Description

Our Big 5 Wildlife Photography and Conservation Education project offers exciting exposure to the African bush with both photography and conservation components. Volunteers will start with an in-depth orientation, followed by an intensive 3 day photography course with a professional photographer to improve on your photography skills. A further 3 weeks will be spent photographing the phenomenal wildlife in the park, which boasts all of Africa's Big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard) and also doing conservation support work in partnership with the Thanda Foundation. Volunteers will also spend sometime in the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of iSimangaliso for superb landscape photography.

This project has a number of long-term aims to raise awareness and help preserve the precious African environment:

1) Conservation Education and Activities

In partnership with the Thanda foundation volunteers may be assisting in a number of exciting conservation initiatives in surrounding areas:
a) Conservation in Action - Volunteers will be involved in a number of activities such as regeneration of the local village back to its natural state, planting of indigenous trees, clearing Alien invasive plants, carrying out snare sweeps and when possible, helping on game counts.
b) Conservation Field Trips - In addition, you may take local school children into the bush on field trips. By experiencing the game reserve and its wildlife for themselves, the children will learn to appreciate the area they live in, and get a better understanding of why these efforts are being made. It will also provide them with a fun and relaxing day out; something they don't experience often!
c) Conservation Education in the community - As a volunteer, you may visit the local schools and deliver a class / workshop about the reason for, and methods of conservation to the children in the after school Conservation Club.

2) Photograph of the Month/Year

Every month, a jury will review all the volunteers' best photographs and select the best picture. The winner of the Photograph of the Month will be framed and put on our picture wall in the volunteer house. In addition, it will be put on the African Impact website. At the end of each year the same jury will select a picture of the year with a prize given to the winning photographer.

3) Creating a Photographic Database

In association with the Green Vision Foundation, African Impact aims to create a complete photographic database, and use it for educational purposes. The aim is to document and preserve iSimangaliso as a key heritage site of Southern Africa. As a volunteer you will contribute to this goal by taking photos of the different species of flora and fauna, some of the 526 species of birds that exist in the Wetlands area, local conservation issues, and the unique eco-systems of the area. On this project we provide a varied programme of bush walks and game drives in order to maximise photo opportunities.

Alongside the Thanda Foundation, African Impact has also identified that in order to preserve indigenous plant life and wildlife, it is essential to get local communities involved. We will look for every opportunity to use the photographs you donate to the project to help educate local schools about nature and the precious environment that surrounds them.

4) Conservation Research

Photographers may be involved with helping researchers collect animal identification information and other interesting data research. This project is a unique opportunity to encounter some of Africa's most beautiful animals on a daily basis, to improve your photography skills, as well as to contribute to conservation efforts.

Please note that these projects are always evolving so are likely to be at different stages upon your arrival. Volunteers should be prepared to be involved in a wide spectrum of project work as things progress.

Highlights

* Improve your photography skills in a 3 day intensive course taught by an award winning professional photographer
* Spend many hours in the bush, taking pictures of the Big 5 on game drives
* Learn and photograph smaller species of flora and fauna on bush walks
* Help to create a photo database for awareness and educational purposes
* Help raise awareness in the local community about the importance of conservation
* Get involved in local conservation projects within a World Heritage Site
* Immerse yourself in the local Zulu culture
* Make friends for life

Qualifications

Minimum 17 years, maximum decided on potential participants' health

Intern Types

• Photography

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

3,095

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• Travel while in host country

Program Fees Include:

- The project fee entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. It facilitates funding for items such as educational materials
- Transport between Richards Bay Airport and St. Lucia
- Orientation program, including a photography course administered by an experienced wildlife photographer
- All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay
- Full board and lodging, which includes 3 meals a day at our volunteer house
- Laundry service during your stay
- Assistance at your projects by African Impact staff and volunteer coordinators
- Any visits to other African Impact programmes based in St. Lucia

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

Minimum 17 years

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays
• Independent living
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Other
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 working days

Year Founded

2004