Volunteer in South Africa

Global Volunteer Network has opportunities available to work in environmental and wildlife conservation, through our partner organisation in South Africa. As a volunteer, you will be involved in many aspects of managing and maintaining a wildlife sanctuary. The work has some seasonal variation. Out on the reserve, nothing stands between you and the wildlife. Many species of plains game will gaze quietly as you go about your work. Maintaining a reserve in optimum condition requires constant vigilance.

The Program

In addition to ensuring a pristine habitat for the wildlife, you will be preserving a type of vegetation that is increasingly threatened by agriculture, forestry and urban development. The wildlife sanctuary is located on a rare veld (bush) type called bankenveld, recognised for its high biodiversity. Less than 1% of bankenveld is conserved under formal government programs, so this private conservation initiative is of critical importance. By joining our programme, you will be helping to preserve species and habitats in one of the most biologically diverse areas of the world.

Please note, there is no hands-on work with wildlife provided as part of this programme. The work is of a predominantly environmental conservation nature. Our partner does however assist an offsite rehabilitation centre for birds whenever assistance is needed.

Your accommodation is the homestead on plot #30, owned by Tony Prince and Mary Lewis. The sleeping quarters house between 2-6 people each. The rooms are simply furnished with bunk beds, a bed-side table, reading lamp and ample cupboard space. Males and females are allocated separate rooms, unless traveling as a couple (in which case we ask for advanced notice). The bathrooms are Western-style, with hot/cold running water.

Three meals are provided: breakfast and lunch are self-serve down in the "pool house" (a recreational out-house); dinner is prepared for volunteers during the week and served up at the homestead. On weekends, volunteers are provided with food to prepare the evening meal for themselves.

Program Requirements

As a volunteer you must be:

• in good physical condition, and be able to walk reasonable distances
• 18 years old or over
• available for a minimum of four weeks (longer stays are most welcome)
• able to speak English
• able to work with a minimum of supervision
• able to tolerate living closely with a large number of domestic pets (dogs and cats)

Volunteers require no qualifications or background in conservation, just a willingness to learn and a desire to contribute. Volunteers are expected to work approximately 7 hours per (week) day. Should there be some emergency or pressing urgency in completing the work, volunteers may be asked to work longer.

Program Location

The program is located in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng Province. Bronkhorstspruit is approximately 45 minutes from Johannesburg and 30 minutes from Pretoria. The conservancy is approximately 5,000 hectares.

Within the conservancy is an 850 hectare area demarcated as the game reserve. The game reserve is home to a dozen or more species of native African wildlife and over 150 species of birds. The reserve was formed through a novel lease-back arrangement with conservancy landowners, earning it the NedBank Award for Best Emerging Conservancy in 2000. Tony Prince and Mary Lewis, the managers of the volunteer program, have been instrumental in the evolution of the reserve from its beginnings. Their goal is to see the game reserve expand to incorporate the maximum area within the conservancy.

Program Schedule

You can join the program for a minimum of 4 weeks. It is possible to volunteer in South Africa for more than six weeks; those who wish to extend their stay beyond six weeks will be considered on a case by case basis.

Although there are some seasonal variations, you will most likely be involved in the following activities:

• Reserve Maintenance: fencing work (construction, clearing, painting), fence inspections, veld evaluations, exotic plant management, water testing, and land reclamation projects (e.g. management of soil erosion and bush encroachment).
• Wildlife conservation work: participation in game management, including game assessment and reporting, and anti-poaching practises, and collecting, transporting and distributing meat donations (for vulture community).
• Learning program: Aside from providing on-the-job training, we run three informal workshops which cover basic conservation principles, as well as veld and game management. We'll show you how to track game, and conduct a game count too (providing sufficient volunteer numbers).

The type of work which is seasonal is as follows:

• Block burning (June - August; September - November; weather conditions dependent).
• Fighting veld fires (June - August)
• Bird field studies (September - March)

For 2008 you can apply for a placement in October or November. For 2009, the available months are March, April, June, July, August, October, and November. Volunteers start the program on the 1st of the month - irrespective of the day of the week - and programs run for 28 days. Volunteers work five days a week (approximately 7 hours a day) and get the weekends off.

Volunteers are granted one long weekend (4 days) each month to enable them to travel further afield. Volunteers take this opportunity to travel to some of the game parks (e.g. Kruger or Pilanesburg), into other provinces or the kingdoms within South Africa (e.g. Kwazulu-Natal or Swaziland) or into neigbouring countries (e.g. Mozambique).

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee (fully refundable if you decide not to go) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your South Africa Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip
• Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the South Africa program is:

• Cost for 4 weeks - US $1147
• Cost for 5 weeks - US $1347
• Cost for 6 weeks - US $1547
• Cost for 7 weeks - US $1747
• Cost for 8 weeks - US $1947

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you .

The in-country fee covers administrative charges, placement arrangement, accommodation, food, airport pickup, transport to placement, supervision, and all the materials needed to get the job done.

The other costs you will need to meet are flights, travel insurance, personal spending money, and any trips / tours you would like to take while you are in South Africa.

Your program fee includes the following benefits:

• Your In-Country Fee
• In-Country Support
• 24hr Emergency Line
• Membership To The Change Makers Club
• International Travel Advice
• Letter Of Completion

Apply for the South Africa Program

Your application process is free and seamless and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organizations that offer a full money back guarantee on your application fee if you decide not to go.
Click here to apply for the South Africa program.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here

Articles

Read an article written about one of our volunteers in South Africa.
Click here

Volunteer Journals

If you would like to read about the experiences of some of our volunteers who are currently volunteering in South Africa, you can do so here. This journal service is provided free to all our volunteers.
Click here

Application Process

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your US $350 application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will fully refund your application fee if you decide not to go.

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.

To apply for this program, click here