See the ‘King of the Jungle’ up close as you play a vital role in the on-going
conservation and protection of Africa’s big cats and other large predators such as
leopard and cheetah.
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440
African Impact is a multi-award winning volunteer travel organisation which runs and manages
meaningful and responsible volunteer experiences and internship programs throughout Africa.
The organisation was founded in 2004 in Zimbabwe, and since then has grown into the Africa
leaders in volunteer tourism, having facilitated over 12,000 volunteers and interns in 12 countries
across the continent.
We are proud to offer fun, safe and structured placements where volunteers understand their
contribution to responsible projects run in partnership with local communities and conservation
efforts. Our journey so far has been both inspiring and humbling and we will keep pushing the
horizons of what volunteering can achieve.
in the power of volunteering and have seen the amazing things volunteers can achieve.
in Africa and all that this inspiring continent can offer to the world.
in the passionate people who work with us and alongside us to create tangible
positive impacts and change lives.
To us, volunteering is a two-way thing. It’s not just about the hands-on help and skills that
volunteers bring; it’s also about what this amazing continent, its people and its wildlife can give
those volunteers in return. The volunteer experiences we offer in Africa are based on three key
points: 1) volunteers having an amazing time and experiencing everything Africa has to offer; 2)
volunteers learning as much as they can about local history, culture and wildlife and soaking up
the essence of our country; and 3) supporting local communities and conservation efforts through
education and hands-on help.
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440
The award winning Private Game Reserve in northern Zululand, where you’ll be based, is 14,000
hectares of pristine bush and is home to Africa’s famous Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo,
black and white rhino - and many other key animals, as well as over 400 species of birds.
In 2006 the Thanda Foundation, in partnership with the reserve, launched a conservation research
program. The program includes the monitoring of lion and leopard. The research program
involves the University of Natal and the Wildlands Conservation Trust as well as other
conservation and wildlife agencies in research projects on both this reserve and the adjacent
lands. The partnership with neighbouring communities has been strengthened by the raising of
funds that seek to involve such communities in education programs centred on biodiversity and
community based natural resource management.
In partnership with African Impact and the Thanda Foundation, you will help the research work by
gathering information in the field and spend time in the bush on conservation initiatives. You will
also assist with entering captured data onto a computer to be shared with relevant researchers
and authorities. The focus of this project is to monitor the large predators on the reserve.
In the last thirty years we have seen an alarming decrease in the population numbers of the cat
family in southern Africa. The Thanda Foundation has teamed up with The African Lion &
Environmental Research Trust (http://www.lionalert.org) to put together a tracking and monitoring
program essential to the conservation of these magnificent animals.
As recently as 1975, over 200,000 lions may have roamed the African continent. In 2002 estimates
put the population between 23,000 and 39,000, representing an 80 – 90% decline in less than 30
years.
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440
The reserve is also home to the leopard. In the past, leopards have also been victims to
habitat loss; farmers often considered leopards a nuisance to cattle and as a result frequently
shot or hunted them. Numbers decreased due to immigration and lack of food as well as
extensive numbers being illegally poached for their (perceived to be) valuable skin and body
parts.
During your volunteering time you will be specifically focusing on the hunting, social,
territorial and reproductive behaviours of the lion population. Other data will also be
collected to improve our understanding of their behaviour and you will be involved with
observations.
The monitoring of the wildlife through close observations and research initiatives plays a vital
role in the ongoing conservation and protection of Africa’s big cats. This project will give you
the opportunity to learn about these beautiful animals as well as give you a hands-on
experience of the African bush. You will be working in a changing, dynamic environment
which is determined by the movement and activities of the animals. Each individual
contribution is significant in helping us to achieve our long term goals.
In the rainy season, game drives are sometimes cancelled as the weather is too wet. In these
cases alternative activities will be arranged.
Live in the heart of a Big 5 game reserve
Collect data and conduct vital research on large predators, including lion and
leopard, to provide information for the Thanda Foundation
Partake in research drives and conservation activities
Monitor the night time movements of the predators in the reserve
Assist on conservation initiatives within the reserve, such as alien plant control, soil
erosion and assisting the reserve management where needed
Assist with weekly game counts
Make friends for life with other international volunteers!
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440
A beautiful Private Game reserve, home to the Big Five with 14,000 hectares of stunning African
bush, situated one and half hours away from St Lucia on the North East Coast of South Africa.
Minimum 18 years
Genuine love and concern for animals and the environment
You must be in good physical health, as you will be expected to participate in physical
activities
Ability to work as part of a team, be flexible and cooperative
To have an amazing extraordinary life changing experience that will enrich your life
forever. You are sure to have a wonderful time on this unique and inspiring placement!
2 - 12 weeks
Durban King Shaka International Airport
Please note this project has specific start dates, and you may join the project as follows for
2015:
4 January / 18 January / 1 February / 15 February / 1 March / 15 March / 29 March / 12 April /26
April / 10 May /24 May / 7 June / 21 June / 5 July / 19 July / 2 August / 16 August / 30 August / 13
September / 27 September / 11 October / 25 October / 8 November / 22 November.
December dates to be confirmed.
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440
Departure date will be on your Sunday end date.
Transfers to the project are on the above mentioned dates only, please check required times
with your Destination Manager before booking any flights. You will be dropped back at Durban
International Airport 2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12 weeks later.
The nearest international airport to the project is Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.
There are daily flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Durban and these can be booked
on:
www.flightsite.com ; www.kulula.co.za; www.flysaa.com ; www.flymango.co.za ;
You will be met as you enter the terminal building and driven for 3 hours back to the reserve.
Whilst on your project you will be transported by our team and guides.
Note: We ask that you arrive at the airport by no later than 13h30 on the Sunday before the
project orientation starts, with the transfer departing by 14h00 at the very latest, sharp. If you
are unable to arrive before this time please organize your flight to arrive on the Saturday. We
will be happy to recommend overnight accommodation if required.
Arranging your visa is your responsibility and the information we provide is to serve as a
guideline only. We advise that you confirm this information with the embassy / consulate of the
country that you will be visiting in your home country before departure.
It is possible to obtain a free of charge Tourist Visa upon arrival into Durban which is valid for 3
months. Please note: when applying for your Visa it is vital that you mark that you are entering
South Africa for HOLIDAY purposes. Immigration can sometimes confuse ‘volunteering’ with
‘working which can complicate your entry process.
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440
Prior to your trip you will need to arrange medical insurance which will give you full cover for any
medical requirements which may arise during your trip, including cover for full air evacuation in
the unlikely event that this is necessary. Your medical cover also needs to include repatriation. If
you do
not already have a company that you are happy to use to take out a policy with, we suggest World
Nomads or Mind The Gap Year, who offer comprehensive medical and travel insurance. Please be
sure to check your policy carefully to ensure that it does cover activities which you are likely to
participate in.
During your placement you will stay in comfortable cabins that sleep 2/3 volunteers set in the
Game Reserve. There is a large communal thatched building with areas to dine, relax, and to
watch the animals. The accommodation is staffed with cooks and cleaners and all bed linen and
towels are provided.
There is a bar area available where you can purchase drinks and relax with other volunteers. We
also have a coffee machine for those who prefer ‘proper coffee’ over the free instant coffee
available. Wi-Fi is available for a small fee, but you will need your own laptop.
You can spend the evenings sat around a fire under the stunning African sky or chatting on the
viewing deck to see what animals visit the area as night falls or having a drink or 2 in the bar.
You will be provided with three meals a day. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually
consists of cereals, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be prepared for
you by one of our cooks at the reserve.
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440
Monday through to Friday, participate in 2 activities per day, which usually include
research drives and conservation activities
Collate and record research data on the lions and leopards. This will involve being in
the bush to observe hunting, social, breeding and territorial behaviour at various times
of the day
Collate and record research data during night drives to monitor nocturnal predator
activity
Capture data as required by the reserve management team for their on-going
endangered species work
Carry out physical work to help regenerate natural bush from reclaimed farmland
including prevention of further soil erosion and the removal of old fences to avoid
injuries to wildlife
Contribute to the long-term strategy of removal of alien plants from the reserve
To give you an idea of how your time will be split between the different aspects of the program,
the following should be taken as an approximation:
We have found in the past that the more you as a volunteer put in to your involvement, the more
you will get out. You are welcome to contact a member of staff to find out how you can best
prepare for your stay. Please also understand that our projects are continuously evolving, being
improved, and adapting to the needs of the local communities that we are involved with, so
involvement areas do change from time to time. Rest assured your work will be necessary,
rewarding and exciting. We invite you to be more than a tourist.
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440
For this project, enthusiasm for African wildlife is essential, research, knowledge and experience
is helpful, but not necessary. On arrival you will have a comprehensive orientation facilitated by
your volunteer coordinator including:
Overview of the aims of the project and your role as a volunteer
An introduction to where you are staying and description of the game reserve
Throughout your stay at your placement you will have the support and guidance of experienced
field-workers and coordinators. They are part of our greater African Impact support team, and
will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440
The project fee entails financing that goes directly back into the project that
you are involved with via the Thanda Foundation
Transport between Durban airport and the project on set Sundays only. We will arrive
at the airport for 10h30 and aim to leave at 13h30
Orientation program, including a security briefing on living within a Big 5 game
reserve
All research drives/transfers that are project related, during your stay
Full board and lodging, which includes 3 meals a day at our volunteer house
Assistance at your projects by African Impact staff and volunteer coordinators
Any excursions over-and-above your planned itinerary (see guideline of weekend
travel highlights)
A very small cost for laundry service (Roughly R60 for a bag of items (laundry bag is
provided)
Wi-Fi which costs R100 per week or R250 per month
It would be unforgiveable to be living in such stunning scenery without exploring your
surroundings! Here are some of the highlights for you to do in your spare time at weekends.
These are not included in your volunteering fee, but our coordinators are able to assist you with
making the necessary booking arrangements. All arrangements are made from the project base
and cannot be pre-booked:
Game drives in the beautiful Hluhluwe and Umfolozi National Parks (R1450)
4 day photographic workshop in the Drakensberg Mountains (R5500)
Weekend trips to Mozambique (R3800)
Game drives to the Tembe Elephant park, home to the largest Tuskers in Southern
Africa (R1450)
Weekend trips to the seaside town of St Lucia (R1000) to do Whale Watching (seasonal
– R950) to spend time on the beach or take a boat trip to see Hippos and Crocodiles
up close (R300)
(N.B Prices are a rough guideline and are likely to fluctuate. None of these are guaranteed departures and are
totally dependent on availability and demand)
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440
[email protected] | TEL: +27 (0)87 751 3977
USA Toll Free: 1 800 606 7185 | UK Toll Free: 0800 098 8440