Endangered Species Conservation
South Africa
Participants will enjoy a once in a lifetime experience!
Our program is based on actual conservation work. Unlike most programs that just keep you busy, you will be expected to take part in all activities ranging from perimeter patrols, reserve maintenance, game counts to wildlife relocations and much more..
Participants are housed in luxury shared accommodation, with all the amenities that you might need.
Volunteers will spend a minimum of 2 weeks on the reserve. This can be extended up to four weeks.
What you need to know
Make a difference in one of South Africa's most scenic regions, The Waterberg biosphere! Known for diverse landscape ranging from woodlands to savannah plains and everything in between. The Waterberg is the first region in the Limpopo province proclaimed as a Biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
This area is renowned for its diverse wildlife population and has more then 10 Big Five area's including a National park as well as several Big Five reserves.
With Marakele National Park being within 30 minutes from the reserve weekly Big Five excursions are offered by qualified guides.
The reserve
Our program takes place on a proclaimed private nature reserve , close to the bushveld town of Thabazimbi.
The reserve is home to a variety of plains game including giraffe and zebra, even though large game is not present, a healthy population of predators occur on the reserve. Leopard, spotted & brown hyena are seen regularly. Currently the reserve is conducting a study and census on the Leopard population in the Waterberg region.
Broad-based conservation is the foundation of all our programs, focusing on all aspects of nature conservation and not only on wildlife.
wildlife research
Daily drives and game walks are done in search of some of the animals that calls the reserve home.
This is done to monitor the state of the reserve and collect vital data like game populations, rare sightings, births and deaths ect.
This also gives you a chance to experience the African bush and everything that lives of it.
All data captured is used for conservation purposes and is shared with relevant in institutions.
physical conservation work
Whether you assist in getting rid of snares or removing invasive plant species, the volunteer work you do is key to the survival of wildlife and the success of wildlife conservation. It transforms the land back into a healthy habitat where wildlife can flourish. You don’t have to be particularly fit for this kind of volunteer work – we have a role for all volunteer project participants.
data collection
You will work alongside our experienced team of wildlife conservation research experts and help to compile data of the wild animals encountered into reports, maps, and up to date profiles (ID kits). The techniques you will learn about doing this volunteer work include analyzing whisker patterns, scars, and ear notches to understand and distinguish the individual animals.
These research sessions will teach you about data collection and compilation techniques that are used to influence wildlife conservation strategies both within the reserve as well as the region. Conservationists and field guides can use this data to monitor the movements and health of wildlife for years to come.