Supporter for Big Five Conservation

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Aid Africa's wildlife conservation by tracking extraordinary animals at some of the country's top game reserves, with a focus on the iconic ‘Big Five’!

With a focus on the 'Big Five', this project offers you a unique opportunity to participate in the conservation of Africa's endangered species. Witness the unparalleled diversity of South African wildlife on some of the nation's top reserves!

About The Project 

As a volunteer, you will track and ...

About the program

With a focus on the 'Big Five', this project offers you a unique opportunity to participate in the conservation of Africa's endangered species. Witness the unparalleled diversity of South African wildlife on some of the nation's top reserves!

About The Project 

As a volunteer, you will track and monitor an array of vulnerable wildlife species, working closely with wildlife monitors to track these animals and collect data on them. You may witness rhinos, wild dogs, elephants and more during your time spent as a volunteer, but one thing is for sure: your time here will certainly be memorable!

Zululand's biodiversity is renowned, and the lands are of the most productive in the world. Sadly, conservation efforts face tremendous challenges such as rapid fragmentation of organic habitat due to human intervention, inadequate funding for monitoring and research to aid conservation, and of course, the detriment of poaching activities in the area. 

For the duration of the project, you will work in close groups of no more than 5 per reserve where you will cultivate intimate bonds with expert monitors, witnessing professional wildlife conservation experience in action. This project is the only conservation organisation in South Africa to boast support from the WWF, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, and other world-famous conservation authorities - so why not become a part of their efforts?

Prior To Arrival 

You will need to arrive into Richards Bay airport (via Johannesburg) on your project start date, no later than 12:30pm. If you are unable to arrive by this time, you should arrive a day early and book an additional night in a hotel in Richards Bay and make your way back to the airport for 12:30pm on your start date to take the transfer to your assigned reserve. 



Typical day

First Day 

If you arrived one day prior to the project start date, you will need to return to Richards Bay Airport from your B&B as to meet the project coordinator and to begin your journey to the project site. After you arrive, you will be given time to settle in and meet your fellow volunteers! 

Pr

Typical day

First Day 

If you arrived one day prior to the project start date, you will need to return to Richards Bay Airport from your B&B as to meet the project coordinator and to begin your journey to the project site. After you arrive, you will be given time to settle in and meet your fellow volunteers! 

Project Days

On a regular day, you can expect to leave camp at sunrise in an open 4x4 vehicle to track collared wildlife on the reserves. You will observe and record data on these animals. After a relaxing lunch back at camp, you will head out to do it all again, keeping your eyes peeled for countless species along the way. 

You may take part in the following activities throughout the duration of your stay:

Wildlife Monitoring And Tracking 

Work alongside expert wildlife monitors assisting them in a number of activities, such as the daily tracking and location of priority species - from wild dog to cheetah, rhino to vulture, there's so much to learn about the wildlife here in South Africa!

Data Collection

As well as monitoring the animals on the reserve, you will be taught how to map their locations using GPS equipment and telemetry. You may also record information on their group composition and behaviours, such as feeding patterns, retaining information for research purposes.

Wildlife Photography

You will be asked to take photographs of the animals, and when necessary, create identikits for reintroduced or relocated animals. Camera traps are a key part of the research carried out by the project for collecting data and observing wildlife in specific areas, so you may help to set up such devices at watering holes and game trails. 

Data Analysis

You will spend at least one day per week putting all gathered information into the project's own computer database allowing them to analyse all findings: the more the project knows about its animals, the more they can do to protect them.

Other Activities

From time to time, you may be invited to help out with additional activities, such as animal releases, collaring, and notching (a form of identity marking on species such as rhino). These activities are entirely dependent on necessity, so are not a given, but should you have the opportunity to assist you will gain a unique insight into the nature and importance of conservation work.

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to change and the information provided is simply a rough guideline. 

The Final Day

Sadly, your final day has arrived, so you will be transferred back to the airport to fly home or to commence your onward travel plans!


Free-time activities

During the evening your time will be spent at leisure. Spend time socialising with your fellow volunteers, building life-long bonds and sharing unforgettable memories, or simply relaxing after your delicious evening meal. 

Free-time activities

During the evening your time will be spent at leisure. Spend time socialising with your fellow volunteers, building life-long bonds and sharing unforgettable memories, or simply relaxing after your delicious evening meal. 


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Required Documents

Photograph of participant

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Moderate Level Of Fitness Hardworking And Passionate Member Of A Team

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by The Great Projects

Where Your Money Goes


  • Accommodation, food and volunteer activities
  • Transfers to and from the airport
  • A conservation donation to the project to help support the animals
  • Project development to ensure the best project for all involved
  • Administration fees and additional company costs

Airport Pickup at Richards Bay Airport

Your transfers from the airport to the project site and back again will be arranged in coordination with the project site. 

Accommodation

The project accommodation is situated right within the project site, where you and one other person will share a room with beds, mattresses bed linens and pillows provided for each volunteer. A shared kitchen area is home to various cooking appliances with an outside seating, dining and BBQ area. The accommodation is fit with running hot water, flushing toilets and electricity. 

Food & Beverages

Food and drink will be provided for 3 meals a day, and volunteers will alternate preparing meals in the shared kitchen area. 

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This project takes place on every other Monday throughout the year. Please contact us to see if your preferred start date is still available.
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,634€
4 weeks 2,644€
6 weeks 3,653€
8 weeks 4,663€
10 weeks 5,672€
12 weeks (max. stay) 6,682€
Average fees 686€/week

Program fees

686€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with The Great Projects during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

The Great Projects

Perfect 4.6 rating (197 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2003

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Katie

Spoken languages: English

About the project

The Great Projects work with organisations worldwide to establish high standards in animal welfare and conservation within the responsible tourism sector.

Meet your organization

Looking to volunteer abroad with animals? Here at The Great Projects we believe that there is a better way to holiday. Our award-winning wildlife volunteering abroad with animals projects and signature tours are not only designed to provide truly unique and life-changing experiences for volunteering worldwide, but our donation and conservation pledges ensure that your travel will have a lasting and sustainable impact on some of the planet's most incredible and endangered species and the local communities which live alongside them.

It all began with The Great Orangutan Project in Malaysian Borneo and after a number of years working with local authorities, passionate project facilitators, and hard-working volunteers to create a sustainable, progressive, and effective project - The Great Projects decided to use the experiences and knowledge we had gained to expand our expertise to other projects in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe!

Now with over 35 projects, you can be confident in the fact that you’ll be able to volunteer with some of the world's most incredible wildlife species in completely breath-taking environments. From orangutans in the Bornean rainforest to whale sharks in the Indian Ocean; you’re sure to find something suited to your interests. What’s more, The Great Projects make sure that with us, volunteers are completely immersed into the heart of the matter, at site, delivering an experience like no other as you become familiar with the life of an animal keeper, game ranger, or wildlife conservationist.

Plus, every time someone volunteers with The Great Projects  in addition to their fee which covers accommodation, food, and transfers, we donate up to £350 to the project visited to help the project itself. Therefore, our ecotours and projects are not only designed to be an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life, but you will also join a project knowing that your travel truly does help to save endangered animals and the local communities with which they live alongside.

Here at The Great Projects, we believe that we should practice what we preach. We send volunteers to worldwide destinations on a range of truly unique and thoroughly worthwhile projects that make a real, sustainable difference to their causes. What’s more, The Great Projects provide them with dedicated UK-based staff that ensure volunteers have informative and friendly help throughout all stages of their experience, from initial enquiry to their return.

Through this, we can show volunteers that there is a better way to holiday. Our award-winning wildlife volunteering abroad with animals projects and signature tours are not only designed to provide truly unique and life-changing experiences for volunteering worldwide, but our donation and conservation pledges ensure that your travel will have a lasting and sustainable impact on some of the planet's most incredible and endangered species and the local communities which live alongside them.


Further, The Great Projects does not only aim to provide travel destinations that hold responsibility for animal welfare, but also to the environmental, economic and social impact of our conservation projects as a whole.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Here at The Great Projects, we are completely dedicated to providing our volunteers with the utmost protection with regards to health and safety.

Adventurous travel always involves some degree of risk. Our priority is to keep you safe and protect you as much as possible whilst still giving you an authentic experience of life in your chosen destination.

We conduct extensive risk assessments to make sure we have identified potential hazards and done everything we can to reduce them and we make sure you have the information you need about the destination you are visiting and how to stay safe and healthy while you are out there. We also are partnered with Endsleigh Insurance who are able to offer volunteers comprehensive insurance for all of our projects.

197 reviews · rating4.6

Godelieve Meuris rating5

2024 at Orangutan Wildlife Center

Een ongelooflijke ervaring om deel te mogen uitmaken van dit centrum waar de nood voor hulp zeer hoog is, de hitte de vochtigheid, de regen het soms harde werk is snel vergeten bij de belevingen die men heeft, een fijne groep vrijwilligers maakt het geheel af ...
Renato Bruno rating5

2024 at Orangutan Wildlife Center

It was a fantastic experience with lots of new impressions. Dom the responsible person for the volunteers is an amazing person with a fantastic humor and is well conected and is always very helpful. The people in the group are all coming from different countries worldwide and it was just wonderful ...
Petra Noordanus rating5

2024 at Wildlife Sanctuary Supporter

My experience with The Great Project is very good! I had a great time at Naankusé Wildlife Sanctuary. Everything was well organized and when we had changes to our arrival time at the last minute, this was arranged immediately. I recommend The Great ...
Patrick Bloomfield rating5

2024 at Wildlife Reserve Big Five Conservation

As per the title, what an amazing & rewarding experience! Our day-to-day work included clearing alien plants, removing fencing from an old corral, community involvement such as re-building a jungle gym, revitalising a vegetable garden (& playing with the local kids!). We were also privileged enough ...
Natascha Zeiler rating5

2024 at Wildlife Sanctuary Supporter

It was the best experience in my whole life. I will definitely return to see those great and special people living and working there again. I met so many great people from around the world. These two weeks were absolutely awesome. ..
Lily Valentin rating4.8

2024 at Samboja Lestari Orangutan Sanctuary

This being my first-ever volunteer project, I was unsure of what to expect. Leading up to the trip, the team was communicative and organized. As impending deadlines approached, they reached out with reminders. They replied via email within a day or two when support was needed. On-site, Kate's ...

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