Wildlife conservation expedition on Karongwe Reserve
| country: | South Africa |
| location: | South Africa wildlife reserves |
| departures: | 2010: 9 Jan, 13 Feb, 3 Apr, 8 May, 26 Jun, 31 Jul, 2 Oct, 6 Nov |
| price: | From £1595 (5 weeks) - £2595 (10 weeks) excluding flights. We can offer advice on flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
We run wildlife research expeditions on the Karongwe game Reserve and Venetia Limpopo Nature reserve, both in the Limpopo province. We have been working in conjunction with local partners since June 2000. The aim of this research is to determine the impact of reintroduced mammals on game reserves and to develop some of this land into fenceless wilderness areas. The results are shared with the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve, which is funded by UNESCO. South Africa's Game reserves are of key importance to South Africa's natural heritage because they house over 55% of the natural life on the subcontinent.
Following an intensive training week with lectures on topics including animal behaviour and ecology and tuition in the use of telemetry, volunteers will participate in wildlife and vegetation monitoring projects, including assisting with the research on predator/prey interactions, elephant impact surveys, reserve mapping and wild dog breeding programmes. In some circumstances the team might get involved with the exciting work of darting and the fitting of radio tracking collars to lions and leopards. Expedition Members that participate for 10 weeks will get the opportunity to experience both Karongwe and Venetia; 2 of South Africa’s finest reserves, spending 5 weeks in each location. Both bases have a satellite camp, located in the mountains. The fresh mountain scenery, varied flora and fauna and panoramic views provide a
refreshing break from the heat of the bush. This is a great opportunity to be part of an expedition that really is making a difference to the survival of Africa's natural heritage. You will be working towards a long term conservation strategy amongst staff whoare dedicated to their work. Not only is it a spectacular location for game and scenery but the training and experience of the African bush are second to none.
Leisure activities during your free time: Research is a priority although if time allows side trips can be arranged to various local attractions including; a reptile park, wildlife rehabilitation centres, mountain picnics and white water rafting (dependant on water levels).
an action packed day as described by a volunteer
The team woke to the dawn chorus. Those on camp duty turned on the water pump, while we made breakfast. Weighed down with water bottles and slippery with sun-cream we set off in the open vehicle to carry out our daily research tasks. Our group travelled over the undulating terrain, passing herds of impala and giraffe, in search of the elephant. We were using the radio telemetry techniques learnt in the training course, we are really getting the hang of it now. We struggled today as the elephants seemed to have crossed the Makustswi River last night. It is flowing strongly now with the rains, so we had to take a long detour route to the only river crossing. On our journey we spotted 4
hippos wallowing in a pool, which we tried to identify and it took over 2 hours before we heard the elephants breaking branches. By now the temperature had soared and it was only 10am! As we were far from camp we had lunch in the middle of the bush. This afternoon we are tracking and monitoring Lion and setting up a photo transect. We are all looking forward to sundowners this evening, followed by a hearty meal, a 'Braai' prepared on the open fire and bush stories under the African sky. Next weekend we are off on a two-day white water rafting safari. A great way to celebrate the end of the first 5 weeks of the expedition.
travellers' tales
This operator is a fantastic organization. I would enthusiastically recommend this South Africa expedition and their organization to anyone. (more)
volunteer travel - what's it all about?
Are you looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world. Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.
how this holiday makes a difference
 Volunteers collect vital behavioural data on reintroduced predators and larger herbivore on reserves where they do not have the manpower, time or resources to carry out intensive monitoring. GVI spends up to 12 hours a day following large predators such as lions, leopards, cheetah and wild dog to determine their feeding ecology spatial use, competition and behaviour. The information gathered is used to give an accurate picture of the predator’s impact on prey populations, determine social structure, genetics, and spatial movement. This vital information helps maintain a healthy balance of these natural resources and ultimately conserve some of Africa’s natural heritage bioregions. The research findings will help to more effectively manage wildlife populations in the surrounding area. Results are used by the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve (a project funded by UNESCO), the University of Natal, the Endangered Wildlife Trust and a host of other local organisations. Volunteers organise and participate in environmental education workshops at the local schools where children and adults from the nearby villages learn about the values of conservation of their surrounding environment. We also run a National Scholarship Programme whereby a member of the local community participates in the expedition for free to further their training and experience towards future career possibilities in conservation. Volunteers offered their helping hands to Malebalong Primary School. The volunteers set about maintenance work around the school, shovelling mountains of dirt back into a 75m long water pipe trench, whilst others helped to paint a newly built out-house. We are dedicated to responsible tourism, and all of the projects that we support directly benefit the environment, the local community, or both. All projects are carefully chosen to offer our volunteers sustainable and responsible travel, with specific attention being paid to their involvement in the sustainability of all their practices / project goals. All of our projects and expeditions issue the participants with clear guidelines on responsible tourism and ecotourism, all specific to the particular environment / region. These cover a number of issues, ranging from waste disposal in remote areas, recycling materials and buying from local businesses to not exploiting the area’s wildlife or harming the environment. Our Charitable Trust was set up in 2005 to help with disaster relief following the devastation caused by Hurricane Stan in Guatemala. After an overwhelming response from past volunteers our Charitable Trust has gone on to manage and fundraise projects all over the world. The aim of the Charitable Trust is to achieve the following goals:
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