7 Day Wildlife Volunteer Safari

7 days – From ZAR45,650 pp sharing
Starts Johannesburg, South Africa Ends Johannesburg, South Africa

This 7 Day Wildlife Volunteer Safari takes you to a sprawling tourist-free Big Five private game reserve in South Africa’s untamed Kalahari. Sleep in comfortable safari tents on raised platforms under millions of stars at night and participate in hands-on wildlife conservation activities and fieldwork with qualified rangers and conservationists during the day. This is an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime, malaria-free, eco-safari experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

Escape tourist hotspots and experience wild animals in their natural environment at close quarters.
Help monitor the population and predator/prey dynamics of lions and the endangered African wild dog.
Help place and monitor camera traps used for scientific research and wildlife identification.
Assist in game count surveys to identify potential ecological problems.
Participate in vegetation surveys to determine the impact of environmental factors on the vegetation of the area.
Help remove invasive plant species and old fencing wires that may ensnare wildlife.
Get involved in anti-poaching efforts with experienced wildlife rangers.
Learn from qualified experts about the area’s ecology, biology and fascinating animal behaviours.

This unique eco-safari experience gives you the hands-on opportunity to help the reserve’s highly specialised anti-poaching team and ecologists maintain and protect the reserve’s delicate ecosystem by helping them conduct wildlife research, vegetation surveys and game counts.

Authentic, safari tent accommodation
Accommodation consists of four two-sleeper, en-suite safari tents on raised platforms with uninterrupted views of the surrounding Kalahari bushveld. On your 7 Day Wildlife Volunteer Safari, meals will be served in the reserve’s dining tent, and, at night, guests can gather around the fire in the outdoor boma.

Itinerary

A local guide will meet you at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and drive you to the reserve (a seven-hour transfer) where the daily programme and conservation activities will be discussed with you on arrival. During the course of your eco-safari, you will be actively contributing to the ecological sustainability of the reserve by lending a hand in a variety of wildlife research activities. Conservation projects may include:

Monitoring the increase, stability and decrease in numbers of lions, African wild dogs, cheetahs and other wildlife such as leopards, buffalo, elephants, rhinos, spotted and brown hyenas and vultures.
Nocturnal monitoring of lions and camera traps.
Placing, monitoring and collecting camera traps located throughout the reserve.
Conducting game counts of the reserve’s wildlife populations.
Carrying out vegetation surveys.
Assisting in the removal of invasive plant species and leftover fencing wires.
Helping to trim back vegetation encroaching on the reserve’s infrastructure.
Accompanying experienced anti-poaching rangers on their daily patrols.
Recording the activities of wildlife in key areas to identify potential poaching point vulnerabilities.

These activities are conducted exclusively in line with the ecological requirements of the reserve under the strictest ethical best practice standards, and there can be no guarantee that these activities will be part of your 7 Day Wildlife Volunteer Safari experience. Please note that under no circumstances whatsoever will any animal be darted for unethical purposes.

The rate is per person sharing. Please ask us about exclusive use of the camp.

All rates on our website are provided to give a price estimate only and should not be seen as a firm quote. Likewise, our currency converter will give you a rough idea of the price in another currency, but should not be seen as a firm quote. It is only intended as a guideline, based on the daily interbank exchange rate. The total price includes our tour arrangement fee and local support fees, if applicable. Please contact us to check availability and receive an accurate, free quote with no obligation.

Excludes
International flights
Visa and border crossing costs
Airport tax if applicable
Personal travel insurance
Meals not specified
Drinks
Gratuities (not compulsory)
Personal expenses and optional extras

Youtube video courtesy of Working With Wildlife

www.youtube.com/@workingwithwildlife