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City/State: Eastern Cape |
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Country: SOUTH AFRICA
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| Worldwide Experience |
The Oak Suite
Guardian House
Borough Road
Surrey
UNITED KINGDOM
GU7 2AE
Phone: +44 (0)1483 860 560
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Program description: |
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Become a conservation volunteer on the world famous Shamwari Game Reserve. Change your life forever!! Shamwari Game Reserve offers the Ultimate in Conservation volunteer placements. Shamwari, meaning “my friend”, is the Southern Most premier “Big 5” Game Reserve in South Africa, boasting a huge variety of game over a vast 20,000 hectares. Here we promise to offer you the experience of a lifetime as you assist and adapt to the on going conservation work.
If exposure to the African wildlife is your dream, then gap year voluntary work on Shamwari will exceed your wildest expectations. Game reserve volunteer placements on Shamwari will allow you to become part of the conservation team and assist in their long term projects and ambitions.
The reserve is a massive 25,000 hectares and has been the residence to celebrities like Brad Pitt, Tiger Woods and John Travolta in its luxurious lodges. You will be however be part of the team tracking and monitoring the Big 5 as well as work at the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary...
Conservation at Shamwari is about the management, development and rehabilitation of the environment to create a sustainable ecosystem through the implementation of fundamental conservation principals. The conservation department at Shamwari has a highly effective team including a qualified wildlife veterinarian, ecologist and environmentalist. The Wildlife Department also boasts a breeding centre, an education centre and an anti-poaching unit. To ensure the lasting sustainability of the reserve as an ecosystem rich in biodiversity, the ecology department strives to protect and where necessary to improve the environment.
As a conservation volunteer at Shamwari you will have the chance to assist with many on going short and long term projects. As your placement will only be a relatively short time in regards to many projects there is no guarantee that you will be involved in all during your placement.
Game Monitoring / Counts
Community Project – C.A.R.E
General Reserve Maintenance
Wilderness Experience – Camping out under the stars in the wilderness area (Weather dependent)
Shooting and APU (additional cost)
Orientation of camps and facts
Taxidermist – Arguments for and against
Fence, wire and rubbish clearing
Fence Patrol
Survival Sleep out
Road Maintenance and Bush Clearing
Rock packing along fence lines
Updating data and information on to computer
Game Counts
As part of your placement there may also be the opportunity to help and assist at the 2 Born Free Foundation’s Big Cat sanctuaries situated within the Reserve. It is the mission of both The Born Free Foundation and Shamwari Game Reserve to promote the conservation of species and the protection of habitat while maintaining a humane and compassionate approach to the welfare of animals. Over the years the Born Free Foundation has been able to rescue several big cats from situations where they are in serious danger, and provide them with excellent life time care.
As a conservation volunteer you may be involved with the feeding of these big cats as well as the maintenance of their enclosures.
Costs Include Transfers, Accommodation, all meals and laundry.
****BIG NEWS***
This December if you volunteer at Shamwari Game Reserve from 1st December - 22nd December you will get 3 weeks for the price of 2!
So why don’t you escape the English winter, enter South Africa at the height of its summer and experience the sunshine that completely passed us by!
Do you want to see 'behind-the-scenes' in the most famous game reserve in South Africa? Well, all you have to do is tune into Animal Planet on Discovery, Monday- Friday at 8pm from 15th September and watch 'Shamwari Tales'. For an hour each night they'll tell the story of South Africa's award-winning game reserve where you will get to meet Themba the orphaned baby elepant. You'll regret it if you miss out- trust me!
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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: Varies
No. in group: 8 - 14
Living arrangements on the program: Apartment, Group living
How long does the program last?: 1-3 Months
What are the dates of this program: Dates are flexible and start throughout the year.
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Benefits and advantages of the program: |
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Spending time on this reserve will truely benefit those people interested in Wildlife, Community work and giving something back to our environment. Volunteers not only get to see how a game reserve works but will actually work behind the scenes and gain a definite experience in wildlife management. This exciting theoretical, interactive and practical programme introduces Shamwari students to the wider principles of Wildlife and Game Management
If you book a placement at Shamwari Game Reserve during August, for 4 weeks or longer, you will receive a free Rough Guide to South Africa. A diverse country, South Africa is jam packed full of amazing things to do and see, so whether it’s the weekend and you’re deciding on how to spend you’re free time, or you’re off travelling after your placement, you’ll have a handy little guide to advise you on the best bits of the Eastern Cape and beyond. Seriously, what more could you want (and you don’t even have to thank us)?!
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Cost or price of this program: |
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4 wks
from: £1,749
8 wks
from: £2,799
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Typical person for this program: |
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Someone who wants to get up close and personal with wildlife and nature!
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Application process Involves: |
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Online or postal application.
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