Description

Hanchi - meaning 'Horse' in the local Shangaan language - is a unique programme aimed at all levels of rider. Set on the vast reserve in the rugged and wild bushland of the Limpopo Province of South Africa, Hanchi gives volunteers the opportunity to experience the beautiful African bushveld from the unique viewpoint of being on the back of a horse.

One of the most ecologically friendly ways in which a human can traverse the bush is on horseback and the speed at which a horse walks is perfect for looking for tracks of both animals and man. The sensitivity of the horse makes them ideal partners in traversing the bush, ensuring game are less stressed and alerting the rider to the presence of game which would often otherwise be overlooked. Volunteers will help monitor and study sable and roan herds, cheetah, brown hyena, and buffalo. Uniquely, cheetah are almost exclusively approached on foot at Hanchi.

Monitoring and management from horseback is vital to the successful breeding and relocation of the endangered and rare sable and roan herds. This project gives a unique view of the reality behind conserving predators while the research done by the volunteers will contribute to the ongoing effort to help secure a future for these stunning animals.

Hanchi offers the opportunity to begin the placement with an intensive 36hr horse riding and equine husbandry course, facilitated by a registered and qualified instructor.

Highlights

Work at Hanchi includes:

* Equine husbandry and care, including disease control
* Equine tack and yard maintenance
* Roan and sable monitoring, studying densities, ages and condition
* Predator monitoring - young antelope are very vulnerable in the bush and the bomas require management to ensure predation levels from cheetah and hyena are minimal
* Fence line patrols of inner sable and roan camps and the greater reserve
* Disease free buffalo habituation from horseback on the greater reserve
* Joining the Zingela predator conservation project on the greater reserve - use radio telemetry to monitor movements of cheetah, brown hyena and buffalo.
* Observe hunting and feeding behaviour of cheetah and brown hyena including kills and social interactions
* Record GPS positions to determine home ranges and movement patters of cheetah, brown hyena, and buffalo

Travel Types

• Nature Tours
• Volunteering
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Horseback Riding
• Safari

Qualifications

No qualification or previous experience are necessary, just an interest and passion for horses and wildlife conservation.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2,950

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Costs cover the whole placement and volunteers will need only about USD 50 a week spending money.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Most of our volunteers have either finished college and want some international work experience before starting their career, or are taking a break from their career. Many are interested in wildlife conservation, but most have no previous experience or qualifications.

Age Range

17-70

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 4

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

African Conservation Experience's Mission Statement

African Conservation Experience organizes work placements for volunteers of all ages on wildlife conservation projects in Southern Africa. We work only with projects that we assess as having a real and beneficial contribution to conservation efforts. Volunteers get very much involved with the work, rather than sitting back and observing, and provide a valuable resource to the projects. We pride ourselves on the quiality, integrity and frendliness of the service that we provide. We ensure that volunteers understand fully what is expected of them and place particular concern on volunteers' security and safety.

Year Founded

1999