Elephant Monitoring Immersion Experience

location
1 - 2 semanas  ·  Idade 15 - 50+

rating  Extraordinário 4.9  · 
  Verificado por Volunteer World

Destaques

  • Observation : Shifts during the day in a stunning landscape monitoring elephants up close; night time observation of behaviour and sleeping activity, where you may see them laying down to sleep!
  • Dung walk : Twice a week, we collect dung samples for laboratory processing and analysis. Join us during elephant breakfast and the morning walk as we look for some poop!
  • Meet Harry's Herd : During a private safari, meet our gentle giant Harry and his herd (VIP experience) !

Destaques

  • Observation : Shifts during the day in a stunning landscape monitoring elephants up close; night time observation of behaviour and sleeping activity, where you may see them laying down to sleep!
  • Dung walk : Twice a week, we collect dung samples for laboratory processing and analysis. Join us during elephant breakfast and the morning walk as we look for some poop!
  • Meet Harry's Herd : During a private safari, meet our gentle giant Harry and his herd (VIP experience) !
  • Environmental education: Join our educational program by visiting schools and helping us teach children about the environment, biodiversity, and wildlife conservation.
  • Creative time : A lovely way to end your day ! Be creative and make AERU crafts to raise funds for our research.


  • Especialmente adequado para

    Idade 15+
    Solteiros
    Casais
    Grupos
    50+

    Sobre o programa

    Immerse yourself in everything elephant with a week or two of learning, observing and walking with our family of gentle giants!

    Why is our program important?

    AERU plays a crucial role in using research as a tool to guide elephant management on the Knysna Elephant Park. Our research investigates the behaviour and social dynamics of African elephants with one another, as well as their interactions with tourists. This important ...

    Sobre o programa

    Why is our program important?

    AERU plays a crucial role in using research as a tool to guide elephant management on the Knysna Elephant Park. Our research investigates the behaviour and social dynamics of African elephants with one another, as well as their interactions with tourists. This important work allows AERU to provide scientific insights and publish scientific papers that can benefit and improve elephant management in semi-captive and captive facilities around the world, developing the best operational practices that ensure their welfare is made the top priority. AERU's primary goal is to ensure the optimal physical, psychological, and social well-being of African elephants in semi-captive environments, helping them live healthy and enriched lives. 


    How are we helping? 

    AERU offers objective, data-driven insights, we advocate for enhanced welfare standards, providing crucial information that guides everything from daily care practices to long-term management strategies. 

    By choosing this program, you can contribute to our ongoing research while undoubtedly experiencing some of the most unforgettable moments of your life. Observing and working alongside the largest land mammal on Earth is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.


    What is the volunteer experience?

    The elephant herd you will be working most closely with resides on Knysna Elephant Park (KEP). You will live on-site at KEP during your stay, fully immersed in a life among our elephants. We provide on-site training for our elephant research projects, as well as complimentary related tasks such as boma upkeep, conservation and rehabilitation projects, and environmental education work. 

    By the end of your stay, you will have learned a significant amount about elephant biology, social dynamics, behaviour, husbandry, and welfare, and how research practices are conducted, and most likely will have fallen in love with our herd! You will also have gained a broader understanding of their crucial role in the natural environment and the aspects involved in keeping them happy and healthy. 


    Here is a non-exhaustive list of activities that will be offered during your stay:

    Research Task 

    • Monitoring elephant behaviour. Following and observing elephants in the field, recording behaviours such as grazing, drinking, playing, dusting, and walking.
    • Recording social interactions between elephants – how they relate to, and communicate with, each other using their trunks and bodies.
    • Night-time observations of elephant behaviour – what is a good night’s sleep for an elephant?
    • Recording and monitoring interactions between elephants and tourists.
    • Botanical surveys of the park – relating plant diversity to grazing patterns and elephant distribution
    • Studies of feeding behaviour and plants eaten by the elephants
    • Collection of dung and other samples for physiological analysis
    • AERU laboratory work – processing of dung samples
    • Data input and analysis

    Additional Task

    • Elephant husbandry: This can include preparing their food, changing their sawdust bedding, and cleaning out their overnight boma areas including chewed branches and dung.
    • Nursery project: Animals depend on their natural habitats for survival. This project focusses on growing plants to maintain indigenous biodiversity and eliminating alien invasive species that threaten it. The Nursery is also used for growing plants for community support.
    • AERU Shop production: Help make items which are then sold to raise money for the various AERU research and enrichment projects.
    • Elephant enrichments: Set up intriguing enrichments, stimulating their minds and taste buds!
    • Camera Trap setup: The Park has many less obvious residents, this project discreetly monitors wild animal species living in the forest areas on-site, helping us understand our resident fauna biodiversity.
    • Environmental education: Preparing information to share with school groups or children, guiding their appreciation for nature and the importance of co-existence.

    Please note: the activities offered may be influenced by the weather, the number of volunteers present on site, or any other factors beyond our control; working with animals can sometimes be unpredictable.


    What about the team? 

    On site, you will meet our friendly qualified team! Our mission is for our volunteers to leave with useful new knowledge about elephants and wildlife conservation, but most importantly, with unforgettable memories and an appreciation for elephants.

    We are a small team of 6 - 7 from a variety of different backgrounds (English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, French, Danish, Swazi...). We each have our own specialties, providing you with a broad spectrum of research and conservation insights!

    Many of our AERU team live on site at KEP accommodations (Bunkhouse and Mainhouse). It is important for us that volunteers feel embraced as part of our herd as they are typically far from their homes. A simple message in the WhatsApp group, and one of our friendly staff will be there to assist you when needed


    Where are the volunteers living? 

    All our volunteers are living with the staff, between the two accommodations on site (in the park). So yes, you will be sleeping next to elephants! Security guard patrols are conducted in the area throughout the night to ensure the safety of both the elephants and the staff on site (reassuring safety measures for our volunteers).

    The park is located on the Garden Route, offering many activities to enjoy, as well as breath-taking natural areas to explore.


    What to bring?

    AERU is providing the uniform (2 AERU T-shirts, 1 fleece jacket and 1 cap). You have to bring your own trousers/shorts (khaki, brown, green or dark), good shoes (hiking boots or durable trainers) for walking in the field and an all-weather coat/ jacket for chilly and rainy days.

    Here is a list of what you should bring:

    • Towels
    • Latex gloves (for dung collection)
    • Insect repellent
    • Sunscreen (SPF 50 or more)
    • South African plug adapters (3 round pins)
    • Evening entertainment: Books, games, music etc...
    • Swim suite (to enjoy the beach over the weekend)
    Optional
    • Torch/Flashlight
    • Water bottle
    • Camera and binoculars
    • Personal First Aid Kit
    • Any donations for community projects (stationary/toys/balls)

    A shopping trip is scheduled every Friday for weekly groceries, so if you forget something essential, don’t worry!


    Dia típico

    Here are two examples of typical days :


    Monday 

    7:00/8:30 = Dunk walk

    8:30/10:00 = Observation shift

    10:00/11:30 = Lab

    11:30/13:00 = Lunch

    13:00/14:30 = Observation shift

    14:30/16:00 = Elephant enrichment camp

    16:00/17:00 = Creative session (crafting)


    Friday

    7:30/8:30 = Night camp cleaning

    8:30/9:30 = ...

    Dia típico

    Here are two examples of typical days :


    Monday 

    7:00/8:30 = Dunk walk

    8:30/10:00 = Observation shift

    10:00/11:30 = Lab

    11:30/13:00 = Lunch

    13:00/14:30 = Observation shift

    14:30/16:00 = Elephant enrichment camp

    16:00/17:00 = Creative session (crafting)


    Friday

    7:30/8:30 = Night camp cleaning

    8:30/9:30 = breakfast break

    9:30/10:30 = Zebras health check

    10:30/13:00 = Meeting and town trip (for shopping and grocery)

    13:00/14:30 = Educational content creation

    14:00:16:00 = FREE TIME


    Please note that these two days are just examples, and some activities and their timings may differ from these examples


    Actividades em tempo livre

    Our program is located between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay offering the vast natural and world renowned beauty of the Garden Route in all its splendour. During your free time and off days, you can visit some of the wonderful facilities near by the park, go for a hike among the mystical forests or ...

    Actividades em tempo livre

    Our program is located between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay offering the vast natural and world renowned beauty of the Garden Route in all its splendour. During your free time and off days, you can visit some of the wonderful facilities near by the park, go for a hike among the mystical forests or vast coastlines, go for surf or swim in the ocean,  zipline through massive gorges or even go bungee jumping!

    With seasonal whale and dolphin activity, the surrounds of Plettenberg Bay offer some special marine life too. There are also many nearby animal facilities, only a short drive away, making this location an animals lovers delight. For those with a more relaxed temperament, our programme is situated nearby a lovely vineyard, an ideal location to enjoy wine tasting and fine food.

    Upon your arrival, we will provide you with a welcome booklet, which highlights a number of activities along the Garden Route. For additional information or advice on what to do, our friendly and experienced team are always happy to help.

    For those who prefer to spend their free time on site, you can go for early morning sunrise/set strolls or a morning/evening run (while the elephants are resting in their night camp or boma) and enjoy the stunning mountainous landscapes surrounding the park. You can also enjoy meals and drinks at our on-site restaurant and browse our curio store full of local elephant crafts. By far the most popular thing to do on site is to go visit our elephants in the field for a more relaxed visit together !


    Requisitos

    Requisitos

    Idade mínima: 15 anos

    Para aderir ao programa é necessário ter pelo menos 15 anos de idade na data de início do programa.

    Habilidades linguísticas

    Precisa de falar Inglês (nível básico)

    Restrições de Nacionalidade

    Sem restrições. São bem-vindas as mãos que ajudam de todo o mundo.

    Outras Competências

    - English (verbal and written) communication ability - Be at least 18 years of age; Applicants older than 15 years with parental consent may be considered - You should be physically fit. A large part of the program involves walking over rough terrain - Enthusiasm, dedication, and willing to get involved with anything, and of course, have a love of wildlife and elephants.

    Compromisso de tempo

    A tua mão auxiliadora será necessária na Segunda-feira, Terça-feira, Quarta-feira, Quinta-feira e Sexta-feira de 07:00 - 17:00

    Serviços incluídos

    Serviços incluídos

    Serviços por African Elephant Research Unit

    Included : 

    - Accommodation at the Bunkhouse.
    - Volunteer training for all aspects of work.
    - AERU uniform- a high quality fleece jacket, a volunteer T-shirt and a cap.
    - A South African “braai” experience !
    - Trip to Plettenberg Game Reserve to meet Harry’s herd.
    - A weekly trip into town for personal shopping

    Excluded : 

    - Flights 
    - George airport transfer (can be arranged and organized at extra cost, arrival + departure = 2200R or 125$) 
    - Travel and Medical Insurance
    - Food and drinks 
    - Transports (outside of program activities)

    Alojamento

    AERU volunteers live onsite at the Knysna Elephant Park Bunkhouse. Many members of staff also live within the park, which is a safe
    secure premises.

    • There are five rooms with on suite bathrooms. Each room has 2-3 beds, with bedding provided. Sharing rooms may be required depending on bookings.
    • The bunkhouse has a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and a lounge with library, television and Wi-Fi.
    • On site laundry room at the Main house annex and requires the purchase of tokens.
    • The Bunkhouse deck and braai (fire) area are a perfect spot to enjoy outdoors.
    • Volunteers staying four weeks or more receive a complimentary night in the elephant lodge!

    Acesso à Internet

    Bom acesso no local do projecto

    O que NÃO está incluído?

    O que NÃO está incluído?

    Recepção no aeroporto em George Airport

    Uma recolha no aeroporto também não está incluída nas taxas do programa.

    Alimentos e Bebidas

    Alimentos, lanches ou bebidas têm custos adicionais.

    Bilhetes de avião

    O aeroporto mais próximo é George Airport (GRJ) em George. Ajudamo-lo a encontrar voos baratos para África do Sul. ENCONTRAR VOOS BARATOS

    Seguro de viagem

    Ir para o estrangeiro é uma aventura e é sempre melhor estar preparado. Doença ou lesão súbita, cancelamento ou roubo - um seguro de viagem para África do Sul proporciona segurança e é uma vantagem a ter. OBTENHA UMA COTAÇÃO

    Vacinas

    Se pretende ser voluntário em África do Sul deve procurar aconselhamento médico antes de iniciar a sua viagem social. Verifique as vacinas necessárias para África do Sul. VERIFICADOR DE VACINAS

    Detalhes à chegada

    Start dates:

    2025 (all year except April and November)

    05/01 __16/02 __ 30/03__ 11/05 __ 22/06

    13/07 __ 03/08 __ 14/09 __ 26/10 __ 07/12


    2026 (all year except February, August and December)

    18/01 __ 01/03 __ 12/04 __ 24/05 __14/06

    26/07 __ 06/09 __ 18/10 __ 29/11



    Details on arrivals:

    All international flights arrive in/ depart from Johannesburg or Cape Town and must travel to/from either George or Plettenberg Bay in the Garden Route.


    For arrival/departures to our base at the Knysna Elephant Park, from the George Airport (more or less 1h30 driving), taxi transfers can be arranged for you (at your own cost).  

    All taxi transfers require cash available to pay the driver upon pick up/drop off (about R1100/62$/58€ one way). 


    Bus travel to Plettenberg Bay is an alternative option of travel. Although more cost friendly, the journey is lengthy. From Cape Town it is about 8 hours and Johannesburg it is about 15 hours. We can arrange to pick you up at the Plettenberg bus station (organise that with your correspondent at AERU in advance). 


    • Arrivals 

    Sunday arrivals are planned so as to allow our volunteers who are staying a shorter period of time to get the most out of their experience. AERU can be contacted to help arrange transport where needed (at your own cost)

    • Departures

    Departing flights can be arranged anywhere along the departing weekend (typically Sundays), taxi transfers can be arranged (at own cost).

    Disponibilidade
    Jan Feb Março Abril Maio Jun Jul Ago Set Out Nov Dez

    Preços do programa

    1 semana (estadia min.) 489€
    2 semanas (estadia máx.) 978€
    Preços médios 489€/semana

    Preços do programa

    489€ por semana 1 - 2 semanas Idade 15 - 50+

    Métodos de Pagamento

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    SEM TAXAS DE CARTÃO DE CRÉDITO


    Duração

    1 - 2 semanas

    Depósito

    O depósito é simplesmente para reservar a sua colocação como voluntário. Os pagamentos são tratados pelo PayPal, o nosso fornecedor de pagamento global de confiança. Se não tiver uma conta PayPal, também pode pagar usando um cartão de crédito.


    Pagamento final

    O teu pagamento final será acordado com African Elephant Research Unit durante o processo de candidatura. As soluções comuns são ou através de transferência bancária ou pagamento em dinheiro no local do projecto.


    Conheça seu anfitrião

    African Elephant Research Unit

    Extraordinário 4.9 rating (23 revisões)

    Non-profit - fundada em 2009

    Verificado por Volunteer World

    Hospedado por

    Jarrett

    Línguas faladas: Inglês, Francês, Afrikaans

    Sobre o projecto

    AERU promotes ethical research and collaborates with researchers from around the world, improving semi-captive elephant welfare through science.

    Conheça seu anfitrião

    The African Elephant Research Unit (AERU), founded in 2009, is based at the Knysna Elephant Park in South Africa. AERU was established in response to the need for a deeper scientific understanding of elephant behaviour and welfare, particularly for semi-captive elephants. Over the years, AERU has evolved into a leader in research-based management practices. Our mission is to bridge the gap between science and elephant welfare, providing actionable insights to enhance elephant well-being globally. 


    • History

    AERU was established with a clear objective—to generate scientific knowledge that informs and enhances the welfare management of African elephants living in controlled environments. The research unit was born out of the realization that while conservation efforts in the wild are crucial, elephants in semi-captive environments, like those at the Knysna Elephant Park, also deserve focused research and welfare improvements. In the early days, the research mainly revolved around understanding basic behavioral patterns, but it quickly expanded to include physiological and social research.

    Through continuous efforts, AERU has gained recognition for being a pioneer in creating an understanding of the complexities of elephant behavior in these settings. The organization has developed a robust foundation of data that assists in improving management and care for elephants, not only at Knysna Elephant Park but globally through shared insights and collaborations.


    • Mission

    Our mission is clear: to provide research-backed, ethical, and scientifically sound insights into elephant behaviour and welfare that can be applied in facilities worldwide. At its core, AERU aims to ensure the optimal physical, psychological, and social well-being of African elephants in semi-captive conditions, ensuring the live healthy and enriched lives. By providing objective data-driven insights, we advocate for improved welfare standards, offering valuable information that provides understanding into everything from daily care practices to long-term management strategies. 


    • Values

    AERU’s values center around three primary principles: ethical research, conservation, and education. Ethical research ensures that all studies conducted prioritize the well-being of the elephants, minimizing disruption to their natural behavior while maximizing the data collected to improve their care. Conservation lies at the heart of all our efforts, recognizing the importance of preserving both wild and semi-captive elephant populations. Education serves as a vital tool in our mission, as we work to disseminate our findings to other institutions, students, and the public to foster an informed global community.

    AERU believes in transparency, collaboration, and sustainability. We recognize that elephant welfare is not an isolated endeavor, but a shared responsibility between researchers, caretakers, the tourism industry, and the public. This drives our commitment to educate future generations, train handlers, and advocate for policies that prioritize ethical treatment and management of elephants.


    • Goals

    AERU’s goals extend beyond just research. In the short term, the organization is focused on further expanding its research into key areas such as social behavior, cognitive abilities, and physical health of elephants in semi-captive settings. This includes continued data collection on elephant activity patterns, interactions with their environment, and responses to human interaction.

    Long-term, AERU is working towards building a comprehensive database that will serve as a resource for researchers, institutions, and wildlife managers worldwide. This repository will offer insights into various aspects of elephant management, from dietary needs and medical care to social enrichment and psychological well-being. Additionally, AERU aims to influence policy and management practices across the globe, advocating for standardized elephant care practices that are informed by sound science.

    AERU also envisions expanding their volunteer programs, enabling more individuals to participate in non-invasive conservation efforts while learning about elephant behavior and conservation. Through our work, AERU aspires to be at the forefront of global initiatives for the betterment of elephant welfare, bridging the gap between human knowledge and the needs of elephants in managed care.

    23 revisões · rating4.9

    I was afried this experience would be normal one, but it was really an amazing and unique one. I feel like I want to stay here forever, great people, great company, and a super beautiful and friendly elephants. I loved being around them, erething was perfect, really. I'll try to come back every ...
    What a great, amazing and unforgetable once-in-a-life experience! We felt so much more than welcome in your team and enjoyed every minutes working with you guys. We are going to miss it here, Sally, Nandi, Thandi, Keisha, Thato, Bella, Kiba, Smudge, the guides, even the cold nights qnd of course ...
    Where and how do I begin to say thank you for the most memorable three weeks of my life... I have dreamt of coming to Africa, work with the elephants since I was a child. But never in all my dreams did I imagine it would be so amazing. From the plane in Joburg I knew it was gonna be good, but not ...
    Julia and Carolina rating5

    2024 at Elephant Monitoring Immersion Experience

    It's hard to put into words the magnitude of this experience... Seeing the elephants and getting the opportunity to learn about them throught AERU was an amazing extrraordinary gift. Thank you for loving them and teaching us how to love them the same way you do. The work you do is a vocation and we ...
    I thought I was coming for the elephants, but it was really about the people. Every single person I've met has left an awesome imprint on me. I will be forever grateful for the learning and growth you have all offered me. Saskia, Simmy, Sarah, Marizel, Dakota, and of course Christina: you love of ...
    This was one of the best experience I have had so far. Every single member of the team was really friendly and intelligent. I will try my best to be back as soon as possible/ I have learned so much in a week and i would love to see how much I could learn in a month or even more! I will miss the herd ...

    Localização

    África > Southern Africa > África do Sul > Plettenberg Bay

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