About
The Big Five Safari Reserve began in 1999 as a joint conservation venture. Today the reserve consists of six independently-owned lodges. The lodges are owner-managed by the descendants of the original families who arrived here with the British settlers of 1820.
The Big Five Safari Reserve Volunteer Project is a unique conservation initiative that allows animals to be re-introduced to the area where they once roamed freely and so making a contribution to the conservation of our natural heritage. The challenge has been to re-establish the original flora and fauna species to the area and to return the land to nature.
Gap year students and volunteers can be part of this bigger picture and work and live on this reserve and help with all the aspects of running a safari reserve in Africa.
Guidance and supervision
The coordinator on site is an experienced game ranger who will take you to and from the volunteer house to the reserve, work together with you and teach you all there is to know about the land, plants and animals.
Volunteer tasks
As a volunteer at the Big Five Safari Reserve, your primary responsibility is managing the free roaming lions, with the rest of the day filled with tasks and duties based around the reserve.
The list below provides the details of various projects experienced by past volunteers. Please note that duties may change at any time, which means no week at the reserve will be the same!
Short-term projects:
- Game capturing, counting and monitoring
- Medicinal use of plants and vegetation biomes
- Guided walks, tracking and trails through the reserve
- Nocturnal predator monitoring
Long-term projects:
- Game counting
- Animal tracking using telemetry sets
- Territorial ranges and feeding range monitoring
- Lion health and breeding monitoring
- Giraffe movement and breeding monitoring
- Local community sustainability
- Assisting vulnerable children and AIDS orphans
- Birds in reserves project
General reserve duties:
- Erosion control
- Fence patrol and maintenance
- Alien plant control
- Bush clean and clear up
- Road and boma maintenance
Why?
Working and living on a safari reserve is a dream of many, and this is your opportunity to be a part of the bigger picture of conservation. Don’t forget that although small changes can take a very long time to make an impact on nature, and are difficult to see in a few weeks, your role as a volunteer or gap year student adds immeasurably to the restoration of the land to what it once was. By participating, you do not merely help on a temporary basis on the reserve itself, but you also contribute to the future financially, and impact the environment positively. You have the possibility to see more than just the reserve and can spend some time at the community project in Paterson as well, giving you the chance to see South Africa and its people in a different light.
See what other volunteers say about this project
Have a look here at reviews from previous visitors.
Accommodation
Volunteers are accommodated in a one-storey, 7 bedroom house; which overlooks a large garden and is within walking distance of the local bar and basic shops. Most of the rooms are doubles or triples and are male or female only. There are 3 bathrooms in total with a hot water shower and toilet.
A communal dining and sitting room with digital satellite TV is central to the house, with a well-equipped kitchen and office space adjoining. A sun room provides an additional seating room where the internet and telephone are available. The internet is available for a small additional charge.
Meals
Your meals are all included when on the reserve and consist of self-service breakfast and lunch and a home-cooked dinner. Volunteers are expected to be independent and proactive and be able to contribute to the household chores. This is not a luxury lodge where you are catered for, but rather your home that you share with other passionate, hard-working, like- minded volunteers!
Dinners may consist of pastas, oven-baked or roast dishes and, of course, our famous braai (barbecue) to enjoy under the stars.
Fees & Dates
| DURATION: |
EURO |
USD |
GBP |
| 1 Week |
€ 635,00 |
$705,00 |
£565,00 |
| 2 Weeks |
€ 1 230,00 |
$1 365,00 |
£1 090,00 |
| 3 Weeks |
€ 1 810,00 |
$2 010,00 |
£1 605,00 |
| 4 Weeks |
€ 2 380,00 |
$2 640,00 |
£2 110,00 |
| Extra Weeks (after 4 weeks) |
€ 565,00 |
$630,00 |
£505,00 |
| Transfers Mondays (one way) |
€ 50,00 |
$55,00 |
£45,00 |
| Transfers other days (one way) |
€ 125,00 |
$140,00 |
£110,00 |
INCLUDED IN YOUR FEE:
Accommodation, meals, a cleaning lady and a once-a-week laundry service. All the training programs you need for your work at the project are also included. The price excludes the transfer, ticket to South Africa, vaccination and visa costs.
The transfer will depart from Port Elizabeth Airport at 2pm on Mondays. For departure the transfer will drop off volunteers at the Port Elizabeth airport at 8 am on Mondays. Transfers on other days can be arranged but will be quoted on request.
If you want Khaya to arrange your transfer from Port Elizabeth to the project, this will cost an additional 75 EUR / 85 USD / 55 GBP one way. If you also would like to be picked up at the end of your volunteering period, the total price for both transfers will be double that amount.
The project starting dates are on Mondays when transfers are done from Port Elizabeth.
Add Ons To Your Trip
10% OFF on your Nomad Africa tour when booking through Khaya
Nomad Africa Adventure Tours offers organized tours over Africa. Whether you’re young or young at heart, adventurous or more relaxed, it doesn’t matter, you will always find a fitting tour with them.
Their tours ensure you safety and give you the chance to meet new friends along the way. They are an exciting way of travelling that allows you to explore the country and its surroundings at affordable rates and without having to worry about anything yourself!
And we can make it even better. If you book your next Nomad Tour with Khaya, you will get a 10% off the tour price! We have picked a few of our favorites to combine with this project, check them out below!
7 Day Tours:
14 Day Tours:
10% OFF on your BazBus tour when booking through Khaya
Hop-on Hop-off backpacker bus. Door-to-door. Meet interesting people. Safe and fun way to travel around South Africa. Great alternative to car hire.
Check out their travel options on their site, BazBus. By booking your Bazbus travel with Khaya, you will receive a 10% discount. If interested, please contact us and we’ll help you further with great pleasure.
10% or 20% OFF on your CapeXtreme Adventure when booking through Khaya
The best adventure company in Cape Town! They organize action packed activities and overland tours in Cape Town. On top of that they also do trips from Cape Town to Addo and the Port Elizabeth Area.
Surfing, cage diving, sandboarding, skydiving, everything is possible with Cape Xtreme. You can see the Garden Route or enjoy a day visiting the cape peninsula, or what do you think of a daytrip to Stellenbosch and Paarl for the most amazing wine tastings?
As a Khaya Volunteer, you can get an amazing discount of 10 or 20% depending on the adventure you book. After confirming your booking with us, you will get a voucher code that will ensure you your discount. Simply go to their website CapeXtreme , choose your tour and date, insert the voucher code, proceed to check-out, make your payment online, and enjoy the trip!
15% OFF on your Mzansi Travel when booking through Khaya
The most comfortable & affordable way to do Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Travel Tickets in South Africa. Meet fellow travelers. Fun stops along the way! Travelling on a small budget? Then Mzansi is definitely something for you.
Get a 15% discount on direct tickets, hop-on hop-off tickets and Mzansi Passes. After confirming your stay with us, you will get a voucher code sent to you that you can use on all your Mzansi bookings. Just go to their website Mzansi Travel, make your booking online use the voucher code and off you go!
Location
Paterson, Eastern Cape, South Africa
