The Habitat for the "Big 5"

In the Sibuya Game Reserve in the south of South Africa, the Kariega River meanders through a diverse landscape of steep, lush hills, savannah, and grasslands before flowing into the Indian Ocean through a plain of sandbanks. This area serves as the habitat for the "Big 5" and numerous other African animal species, boasting exceptional scenic diversity and beauty. Conservation efforts by the rangers are sustained through safari tourism in the game reserve. As a volunteer, you can actively support these efforts while gaining valuable insights into South African flora and fauna conservation.

Volunteering in the Bush

As a volunteer, you will engage in a weekly program from Monday to Friday, participating in various activities:

Bush Skills: Under the guidance of the rangers, you will learn essential bush skills, including orienteering, tracking footprints, identifying plant and animal species, and fire-making techniques.

Wildlife and Plant Monitoring: You will assist in regular monitoring and surveying activities to identify animal and plant species and populations. This involves deploying camera traps to capture images of elusive species such as the Aardwolf, Spotted Genet, Caracal, Leopard, and Aardvark. Data collected on animal movement patterns, family structures, feeding habits, and predator-prey ratios will inform management decisions for the protected area. Your tasks will include species counts, camera trap setup, and photo analysis.

Rhino Watch: Given the threat of professional poaching activities targeting rhinos in South Africa, your presence during night drives and overnight stays in the protected area will contribute to anti-poaching efforts. You will join the anti-poaching unit on weekly night patrols.

Kariega River Estuary: The estuary of the Kariega River is a vital coastal habitat. Working alongside the rangers, you will assess species population density, endangered species occurrences, salinity levels, and water temperatures. Additionally, you will collaborate with local schoolchildren to clean the river and estuary and remove plastic waste.

Habitat Restoration: Efforts to restore previously utilized areas of the reserve involve removing old fence lines and rehabilitating degraded and overgrazed land. This includes controlling invasive plant species introduced by past farmers, which threaten indigenous biodiversity and increase the risk of bushfires. The project includes operating a tree nursery for indigenous plants, employing permaculture principles for planting.

Community Projects and Environmental Education: You will accompany rangers on visits to surrounding villages to raise awareness of environmental issues and support local initiatives such as recycling programs, beach and estuary clean-ups, and environmental education workshops for children.

A Typical Day in the Project

Your days from Monday to Friday will be filled with tasks and activities from 8 am until approximately 5:30 pm.

Mornings typically involve accompanying the Rangers to conduct animal counts and observations, repair paths, and engage in renaturation efforts. In the afternoons, you'll participate in scientific studies and community projects. Once a week, you'll join the Rhino Watch during nighttime patrols.

Throughout your volunteering activities, the Rangers will impart essential bush skills, educate you on the importance of combating poaching, and share their extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Additionally, you'll have opportunities for relaxation, including sundowners on the beach, BBQs, campfires, beach swimming, and excursions.

Please note that the weekly schedule may be subject to change at short notice, such as in response to poaching threats, adverse weather conditions, or other urgent matters identified by the Rangers.

During weekends, you can enjoy leisure time at the lodge's 58-acre park-like grounds, featuring a pond, several short hiking trails, a swimming pool, TV room, WiFi, pool table, table tennis, squash court, and BBQ facilities. Alternatively, you can opt for (at additional cost) various activities in the wider area, including horseback riding, whale watching in Algoa Bay, bungee jumping, skydiving, paragliding, river cruises, and Indian Ocean ship tours.