Your cart is empty
Continue
Most days are spent in the field, assisting with data collection, and reserve maintenance activities, and sometimes office based work.
At times we carry out special operations such as darting and giving medical treatment to an injured animal.
There may also be opportunities to get involved with the work of the Black Mambas and the Bush Babies. Cleaning chores are part of the package too.
On Mondays we do the weekly town trip and on Sundays we plan an outing we call Sunday Adventures.
TA’s Research Department conducts several on-going projects, that are conducted on a day to day basis throughout the year as well as seasonal projects which are carried out at specific times of the year. They undertake temporary projects, too. Temporary projects are subject to change and evolve with the needs of the organisation and reserves.
Volunteer work varies depending on what time of year you visit, and day-to-day activities are dictated by the team’s daily priorities, the change in seasons and the time of year. You will be assigned to research projects and tasks on a rotational basis to give everyone exposure to as many aspects of conservation and reserve management as possible.
You'll assist in data collection, sometimes office based work, and reserve maintenance which will provide support to staff, researchers and interns and will in turn improve your knowledge of conservation including animal management.
During your time in the field there will be good opportunities to encounter some of South Africa's diverse and abundant wildlife, so do bring your camera along!
We assist Professor Mark Wright, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, in his investigation on the potential of bees’ alarm pheromones as a bio-deterrent product to mitigate human-elephant conflicts ethically.
We study the effectiveness of control methods for invasive alien species, as they represent a threat to ecosystems and native species across the world, as they reduce biodiversity and disrupt ecological functions.
The trend in water table levels is monitored over time and is linked to annual rainfalls, to establish recharge and consumption rates and propose management measures, as water is a scarce resource essential to the ecosystem.
Each year we apex predators' scats to analyse their diet and prey preferences in our reserve. Prey species hairs can be extracted from predators' scats and identified using a microscope.
Vegetation composition and density are evaluated each year to assess the ecological carrying capacity of the reserve, and compared to the game count data.
Threatened and iconic species, such as rhinos, wild dogs, Southern ground-hornbills and vultures are closely monitored and the data is shared with global or regional conservation programs.
These duties are fitted into the program where and when required. It could be that an elephant has pushed a tree onto the road and you'll help make the road accessible again. General road repair works, clearing flooding drainage and fence clearing and repairs are part of the package too. In the dry season it may be preventative block burning certain sections of the veld.
It's exciting to work in a big5 nature reserve as you never know when you'll have an encounter with wildlife. It could be that you are on your way back to camp after the days work and there's a pride of lions relaxing next to the road. Or you might have to pack up lunch quickly while out in the field because a few elephants have decided to make their appearance.
Keep your camera with you to capture these special moments!
SPECIAL NOTE We have no captive animals, there is no petting wildlife. All wildlife is free and respected. This program is about co-existing in a natural environment and learning from nature: from the biggest land mammal to the tiniest insect.
From time to time, and where it is safe to do so, volunteers will be involved with special operations. This may be observing only, or actively participating in the operation. An impala might have wandered off onto the busy road next to the reserve and encouraged to go back into the reserve. There may be an injured giraffe needing veterinary assistance, or a wild dog may need to be collared for monitoring purposes, to give you a few examples.
Everyone is required to participate in cleaning chores and some office based work according to the rota.
Volunteers may also have an opportunity to help out with our
Bush Babies Environmental Education Program and
The Black Mambas anti-poaching unit from time to time doing a snare sweep of a particular section of the reserve.
Working days are Mondays to Saturdays, in which the various aspects of the program are carried out. After an early breakfast you’ll head into the bush (approx. 07:00-08:00 am), lunch is often taken while in the field, and you’ll head back to camp around 04:00 pm. After a bit of leisure time, food is prepared, and enjoyed around the campfire under the stars.
On Mondays we do our weekly town trip. You do your shopping for the week ahead (or if assigned to do field work, get someone else to do the shopping on your behalf).
After cleaning of camp and vehicles in the morning, the rest of Sunday is generally a day to relax and have fun, with visits to the endangered species centre, the reptile park, hiking in Blyde River Canyon or a daytrip to the Kruger National Park, for example.
Sunday Adventures! Time to explore the region!
These visits are decided on by the group, and they are not part of the volunteer program so please note the additional cost is for the volunteer's expense.
Requirements to participate in our volunteer program
No specific knowledge or experience is needed to participate in our volunteer program!
Minimum age is 18 years.
Physical fitness level moderate to good.
Good command of the English language.
Be prepared to be flexible, we plan the day... but then life happens.
Have an open mind to different customs and cultures.
As our camp and research centre are open and located in a Big-5 area, and most of the fieldwork is conducted in a Big-5 environment, strict safety rules exist, and volunteers must always comply with them. No deviation will be tolerated.
Respect wildlife and the natural environment.
You must be prepared to be flexible and able to adapt to short notice changes in daily plans. Everything happens in “African time“ which can at times be a little frustrating for those of us used to a more structured lifestyle, but that is all part of the fun.
Given that our camp and research centre both involve living in a small community, volunteers are expected to be respectful of each other, interns, and staff, to get involved and work hard, and to keep the premises clean and tidy and to participate in household chores according to the rota.