THE PROJECT & GALAGOS

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1 THE PROJECT & GALAGOS Galagos Wildlife Conservation is a small but passionate organisation. Our organisation was started by a group of ex international volunteers who came to South Africa as volunteers and never left. We fell in love with the wildlife, the landscape and the natural beauty of the Limpopo Valley; a captivating and ancient land that still offers a remote and wide expanse of wilderness for volunteers to enjoy on an exclusive level. We have taken our years of experience in conservation and volunteering to make Galagos Wildlife Conservation, a program that really does contribute to the conservation of wildlife and the pristine natural habitat that surrounds us. Our work is a small part of the bigger picture, to be part of the Transfrontier National Park, joining South Africa with Botswana and Zimbabwe creating a vast wilderness and allowing wildlife to once again migrate these ancient lands as they once used to. If you are interested in wildlife conservation volunteering, a working holiday in Africa, gap year student work abroad or simply visiting Africa and experiencing the magical surroundings we live in, we would love to hear from you. The name Galagos comes from the scientific name of the bush baby, also called Nagapies (meaning "little night monkeys" in Afrikaans), are small, nocturnal primates native to continental Africa. According to some accounts, the name bush baby comes from either the animal's cries or appearance. The South African name, Nagapie, comes from the fact they are almost exclusively seen at night. It is the animal on the GWC logo. Volunteer work will involve the following: Lion tracking and monitoring. Volunteers will be taught how to use the radio telemetry equipment in order to track the reserve's collared lions. The volunteers will take data on the lions location (GPS), their behaviour and kill species. Rhino Identification and monitoring. Poaching of rhino in South Africa is rife and the volunteers will be involved in a program to ID all the reserves rhinos through the use of camera traps and photographs and create ID kits for all the rhinos.

2 Monitoring the reserves large carnivores. Lion, spotted and brown hyena, cheetah and leopard. Through the use of camera traps and sightings, volunteers will help to identify individuals to help gain a more accurate idea of numbers and territories. MSc and Phd research: assistance with any Masters of Science/Phd student fieldwork and data collection. Other projects include game counts, night drives and predator call-ups - Ongoing research building hides for research and monitoring wildlife erosion control and repair work road clearing waterhole maintenance bird observations -Creating a bird list for Bird Life South Africa Mapungubwe National Park visit (once every 4 weeks) A world heritage site and Africa's 1st kingdom. Mapungubwe is a breath taking and historic National Park. Go on the tree top walk and stand on the confluence where the borders of Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana meet with the merging of the Limpopo and the Shashe rivers. All volunteer work involved is vital to the wildlife conservation and development of the game reserve and surrounding area. Volunteers will also be on hand to assist the game reserve's management team. This could involve animal darting, tracking specific animals for capture and release, collaring new animals for research purposes and replacing old collars. Being able to see some of Africa s most impressive animals up close is a unique experience that very few people are fortunate enough to witness. An average volunteer day consists of two work sessions (approx 3-4 hrs each) involving hands-on conservation activities on the reserve. There will be a weekly social night either at camp or at a local logde and one full day off to relax and have a braai (BBQ) Volunteers will expereince the thrill of daily life on an active Nature Reserve, which may also involve working along side the reserves management team on specialised projects. The volunteer work is key to the preservation of this magnificent wilderness and the future success of the TFCA which aims to provide wildlife with a vast, untouched habitat, creating one of the largest Trans Frontier Parks in Southern Africa.

3 ACCOMMODATION & CLIMATE In the heart of the African bush you ll stumble upon GWC Volunteers bush camp the perfect place to relax and unwind after a hard day out in the field. Take a cooling dip in the swimming pool, get lost in the flames of the camp fire, recount the day s events over a delicious meal and partake in some evening stargazing. All volunteers live at our secure bush camp alongside the GWC staff on the game reserve. The camp accommodates up to a 12 volunteers in shared rooms. Each room can accommodate 2-3 volunteers with separate shared, single-sex bathrooms supplied with hot and cold running water. The well-equipped bush camp accommodation includes a furnished lounge, dining room, office and kitchen plus a large garden area complete with swimming pool and barbeque (braai) facilities. The house has electricity (220/230 volts AC, plug points accommodate 15 amp, three-pin round plugs). Sheets, pillows and pillow cases will be provided although please bring your own sleeping bag and towels. Hand washing facilities are available for washing of your clothes whilst you are here. Telephone communication on the reserve is not always guaranteed although volunteers will have the opportunity to phone, use an internet cafe or post letters once a week in the nearest town. The bush camp also has wireless internet which may be used on a pay-as-you-use basis. The tariff is R30 for one day or R100 to have access all week. If you are a team player then this expedition is for you. All volunteers are expected to work together as a team, consider their fellow housemates and remember there will be people in your group from all walks of life. There are also some general duties to attend to around the house, there will be a weekly rota cleaning so to get the most out of the experience everyone needs to muck-in around camp. There are also a few house rules and we ask that these be respected at all times. Finding itself at South Africa s northernmost area visitors to Limpopo can expect sunshine, long summer afternoons and dry days for most of their stay. During summer (Oct to Mar) we see an average day time temperature of 31 C falling to 20 C during the night time with approximately 246mm of rain during this period. Don t be surprised to find late afternoons growing heavy with clouds and short thunderstorms. Winter is a sunny season of chilly, early mornings warm midday s (23 C), dry afternoons and cool to cold nights (0-5 C). In general the weather of Limpopo will greet you with a hospitable display of sunshine. Much of your time will be spent outdoors and the South African weather can be unpredictable so once you have booked your place we will advise you on the type of clothing to bring so you can ensure you come prepared! Once you have booked your place you will receive a comprehensive PDF Volunteer Handbook with lots of useful information about travelling to South Africa, living at the project and the surrounding area.

4 LOCATION South Africa s northernmost province, Limpopo, borders onto Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana, making it the ideal entrance to Africa. Named after the great Limpopo River that flows along its northern border, this province is rich in wildlife, spectacular scenery and a wealth of historical and cultural treasures. The Great North Road from Pretoria was first carved by the creaking wheels of ox-wagons. Ruins and relics abound in ancient forests, sparkling waters, hot mineral springs and waterfalls. Much of it has remained unchanged for centuries, offering unlimited opportunities in Limpopo for the enjoyment of untamed Africa. This is home to Modjadji, the fabled Rain Queen, the Stone Age and Iron age relics of Makapansgat Valley and the treasures of Mapungubwe that date back to 1000AD. Beyond the spectacular Soutpansberg mountains where you will be living and working is a land where mopane trees and giant, ancient baobab trees dominate the plains sweeping northward to Zimbabwe. There are 340 indigenous tree species here, an abundance of animal life and the world s highest concentration of leopard. MAPUNGUBWE NATIONAL PARK Where the Limpopo and Shashe rivers meet and unite South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe lies Mapungubwe National Park. This park is just north of Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve and you will get the opportunity to visit during your stay. Mapungubwe is Southern Africa s first kingdom, a highly complex society that marked the heart of a pre-shona kingdom between 1050 AD and 1270 AD only to be abandoned in the 14th century. It remained lost until New Years Eve 1932, when a local farmer and his son, discovered the wealth of artefacts on top of Mapungubwe Hill, including trade glass beads, Chinese celadon ware, gold ornaments, crafted ivory and bone and refined copper and iron. Mapunguwbwe Hill is a sandstone hill, with vertical cliffs about 30m high and a plateau top of approximately 300m s long. At the height of this kingdom it is thought that some 5000 people lived around Mapungubwe hill, which means place where Jackals eat, derived from the Tsonga word, phungubye, for Black Backed Jackal. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 and was opened to the public in September Not only does it provide the public with an awesome window on the rich and varied animal life in this part of South Africa, but it is a chance to explore Mapungubwe Hill and gain a picture of the social and political structures of a society that traded with China and India. One finding of significance was that of the Golden Rhino; the rhino is thought to symbolise power because of its ferocious temperament and is still a leadership symbol among the Shona of Zimbabwe today. The little golden rhino is evidence of these peoples metalworking skills and trade with the East and it also symbolises to the world that Southern Africa s cultural heritage is far richer and goes back further than realised.

5 PRICES 2 Weeks: 695 GBP 4 Weeks: 1295 GBP 6 Weeks: 1795 GBP 8 Weeks: 2095 GBP 10 Weeks: 2395 GBP 12 Weeks: 2695 GBP WHATS INCLUDED Transfers to & from Polokwane Airport Food & accommodation Training & equipment Visit to Mapungubwe National Park Transport for all GWC organised activities and socials All of our meals are freshly prepared daily by the camp staff. There are NO SET DATES for this project. However, we do ask that you book your flights to arrive in Polokwane on a Monday to meet with the GWC staff. If you can not make a Monday arrival GWC can arrange accommodation for you in Polokwane or GWC can arrange a private transfer to the reserve at your own cost.

6 WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Flights (domestic & International) Medical & travel insurance Spending money and all items of a personal nature Soft drinks (coke, fanta etc) & alcoholic beverages Cost of non-gwc organised social activities/excursions * Transfers are available once a week. You need to ensure that you arrive in Polokwane on a Monday to meet the transfer. If you can't make the meeting on a Monday, we can arrange accommodation in Polokwane and a transfer you to the reserve at your own cost. PLEASE NOTE - There is limited space available on this project. Please book early to avoid disappointment.