Description

The Makalali Game Reserve provides volunteers with a stimulating and practical experience focusing on wildlife monitoring and research projects, and a physical component through reserve management activities. Daily activities are interesting and varied, and may include assistance with some of the following projects:

* Elephant contraception: behavioural and range utilisation monitoring of the elephants.

* Lion contraception: behavioural monitoring of targeted females and range utilisation of the pride.

* Leopard monitoring: activity monitoring by traversing fixed routes within the reserve.

* Rhino: long-term monitoring program to acquire data on the ranging, foraging and reproductive behaviour of released offspring in savannah environment.

* Species demography: identification and sexing of reserve individuals (lions, rhino, cheetah and elephant) and continuous monitoring of these populations with reference to predator/prey density, inter and intra-species relations and the maintenance of identification kits.

* Sex ratio analysis: establishment of repeatable routes to accurately record the sex/age ratios of herbivore species for the optimal ratio to increase productivity (in conjuction with annual game counts).

* MSc research: assistance with any Masters of Science student fieldwork and data collection.

* Alien vegetation & bio control monitoring: identification and mapping of alien and invasive vegetation within the river and reserve, spreading of biological and chemical agents, and follow-up monitoring of problem areas.

* Community work: Siyafunda provides support for Holy Family Orphanage near OFCOLOCA Trading. This is a Catholic run HIV orphanage who at present have 90 children under their care. We visit here every 2 to 3 weeks to provide support. Volunteers are encouraged to bring old clothes or buy food or other essentials that they require when we visit.

Through these collaborative research projects, volunteers make an important contribution to the "bigger picture" of conservation in Africa - monitoring biodiversity processes and addressing challenges created by the ever-increasing human population, specifically fragmented and isolated habitats.

Highlights

Welcome to Siyafunda Bush Experience from all of us here at Siyafunda. We hope that you will have a great experience and will leave with memories to last you a life time.

Siyafunda Bush Experience is designed to be a learning experience for individuals who want to get that little bit extra out of visiting a nature reserve in South Africa. So all those who join this exciting program will get to experience the African bush & the extremes the environment has to throw at you from elephants walking through camp, to the tropical heat or the surprisingly cold winter nights, all the while learning about all the unique flora & fauna in the region.

The following are the topics you can expect to cover during your stay, because of the nature of the bush we may have to change the program from time to time, away from the example weekly plan on the following page.

Introduction & Explanation on Safety and basic camp duties:

* Game drives
- Orientate you on the reserve
- Big Game Drives: Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard & Lions
- Birding Drives
- Night Drives & orientation: Stars & Planets
- Sundowner Drives
- Bush Walks
- Explanation on safety & Walking Procedures
- Orientation/survival skills
- Group orientating
- Birding walks
- Tree uses & ID
- Tracking Skills
- Approaching Dangerous Game on foot

* Talks
- Theory on approaching dangerous game on foot
- Either Conservation Management Methods, Local Culture or History
- Elephant contraception & research on Makalali
- Hunting vs. Photographic Safari's
- Snakes, Scorpions & Spiders
- Lion management
- Zulu Lesson

* Vehicle Skills
* Other
- Frogging
- Bush Breakfast / Picnics
- Sleep Outs
- Dinner Local Pubs

Travel Types

• Birdwatching
• Camping
• Hiking
• Off Road / 4X4 Driving
• Photography

Qualifications

Training / Qualifications:

* Volunteering:
Training will be given in all aspects of the African bushveld, including wildlife conservation, tracking and research.

* Internships/research position:
Or you can apply for an intern position, where you can get practical work experience with in a conservation business. Or apply to do your own Honors or Masters research program while being assisted by our research co-ordinators & voluneers.

Intern Types

• Animal Sciences
• Biology(General)
• Botany
• Environmental Management
• Environmental Studies
• Zoology & Wildlife Sciences

Languages

• English
• German

Cost in US$:

2,395 for 4 weeks

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

The volunteer contribution covers meals, accommodation, activities, transfers on Mondays from Hoedpsruit to the reserve and project donation. Flights and travel/medical insurance are NOT included. The only additional spending money required will be for personal purchases (curios, alcohol, soda, luxury/imported goods, chocolates, sweets, toiletries), social excursions away from Makalali, and pre/post project travel.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Biological Research
• Community Development
• Conservation
• Cutting Wood
• Fixing Fences

Typical Volunteer

A typical volunteer is an individual from any walk of life who is interested in wildlife & conservation.

Age Range

18 - 80

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 8

Application Process Involves

• Other
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

5 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Siyafunda Conservation's Mission Statement

Siyafunda Program will be the first choice destination in South Africa for conservation minded volunteers from around the world. The favored & respected source of effective, sustainable support for research projects within the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve. And actively involved in selected programs which support local communities in the area.

Year Founded

2004