African Wildlife Conservation Experience

Activities:

ORNITHOLOGY Our PowerPoint presentation covering the unique biodiversity of Sibuya’s birdlife sets a great platform for being able to correctly identify and differentiate between oceanic, estuarine, arboreal, and terrestrial birds. Students will take part in our bird species count. ELEPHANT IDENTIFICATION We spend the day learning about African elephants and their role in the ecosystem as well as the challenges they face on earth. We set out to correctly identify each elephant on the Game Reserve as well as monitor their individual personality and health. RHINO CONSERVATION We spend the day learning about White Rhino and their role in the ecosystem as well as the challenges they face on earth. We set out to correctly identify each rhino on the Game Reserve as well as monitor their individual personality and health. FENCING Correct fencing has a vital role in wildlife conservation by protecting humans from potential danger and at the same time protecting conservation areas from human impact. Volunteers take part in maintaining fence lines by checking electrical currents, checking for damage and patrolling for snares. ALIEN PLANT ERADICATION Many conservation areas take ongoing action by removing alien plant species that thrive in their conditions. These species are generally unpalatable for animals and outgrow indigenous plant species. Volunteers will take part in clearing out all alien invasive species. LION CONSERVATION Wild lion populations throughout Africa are on a rapid decline while canned lion populations are on the rise. Volunteers will take part in a PowerPoint presentation and open discussion troubleshooting the loss of prey species, loss of habitat, lion bone trade, and human encroachment all contributing to the possible extinction of Africa’s apex predator.  Search for and observe the lions in their natural habitat. BOAT CRUISE & FISH TAGGING Volunteers will go on a boat cruise and partake in the oceanographic research institute's cooperative fish tagging project. Each participant will be briefed on how to safely catch, tag, record information, and release estuarine fish species. Fishing rods will be supplied for each individual to practice the above procedures. Our findings will be loaded onto the ORI international data base. ROCKY COASTAL SHORES The rocky shoreline of the Sunshine Coast plays a vital role in the biodiversity of Sibuya Game Reserve. Volunteers will spend time learning about the living and non-living features of the coastal marine environment. Our rocky shores content also includes the world-renowned Alexandria Dune Trail, which is home to the highest wind-driven sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK Volunteers will spend a day visiting the Eastern Capes flagship game reserve – Addo Elephant National Park. Addo houses the densest population of African elephants per square kilometer and holds a mammoth section of conservation history for our area. INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENSE Conservation volunteers have the option of attaining their inshore skipper's license from world-renowned dive master Keryn van der Walt who operates Raid Southern Africa. (applicable to programmes 3+ weeks) OUTREACH PROJECTS Volunteers may take part in outreach project day in Kenton-on-Sea. These projects include blankets and beanies for Madiba, soup kitchens, wheelchair distributions, stand-in teachers, beach cleanups, dog food distributions, visiting retirement homes, and many more. STARRY NIGHTS The South African night sky leaves much to be desired as so many constellations are made visible by our minimal light pollution. Volunteers take part in the star gazing presentation as well as group projects on selected constellations.  

Please submit an application for this program below. Our team will contact you with more information within 72 hours- if you don’t hear from us, please check your spam folder!

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