06 July 2009

Shamwari Game Reserve Conservation Project

country: South Africa
location: South Africa wildlife reserves
departures: Departures can be arranged at anytime to suit you
price: From £1199 (2 weeks) - £3699 (12 weeks) [currency converter] excluding flights. Price includes food, accommodation and transfers between the airport and the reserve.



the amazing things you'll be doing
Set in 24,000 hectares of bio-diverse lush, green South African bush, Shamwari Game Reserve is the ultimate Big Five experience. As a volunteer you will work behind-the-scenes with the conservation department, whilst getting the opportunity to become involved with the two Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries located at the reserve. Situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa Shamwari strives to conserve what man is fast destroying. Set-up in early 1990 the reserve was the vision of one man’s dream, to bring the once free roaming wildlife back to this part of Africa.
The reserve is constantly monitoring and introducing game throughout the year, making Shamwari Game Reserve one of our most exciting options for your volunteer placement. Conservation at Shamwari is about the management, development and rehabilitation of the environment to create a sustainable ecosystem. The conservation department at Shamwari has a highly effective team including a qualified wildlife veterinarian, ecologist and environmentalist.
The accommodation is situated on the reserve; and volunteers stay in twin rooms with en-suite bathrooms. There is also a lounge, dining room and a swimming pool as well as internet access and phones. All meals are provided for the volunteers – they have three meals a day, lunch is normally a packed lunch out in the reserve. The course coordinators also lecture the volunteers on different aspects of the reserve and the wildlife, helping the volunteers understand their role at the reserve and the impact that can be made.

the project
If exposure to the African wildlife is your dream, then gap year voluntary work on Shamwari will exceed your wildest expectations. Volunteer placements at Shamwari allow you to become part of the conservation team and to assist them in their long and short-term projects and ambitions.
Conservation in Shamwari Game Reserve_elephantsAs your placement will only be a relatively short time in regards to many projects there is no guarantee that you will be involved in all of them during your placement.
  • Game Monitoring / Counts
  • Community Project
  • General reserve maintenance
  • Camping out under the stars in the wilderness area (weather dependent)
  • Orientation of camps and facts
  • Fence, wire and rubbish clearing
  • Fence patrol
  • Survival sleep out
  • Conservation in Shamwari Game Reserve_cheetahRoad maintenance and bush clearing
  • Rock packing along fence lines
  • Updating data and information on to computer
  • Game capture
As part of your placement there may also be the opportunity to help and assist at the Big Cat sanctuary situated within the Reserve. The Wildlife Department also boasts a breeding and rehabilitation centre (which is currently home to an orphaned elephant and giraffe), an education centre and an anti-poaching unit. To ensure the lasting sustainability of the reserve and its rich, bio-diverse ecosystem, the ecology department strives to protect and improve the environment. As a volunteer you will assist the conservation department in their important work.

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