The Big 5 Conservation Volunteer programme has been developed by a South African wildlife conservation expert to offer participants an incomparable volunteer experience, practical knowledge and diverse hands-on encounters with the world famous “Big-Five” animals of Africa as well as a multitude of other wild animals found in Africa.  As a volunteer, you will learn numerous facets of operating a wildlife game reserve, and you will contribute to returning some of Africa’s lands back to their original state – an African savannah teaming with wildlife.

As part of the programme, you will be working in three different game reserves along South Africas’s fascinating Garden Route. You will be instructed and involved in many of the disciplines central to managing an African game reserve. Specific focus is placed on managing the wildlife, conservation, reserve maintenance, the tracking of free roaming cheetah, elephant care as well as various research projects. The course is run over two or four consecutive weeks, with the option of staying longer. Volunteers will also engage in night-time and dawn/dusk activities, research, monitoring and patrolling.

The Big 5 Conservation Volunteer program is a once in a lifetime opportunity for aspiring wildlife conservationists or nature enthusiasts.  The program will demand much from participants, mentally and physically; however, the demands are well within the capabilities of most volunteers, and whilst being challenging, it is both enjoyable and exciting.  It is an opportunity to learn invaluable new skills, experience Africa’s unique environment and wildlife, be part of the difference that returns the environment to its natural, original state. It is not only about what you take with you, but the lasting effects of what you leave behind.

If you are a student of conservation management, biology, zoology, environmental education, or related fields you can get your participation accredited as an internship.

Like all our projects in the field of wildlife conservation, the work is done in game reserves with a strict “Hands-off” policy. This means that visitors and project staff do not have any physical contact with the animals except for medical reasons.

The Big 5 Conservation Volunteering Programme involves both theoretical and practical training in various wildlife management topics as well as hands on conservation tasks. Amongst others you will be part of the following trainings and tasks:

• Animal Tracking – identify animal footprints; learn how to safely approach animals on foot;
• Bird, insect and plant identification – identify different types of birds, insects, fauna and flora; learn about and contribute to related conservation research;
• Wildlife management – learn all the facets of managing a Big5 game reserve: wildlife nutrition and feeding, game capture and translocation, basic soil studies, Boma elephant care and nutrition, predator care and monitoring;
• Collect data for Cheetah research project
• Basic reserve maintenance (fences, roads, construction etc.)
• Conservation projects (planting trees, erosion control, seed harvesting etc.)
• Take part in different rural community projects
• Anti-poaching Night Drives / Patrols;
• Wilderness camp and basic survival skills (only for volunteers here for more than 3 weeks weather dependant).

Working Hours:   Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 to 5:00 pm. One night per week you will do a night drive to identify nocturnal animals and plot their position and behaviour. Weekends are off.

Programme Fee (2021): ZAR 9.900,- (approx. € 550,-/US$ 665,- per Week)

Fees include:

• Accommodation in shared rooms
• Food (3 Meals per day)
• Transfer from Albertinia to project accommodation upon arrival and deaprture
• Internet
• Laundry Service (1 x week)
• 1 Project T-Shirt
• Practical and theoreatical trainings on various aspects of wildlife management
• Instruction by qualified wildlife ranger/conservationist
• Transport for all daily activities as part of the programme
• 24/7 Support in cases of emergency
• Support in organising weekend activities
• Qualified support and advise around volunteer and internship placements in South Africa
• Beratung rund um das Thema Freiwilligendienst und Praktikum in Südafrika
• Processing of application documents, contracts as well as paper work to get the programme accredited by your university
• Support with all travel preparations (Flight, Visa, Insurances, Vaccinations, Transfer to the project etc.)
• Access to live&learn network in South Africa as well as contact to other participants before departure
• Competent contact persons in Cape Town to support you with all questions and problems while you are in South Africa
• Volunteer and/or internship confirmation für deinen Lebenslauf

Not included:

• Flight ticket (from approx. €650,- for a return flight from Europe)
• Transfer to project (from ZAR 450,-/approx. € 25,-)
• Foreign Health Insurance (from approx. € 25,-)
• Leisure Time activities

Please let us know how long you would like to stay and we will send you a quote with a detailed cost plan so you can budget for your trip.