Marine conservation volunteering in South Africa
| country: | South Africa |
| location: | Eastern Cape |
| departures: | Volunteers can start at anytime throughout the year |
| price: | From £1849 (4 weeks) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK |
| offers: | We are happy to offer some very special last minute, all-inclusive deals. Anyone wishing to depart before the end of 2009 can take advantage of up to 10% off their booking (dependent on availability). We also have some very exclusive flight deals, so contact us to receive more information! |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This placement will give you the chance to experience marine life conservation at the highest level. The marine foundation is head and shoulders above any other marine park in the Eastern Cape. It attracts fascinating marine species such as Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Brydes Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Orcas or Killer Whales and Great White Sharks but to name a few. This placement allows you to work in an area that best suits your interests; the team encourage you to take on your own individual projects whilst working closely with research experts and the marine conservation team.
As part of your stay you will get the opportunity to assist in commercial whale and dolphin tours as well as kayaking and river cruising. Whilst at the marine foundation you will visit the local community crèche; where the team educate young children about the marine life and their conservation efforts. In your spare time, you can participate in adventure activities such as; mountain biking, diving, kayaking, cage diving, bridge walking, bungee jumping and sky diving.
You do not require any previous marine experience to take part in this experience. An enthusiastic attitude and a willingness to work is all that is required.
A typical day for a volunteer could include breakfast at the accommodation, a walk down to the marine foundation where the volunteer would embark on conservation duties. Duties varying from tagging and release of marine species, beach clean ups, ocean tours, marine collection for aquarium, snorkelling and diving excursion just to name a few.
After this the volunteer is likely to visit the community crèche and participate in the teaching of marine safety and basic English. Then a short walk back to the accommodation to relax in the early evening and out for dinner at Claytons Surf Café. Each day the reserve can offer a new experience for a volunteer to take on.
As part of your stay you will get the opportunity to assist in commercial whale and dolphin tours as well as kayaking and river cruising. Whilst at the marine foundation you will visit the local community crèche; where the team educate young children about the marine life and their conservation efforts. In your spare time, you can participate in adventure activities such as; mountain biking, diving, kayaking, cage diving, bridge walking, bungee jumping and sky diving.
You do not require any previous marine experience to take part in this experience. An enthusiastic attitude and a willingness to work is all that is required.
a day in a life of a volunteer
A typical day for a volunteer could include breakfast at the accommodation, a walk down to the marine foundation where the volunteer would embark on conservation duties. Duties varying from tagging and release of marine species, beach clean ups, ocean tours, marine collection for aquarium, snorkelling and diving excursion just to name a few. After this the volunteer is likely to visit the community crèche and participate in the teaching of marine safety and basic English. Then a short walk back to the accommodation to relax in the early evening and out for dinner at Claytons Surf Café. Each day the reserve can offer a new experience for a volunteer to take on.
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
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The marine foundation is in the process of collecting materials and information to take to the Government regarding trawler fishing in the bay. They want to force the government to change the laws of fishing the area, so that the marine life can be saved. The bay is vital to whale breeding and the survival of the endangered Great White Shark and Humpback Dolphin. The programme gives back to the community by training and employing local workers as rangers and guides at the reserve. They also employ local staff at the accommodation and the crèche.
All volunteers are given a responsible travel briefing upon arrival as part of their orientation. The students are expected to walk to and from the reserve every day. The walk is around 30 mins; this due to the new carbon balancing scheme that the foundation has in place. The reserve has also started a ‘Carbon Zero’ programme, where volunteers will be planting trees to combat carbon omissions. The student accommodation holds a maximum of 10 volunteers, creating a minimal impact on the local surroundings. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |