Botswana wildlife project

Your day will involve around 6 hours of work, split between early morning and late afternoon tasks to avoid the midday heat. Over lunch and the early afternoon, you will have free time to read, relax, play games or even take a nap!

For the more adventurous, there are activities available around the camp at all times, such as downloading camera trap data, identifying tracks and capturing images of birds and insects for the identikits.

Late afternoons usually end with a breathtaking sunset on top of a rocky outcrop and, weather permitting, evenings are spent enjoying the starry sky around a campfire.

Research

• Carry out mammal and bird surveys
• Study migration patterns throughout the year
• Develop elephant identikits
• Monitor camera traps and document nocturnal activity
• Contribute valuable data to the region’s management planning

Conservation projects

• Undertake activities according to conservation needs
• Fence repairs, building waterholes, soil erosion control and more
• Play a crucial role in protecting and maintaining the wilderness area

Wildlife viewing

• Observe wildlife in its natural habitat
• Encounter herds of elephants, zebras and giraffes, with opportunities to track leopards, lions and hyenas
• Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of the African bush

Nights under the stars

• Experience the magic of the African starry sky
• Watch breathtaking sunsets over the plains
• Fall asleep under the vast African sky, listening to the sounds of nearby creatures

Discovery

• Learn to identify species in the African bush
• Take part in track identification and making casts
• Take part in conservation discussions and bird identification sessions
• Soak up the silence and vastness of the surrounding landscapes

Volunteers will be accommodated in spacious and comfortable tents for 2 to 6 people, with shared sanitary facilities. Hot water and laundry facilities are available.

There is a common area for eating, relaxing, reading, and a beautiful space for evening gatherings around the fire.

The kitchen is equipped with gas stoves, and all meals are provided. You will also enjoy pizza nights with a homemade pizza oven!

The camp is located in a secure area with 24-hour guards.

Meals

Volunteers will receive three meals per day:

• Breakfast: simple, with oatmeal, bread, jam, cereal, etc.
• Lunch: a light meal such as a sandwich or a salad
• Dinner: a prepared meal including dishes such as braai (barbecue), stews, pasta, etc.
• Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available at your own expense.

Your project starts with a 2-day orientation in Johannesburg at Curiosity Backpackers.

Day 1

You will be picked up from the airport and taken to the lodge. Here you will be given a chance to settle down. You will be given a briefing on your volunteer programme and then meet other travelers and volunteers for a welcome dinner.

Day 2

After breakfast, you will be picked up by a private shuttle (not included in the price) for your onward travel to the project.

Your day will involve approximately six hours of volunteer work, divided between early morning and late afternoon tasks to steer clear of the midday heat. During lunch and the early afternoon, you have free time to indulge in reading, relaxing, playing games, or even taking a siesta!

For those who prefer less downtime, activities are always available around the camp, such as downloading camera trap data, identifying spoor, and capturing images of birds and insects for identikits.

The late afternoons typically culminate with a breathtaking sunset atop a rocky outcrop, and if the weather permits, evenings are spent enjoying the night sky around a campfire.

• Conduct mammal and bird surveys
• Study migration patterns throughout the year
• Develop elephant identikits
• Monitor camera traps and document nocturnal activities
• Gather valuable data for the broader management planning of the reserve

• Undertake activities based on conservation needs
• Fence repair, waterhole construction, soil erosion control, and more
• Play a vital role in protecting and maintaining the wilderness area

• Observe wildlife in their natural habitat
• Encounter herds of elephant, zebra and giraffe, with opportunities to track leopard, lion and hyena.
• Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of the African bush

• Experience the magic of Africa’s starlit sky
• Witness breathtaking sunsets over the plains
• Fall asleep under the vast African sky, listening to the sounds of nearby creatures

• Learn to identify species in the African bush
• Engage in spoor identification and cast-making
• Participate in conservation debates and bird identification sessions
• Absorb the silence and vastness of the surrounding landscapes