Description

Kariega Game Reserve is an extraordinary and exciting conservation project working with wildlife, at the forefront of numerous species reintroductions and conservation drives. If you want more than just a safari ... come and get your hands dirty and learn more about conservation management on a Big 5 game reserve in Africa. Kariega's Wildlife Management conservation project is the ultimate Big 5 experience in Africa, where volunteers from across the world, get the opportunity to get hands-on involved in conservation management on the reserve. During your stay, you may see yourselves as "Assistant Conservation Managers", as all the work done and data collected by you on wildlife will be utilized by Kariega Game Reserve for conservation on the reserve. Our volunteers also get the opportunity to explore South Africa's amazing coastline as Kariega is a mere 16 km from the sea... the beautiful Indian Ocean is literally on your doorstep! This coastline has particularly rich marine fauna and flora as well as endless sand dunes and beautiful beaches. To top it all off, there is also a brilliant community outreach programme. Our volunteers assist at a local rural farm school by teaching children basic subjects like English. Come and make a real difference and have fun doing so!

Highlights

Kariega is an exciting conservation project that allows you to contribute directly to the game reserve's ongoing wildlife and eco system management. During your conservation project you will be involved in a number of activities that may include:

Research Projects:

There are a number of ongoing research projects at Kariega and as part of your conservation project you will assist with this important conservation work. These projects include:

* Leopard research project
* Elephant impact monitoring
* Lion prey selection monitoring
* Birds in reserve (BIRP)
* Hyena tracking and monitoring
* Conservation management

(Conservation management activities form a large part of the volunteer programme. Keep in mind that the "reserve needs" are always taken into account and you will help to fulfil those needs as a volunteer.)

Daily activities are interesting and varied, and could include assistance with some of the following:

* Sex and age ratios of specific species such as eland and giraffe
* Alein Vegetation Control
* Bush encroachment control
* Soil erosion control
* Reserve clean ups
* Road Maintenance
* Parasite Control
* Any other conservation management activities that may arise

Additional Conservation Activities:

* Capturing of wild animals
* Game Introduction
* Fire Management
* Practical Education and Theory
* Bush walks
* Game Drives
* Night Drives
* Animal identification
* Sleep outs
* Field skills and survival

Each volunteer will be given a field booklet, which can be taken home at the end of the placement. Before you start with each practical task, the relative theoretical background on the subject will be discussed in the form of informal lectures. The theory provides insight into the value of the practical activities in which you may participate.

Community Development:

As part of your experience you will also have the opportunity to assist with Kariega's community development project. The school they assist is small, yet very under-staffed and local kids aged 4 to 15 years attend the school. Kariega volunteers visit the school one day a week and make valuable contributions to the children's education. Our volunteers take many of the classes themselves and teach 6-12 year olds subjects like English, Maths and Science. You might also help with the maintenance of the school's facilities or by giving sport lessons to the kids. A recent group of volunteers renovated a classroom (with a completely collapsed ceiling and floorboards!) for the pre-primary school kids.

Travel Types

• Camping
• Safari
• Tours
• Trekking

Languages

• English
• German
• Irish
• Spanish
• Swahili

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• Medical services
• Registration fees

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Guest House
• Home-stays
• Independent living

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 - 7 Days

Gap Africa Projects's Mission Statement

Our aim is to offer the best in Gap Year Volunteer experiences and career breaks to continent of Africa and to continue with the sustainability and development of the volunteer projects that we support through our international volunteer recruitment.

Year Founded

2010