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Duration: Volunteers can join the Big 5 Project for any length of time, however we recommend a stay of 2 weeks, as the project is conducted in 2 weekly cycles.
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Dates: The Project starts every Tuesday.
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Introduction: The focus of this project is on all aspects of nature conservation in order to maintain ecosystems and biodiversity.
This project therefore offers a great opportunity to physically participate in conservation projects and to gain firsthand experience in the implementation thereof within a South African nature reserve.
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Location: The Reserve is situated within the Balule Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park / Limpopo Transfrontier Park.
The camp consists of two parts, namely:
• ‘Oewer’ camp, which is situated on the southern bank of the Olifants River and
• ‘Uitsig’ house, which is situated on a granite hill, or “koppie”.
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Getting to Project: Volunteers have to arrange a flight to the Hoedspruit airport.
From there we will offer a pick-up service.
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Project: • The phrase “Big 5” (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) was coined by white hunters and refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot. The members of the “Big 5” were chosen for the difficulty in hunting them and the degree of danger involved, rather than their size. Today these species have also become the most sought-after species to see and to photograph by tourists.
• Our volunteers have the opportunity to experience the "Big 5” in their natural environment (no cages; no fences) on foot and on game drives. Even though these five animals are the sought-after species in many people’s books, many other interesting species, large and small, such as the hippopotamus (hippo), crocodile, giraffe and many others may also be encountered. As they are all free roaming animals, no guarantee can however be given that they will be encountered with certainty.
• Our reserve is situated within the Balule Nature Reserve and forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Animals, such as the “Big 5”, absolutely thrive here and move freely over the entire area.
• Our camp is situated on the banks of the Olifants River, a major water source of the central Lowveld-area. As such, it is regarded as a ‘hotspot’ for game (‘Olifant’ is the Afrikaans word for elephant… one of the “Big 5”. Large numbers of elephants are encountered at this river from time to time; from there it’s name).
• Its mission is to allow people of all ages and walks of life to experience firsthand the magic of nature.
• Of central focus is the preservation and conservation of nature in all its facets for the benefit of current and future generations.
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Therefore, to conserve the “Big 5” and their natural habitat means to conserve many more facets and aspects of the African Ecosystem…
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Accommodation: • Volunteers reside in the ‘Uitsig’ house overlooking the Olifants River. ‘Uitsig’ is a large house with 2 dormitory-type bedrooms, kitchen, dining room / lounge area, washing room, 2 bathrooms with a bath, 2 showers and 3 toilets. The Youth Hostel in the “Oewer” camp may also be used as accommodation at the discretion of management. The Youth Hostel is a large 6 room dormitory with 2 triple deck beds per room, kitchen, washing room, bath, 4 showers and 5 toilets.
• Ladies share rooms and so do the gentlemen.
• Cooked meals (lunch and supper) are prepared by a qualified chef. Breakfast is self-help.
• Both ‘Uitsig’ house and the youth hostel have electricity and hot water.
• Volunteers need to provide their own bedding and mosquito netting (if required).
• All rooms are equipped with cupboards and electrical plugs.
• An outside barbeque area with a small swimming pool and a view-tower overlooking a waterhole is available for use by volunteers at ‘Uitsig’ house.
• Weekly trips are made to town for shopping and social activities - usually on a Tuesday.
• Laundry service is available at an extra charge.
• Certificate of recognition is presented on completion of volunteering period.
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Upgrade to Single: N/A
Upgrade Dbl/Twin: N/A
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Program may include: Bush activities might include the following:
• Game monitoring
• Track identification and tracking
• Vegetation Condition Assessments (VCA’s)
• Maintaining the bush camp
• Road and water reticulation maintenance, when necessary
• Removal of litter and alien plants along the river and elsewhere
• Bush clearing
• Erosion control
Camp activities might include the following:
• Camp development and improvement
• Small building projects
• Cleaning of store rooms
• General maintenance of equipment
• Fence patrolling and checking the electric fence for faults
The emphasis is therefore not only on the ‘Big 5’, but all aspects of nature conservation.
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Includes: Accommodation (shared accommodation), transport to and from Hoedspruit Airport, all meals.
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Excludes: All flights, all beverages, extra excursions, insurance.
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Applicants: This project is open to anyone over the age of 18, should be in good health and physically fit.
As you will be visiting a malaria area, appropriate precautions should be taken.
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Hours: • Typically a day starts at 07h00 each morning (sometimes at 05h30 in summertime).
• Lunch time (including a siesta) is from 12h00 to 14h00 daily and the program ends at 17h00.
• On Saturdays the project runs from 07h00 to 12h00 and on Sundays volunteers relax by monitoring game that visit the waterhole close to the camp.
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Contact Tyron for more info +27 83 661 5393
e-mail:
Mail us here
Feel free to visit our FACEBOOK
page for more pics and volunteer experiences
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Rate per week: R3850 per week for the first 2 weeks
Rate Extra Weeks: R3750 per week for subsequent weeks.
Duration: Volunteers can join the Big 5 Project for any length of time, however we recommend a stay of 2 weeks, as the project is conducted in 2 weekly cycles.
Dates: The Project starts every Tuesday.
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Rates Valid till Oct this year, All Rates
subject to change
