Al Jazeera: New series follows trainee rangers as they fight rhino poaching in South Africa

update (12 Nov 2013): The sixth and last episode of "Wildlife Warzone" is online and available in the playlist below.
update (05 Nov 2013): The fifth episode of "Wildlife Warzone" is online and available in the playlist below! Learn more about the Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape!
update (29 Oct 2013): The fourth episode of "Wildlife Warzone" is online and available in the playlist below! Learn more about the Selati Game Reserve in Limpopo!
update (22 Oct 2013): The third episode of "Wildlife Warzone" is online and available in the playlist below!
update (15 Oct 2013): We have added the second episode of "Wildlife Warzone" to the playlist.
"Wildlife Warzone" is a new six-part documentary series produced by 5to9 Productions for international news channel Al Jazeera. The series follows a new batch of young South Africans from all kind of backrounds as they are put through their 38 day course to become rhino rangers for Protrack, the first private anti-poaching unit in South Africa.

"Wildlife Warzone" is partly shot in and around the Kruger National Park and at Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, named the World’s Leading Conservation Company and Leading Safari Lodge at the 2012 World Travel Awards.
The series screens from Monday, 07 October 2013 at 22:30GMT, with additional screenings on Tuesdays at 9:30GMT, Wednesdays at 03:30GMT, and Thursdays at 16:30GMT. We'll add the following episodes to the video playlist above as soon as (and if) Al Jazeera makes them available.

Shamwari Game Reserve: activity around a hippo carcass (video)

The following video, shot in the Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa, is showing a footage rarely been seen by most of us. The rangers of the reserve put out a camera trap to film the "activity" around a hippo carcass... and it is not only the typical carnivores making a visit!

iShamwari: the world's first mini wildlife documentary shot on the iPhone >>

Shamwari Game Reserve conservation project >>

iShamwari: the world's first mini wildlife documentary shot on the iPhone

The BBC series Safari School was filmed here, as well as the Animal Planet series titled Shamwari: A wild life and now the Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa is the setting for the world's first mini wildlife documentary shot entirely on the iPhone 4.



Shamwari Private Game Reserve is home to Africa’s Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard), is malaria free and is situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Shamwari is situated in verdant bush along the Bushmans River, halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown, a pleasant drive from Cape Town and forms a natural extension to the famous Garden Route. The 25 000 hectare reserve boasts five eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life.

For more info about the "IShamwari" project please visit their facebook page. 

Shamwari Game Reserve conservation project >>

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.

more info & booking >>
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