Description

Located between the world famous Selous Game Reserve and the wilds of the Udzungwa Mountain Range, the Kilombero Valley is a stunning part of Tanzania which plays host to warm, welcoming people and spectacular African wildlife. From the open savannah of the Kilombero flood plains to the forest and mountain peaks on either side of the valley, the area provides a rich mosaic of magical landscapes. Traditional African villages, with their colourful tribal communities, share this land with the animals that still wander through on their journeys to the game reserves. We are working in this area to help people and animals to live in harmony, so that the livelihoods of local communities can be improved, while enabling wildlife to continue to use the habitat that remains intact.

* What Will I Be Doing?

The Frontier-Tanzania Savannah Project is an African wildlife conservation and community development initiative which aims to gather scientifically valid information to help local villagers and government bodies produce conservation and development plans. By surveying wildlife, habitats and livelihoods in the area, the project will help establish plans that will protect precious species while at the same time encouraging community development strategies that address local needs. By working closely with local people we are also helping to ensure they play a central role in environmental planning activities and that their views are heard.

While working on this project you will conduct a range of surveys to help gather the important data required. These might include surveying tracks and signs of large mammals like elephants or surveying other biodiversity like birds and amphibians. You might help produce plans showing habitat and wildlife distribution patterns or record levels of human disturbance in different areas and habitats. You will be living in the heart of the local community and part of your work may be to get involved in gathering information from them on their livelihoods. For example, you might help to gather data on the key problems faced by local people, their attitudes towards wildlife conservation or their dependence on different natural resources.

If this is your first time doing field research and conservation work, don't worry! It will only take a short while for you to feel totally at home on camp and confident with your grasp of the scientific techniques. The work is intense and challenging but you'll get immense satisfaction from having survived in the African wilderness and from having made a valuable contribution to the conservation of this important ecosystem and the livelihoods of the people who live there. You will return home with the new friends you have made and a wealth of incredible memories, photos and videos from this experience of a lifetime!

Highlights

* Help to monitor & conserve rare African wildlife.
* Work closely with local villagers.
* Live in the stunning Kilombero Valley.
* Make lifelong friends.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1,700

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Before you go:
* Pre-departure support
* Travel and medical advice & documentation
* Equipment advice
* Discounted medical kit
* Free Frontier t-shirt
* UK residential briefing weekend FREE for 10 week+ volunteers, otherwise GBP 50 per person

In-country:
* Accommodation
* Food
* Game safari (10 week volunteers)
* Airport pickup (provisional on arrival dates)
* Internal ground transfers to project site (provisional on arrival dates)
* In-transit accommodation (volunteers joining on the first Monday of the designated months)
* Return from the project site to airport & any in-transit accommodation on this journey (10 & 20 week volunteers only)
* Local orientation
* Project training
* Project equipment & materials
* 24-hour in-country & international HQ emergency support & back-up

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview

Frontier's Mission Statement

To conserve the world's most endangered wildlife and threatened habitats and to build sustainable livelihoods for marginalized and under resourced communities in the world's poorest countries. To create solutions that are apolitical, forward-thinking, community-driven, and innovative and which take into consideration the long-term needs of low income communities.

Year Founded

1989