Volunteers have the opportunity to experience the Big 5 in their free environment (no cages and no fences) on foot and on game drives. Many other interesting species may also be encountered. As they are all free roaming animals, no guarantees can be given that they will actually be encountered with certainty. The reserve forms part of the Greater Kruger National / Limpopo Transfrontier Park and animals, such as the Big 5, can therefore move freely over the entire area. Camp is situated on the banks of the mighty Olifants River, a major water source of the central Lowveld-area and as such, a hotspot for game, small and large including the Big 5! The mission is to allow people of all ages to experience the magic of nature and all its intricate facets, first hand. The central focus is the preservation and conservation of nature for the benefit of current, as well as future generations. To conserve the Big 5 and their habitat means to conserve many more facets and aspects of the African Ecosystem The focus of this project is on all aspects of nature conservation in order to maintain the ecosystem and biodiversity. This project therefore offers a great opportunity to physically participate in conservation projects and to gain first hand experience in the implementation thereof within a South African nature reserve. HOW IT WORKS Volunteers can sign up for 2 12 weeks. Volunteers are from all walks of life, and participate in this program as part of travel plans during a gap year, working holiday or career break through South Africa and Africa. MEETING POINT Volunteers need to arrange to fly to / from Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit on a Tuesday, as this is the only day of the week that trips are made into Hoedspruit, and volunteers collected / dropped off from the airport. Should you arrive in South Africa a day early (i.e. a Monday), or depart from South Africa a day later (i.e. a Wednesday), it will mean that you will have to overnight in Joburg. Alternate accommodation can be booked in the Kruger area, as a last resort.
It is advisable to arrive early morning at OR Tambo International Airport in Joburg, and take either one of the two connecting flights on to Hoedspruit. Should your flight arrive too late for either of these two flights, it will mean that you will have to overnight in Joburg, and only fly out to Hoedspruit the next day. There are two return flights back to Joburg, and the later of the two flights gives volunteers sufficient time to continue on with their international flight later the same evening. Please note that if you are booked on an early morning international flight, you will have to overnight in Joburg itself, as the first flight from Hoedspruit doesn t leave until after 11H00 in the morning. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAYS This project will only collect / drop off volunteers on a Tuesday, from Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit. Should you arrive in Joburg earlier than a Tuesday, or from a Wednesday onwards, additional accommodation in Joburg can be arranged for you. MBIZI BACKPACKERS Mbizi Backpackers are located at 288 Trichardt Road, Parkdene, Boksburg, and about 15 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport in Joburg. Mbizi Backpackers offers a variety of accommodation, ranging from dorms, twin and double rooms, to double en-suite rooms, and twin log cabins. Mbizi Backpackers offers a variety of services, including airport transfers, tea and coffee, luggage storage, a fully equipped self-catering kitchen, internet, laundry, a large garden and swimming pool, board games, pool table, travel centre, satellite television, BBQ area, DVD library and 24 hour access. ADDITIONAL INFO Please refer to the Orientation and Kit List, for a list of things to take with you. Volunteers will only have a chance to go into town on a Tuesday, so please ensure that you buy yourself enough supplies (sweets, biscuits, alcohol, cigarettes etc.) to last you for the week. VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT WEEKS 1 AND 2 Volunteers can expect to do the following during the first two weeks (some activities are subject to availability): - one or two lectures per day while in the bush - workbook time - bush activities - morning game drives - afternoon game drives - bush walks - social braai (BBQ) evenings
- debates - town trips - special sundowners - camp activities - shooting assessment - bush camp sleep out Lectures that will be done during the first two weeks: - ecology - introduction to mammals - encountering animals in the bush - trees - reptiles - birds - insects - scorpions - spiders - animals that play an important role in ecology - tracks and signs - rifle handling - conservation management - bigger issues VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT WEEKS 3 AND MORE In week 1 and 2, volunteers will cover all lectures mentioned. During weeks 3 and 4 volunteers will not have any lectures. Whilst the other volunteers with with weeks 1 and 2 lectures, volunteers doing weeks 3 and 4 will do more intensive research on a category given to them by the coordinator or will do other research. Volunteers can expect to do the following after their first two weeks (please note that some activities are subject to availability): - camera trap collection - waterhole utilization graphs - game drive log sheet graphs - bush activities - morning game drives - afternoon game drives - night drives - bush walks - social braai (BBQ) evenings - debates - town trips - special sundowners - camp activities - shooting assessment
- bush camp sleep-out - advanced research in some of the lectures covered in weeks 1 and 2 ACCOMMODATION Volunteers reside in the Uitsig house overlooking the Olifants River. Uitsig is a large house with 2 dormitory-type bedrooms, kitchen, dining room / lounge area, washing room, 2 bathrooms with a bath, 2 showers and 3 toilets. The Youth Hostel in the Oewer camp may also be used to accommodate volunteers. The Youth Hostel is a large 6 room dormitory with 2 triple deck beds per room, kitchen, washing room, bath, 4 showers and 5 toilets. Both Uitsig house and the youth hostel have electricity and hot water. Volunteers need to provide their own bedding and mosquito netting (if required). All rooms are equipped with cupboards and electrical plugs. Breakfast is on a self-help basis, but lunch and dinner are prepared by the chef for the volunteers. An outside barbeque area with a small swimming pool and a view-tower overlooking a waterhole is available for use by volunteers at Uitsig house. Weekly trips are made to town on a Tuesday for shopping and social activities. A laundry service is available at an extra charge, and you must provide your own washing powder. INCLUDED / EXCLUDED Included in the program fees: Airport transfers between Eastgate Airport and the project on arrival and departure. Meals and accommodation once at the project. Donation to project. Excluded from the program fees: Flights to / from Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit. Visa fees. Travel insurance. Optional activities. Additional accommodation and meals in Johannesburg, if arriving early than a Tuesday / departing later than a Tuesday. Meals not included at backpackers lodge (if applicable).
Items of a personal nature. Internet and email access.