WorkTravelSA.org

Start Volunteering

About The Big Game National Park Volunteer Program

Program Details

The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve comprises 53 392 hectares of private land adjoining the Kruger National Park (KNP) on its western boundary in the area known as the Greater Kruger National Park. There are no fences between the KNP and Timbavati with the wildlife roaming free between these areas. There are over 40 mammal species in the Timbavati including the Big Five of Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant as well as 360 species of bird life.

This is prime Big Five area and the wildlife is unsurpassed, including substantial numbers of highly endangered species such as Wild Dogs, Cheetahs, and Black Rhinos. The world renowned KNP offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Our camp is in the central area of the KNP with some of the most scenic grasslands and also a natural blend of wooded areas interspersed with lush ravine thickets.

Accommodation

Volunteers are accommodated in our camp which is located within a 35 hectares site that is enclosed by an electric fence to offer peace of mind to volunteers and staff when moving around the camp during the day or at night. The camp has a bush interpretation trail within the camp fence line, a bird hide for bird enthusiasts, a recreation area with a swimming pool, soccer field, volley ball court and a bush bar. The camp also boasts a well equipped resource centre with internet and email facilities and a small computer library.

What will you do?

During their time in the African bush volunteers will gain hands-on experience in conservation and the practical application of biodiversity management in a game reserve. Volunteers will live on the reserve and in their daily activities be educated on the environment and its wildlife and also receive instruction on animal behaviour, dealing with potentially dangerous game, bush trekking and navigation. Volunteers also assist staff and management with animal counts and data collection for existing research projects. There are a number of research projects on the reserve for which data is collected for management and best practice policies.

Volunteers will also acquire many new bush skills and further knowledge about animal, tree and bird identification on game drives and walks in the field. Game walks are guided by qualified rangers and volunteers learn about bush interpretation skills, tracking and following animal spoor. Other daily activities may include bush patrols to monitor electric fencing, vegetation monitoring to manage carrying capacities, identification of alien plant species, clearing of invasive vegetation, building of gabions, creating seed banks and other veld reclamation measures.

The reserve has strong links with the surrounding communities and volunteers will help with the teaching of crèche children and work on sustainable development projects such as vegetable and permaculture gardens at schools, crèches and clinics.

Volunteers that are studying in relevant areas of interest, i.e. conservation & wildlife, environmental & natural sciences, biology & botany – may be assigned to specific tasks that could be related to practical components of their studies, depending on their skills and whatever activities are ongoing. The location of our camp within the KNP and its proximity to rangers, wardens, conservation staff and researchers mean that we have many varied activities and projects with which our volunteers may be involved.