Endangered African Wildlife Conservation
Project name:
Wildlife ACT (1)
Project purpose:
To help save our planet’s endangered wildlife and wild places from extinction by running important conservation projects in Africa. We use a Fair Trade Tourism certified voluntourism model to fund our work, and have won both an African & World Responsible Tourism award.
Project activities:
community awareness
data collection/analysis
habitat restoration/management
Weekly cost (approx USD):
$
700
Direct benefits you gain:
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data/statistical skills
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field research skills
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remote scenic location
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undertake your own research
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wildlife tracking & telemetry
Noteworthy conservation points:
contributes to environmental policy
development goals (supporting local community)
guiding conservation management
Wild Sun Rescue Center
Accommodation:
Shared accommodation in a research camp
When does the project run?
All year
Facilities:
accommodation included, food included, cooking facilities, electricity, local shops, refillable drinking water, hot shower, western toilet, wifi. Food, accommodation and all transport/transfers are included in the costs. Participation fees also cover all our project running costs, such as fuel for the vehicles (that track the animals – sometimes over very large distances each day to ensure the animals’ safety), as well as for vehicle maintenance (especially tyres, which suffer many punctures on rough terrain), the tracking equipment (like the radio collars and telemetry sets), as well as basic salaries for the dedicated and hardworking wildlife monitors that tirelessly track the animals every day. The accommodation is basic but comfortable. Most volunteers will share a twin room, with separate shared ablutions and a living/eating area. We have electricity, running warm water and flushing toilets. A bed, mattress, pillows and bed linens are provided. You will be responsible for helping to keep the camp clean and tidy. There is always an outside seating area where you can sit by the fire under the stars. Because we live on the reserves (and often don’t have fencing around the camps), you can expect visits from all kinds of wildlife. The Research camp facilities in which our teams reside certainly do not in any way resemble safari or tourist accommodation facilities – however, although the camps may be somewhat ‘low on glamour’, your experiences here will be unmatched in terms of your involvement with conservation work.
How long can I stay?
Our bookings run in multiples of 2 weeks, which means you can join us for 2 / 4 / 6 / 8 / 10 / 12 weeks, etc. The opportunity to work on multiple Reserves depends on the length of your stay. If you stay for only 2 weeks, you will work on 1 Reserve, but for every additional 2 weeks you stay, you'll experience another Reserve.
Requirements:
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Anyone from the ages of 18 to 70+ is welcome to join us.
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There is usually a wide mixture of ages on the projects at any given time. Wherever possible, we do try our best to place similarly-aged participants together, as we find this best facilitates group cohesion.
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All training and supervision will be provided, so no prior qualifications, skills or previous experience are required.
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All you need is a firm grasp of the English language, an enthusiastic attitude and open mind, and the passion to make a difference.
Details of the day-to-day life on the project:
We have award-winning, Fair Trade Tourism certified wildlife volunteering opportunities running in Zululand, South Africa. We have been recognized for our ethical approach to wildlife conservation and tourism by being awarded Second Place for a World Responsible Tourism Award in the category “Best for Wildlife”, and Second Place for an African Responsible Tourism Award in the category “Best for Habitat & Species Conservation.”
Our conservation volunteers get far more than the typical ecotourism experience, by playing an active role in genuine conservation. Activities include daily wildlife monitoring (including training in using equipment), rescuing and treating animals caught in snares, translocating animals to other reserves when necessary, ensuring stable, contained populations and genetic health, essential data collection to inform management decisions, fighting against wildlife poaching, education and awareness of conservation in Africa and providing the means to support it while getting actively involved.
Our volunteers are supporting our mission every day – by working long hours out in the field, getting their hands dirty, collecting essential data, and doing whatever is necessary to save these animals. To see endangered wildlife unharmed in their natural habitat, is to see the fruits of our labour, and is what motivates us to keep up the fight to protect them.
We believe that Wildlife ACT is a shining example of a responsible tourism operator that offers those with the right attitude, an opportunity to learn exactly what is happening on the ground in African wildlife conservation. Furthermore, it allows participants, who come to dedicate both their time and funds, to see exactly how their money is used, to learn what challenges exist, and what is needed to save endangered wildlife from extinction.
Wildlife ACT brings tourism into the real world of conservation by allowing people to engage with key initiatives driving biodiversity. We understand the importance of biodiversity and believe that exposing people and getting them actively involved, is a critical step towards ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
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.
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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
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Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage
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