Marine conservation expedition in Madagascar
Project name:
Blue Ventures (1)
Project purpose:
Since 2003 Blue Ventures has been working with volunteers to develop locally led marine conservation initiatives in places where the ocean is vital to local cultures and economies. Alongside their practical conservation work, their aim is to increase awareness and demonstrate that effective marine conservation can be in everyone’s interest. Their award-winning volunteer expeditions are key in collecting reef monitoring data, supporting alternative livelihoods, and integrating themselves into the coastal communities where they work. Their ultimate goal is for volunteers to have a direct and meaningful contribution to locally led marine conservation models.
Project activities:
community awareness
data collection/analysis
- habitat restoration/management
scuba diving
Weekly cost (approx USD):
$
550
Direct benefits you gain:
- cultural integration
- data/statistical skills
field research skills
- gain a qualification or credit
remote scenic location
Noteworthy conservation points:
- contributes to environmental policy
development goals (supporting local community)
- ethical rehabilitation centre/practices
publishes peer-reviewed science
publishes work
Wild Sun Rescue Center
Accommodation:
shared rustic eco-cabin accommodation overlooking the beach OR Malagasy family homestay
When does the project run?
All year
Facilities:
accommodation included, food included (three meals a day cooked by local chefs with local ingredients), electricity, local shops, nearby medical facilities, refillable drinking water, cold shower, bucket shower, western style toilet. All transport and activities once the expedition has started. Passionate and experienced national and international field staff and a volunteer to staff ratio that never exceeds 3-1.
How long can I stay?
4 weeks minimum, 8 weeks recommended, 12 weeks possible to complete divemaster (Price dependent on length of stay)
Requirements:
- Passion for marine conservation
Details of the day-to-day life on the project:
During the first two to four weeks of every expedition our field scientists take you through a well structured and intensive science training, which provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out research dives. The training involves numerous diving excursions as well as informal lectures, small group discussions and practical exercises on coral and fish species identification.
Depending on your dive level when joining us, you will, during the science training, also learn how to dive or advance your diving skills by completing further dive certifications (up to Divemaster level).
Once you have reached PADI Advanced Open Water level and passed your science training you will carry out one to two dives a day collecting relevant reef data. You will be diving 5 days a week with Saturday’s off for community conservation work and Sunday as a rest day and you can join us year-round for a period of 3 -12 weeks.
Reviews & ratings
Francisco
Volunteer
19 Dec 2021
An amazing project with amazing staff
I work as a travel agent, bringing volunteers to DAKTARI and other projects around the world. After helping a lot of volunteers fulfill their dreams of coming to South Africa, I managed to arrange 2 weeks to spend at the project. What a wonderful time I had starting with the staff who are so friendly and polite, the animals being taken care of as if they were family and the amazing food that was prepared catering to each of the volunteers individual needs. I can only say that if you are looking for an unique and quality experience involving a well thought out educational program and the preservation of native animal species, this is the one for you.
true
Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage
leslie
Volunteer
19 Dec 2021
great experience
i had an enjoyable stay here in DAKTARI. be surrounded by wild animals is a chance and i also loved the teaching part of my stay
true
Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage
Update or add information
Send us a form with the new details
If you would like to add pictures or videos to this projects page, please email us with the name of the project and the relevant media to: theconservationnetwork@gmail.com
Upload a picture or video!