ENGAGE CONSERVATION AFRICA
Explore. Conserve. Engage
Our Volunteering Programs
Here are our volunteering programs for 2024
Short Term Volunteering Program
Come and Volunteer with us for 2 weeks. Take part in important wildlife research and land management
Duration- 14 Days
Cost- £1000
Places available year round
4Week Volunteering Program with Road Trip to Kruger National Park
Come and volunteer with us for 4 weeks. Take part in important wildlife research and land management. See more of the beautiful African wilderness and spend 5 days in Kruger National Park
Duration- 28 days
Cost- £2000
Long Term Volunteering Projects and Student Placements
Come and volunteer with us for up to 12 weeks.
Duration- Up to 12 weeks
Cost- £2000 for first 4 weeks and then an additional £350 per week (Road trip included in first 4 weeks)
Places available year round
Join us and Make a Difference.
Explore, Conserve and Engage in one of the most beautiful environments in Southern Africa. By taking part in one of our volunteer programs you will play a major role in the upkeep and conservation of this incredible landscape and its wild inhabitants.
- Take part in vital wildlife research including wildlife monitoring and surveys, behavioural and habitat use studies.
- Play a role in the upkeep, protection and maintenance of the incredible and ancient landscape of the reserve.
-Help us protect the animals within the reserve by being a part of our anti-poaching program.
Why Choose Engage Conservation Africa?
- We offer authentic research and conservation-based experiences led by a passionate team of experienced wildlife biologists and guides.
-We operate in both South Africa and Botswana
- Our volunteering programs are built around all of our ongoing projects. We want each volunteer to gain hands on experience and learn real world skills across a number of disciplines in wildlife and habitat conservation and management.
- Our programs are open and tailored to people of all ages and backgrounds. We want everyone to be able to experience what it is like to work with Africa's incredible wildlife.
- We provide direct mentoring and tailored ground support to researchers of all levels. Whether you're an undergraduate, master's or PhD level student wanting to undertake a research project, we can accommodate, provide support and help plan your projects.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR STAY WITH US.
At Engage Conservation we want to provide an authentic and life changing African bush and wildlife experience for our guests. Working alongside our experienced team, you will learn a number of new skills and be part of important work, including research techniques, wildlife tracking, wildlife and habitat management and protection, anti-poaching methods, human wildlife conflict mitigation, and many more. Our programs offer a holistic experience encompassing all of our projects into one experience.
A TYPICAL DAY AT ENGAGE CONSERVATION.
6.00 am Breakfast and briefing on the day's activities.
6.45 am Head out into the reserve and run anti-poaching sweeps of designated areas, running snare and activity sweeps.
9.45 am Set camera arrays and run wildlife and/or flora transects.
12 pm Return to lodge for Lunch, review of any collected data and relax.
2 pm Take part in tree protection program, camp building and other land management projects.
4 pm Game drive and further wildlife monitoring work.
6 pm Return to camp for dinner and relaxation.
Night game drives will also be offered for those interested.
THINGS YOU WILL LEARN DURING YOUR STAY.
- Wildlife monitoring and research methods and techniques, including camera trapping, transects, radio telemetry, behavioural monitoring, surveying methods, habitat preference and many more.
- Wildlife tracking
-Wildlife photography skills
- Wildlife management techniques
- Anti-poaching methods.
- Vehicle maintenance and recovery.
- Off road driving
- Habitat management and maintenance
- Tree protection and surveying methods.
- Bushcraft skills
And many more. Every day is an adventure.
Itinerary
2 Week Program
Day 1 - Volunteers will be collected from Polokwane, South Africa (see here for details on how to get to us). From here you will be taken to our study site. Upon arrival at camp, you will be shown around the facilities, followed by a welcome talk and health and safety briefing. This will be followed by a game drive to introduce you to the reserve.
An evening meal and drinks will be provided on the first night for all volunteers.
Day 2 - Supply Run. You will be taken to the neighbouring town of Selebi Phikwe or Alldays, South Africa to buy food and drink supplies for the week. The journey is quite long (around 3 hours) through some beautiful areas and is almost a game drive in itself. We will return to camp on the same day, you will then be able to relax, get to know some of fellow volunteers and acclimatise a little to your new environment.
Days 3 to 6 - You will be spending your days out in the reserve helping us with across our various projects (see here for a typical day example).
Day 7 - Day Trip. You and your fellow volunteers will be given the option to visit the lions at the Lionwatch sanctuary in South Africa. You will get the opportunity to see the great work they are doing there and maybe get a chance to feed the lions yourself!
Day 8 - Supply Run
Days 9 to 11 - Again, you will be spending your days out in the reserve helping us with across our various projects. Day 11 will end with a "sundowner" out in the bush.
Day 12 - Day Trip. You will have the option to visit one of the nearby game reserves. These will include the neighbouring Mashatu game reserve in Botswana or Mapungubwe national park in South Africa.
Day 13 - This will be final day in the field helping us across our various projects. You will be provided with a farewell meal and celebration in the evening to say a big thank you from us for all your help.
Day 14 - You will be transferred back across the border to Polokwane, SA for your return trip home.
4 Week Volunteering Program and Road Trip
Day 1 - Volunteers will be collected from Polokwane, South Africa (see here for details on how to get to us). From here you will be driven across the Platjan border (approx 3-hour journey) to our study sites. Upon arrival at camp, you will be shown around the facilities, followed by a welcome talk and health and safety briefing. This will be followed by a game drive to introduce you to the reserve.
An evening meal and drinks will be provided on the first night for all volunteers.
Day 2 - Supply Run. You will be taken to the neighbouring town of Selebi Phikwe or Alldays, South Africa to buy food and drink supplies for the week. The journey is quite long (around 3 hours) through some beautiful areas and is almost a game drive in itself. We will return to camp on the same day, you will then be able to relax, get to know some of fellow volunteers and acclimatise a little to your new environment.
Days 3 to 6 - You will be spending your days out in the reserve helping us with across our various projects (see here for a typical day example). On the evening of day 6 you will be provided with a special dinner in the bush.
Days 7-13
You will leave early in the morning for Kruger National Park. The journey will take around 5 hours after which you will arrive at Pafuri Gate, Kruger National Park. The next few days will be spent travelling through Kruger and staying at different camps along the length of the park. 4 nights accommodation and all guiding will be included. Gate and conservation fee's to be covered by the volunteers.
The following morning you will leave early and start the journey back to the study site.
Days 15-27.
During this time you will continue helping us at the reserve with our wildlife research and land management programs. The schedule for this period will be similar to days 1-7.
Day 28
You will begin your transfer back across the border to Polokwane airport.
Image credit- Anna Koziarski
