Galagos Wildlife Conservation

Introduction

Volunteer in Africa with GWC Volunteers on vital wildlife conservation and game reserve managment projects.

Get involved with life on a Private Game Reserve set in the stunning wilderness of the Limpopo Valley, South Africa. Learn, see, explore and leave with memories that will last a life time.

Track lions, watch herds of elephants as they visit the waterholes, catch a rare sighting of the elusive leopard and help conserve the rhino.

See the bush under the cover of darkness on a night drive and catch a glimpse of the more secretive animals.

Be a part of one of South Africa's largest wildlife conservation efforts and make your contribution to protect this pristine and diverse habitat.

Work directly with lion, elephant, rhino and more.

Learn new skills such as tracking, mammal identification and behaviour, bush survival skills, reptile and bird identification. Develop your knowledge of South Africa's wildlife and learn how to navigate in the bush.

Visit Mapungubwe National Park- A world heritage site and South Africa's first kingdom.

Work alongside professional guides and rangers.

We offer wildlife conservation volunteering from 2 weeks up to 3 months - it's your choice. Check out our fantastic Summer 2012 rates now!

If its gap year student work abroad or a working holiday in South Africa that you're looking for then join us for a once in a life time experience - you won't want to leave!

Types of Projects

Volunteers will be involved in the following work:

• Lion tracking and predator monitoring. Volunteers will be taught how to use the radio telemtry equipment in order to track the reserve's collared lions. The volunteers will take data on the lions location (GPS), their behaviour and kill species. Everytime we see predators on the reserve we record the information for the reserve's management team.

• Rhino Identification and monitoring (black & white). Poaching of rhino in South Africa is increasing and the volunteers will be involved in a program to ID all the reserves rhinos through the use of camera traps and photographs and create ID kits for all the rhinos.

Elephant Identification and utilisation - working with plant and elephant specialists to create a comprehensive elephant database through photographs and GPS locations of breeding herds and bulls.

• Alien vegetation & bio-control monitoring: identification and mapping of alien and invasive vegetation within the reserve, spreading of biological and chemical agents, and follow-up monitoring of problem areas.

• MSc research: assistance with any Masters of Science student fieldwork and data collection.

Other projects include

• game counts, night drives and predator call-ups - Ongoing research

• building hides for research and monitoring wildlife

• erosion control and repair work

• tree Wrapping

• small Mammal, bird and reptile studies

Volunteers will also be on hand to assist the reserve's management team. This could involve animal darting, tracking specific animals for capture and release, collaring new animals for research purposes and replacing old collars. Being able to see some of Africa’s most impressive animals up close is a unique experience that very few people are fortunate enough to witness.

Locations

Galagos Wildlife Conservation's African bush camp is located in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, 36,000 hectares of stunning wilderness in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. This is a land of ancient baobabs, mopane woodland, savannah and vast lakes which attracts a diverse array of wildlife, evocative of primeval Africa.

Timeline

Volunteer placements available from 2 weeks to 12 weeks. Those volunteers staying 6 weeks or longer will have the opportunity to apply for a GWC internship. Interns will be selected from volunteers who show high standards of competence, a willingness to help and an appetite for hard work on a previous project.

Accommodations

In the heart of the African bush you’ll find GWC Volunteers bush camp – the perfect place to relax and unwind after a hard day out in the field. Take a cooling dip in the swimming pool, get lost in the flames of the camp fire, recount the day’s events over a delicious meal and partake in some evening stargazing.

All volunteers live at our bush camp alongside the GWC staff on the reserve. The camp accommodates up to a 12 volunteers in shared rooms. Each room can accommodate 2 - 3 volunteers with separate shared, single-sex bathrooms supplied with hot and cold running water.

The well-equipped accommodation includes a furnished lounge, dining room, office and kitchen plus a large garden area complete with swimming pool and barbeque (braai) facilities. The house has electricity (220/230 volts AC, plug points accommodate 15 amp, three-pin round plugs).

Sheets, pillows and pillow cases will be provided although please bring your own sleeping bag and towels. There are hand washing facilities available for washing of your clothes whilst you are here.

Costs

Project costs - 2 Weeks from USD $850, 4 Weeks from USD $1545, 6 Weeks from USD $2170, 8 Weeks from USD $2635

Included; - Transfers to and from Polokwane airport/bus station - Food and accommodation - All training materials and equipment - Mapungubwe National Park visit - Transport for GWC organised social activities - Town trip once a week

Not Included; - Flights (domestic & International) - Medical & travel insurance - Spending money and all items of a personal nature - Soft drinks & alcoholic beverages - Cost of non-GWC organised social activities/excursions