cheetah, lions, tigers and wild dogs. Depending upon the stage of the programme at the time of your stay, you may have the opportunity to bottle feed cubs at the predator centre. There is an active release programme into various game reserves and nothing gives more satisfaction than seeing a grown big cat released into a reserve. Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with the tracking, monitoring and occasionally relocation of wildlife within the reserve.

As tigers are not indigenous to South Africa, we translocate the offspring to their natural habitat such as China and Bangladesh. The lions in the centre are abused, orphaned or injured. We conduct a rewilding program with them and then release them into the wild again.

There will be chances to get up close and personal with the elephants living on the reserve and this may include the chance to feed them. The knowledge that you pick up from the experienced guides will give you invaluable insights into the behaviour and interactions of the wildlife living on the reserve.

Environmental Project

The project recognises that its interaction with the environment is an essential part of its long-term objectives. The work of the project includes work to maintain and develop the local environment. This will include essential reserve maintenance activity such as the checking of fence lines, making repairs where necessary and bush clearance. This work creates the ideal environment for the wildlife that the reserve seeks to assist and protect. This hands on work will also teach you about the local fauna and how this makes up an essential part of the environment. 

Game Introduction

The project has an ongoing programme for the continued introduction of new African mammals appropriate to and suitable for the reserve environment.

Fire Management

Depending upon the time of year and the planned fire regimes, volunteers will assist in the management of this important driving force in the savanna ecosystem.

Working Hours

Volunteers start their duties at approximately 7.30am and finish their day at approximately 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Coordinators start work at 7.00am and they will either be feeding the horses, busy in the farm or at the workshop. You are free to join them during this period if you wish. These times are subject to change depending on the activities for the day.

Example reserve duties:

• Assist with eradication of alien vegetation
• Rehabilitation of eroded and other areas
• Raising of trees to repopulate areas of the reserve
• Re-establishment of vegetation population
• Wilderness trail walks and patrols

Assisting with animal management programme activities:

• Fence patrols and maintenance
• Feeding and care of predator species
• Feeding and care of elephants
• Animal management, tracking and game counts
• Game drives

Please note: The activities that you will be involved in can be affected by the weather, time of year, the animals at the reserve at the time and the temperament of the animals, so please approach the programme with a flexible mind.  This project is also based on a game reserve where alchohol is not permitted however as you will see on the "Extra Info" tab, as part of your project yo can join pre-arranged trips to local towns and cities where you can relax and socialise with fellow volunteers.

Optional Excursions

Excursions will be arranged by your project staff for the weekends and you, this may include a weekend trip to either Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown or any other nearby destinations, where the group stay in the local backpackers. All transfers and accommodation are included in your project fee for organised trips. If you would like to upgrade your accommodation you are welcome to do so but you will have to pay an extra fee.

Port Elizabeth is a vibrant city with lots to see and do. Grahamstown is a great place to have fun and relax. If you are interested in learning to surf why not head to Jeffreys Bay, which has some of the best waves in Africa as well as the opportunity to observe dolphins in the nearby area. You might want to join a whale watching trip or do water sports and a bungee jump. Please note that these additional activities will be at your own expense but your project co-ordinators will be happy to help you plan and arrange them, however they do not accompany volunteers on these excursions.

For those participating in the Garden Route tours, it is recommended that you stay behind on the weekend to fully enjoy your wildlife component on your trip and go onto PE on Monday. You are free to participate in the weekend excursions, but the meals for the Monday will then be for your own account.

Support and Orientation

Support and advice is available from Amanzi Travel office staff and project/trip leaders. Upon booking, you will receive a comprehensive pre-departure pack that provides all the details you will need to prepare for your trip to Africa.  This document includes information on accommodation, staff, visas, optional activities, packing checklist and medical advice and if you have any questions that are not answered in the pack we are always on hand to help and advise. We will do all we can to ensure that you are well prepared and looking forward to your trip to Africa. You will also receive an in country orientation on arrival.

A 24 hours a day, 7 days a week emergency contact number is provided for everyone who travels with us.

Amanzi Travel holds an ATOL licence (9401) and is able to arrange your flights on request giving you financial protection for your flight and trip costs. We also offer advice on personal travel insurance for your trip.

Volunteers stay on the Game Reserve in the volunteer lodge with shared, single sex, bedrooms and bathroom. The lodge is fully furnished and has a kitchen, lounge area, entertainment area with a television and pool table and sporting facilities such as tennis courts and a cricket field, there are also plans to open a gym on site. There is internet access in the main building at a nominal fee. Take a look on the video tab to see some of the rooms and bathrooms for yourself.

Breakfast items such as milk, bread, jam and eggs etc are provided at the volunteer accommodation and you can use the kitchen to prepare your breakfast.  Lunch and dinner will be prepared for you. The food served varies from day to day but usually consists of meals such as vegetables, pasta, beans, curry, rice, fish and meat. Vegetarians can be catered for on request. Please note, the game reserve is an alcohol free environment but volunteers are welcome to drink during the weekends excursions into Port Elizabeth.

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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