Duration & Fees
| 2 weeks | £1,255 |
| 4 weeks | £1,995 |
| 6 weeks | £2,695 |
| 8 weeks | £3,475 |
Please note: The currency conversion is an estimate based on today's exchange rates and is to be used as a guide only. All payments to Amanzi Travel have to be made in Pounds Sterling (GBP)
Start Dates
2019 Start Dates:
11 Mar | 25 Mar | 8 Apr | 22 Apr | 6 May | 20 May | 3 Jun | 17 Jun | 1 Jul | 15 Jul | 29 Jul | 12 Aug | 26 Aug | 9 Sep | 23 Sep | 7 Oct | 21 Oct | 4 Nov | 18 Nov | 2 Dec | 16 Dec
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- Accommmodation and meals
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure from Richards Bay
- A full orientation programme
- Help and assistance from local project staff and the Amanzi Travel team
- Transport into town once every two weeks
What's not included
- Travel insurance that must include cover for repatriation
- Flights to Richards Bay in South Africa
- All items of a personal nature etc gifts, clothing etc
- Snacks such as soft drinks and alcohol
- Any excursions above and beyong the project itinerary
Volunteers choosing this project have a unique opportunity to work with a dedicated, professional team (supported by the WWF) on genuine conservation initiatives throughout Zululand in South Africa. The main focus is on critical endangered wildlife species and volunteers will track and monitor animals like Cheetah, African Wild Dog, Rhino, Lion, Elephant and Leopard. This vital conservation work is important across Zululand and the unique bonus in joining this project is that the work is conducted on a number of amazing National Parks and Game Reserves in the area, each with its own distinct eco-system, wildlife and landscape. For volunteers joining for more than 2 weeks there is the opportunity to join multiple locations on the placement. The work is conducted in the stunning African bush and volunteers witness an ever-changing environment as they monitor these beautiful animals - this is a African wildlife experience of a lifetime!
This is not a safari: volunteers are out in the African bush with dedicated conservationists on planned and valuable wildlife tracking and monitoring activities. It's not always pretty or easy but it is always exciting and wonderful to be out in the beautiful reserve, enjoying the sights and smells of the bush, and knowing that you are being part of something significant. No prior skills are necessary, the most important thing for wildlife volunteering is the passion to make a difference, be in a reasonably good physical condition and of course, have a positive attitude. The days are full, the work is important and because only five volunteers are accepted on each of the reserves at any given time volunteers gain an insight into real conservation work.
Project Locations
- The iMFOLOZI SECTION of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- The HLUHLUWE SECTION of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- Manyoni Private Game Reserve (previously known as Zululand Rhino Reserve (ZRR)
- Mkhuze Game Reserve
- Tembe Elephant Park
Each reserve has a different focus in terms of the work being done. Whlle the project does plan and follow basic schedules, the nature of the work being done dictates that the animals and their environment are the number one priority and therefore schedules may at times have to be altered due to unforeseen circumstances or incidents within this wild and dynamic environment.
Daily Activities
Volunteers will assist the wildlife monitor in all day-to-day aspects of monitoring including (where necessary):
- The daily tracking and locating of priority species wildlife in the wild, seated on qn open 4 x 4 vehicle, using radio telemetry equipment
- Mapping the sightings using GPS equipment - volunteers will be taught how to use this equipment
- Observing animal behaviour (eg wild dog pack dynamics) for research purposes
- Photographing and creating identity kits (for recently reintroduced relocated animals)
- Periodically setting up camera traps at watering holes and game trails
- Assisting with ongoing game counts if needed
Depending on the length of time and time of year of the project placement, volunteers could be fortunate enough to take part in one of the following activities, which occur strictly as and when the need arises:
- Radio collaring of animals
- Notching (identity marking) of animals such as Rhino
- Night tracking excursions - for example Hyenas
- Animal Call-Ups - for example Lion
- Relocation or re-introduction of endangered species
- Vulture counts and nest surveys
- Bird ringing and alien plant control
No activities can be guaranteed - volunteers help out wherever the Reserve Manager identifies a particular need. The primary function is to provide vital monitoring on these reserves.
A Typical Day ...
Volunteers leave camp before sunrise, seated on bench seats on the back of the open 4 x 4 tracking vehicle. The team will locate the endangered species animals that the wildlife monitor has earmarked for the morning using radio telemetry equipment that receives radio signals from the collars which are fitted onto the priority species animals.
Once the team has successfully sighted the animals, they will be observed for as long as necessary for volunteers to record the data and then move on to the next animal or species on the daily monitoring schedule.
Each day there will be free time during the midday period when it is hot and most animals are inactive (resting in the shade). During these few hours over the midday period volunteers are welcome to read, sleep, eat, play cards or board games, or simply enjoy the animal and bird activity within and around the accommodation.
Volunteers head out again on the vehicle between 2 - 3 pm to follow up on those animals which were not located in the morning, arriving back in camp shortly after sunset to start preparing supper and sit around the fire listening to the sounds of the bush and discussing the day's events.
At least once a week there will be a day set aside for administrative work (data capture and analysis). This is a vital part of the monitoring process, as this valuable information gathered by the team has numerous management applications, including the planning of successful introduction and removal strategies of priority wildlife species, as well as supplying information to the local conservation authorities.
Every day in the bush is different. There is saying; "This is Zululand, not Disneyland"! Some days it might be difficult to find certain animals and not see them - other days the team might see all the "Big Five" in one morning. There are no guarantees. Some days can be a stretch and even laborious at times, such as tracking one animal for a whole day, and covering large distances without success. But it is important.
Help with Maintenance
If any volunteer is "handy" with tools and would like the chance to contribute in some way to the maintenance of the accommodation camp itself, please let Amanzi Travel know. They will then alert the project staff that they may have some help arriving in this department.
Each reserve has its own accommodation which is basic but comfortable. The camps generally have simple communal kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms or chalets. Each room has two or three single beds and volunteers may have to share a room with other volunteers of the same gender. The bathrooms uisually have a warm water shower and flushing toilet. There is often an outside dining area and barbecue for a real South African outdoor dining experience.
Tembe Research Camp - volunteers are based at a research camp within the natural sand forest. The camp offers three wooden cabins nestled amongst the trees and thickets, with a separate toilet and shower block, and laundry facilities as well as a communal kitchen, dining, lounge and braai area that is shared with other scientists and researchers carrying out studies in the park.
Manyoni Private Game Reserve - (Zululand Rhino Reserve) - volunteers are housed in a large and secluded house within the reserve, and the camp offers twin rooms, an indoor bathroom, a large kitchen and a lovely patio seating area. There is also an outside solar shower.
Mkhuze Research Camp - volunteers are based at a small research camp, which has two bedrooms with separate shower and toilet facilities, a kitchen with an outside dining room, and an outside lounge and braai area. The camp is situated within walking distance of the main tourist camp "Mantuma Camp" which is open to the general public and has a small take-away/diner, a small curio shop and a swimming pool.
Hluhluwe Research Camp - volunteers are based at the Hluhluwe research camp, affectionately known as "Dung Beetle", which is located on top of a hill, in a coastal scarp forest. Volunteers stay in twin rooms and have shared toilet and laundry facilities. There is a communal kitchen and a lively barbecue area that is shared with other scientists and researchers carrying out studies in the park. The camp is situated within walking distance of the main tourist camp "Hilltop Camp" which is open to the general public and has a restaurant, small shop and swimming pool. This camp does house some other research staff and visiting staff members to the park (although their rooms are separate from those of the volunteers). However it does provide a great opportunity for socialising with these researchers in the evenings.
iMfolozi Research Camp - volunteers are based on top of a hill at a Section Ranger's outpost, in a new eco camp. The camp offers twin rooms, separate toilet and shower facilities, a rustic kitchen, decked sitting area and barbecue area. There is a spectacular view of the Black iMfolozi River from a lookout post below the camp, known locally as "the Rock". The accommodation at this camp is basic, isolated and reliant on a generator and solar power for electricity.
Each camp has a communal kitchen where volunteers prepare their own meals. There is an oven, hob, microwave, solar cooker and of course a fire to cook on. Volunteers are encouraged to take turns preparing meals but can cook independently if desired. Volunteers are taken into town to shop for groceries every two weeks. Basic food items are provided for within the volunteer food budget, enough for three healthy meals a day and the aim is to be environmentally friendly. Any additional ‘luxury’ items can be purchased by volunteers to take back to camp with them. The drinking water at the camps is of good quality, but bottled water can be purchased if preferred.
South Africa - Help Local Communities Get Started
Why visit South Africa?
Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa, stretching from the hippos in the Limpopo River to the penguins waddling on the Cape, takes some beating. There’s the deserted Kalahari, Namakwa’s springtime symphony of wildflowers, iconic Table Mountain and Cape Point, Africa’s biggest game reserve - Kruger National Park - boasting the most mammal species of any game reserve, and the magnificent peaks and plunging valleys of the escarpment of Drakensberg.
Cape Town is widely described as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Some of its more famous landmarks include Table Mountain, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades), Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak, Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. A combination of historical coastal charm and urbane sophistication, Cape Town has some of the finest beaches and is also the gateway to the lush Cape Winelands, famous for world-renowned wines. From here, it is an easy journey to the Whale Route, where Southern Right whales can be seen (June - November) and humpback whales, Bryde's whales, Minke whales and bottlenose dolpins can be viewed year round.
The Garden Route is renowned for its beaches, indigenous forests, nature reserves, lakes, mountain ranges, adventure opportunities and hiking trails. Plettenberg Bay is a relaxed beach paradise with spectacular walks and hikes where one can watch dolphins and whales on eco-marine cruises. With some of the world's finest beaches, the Eastern Cape's untouched and pristine coastline also has a rich social, cultural and political history. Port Elizabeth is the gateway to the Eastern Cape, and the perfect complement to the Garden Route. Cape St Francis is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline, in and around Africa's largest man made web of canals and waterways, and is renowned for its long, sandy beaches, surfing, rock fishing and tranquil lifestyle.
Kruger National Park is the flagship of South Africa's game reserves, offering an unrivalled wildlife experience over two million-hectares. Private concessions operating within and alongside Kruger National Park feature luxurious, exclusive game lodges with many exciting safari activities. Some of these lodges are unfenced, allowing for the free movement of wildlife. Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North West province, is one of South Africa's largest private Big Five game reserves and features numerous lodges and camps. The Waterberg area in the northwest is also malaria-free and is aptly named for its strong streams that flow even in dry seasons, making for excellent game viewing. Both reserves are great for those seeking an accessible malaria-free wilderness experience.
Durban is a sub-tropical city and the gateway to KwaZulu-Natal. It offers a unique mix of Zulu, Indian and colonial cultures. Visit the Anglo-Zulu battlefields, take a fascinating glimpse into Zulu culture, hike in the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains, dive the reefs, marine and coastal reserves of Maputaland, as well as experience Big Five game reserves. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is renowned for saving the white rhino from the brink of extinction, and Phinda Private Game Reserve is well known for its award-winning lodges and conservation initiatives.
Johannesburg meaning "Place of Gold", is South Africa's economic powerhouse. This vibrant and cosmopolitan city is home to many attractions including the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, and also offers shopping from world-class to atmospheric curio markets. Known as the "Jacaranda City", the state capital of Pretoria features beautiful blossoming trees, significant old buildings and fascinating museums, including the Transvaal Museum, home of Mrs Ples, the australopithecine fossil found at the Cradle of Humankind.
Highlights of South Africa
- Breathtaking scenery, quaint coastal villages, cosmopolitan cities, wine routes and exclusive bush lodges.
- Exciting Big Five safaris in unspoilt wilderness areas.
- Malaria-free game viewing and sunshine all year round.
- See Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held in prison for 27 years.
- Go up Table Mountain by cable car for stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and beautiful Cape Town.
- Whale watching and great white shark cage diving.
- Beautiful, pristine beaches perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
- The Cradle of Humankind: Sterkfontein is one of the world's most productive and important palaeoanthropological sites.
Climate
For Johannesburg:
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer (September - April) |
25 °C |
10 °C |
| Winter (May - August) |
19 °C |
4 °C |
| Rainfall: October to March, with November to January heaviest |
South Africa has typical seasons of weather for the southern hemisphere, with the coldest days in July-August. The Benguela Current, a cold motion that moves from the lower South Atlantic Ocean, causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast. On the central plateau, which includes Free State and Gauteng provinces, the altitude keeps the average temperatures below 30 °C.In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to freezing point, and in some places, even lower. Heavy snows have fallen recently for the first time in decades in Johannesburg. During winter, it is warmest in the coastal regions, especially on the Eastern Indian Ocean coast and Garden Route, where it has year round mild weather with occasional rain. As winter is cooler and drier, it is more suitable for hiking and outdoor pursuits, and is also a good time for game viewing as vegetation is less dense and thirsty animals congregate around rivers and other permanent water sources.
In summer, South Africa experiences the hottest temperatures and this is generally when most rain falls, October – March. However, there is one exception - the Western Cape, which is a winter-rain area that enjoys a Mediterranean climate (average 26°C).
Christmas to mid-January, and Easter are the height of the peak season for visitors.
Autumn (April/May) and Spring (mid-Sept to November) are ideal almost everywhere.
Key Facts
Population – 50 million
Capital – Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)
Currency – Rand (ZAR)
Official Language(s) – Afrikaans, English (South African English), Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 27, international access code 00
I really enjoyed this volunteer project as you got to meet lots of different people and learn a lot about the environment. As we were monitoring the wild dogs for the two weeks, you get to know them better and see them as individuals. Don't expect to be having a relaxing holiday with this project, expect long days with awesome unexpected wildlife sightings."
Karla, NZ aged 29 (Zululand Wildlife Conservation Volunteer)
The Tembe researchers and preserve managers are aware of contemporary approaches to and the challenges of monitoring and conserving wild animal life. They are both professional and good-hearted, with difficult conservation decisions made in relation to the size of the preserve and the limits of wild animal breeding. They have healthy, disease free lions, much in demand by other preserves, and are passionate about their work with all wildlife there. The researchers and their approach to conservation were stellar.
Mary, UK (Zululand Wildlife Conservation Volunteer)
Thanks. I had an amazing time in Africa! I hope to return back again sometime in the future.
I highly recommend booking this trip if you love nature and animals and like making a difference. The staff was really nice, accommodation and meals were great and the trip was extremely easy to book. Everything ran very smoothly! I hope to return eventually some time in the near future. What a great experience!
I feel like my time in Zululand made a big contribution to conservation efforts.
Kayla, USA, aged 23 (Zululand Wildlife Conservation Volunteer)