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Country: SOUTH AFRICA
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| Shumba Experience |
95 Ditchling Road
Sussex
UNITED KINGDOM
BN1 4ST
Phone: 0845 257 3205
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Program description: |
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Wildlife Conservation is an eight week course aimed at educating people worldwide about the importance of conservation and how to manage wildlife in its natural environment. The variety of topics on the course means that at the end of the 8 weeks you will have the knowledge to pass the theory side of the FGASA course towards becoming a field guide at Level One.
The course is taught by Dr Wayne Vos who will cover many different areas of conservation and wildlife management, including African culture, wildlife conservation, plants, animals, orientation skills, insect and reptile identification. Usually volunteers will be given a short lecture in the morning, which will later be backed up with practical experience in the African bush.
Shumba volunteers will visit various private reserves for game drives and learn about wildlife tracking. The course will include a sleep out in the African bush, which will provide field exposure to the volunteers. The newly acquired knowledge is brought to life with guided walks in the reserve and it’s a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the local wildlife!
You may also have the opportunity to help out at the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary. In the past volunteers have helped to feed the leopards and lions, maintain the enclosures and get involved with the school groups who come on educational visits.
The dynamic nature of the schedule will allow volunteers to go on field trips that suddenly arise when something exciting is happening in a nearby reserve. Past volunteers have been involved with rhino relocations and game captures.
** SEE SHUMBA EXPERIENCE WEBSITE FOR VOLUNTEER DIARIES **
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General program information: |
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Program open to: Everyone
Age range: 17+
Travel to site: Independent Travel
Is opportunity more independant or group orientated: Group
No. in group: 4-8
Living arrangements on the program: Tents/Rustic Accommodation, Group living
How long does the program last?: 1-3 Months
What are the dates of this program: This placement has set dates during the year. For 2008 they are:
7 January - 29 February
3 March - 25 April
28 April - 20 June
7 July - 29 August
1 September - 24 October
27 October - 19 December
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Benefits and advantages of the program: |
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PLACEMENT ACTIVITIES
Volunteers can experience all aspects of wildlife conservation and gain an exciting overview of all the activites which occur during a wildlife conservation project in South Africa.
South Africa cultures and conservation history
Orientation drives to game reserves & lodges
Plant and animal identification and ecology
Animal behaviour and social organisation
Camping and wilderness trails
Bush survival, basic mapping & orientation skills
Nature drives to a national park and various private game reserves
Go fishing to learn about ecology and fisheries management
Wildlife track, dung and sign identification & interpretation
Wildlife research, data collection and scientific methodology
Game reserve establishment and maintenance
Alien plant and soil erosion control
Fire management and ecology
Nocturnal wildlife drive and walk
Ecotourism management and development on private reserves
Tools of the trade: Vehicle care and maintenance
Large herbivore stocking density & grazing capacity determination
Game capture (mostly in winter months & subject to availability)
** Note: It is not possible to guarantee these exact activities will occur during your placement it will depend on the conditions at the time **
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Cost or price of this program: |
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8 Weeks £1,995
This cost of the placement includes:
Pre-departure information and support
Assistance with flights and specialist travel insurance
Transfers to/from the local airport in Africa
Orientation session with other volunteers
Food and accommodation on placement
On-site training and guidance
An amazing experience!!
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Typical person for this program: |
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Someone who likes wildlife and wants to get involved in conservation work. A passionate and committed individual who is looking for an exciting adventure.
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Application process Involves: |
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Fill in the application form online
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