Description

Volunteers will spend time on game drives and bush walks identifying species and monitoring the present game and other wildlife in the reserve. With over 10,000 hectares of land set over three conservation sites, volunteers are guaranteed that they will never get bored! You will get stuck in with general reserve maintenance tasks including fence patrols, field management and game capture, release and relocation.

The hands-on nature of this part of the project is a real high point: from learning about elephants in the elephant sanctuary and working within an animal rehabilitation centre which cares for a huge host of animal and birds, right the way through to identifying the hundreds of bird species in the reserve, wildlife lovers are given the opportunity to develop real skills and a knowledge of the South African eco-system.

Volunteers will also spend time helping to reverse damage done by the non-indigenous plants by controlling the alien vegetation and cultivating the indigenous, in the indigenous plant nursery. These plants are then used in rehabilitating areas of land that are damaged by soil erosion and previous poor land utilization practices. Alongside this work there will be informative lectures on environmental issues and the sharing of wildlife management skills from project staff. You may also be involved in visiting a rural school where we host 3 environmental interactions a month as well as integrating into the local community teaching them about traditional medicines with many chances for cultural interaction.

The tour of ecology doesn't end in the reserve; surrounded by white sandy beaches and rocky shores, time will be spent learning about coastal systems and marine ecology as well as supporting the local systems with beach cleanups.

We have a set monthly schedule of activities which is designed around an environmental management plan. This plan runs parallel to the training modules of the FGASA Guides which allows volunteers to attend some workshops, lectures and also practical excursions as part of your volunteer experience. Please contact us for a more thorough breakdown of your day to day activities according to our management plan.

Additional to the everyday activities on the reserve, volunteers may have the opportunity to: explore the river in canoes, horse grooming and riding for those that are interested and bush sleep outs.

Highlights

Get the best of both worlds hanging out and enjoying the natural beauty and calm of the reserve with the option at weekends to visit the small town of Chintsa - just a 10 minute drive away. You will be given free transfers on Friday to Chintsa, returning on Sunday but please do remember that your accommodation and meals will not be provided, so take a little extra spending money with you for this.

Volunteers often choose to spend a night at Buccaneers the local backpackers in Chintsa at the weekend. There's plenty to keep you entertained here you can enjoy horse riding, surf school and mountain biking. Buccaneers offer our volunteers free use of canoes and boogie boards to use on the stunning 17km beach.

Qualifications

Requirements: Age 18+

There are no specific skills required to take part, however, volunteers must be physically fit due to the physical nature of the project. A keen interest in conservation and wildlife and a willingness to get stuck in to a wide range of tasks and projects is essential.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please visit our website for more details.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Shared room in an en suite thatched lodge (tented camps and bush camps for fieldwork expeditions)
* Food: 3 Meals per day
* Airport pick up and drop off
* Training: Pre-departure preparation pack, On-site Orientation and Project induction provided
* Support: On-site coordinator providing 24 hour support
* Activities: Staff help organise weekend activities (activity price may be extra). Trips include; visit forests and waterfalls in "Little Switzerland", and visiting beaches and a reserve famed for elephants on the Sunshine Coast
* Volunteers have a free optional transfer to Chintsa on Friday, returning on Sunday evening. Please note that if you do take this transfer, your weekend accommodation and meals are not included and will be at extra cost to you.

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

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement

Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded

2008