South Africa - Big 5 Wildlife Conservation

You will take part in an innovative hybrid of conservation and community volunteering, allowing you to get behind the scenes and make a lasting difference by assisting on and around a stunning 11,000 hectare Big 5 reserve. The reserve is home to a spectacular variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, cheetah, rhino, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, lynx, hyena, warthog, zebra, aardvark, honey badger, porcupines and much more!

Your time is split evenly between wildlife conservation and community volunteering and you will get to contribute to many varied activities, which makes for a fascinating and diverse experience based in a stunning safari setting.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Every bit of help is needed to get the jobs done on this extensive reserve. Conservation projects and activities can include:

* Endangered & priority species tracking and monitoring – primarily focusing on elephant, cheetah, rhino and lion
* Recording information on animals using identification and data sheets
* Predator and prey behaviour monitoring – cheetahs and lions
* Elephant research – movement patterns, habitat selection, behaviour
* Bird research and surveys – 354 species in the area
* Camera trap set up and collection
* Removal of alien invasive plant species and selective clearing of areas of the reserve
* Removal of old fencing and water pipes
* Equipment & vehicle maintenance

Every day is different in the bush and depends on the season, weather, animal behaviour and what’s happening on the reserve.

COMMUNITY WORK
The reserve has several impoverished communities nearby and the team believe passionately that you can't succeed at conservation without engaging and helping the people who live in the area. As a volunteer you will meet new people, experience different cultures and help improve their lives and environment.

Community activities can include:

* Soup kitchens (providing vulnerable children with a hot meal) – helping to serve meals, playing games and doing educational activities with the children
* Maintenance of community buildings and facilities
* Establishing and maintaining community vegetable gardens
* Sports – helping coaches with after school sports (football, rugby and netball)
* Domestic animal care – helping with education, vet treatment days, building dog houses