SOUTH AFRICA
CONSERVATION

• The Zululand Wildlife Conservation Expedition is completely unique. You'll get involved with some of the most exciting, endangered and priority species conservation work in the heart of Africa.

• You'll work across different Game Reserves, each unique in their own way.

• You'll work with a professional team (who are supported by WWF amongst others) and you'll work with endangered species like the Cheetah, African Wild Dog and Black Rhino, and priority species with a high ecological impact like Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo.

So if you want to experience genuine conservation work and find out what Africa is really about, then this Expedition is for you. This project is extremely popular and gets booked up very quickly, so we strongly advise that you book early!

"I elected to travel alone to South Africa to volunteer and assist with animal conservation on Thanda Private Game Reserve. Travellers answered all my questions, handled all the arrangements and made recommendations pertinent to my project. My experience exceeded my expectations and I can't wait to return!" Leesa Madsen

PLACEMENT OVERVIEW

Location: KwaZulu-Natal (nearest airport, Richards Bay) Start dates: All year round, starting on every second Monday (see the starting dates schedule below). Duration: From 2 weeks to 1 year, subject to visa requirements Requirements: No qualifications needed, just a big heart and a love of animals and their conservation. Minimum age 17. Compensation: Unpaid Price: £1,495 for 2 weeks, ranging to £3,995 for 8 weeks. Full Price List and other Currencies      What's included: ►Arranging your Programme, ►Full pre-departure support and assistance, ►Payment Protection insurance ►Meeting you at the nearest airport/station ►All accommodation ►Food ►Free T-shirt ►Transfer to the placement site ►In-country team support and backup ►24-hr emergency support ►Return transfer to the airport ►Certificate of Completion. What's not included: Flights, travel insurance, cost of visa.

If you want exciting, rewarding conservation work, you’ll love this placement. The work is varied and fascinating and makes a major contribution to the conservation of African wildlife. You'll work on one, two, three or all four of the Game Reserves, depending on how long your placement is for. You'll gain a wealth of conservation knowledge and experience working under qualified conservation experts and on location out in the bush on a daily basis. You'll experience Africa in a way that no mere tourist can! You can join the expedition for a minimum of 2 weeks: For every 2 weeks spent on this expedition, you will experience a different game reserve. 2 weeks = you’ll experience 1 reserve. 4 weeks = experience 2 reserves. 6 weeks = 3 reserves. 8 weeks = all 4 reserves. If you come for 4 or 6 weeks you can choose which reserves to join. WORK CONTENT: The experience you'll gain on this project is varied and fascinating. You'll be the Wildlife Monitor's right hand, assisting with all aspects of their conservation activities. As one of only 4 team members, you form an agile and efficient team, working out in the bush every day: Daily tracking and locating of Priority Species wildlife from an open 4x4 vehicle, via radio telemetry. Mapping the sightings using GPS equipment. You will be taught how to use the equipment. Observing animal behaviour (e.g. Wild Dog pack dynamics) for research purposes. Photographing and creating identity kits for any reintroduced/relocated animals. Periodically setting up camera traps at watering holes and game trails. Assisting with ongoing game counts. A typical day would look something like this: Rise with sun and head out (seated on the back of the open 4x4 tracking vehicle) to locate the Endangered Species animals that the wildlife monitor has earmarked for the morning, using radio telemetry equipment that receives radio signal from the collars which are fitted onto the Priority Species animals. You will usually be back by late morning to prepare some lunch and have a little time to relax, read, have a nap or watch the abundant bird and animal life which occurs around the camp. You head out again on the vehicle between 2-3pm to follow up on those animals which were not located in the morning, such as Elephant and Rhino. You should be back in camp shortly after sunset, to start preparing supper and sit around the fire listening to the sounds of the bush and discussing the day’s events. Usually you will be in bed early, but on some nights volunteers may go out to track species like the Hyaena, which are active at night. At least once a week you will have an afternoon or day set aside for administrative work: (data capture and analysis). Appropriate supervision and instruction will be provided for all elements of your practical experience. Activities that you could be fortunate enough to participate in, that occur when the need arises, are: Radio collaring of animals. Notching (identity marking) of animals such as Rhino. Night-time tracking excursions – for example Hyaenas. Relocation or re-introduction of Endangered Species. Assisting with feeding and data recording of animals being held in temporary bomas prior to release Vulture counts and nest surveys. Bird ringing & alien plant control. Please note: Activities such as collaring, relocation/ reintroduction, identity marking, snare removal, tranquilisation for treatment, etc., happens throughout the year, strictly as the need arises. While the project does plan and follow basic schedules, the nature of the work being done here dictates that the animals and their environment are our first priority, and therefore our schedules do occasionally have to be altered due to unforeseen circumstances or incidents, as we have little control over the dynamics of wild animals and their environment. There is always a lot going on here and you will have the opportunity to be a part of a professional conservation team, make a real difference and contribute towards important conservation work and research in Africa! "I loved every minute of it and wish I could be back now. The monitors passed on so much information to us while driving through the bush. My highlight was seeing the wild dog pups for the first time after looking for them for just over two weeks. Also helping to ID them by looking through photos taken of each of the pups. I didn't just feel like a tourist, by completing daily tasks I felt I was contributing to the programme." Steph Ronson Also on this page: About the four Reserves Start Dates Accommodation Travel, Visas, and Support & Backup Animals to look out for Back to Top

WHY IS THE WORK IMPORTANT?
Wildlife monitoring is essential for keeping track of animal movement patterns, habitat utilisation, population demographics and importantly, snaring and poaching incidents of endangered wildlife species. This valuable information, which our team members help gather, has numerous management applications, including the planning of successful introduction and removal strategies of endangered and priority wildlife species as well as supplying information to local conservation authorities, including Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the WWF, the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project and the KZN Wild Dog Management Group.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and into Zulu culture.

• You'll learn a lot about genuine conservation of African Wildlife from experts in their field.

• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market.

• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

ABOUT THE FOUR RESERVES:
Unlike other projects, The Zululand Conservation Expedition is not focused on only 1 reserve, but stretched across 4 of most famous reserves in Southern Africa. Depending on how long you stay with us, you will get the opportunity to experience the work done on all these reserves. The Zululand ecosystem is among the most productive wild lands on the planet, with wildlife as diverse as its landscape.

The reserves you can work on are one or all of the following

Thanda Private Game Reserve
Thanda Private Game Reserve, in the heart of Zululand, is situated in an area exceptionally rich in fauna and flora, boasting not only the "Magnificent Seven" (Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, African Wild Dog and Cheetah), but also over 400 bird species. Over the past few years a number of indigenous keystone species, including African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Lion, Elephant, Buffalo and White Rhino have been reintroduced to this Reserve. Wildlife ACT initiated their monitoring efforts to help assess the progress of these reintroduced species with a focus on the African Wild Dog, Cheetah and Black Rhino, as well getting a handle on the resident Leopard and Hyaena populations' demographics, as well as how these species along with Lion and Buffalo impact on the endangered species.

At the end of 2009, Thanda was expanded by 14,000 ha through the incorporation of the Mduna Royal Reserve. This expansion allowed for the introduction of the Black Rhino and facilitated the establishment of the Thanda Research Centre. This initiative, which is a collaboration between several organisations with a collective vision and commitment to reintroduce vast tracts of lands into wilderness whilst stocking the land with animal species that once grazed uninhibited at the turn of the century, has been long in the making although only now made possible. The partners include: Thanda Foundation Trust; Space for Elephant Foundation; WWF and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife through the Endangered Black Rhino reintroduction programme; Wildlands Conservation Trust who are involved with the Mduna Royal Reserve Project; and Wildlife ACT who have partnering with Thanda on the monitoring programmes.

As on all the reserve projects, a maximum of four volunteer team members are taken on at any given time and each volunteer will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to this project while gaining invaluable experience in the field.

The current focus on Thanda is the monitoring of the African Wild Dog, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Vulture and Spotted Hyaena.

Mkhuze Game Reserve
A place of great beauty and high contrasts, Mkhuze is renowned for its astonishing diversity of natural habitats, from the eastern slopes of the Ubombo Mountains along its north western boundary, to broad stretches of acacia savannah, swamps, a variety of woodlands and riverine forests as well as a rare type of sand forest. The Mkhuze River, with a beautiful stretch of fig forest along its banks, curves along the Reserve's northern and eastern borders.

The Mkhuze Game Reserve constitutes the north western spur of the recently declared World Heritage Site: the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. The Reserve offers an abundance of wildlife including Endangered species such as Black Rhino, Cheetah, African Wild Dog and Suni. Other animals to be found in the Reserve include White Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Leopard, Nyala, Blue Wildebeest, Hyaena, Warthog, Zebra, Kudu and other smaller antelope. Mkhuze has no Lions on the Reserve. Mkhuze is also famous for its rich birdlife and attracts ornithologists from all over the world.

Two beautiful pans, Nhlonhlela and Nsumo, which lie in the north and east respectively, support large communities of Hippos, Crocodiles, Pinkbacked and White Pelicans, as well as a diversity of storks, ducks, geese and other water birds which gather in spring. Nsumo Pan is host to one of only two major Pinkbacked Pelican breeding colonies in southern Africa.

The main focus on Mkhuze is the monitoring of the African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Elephant herds and Vultures.

Tembe Elephant Park
Situated in Northern Zululand, and adjoining the Mozambique border, Tembe National Elephant Park is most widely known for having over 200 of the world’s largest Elephants, which are also the last remaining indigenous herd in KwaZulu-Natal. Tembe is also home to a rich diversity of other wildlife - including the “Big 5” (Lion, Leopard, Black and White Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant), Hippo and various antelope species, from the majestic Giraffe which stand at 5 metres tall, down to one of the smallest antelope in Africa - the Suni, at only 35 centimetres high! Tembe has no Cheetah present on the Reserve. Tembe’s beautiful sand forest stretching through most of the Reserve hosts over 340 bird species, making it a delight for bird lovers.

The area now known as Tembe Elephant Park is real wild country. The land was historically owned by the Tembe tribe, the ancestral custodians of the area. Nkosi (Chief) Mzimba Tembe donated the land for the formation of this Game Reserve, and it is now 50% co-owned and managed by the Tembe tribe, while its precious bio-diversity is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife; the KwaZulu-Natal conservation service.

The main focus on Tembe is monitoring the Lion, Wild Dog and Elephant populations.

The Maputaland centre also corresponds with the southern part of the South-eastern African coast Endemic bird Area (EBA). Of the more than 472 species of birds in the Maputaland Centre (almost 60% of South Africa’s total), 5 species and about 43 subspecies are endemic / near endemic to the centre. Not only does Tembe Elephant Park lie in the centre of this Maputaland centre and contain many of these interesting and important species, it also contains a unique and very rare habitat nl. dry forest (referred to as Licuati forest in Mozambique and locally as Sand forest). A significant number of endemics (plants and animals) are associated with Licuati (Sand Forest), perhaps the most remarkable plant community in the Maputaland centre. 

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Set in the heart of Zululand, and established in 1895, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) is one of the oldest Game Reserves in Africa. Part of the land was the exclusive hunting preserve of the Zulu king Shaka, who protected the area by proclaiming 'conservation' laws through his ownership of the land.

In 1895 the Hluhluwe Valley Reserve and the Imfolozi Junction Reserve were proclaimed as Game Sanctuaries. More than a hundred years later, the proclamation of the Corridor Game Reserve between the two Reserves led to the re-naming of the four Reserves as Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. The Park covers some 96 000 hectares and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora. Hluhluwe, the northern section, is characterised by hilly topography, and is noted for its wide variety of both bird and animal life. Imfolozi, the southern component of the park, is the larger section which has a large Wilderness area where no roads or permanent human habitation is permitted.

This Reserve was the home of the now famous 'Operation Rhino' in the 1950's and 60's. In 1962 the decision was taken by the Natal Parks Board (now renamed Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) to remove a number of Southern White Rhino (Ceratotherium simium) from Imfolozi Game Reserve which was then the last remaining habitat of the species on the continent. In the first 10 years of this programme, more than 100 of these Rhino were caught and sent to Game Reserves, Parks and Zoos throughout the world resulting in the reestablishment of the species throughout the continent.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is also famed for its Wilderness Trails which originated in iMfolozi in the 1950s and its renowned Game Capture unit recently upgraded into the Centenary Capture Centre, a bench mark for animal capture and sustainable utilization throughout Africa.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including the "Big 5" as well as African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Hyaena, Jackal, Hippopotamus, and various antelope species including Waterbuck, common and mountain Reedbuck, Nyala, Kudu, Bushbuck, Steenbok, Duiker and Impala.

The main focus on HiP includes monitoring the Wild Dogs, as well as a new and extensive camera trapping survey of Cheetah and Leopard.

PROJECT START DATES
You can join this project in multiples of 2 weeks (2,4,6 all the way to 12 weeks). If you stay for 2 weeks you will work on one reserve. If you get to stay for 4 weeks you will get to spend time on 2 reserves, 6 weeks, 3 reserves and if you stay for longer you will get the opportunity to join the team on all 4 reserves. Start and end dates are every second Monday as the table below shows.

"My overall experience was amazing! A great hands on experience and also a great confidence booster. I was allowed to see a side of conservation that one cannot get from being a tourist in South Africa or a volunteer on other projects. The knowledge given by the management/field team was very valuable and again a great insight into conservation. I can honestly say everything was a highlight, but seeing the Rhino capture was very special." Peter Holland
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Volunteer testimonial Video

 
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Travellers volunteers Robert Burton and Leesa Madsen monitoring a pack of African Wild Dogs. These animals are one of the most endangered large carnivores in the world, so the work our volunteers are involved with is extremely important.

Monitoring using GPS on Mkhuze

Enhance your Programme with some exciting activities:

Tembe: Rhino Capture & Darting

Hippopotamus at Mkhuze

Volunteers at work on Tembe

Return to List of Conservation Projects
in South Africa

• Zululand Wildlife Conservation Expedition Photo Gallery

• Read what's Happening on the Wildlife Conservation Expedition

Got any questions? Please email us:
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Got any questions? Please email us:
info@travellersworldwide.com

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