Arrival

You will fly in Port Elizabeth International Airport, located about an hour drive away from the project. If you arrive on a Monday before 13h and leave on a Monday (departure from the project at 10h), your return transfer will be arranged at your own cost for R1500. At your arrival you will be given a quick introduction and will have time to get settled and socialise with the other volunteers.

The Big 5 Conservation Project exposes the volunteers to the several daily aspects involved in the conservation management of the game reserve. Participants will take part in short and long terms projects that are intended to create sustainability for generations to come. The experience is diverse and though structured, as result of the nature of working in and around wildlife, you need to be ready for the unexpected! Visits and tasks at the Born Free Foundation and the Animal Rehabilitation Centre are undertaken according to the requirement to manage and host the big cats and other animals deemed to have a chance of being saved, rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

Born Free Foundation: It cares for lions and leopards that have been kept in terrible conditions (in circuses, as pets, etc.) in order to give them a second chance in life. Unfortunately, because of the extent of the abuse that was made on them, these animals are both physically and mentally too damaged to ever be released. It is therefore the mission of the Big Cat Sanctuary to give them the best captive conditions possible. The volunteers will have the opportunity to help at the Sanctuary about once a week (when help is required) with the following activities:

• Food preparation and distribution
• Vegetation control
• Veterinary work
• Etc.

Animal Rehabilitation Centre: the Centre was set up to aid in rehabilitating injured animals found on the reserve and surrounding community with the aim of giving them short term care and release them into the game reserve. As the centre is not a sanctuary and no animal is kept for purposes of breeding in captivity, volunteers are sent there when and if assistance is required. They may gain different types of exposure through this experience which may range from assistance through observation to more hands on animal care and husbandry.

Community projects: the role of conservation does not stop at conserving nature alone, but also includes a responsibility to uplift local communities. This responsibility includes education of the community as to the role and benefit of conserving biodiversity and further stresses the importance of conserving our natural resources. Volunteers will make weekly trips to the local community to assist in various projects such as:

• Creating and maintaining vegetable gardens
• Recycling projects
• Clothes sales
• Painting classrooms
• Building jungle gyms
• Etc.

Here is a list of activities that you may take part in during your stay (please note that this is for your information and that you may or may not take part in all the activities listed below):

• Game monitoring (rhinos, elephants and predators)
• Telemetry tracking (leopards and cheetahs)
• Game counts
• Game capture and other wildlife veterinary work
• Collecting of old fence lines
• Vegetation control (removal of alien plants)
• Road maintenance
• Research projects
• Tracking walk
• Assisting in night patrols
• Lectures
• Etc.

You will be given the chance to be exposed to real conservation issues and tasks, with the chance to make a sustainable difference through your participation alongside qualified rangers and field guides.

A typical daily schedule (please note that this schedule may vary according to the season and activities undertaken.):

7h – 8h: breakfast

8h – 12h: first activity

12h -13h: lunch

13h – 17h: second activity

17h – 18h: dinner

Days off

Your weekend will be at leisure, you can either stay at the camp or take part in an off-site activity. Here is a non-exhaustive list:

• Enjoy a night out at the local pub
• Take a trip to Jeffrey’s Bay (famous surfing spot)
• Bungy jumping
• Take a trip to Addo National Elephant Park
• Etc.

The main student facility is located in the North part of the reserve. Antelopes often pay the volunteers a visit and they can even spot elephants. You will stay in twin bedded rooms with shared shower and toilet. The accommodation also provides a dining area, a lounge with a TV and a pool table, a lecture room and a swimming pool. Three meals a day will be provided, laundry is offered on a weekly basis and your rooms will be cleaned twice a week. Wi-Fi is offered.

Arrivals and departures on Mondays.

Period                                          Programme fees in Rands (ZAR) 2024

2 weeks                                                 R28590

3 weeks                                                 R42885

4 weeks                                                 R57180

6 weeks                                                 R85770

Period                                          Programme fees in Rands (ZAR) 2025

2 weeks                                                 R32880

3 weeks                                                 R49320

4 weeks                                                 R65760

6 weeks                                                 R98640

Are included in the Programme Fees: the registration fees, accommodation, three meals a day, laundry once a week, your supervision.

“The wildlife at the Big 5 Conservation Project is breathtaking and having the opportunity to spend every day working behind the scenes with the conservation team was a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. The accommodation was surprisingly comfortable especially the bed which ensured a good night’s sleep to prepare for the next day’s activities!” Michelle Briggs, England

“Thank you for giving me this amazing experience! The staff, the volounteers, the nature, the animals, everything! Thank you! I will be back :)” Anne, Denmark

“The most incredible place which offers a wonderful experience. Staff are all amazingly enthusiastic and welcoming. Cannot wait to go back.” Elicia, England