About
The Siyafunda Wildlife and Conservation project offers you a unique experience in the African bush and gives you the opportunity to observe and be a part of the research and monitoring teams on the reserve.
The focus of the Siyafunda project revolves around some of our key species; elephants, lions, hyenas and leopards. You will also be involved with monitoring our breeding initiatives comprising buffalo, Livingston eland and nyala. Habitat work also plays an important part of the monitoring process.
The wildlife reserve where the project is located is a vast Big 5 nature reserve covering an area of 25000 hectares. Situated in the Lowveld area, the home of nature conservation in South Africa, your work as a volunteer adds immense value for accurate management of the animals within the reserve.
Whether on a monitoring drive, on foot, or observing the wildlife at a waterhole, all of your work will be done under the guidance of our qualified rangers. As each activity has a pre-determined objective, you don’t just get to view the animals, you get to live with them for a little while. There’s nothing quite like sitting in the dark next to a lazing lion waiting for it to start its nightly call or being surrounded by a herd of elephants and being able to spend time observing their individual traits and family dynamics.
At the end of the day, you return to the camp to share your experiences over dinner around the open fire and then fall asleep to the sounds of the bush. Join us for the experience of a lifetime!
Employees
You will work with a variety of people from all walks of life.
Other volunteers
This project is specifically selected to give you a unique and personal experience. Khaya believes in smaller projects with a limited number of volunteers to guarantee this uniqueness. Volunteer numbers therefore differ from 1-10 and as volunteers come and go numbers can differ. Most volunteers are from the UK, USA and Western Europe.
Activities
Monitoring forms the basis for the majority of our research assistance on the Greater Wildlife Reserve. We conduct monitoring drives in the mornings and afternoons to see the animals when they are most active.
We also spend time on foot tracking the more elusive animals, which is an amazing way to experience the bush.
Your activities as a volunteer will evolve around several key focus points for this programs;
- Elephant monitoring
- Lion monitoring
- Breeding of Buffalo, Eland and Nyala monitoring
- Hyena monitoring
- Leopard monitoring
- Small mammals surveys
- Birds and Raptor monitoring
- Habitat conservation
- Local community involvement
Typical Project Schedule
Monday: Project start day. Town trip to pick up volunteers and restock supplies
Tuesday: Early start setting out on a set route drive as part of our game counting program to determine populations of general game.
In the afternoon we depart for a monitoring drive to locate one of our key species of interest; lion, elephant, leopards or hyena.
Wednesday: Waterhole monitoring in the morning to determine species utilisation of the area. We set off for a drive in the afternoon to the breeding boma to monitor the buffalo, Livingstone eland and nyala.
Thursday: Habitat work; we could be busy with exotic plant removal, erosion control or bush clearing. In the afternoon or evening, we head out on hyena monitoring and night patrol
Friday: Early morning start and we will be out locating the elephants as part of the ongoing research into the elephant contraception program. The afternoon we will set out to monitor bird species.
Saturday: Habitat work in the morning, followed by an afternoon monitoring drive focussing on our lion population. On return in the evening, we may head out to the local pub or have a typical South African braai (BBQ)
Sunday: Either an outing will be planned, or it will be a free day for volunteers to relax or head out on their own tour.
In between activities, volunteers will receive a series of presentations on the work of the Reserve, or how to approach dangerous game on foot, or possibly even a Zulu lesson. This time will also be used to transfer all data collected onto the computers and compile the weekly research report, as well as helping out with vehicle checks and cleaning.
Accommodation
The Twines camp has no fence around it so you will see free roaming animals and birdlife during the day. They visit us in the garden and we regularly see the elephant herds coming to drink at the waterhole. The main building with the office has a large comfortable lounge with a book and movie library where volunteers can spend their free time reading field guides and other books or watching documentaries in the evening. We also have a volleyball court at the camp, or you can jump into the pool for a cool off!
The volunteer house accommodates a maximum of 10 volunteers in five cosy rooms which has two people shared sleeping arrangements. Each room has a washbasin and an en suite bathroom, which is shared with the adjoining room, consisting of a shower with hot running water provided by eco-friendly solar heaters and flushing toilets.
Next door is the kitchen with an outside eating area. The kitchen offers cooking facilities for volunteers to prepare their breakfast, lunch and dinner. The fridge is always filled up with fresh veggies and fruit, cheese and a variety of meat. Volunteers help themselves with tea, coffee, cereal and toast in the morning. For a late brunch you can do sandwiches or salads or have a tasty fry up. In the evening, after game drive, the volunteers cook a delicious meal together or just braai (South African BBQ) in our Boma, where we light up the fire after sunset.
In the evenings we spend most of the time under the South African stars and light up the fire in the boma. We sit around enjoying a well-earned drink and an amazing dinner, telling stories of the day's adventures.
Meals
Cordial fruit drink, tea and coffee are provided. Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages (beers and ciders) and snacks like chocolate are not available in camp but you can buy them on the weekly town trips. All food for breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided, as well as fresh fruit. However, food is only re-stocked once a week so once it’s gone it’s gone! If you have any special dietary requirements, please inform us before your arrival so that we can accommodate them if possible.
Laundry
There are washing machines available for use at the camps, washing powder is supplied. Clothes are line-dried, no dryers available.
Daily transport
During your time on the Reserve, you will be under the supervision and instruction of a qualified Game Ranger, who has a vehicle. Trips to the store is made once a week.
Arranging your own transport
If you like to do your own thing on the weekend and rent a car; no problem, there are several car rental options available, with which we will gladly help you when you are here. Car rentals start from R140 (10 euro or 12 USD per day) for a basic older car, but there are lots of options, just ask us and we will gladly assist.
Fees & Dates
| DURATION |
EURO |
USD |
GBP |
| 2 Weeks |
€ 1 400.00 |
$ 1 635.00 |
£ 1 250.00 |
| 3 Weeks |
€ 2 050.00 |
$ 2 395.00 |
£ 1 830.00 |
| 4 Weeks |
€ 2 680.00 |
$ 3 135.00 |
£ 2 395.00 |
| Extra Weeks |
€ 650.00 |
$ 760.00 |
£ 580.00 |
What is included?
- Transfers for arrivals and departures on Mondays to/from Hoedspruit
- All food (except snacks, soft drinks and alcohol)
- Accommodation
- All linen (except towels)
- Monday to Friday housekeeping service
- All training for assistance with our research
- All travel within the reserve
- Assistance to organise travel in the local area
- An outing every two weeks to interesting local attractions outside of the reserve (entrance fees to be paid by volunteers)
What is excluded?
- Flights to South Africa
- Transfers to town Tuesday to Sunday if required
- Personal insurance
- Internet (small fee payable for access at camp)
- Towels
- Entrance fee to local attractions
- Other personal items such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks or snacks.
Start dates
All collections and drop offs of volunteers are done on Mondays throughout the year so please arrange your travel to coincide with this. If you are unable to do so, please advise us promptly and alternative transport can be arranged for you at your own expense.
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!
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
Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa
