Description

This project has a number of long-term goals, with the ultimate goals to raise awareness and help preserve the precious African environment. These goals include hands-on conservation efforts, creating a photographic database, and conservation research. Originally located in the heart of St Lucia, volunteers have made a significant contribution in the last three years. Recently moving to the beautiful settings of Thanda game reserve volunteers will continue to support and assist with the development of the local surroundings. Past volunteer photos have been used in conservation-education efforts, as local community involvement is a core belief in the methodology of conservation in this project.

Here is how a typical day might take shape. Please note that your itineraries may differ, depending on your own experience and the number of other volunteers on the placement at the same time; this is simply to give an example:

* 07:00 - Get up, eat breakfast, and start getting ready to depart for your project**
* 08:30 - Head off to the photography area for that day and start taking photographs of wildlife. You may focus on finding different animals on different days
* 12:00 - Lunch break. You will be picked up, and taken to your volunteer house, where lunch will be waiting for you
* 14.00 - Start of your afternoon projects. You may be working on adding your new pictures to the database, or you may work on a conservation activity with local children
* 16.30 - End of the working day**. You will be picked up from your project and taken home, where you will evaluate the day with fellow volunteers and project coordinators, and discuss the schedule for the next day
* 18.00 - Dinner at your volunteer house. After dinner, you may wish to go for a few drinks in one of the local bars

** Morning times and end of day times do vary depending on where you are visiting and best conditions for taking photographs, for instance if you are going on a day game drive you will start much earlier e.g. 05:00 am

Highlights

These are not included in your volunteering fee, but on-site coordinators are able to assist you with making the necessary booking arrangements:

- 4 day photographic workshop in the Drakensberg Mountains
- Weekend trips to swim with Dolphins in Mozambique
- Visit the rugged scenery of Swaziland and experience the cultural heritage
- Game drives to the Tembe Elephant park, home to the largest Tuskers in Southern Africa
- Boat trips on the Kosi Bay lake systems to see ancient Fish traps and snorkel in the Estuary mouth
- Weekend trips to the seaside town of St Lucia to do Whale Watching (seasonal), to spend time on the beach or take a boat trip to see Hippos and Crocodiles up close.

Travel Types

• Eco Tours
• Photography
• Volunteering

Qualifications

- Volunteers will need to bring their own photographic equipment: They should bring an SLR digital camera with at least an 18-55 mm lens, battery charger and 2GB memory card. Through past feedback we now have listed a tripod and digital storage devices (in the form of at least a 4GB flash drive or external drive) as essential items to bring with you.
- Min age 18 - Max age 80
- Basic English
- Good physical fitness
- Full travel and medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2,660

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

- Accommodation: Comfortable cabins on the reserve for 2 people
- Food: 3 meals a day
- Airport pickup: Included on arrival day
- Orientation Kit: Full project details will be sent following registration
- Training: Pre-departure preparation and In-country orientation
- Support: Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Arts
• Conservation
• Volunteering

Typical Volunteer

Volunteers with GoEco are united by their passion for travel and desire to help people. Our volunteers are from all over the world, representing a host of religions, cultures, and languages. Ultimately, GoEco volunteers are fun-loving, adventurous, and outgoing agents for change.

Age Range

18-80

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Guest House

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application
• Phone/Video Interview

GoEco - Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement

(1) Encourage ecological and volunteer tourism that promotes sustainable development (2) Enable travelers to experience different and more rewarding kinds of tourism. (3) Encourage travelers to volunteer for the benefit of others and thus to serve as a good-will ambassador to other countries in the world. (4) Encourage travelers from all over the world to come to Israel for ecological and community-based projects, in both the Arab and Jewish sectors, and experience firsthand the unique cultural and natural diversity in this region. (5) Support environmental and humanitarian projects that promote understanding and good will between ethnic societies in Israel. (6) Conduct further research in the field of ecological tourism, such as the 'Ecological Footprint' as a tool for sustainable tourism development. (7) Establish an in-depth and up-to-date data base of the relevant projects worldwide. (8) Create a platform from which to explore the various organizations that support the environment and actively encourage volunteering.

Year Founded

2005