Volunteering Projects in South Africa (Reserve)

The work is predominantly environmental conservation, with a small number of wildlife management tasks. A schedule is distributed at the beginning of each month to all participants. We endeavour to work to the schedule, unless urgent issues arise. Although there is some seasonal variation, volunteers will most likely participate in the following activities:

• Reserve Maintenance: fencing work (constructing, clearing, painting), fence inspections, veld evaluations, exotic plant management, soil erosion control, bush encroachment management and water testing. All of the environmental work is undertaken on the Reserve.
• Wildlife conservation work: participation in game management, including game assessment and reporting, and anti-poaching practises, and collecting, transporting and distributing meat donations (for vulture community).
• Learning program: aside from providing on-the-job training, we run three informal workshops which cover basic conservation principles, as well as veld and game management. One of the practical courses most loved by the volunteers is the game tracking. Out among the wildlife, you learn how to identify animal tracks, droppings, and their preferred habitats.
• Special projects: occasionally there will be the need for volunteers to tackle infrequent or once-off projects covering a variety of areas. e.g. erosion and alien invader mapping, field studies, and so forth.

The type of work which is seasonal is as follows:

• Block burning (June - August; September - November; weather conditions dependent).
• Fighting veld fires (June - August)
• Bird field studies (September - March)

Volunteers stay in the home which belongs to Tony Prince and Mary Lewis. The accommodation facilities are basic, including bunk-beds, bed-side tables, reading lamps, and ample cupboard space. Other facilities at the project site include computer/internet access, printers, scanners, and digital camera download facilities. The telephone lines are currently down however our partner has (VOIP) Skype accessibility. Internet access is charged at a reasonable rate, and the account settled at the end of the stay.

The reserve is home to the following species of wildlife: Zebra, Ostrich, Bush pig, Cerval cat, Bush baby, Blesbok, Springbok, Steenbok, Blue wildebeest, Red hartebeest, Impala, Eland, Kudu, Dassie (Hyrax), Caracal (Lynx), Common duiker, Grey duiker, Common reedbuck, Mountain reedbuck, Klipspringer, Warthog, Vervet monkey, Porcupine / Hedgehog, Turtle, Iguana, and (baby) Crocodile. The reserve is also home to over 150 species of bird, and therefore far too numerous to mention. Sadly, the reserve has no members of the "Big 5" (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant or rhino). The land simply cannot accommodate their tremendous appetites, and if it did, then we couldn’t allow volunteers out on the property! One of the magnificent national parks, such as Kruger, is a must-see to experience the big fellows up-close and personal.

No, we can take volunteers from all over the world. Participants have come from Australia, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe. Everyone is welcome.

DTP (Diptheria, tetanus and polio): Essential

Hepatitis A and B: Recommended

Rabies: Not Required

The project site is not within a malaria area. However, if you are planning to travel to the north-east of the country, you should consult a professional for the best and latest advice concerning anti-malarials. Malaria is endemic in the lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and on the Maputaland coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Kruger National Park, a very popular destination, is within a malaria area. We strongly urge you to visit your GP or travel medicine specialist. If you intend traveling beyond South Africa, you must consult additional, reliable sources.

Absolutely. The project is well positioned for day-trips to other conservation destinations, places of historical and cultural significance, art and craft markets, and entertainment venues. A variety of tour companies operate within the region, so volunteers have the choice of guided tours or self exploration. Vehicles can also be hired at the project site. Volunteers typically make full use of their weekends for traveling. We also give volunteers one extended long weekend, so that they may travel to destinations not within close proximity. The Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park, Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Mozambique, Durban, and Swaziland are examples of destinations volunteers have visited in the past. There is a Volunteer Information File packed full of sightseeing ideas, which you can browse after you arrive. There is no need to try to book anything in advance.

The in-country fee covers all the necessities – food, accommodation, materials, airport pickup, and so forth. A weekly trip is organised to a suburban mall, allowing volunteers to replenish supplies of personal items, or stock up on their favourite ‘goodies’. The trip itself is free, but volunteers must obviously pay for their own shopping. Beyond the free weekly ’shopping trip’, volunteers may - at the discretion of the owners - hire vehicles on other occasions. Terms and conditions apply and hire fees are payable. The cost of petrol, and any damage the vehicle incurs, must also be covered by the volunteers responsible. The owners may forfeit the volunteers’ right to hire cars at any time, should they find the vehicles being mishandled or mistreated. These vehicles are the owners private property and volunteers must treat them as they would their own vehicles - or better!

Clothing should be appropriate for physical, dirty work. Old clothes are perfect. Even in summer we suggest you have light-weight, long-sleeve clothing, for protection both from the sun, mosquitoes, and prickles and scratches. Good sturdy shoes are a must. Bring a water bottle. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Insect repellant - very useful in summer - should be > 90% DEET.

• to provide a sanctuary for wildlife, free from the pressures created by mankind and other predators
• to preserve an increasingly endangered wilderness, bankenveld
• to offer volunteers a unique blend of conservation experience and cultural exploration
• to educate and encourage active interest in South African environmental and wildlife conservation

Each GVN program has different criteria depending on our partner's requirements. Every application is reviewed to ensure that the minimum requirements (as set out on the program page) are met. Next we look to see what skills or experience you have that relate specifically to the program. We are also interested in any previous volunteer experience you may have (either local or international), travel experience, and your particular interest in the program.

After reviewing your application, should we require any further information from you, we will email you to request this.

As with any overseas travelling, insurance is recommended. The Global Volunteer Network has arranged a comprehensive travel insurance package specially designed for volunteering. It includes excellent medical and accident coverage as well as a ’loss of deposits’ cover which covers fees paid to GVN, airlines etc (up to US$8,000). If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/insurance/.

Your application fee secures your place on the program (remember this is fully transferable to a later date or different program if you decide not to take part in the program, subject to the terms of service). Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer’s expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. Eighty percent (80%) of your program fee is refundable until one calendar month before the 1st of the month you are due to begin your program. Refer to GVN's legal terms of service for full details.