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Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve near Cape Town

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The Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve is a river delta at the coast near Cape Town. It is an important habitat for many animals such as birds, amphibians and fish, including species which are endangered. As a volunteer you will help with landscape preservation, environmental conservation, and environmental education.
 

What is your placement organisation doing?

 
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve is located near Capetown close to the popular beach destination of Muizenberg, covering an area of around 300 hectars. The largest river delta area of the False Bay Coast is fed by the freshwaters of the rivers coming down from the eastern Table Mountains.
 
Zandvlei Reserve is an important habitat for many animals including birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, mammals and plants. At the reserver one can fine 166 species of birds out of which 6 are endangered, which are Eastern White Pelican, Little Bittern, Greater Flamingo, African Marsh Harrier, Perigrine Falcon and Caspian Tern. There are 34 species of fish, out of which 2 are endangered, which are the White Steenbras and the Cape Galaxias.
 
Zandvlei Trust (ZVT) is a charitable organisation that in cooperation with the city administration of Cape Town is protecting the nature reserve and its surroundings. The group of proactive volunteers has been conserving the local fauna and flora of the Zandvlei Reserve since 1988.
 

How can you get involved?

 
Are you motivated, flexible and ready to help whereever you can?
 
Great! As a volunteer at the Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve you can join many tasks related to nature conservation:
 
Landscape preservation and environmental conservation: The tasks of volunteers include the maintenance of fences and paths, inspection rounds, bird counts, monitoring of species of plants and animals, and data analysis. You will accompany and support the local members with their daily tasks and activities.
 
Control of invasive species: If invasive plants are spreading, they impose a risk to the native vegetation. Some invasive species are expanding rapidly, are not demanding concerning their habitat, use large amounts of water, and might finally result in a shading roof which prevents sunlight from reaching native plants that grow at lower height. As a consequence those native plants cannot grow and are repressed. The members of Zandvlei Trust are regularly taking measures to remove invasive species from the nature reserve.
 
Environmental Education: The environmental education programs of Zandvlei Trust have the aim to communicate knowledge about nature and environmental education to children and youth with the idea to raise their interest in nature and become active to protect the biodiversity of the area. As a volunteer at the environmental education centre you will develop contents and activities and carry them out. This might include guided tours about the fauna and flora of wetland areas, water security, kayaking, recycling, planting of the local plant fynbos, vegetable gardening, hiking in the local mountains, and a lot more.
 
Administrative tasks: Administrative tasks include writing texts, doing communication, helping out at the reception of the environmental education centre, and similar.
 
Working hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3pm.
 
Every 2nd Saturday of each month, if you are interested, you can accompany guided hikes with youth from disadvantaged social backgrounds to the Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Table Mountain foothills, explaining them about the conservation of the local flora and fauna. This is a great chance for you to support a good social cause while experiencing the spectacular nature around Table Mountain.
 
Info Box
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Location: Muizenberg (Cape Town), South Africa
Availability: throughout the year, flexible starting date
Minimum duration: 1 month
Maximum duration: 3 months
Language skills required: English
Accommodation: Hostel or Host family
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Internship possible: No
Qualification of supervisor: -
Minimum qualification intern: -
Further contribution to the project: -
Volunteering
Volunteering possible: Yes
Expected qualification volunteers: Being proactive and motivated
Further contribution to the projekt: No
We expect:
Professional work, the "right" attitude
 
 
For this volunteer placement it is most convenient to stay at the surf hostel or with a host family in Muizenberg Beach. If you prefer to stay in central Cape Town, you can also opt for the accommodation we arrange there, from where would then have to commute by train to Steenberg Train Station (Southern Line, 16 ZAR one-way; around 1 hour commuting time).
 
 

Accommodation in Cape Town

 

Guest House in Cape Town city centre

 
The guest house is located in the city centre of Cape Town, just a 5 minutes' walk to Long Street. You can choose between dorm room, double and single room. There is a shared kitchen and a lounge. The guest house also has WiFi.


House in Table View

 
The house has a total of 8 rooms (single, double and dorm rooms). The 8 rooms share 5 bathrooms. There is also a terrace, a garden with BBQ, a lounge and a kitchen for common use. Blouberg Beach, Bayside Mall and the Piazza Shopping Center are within walking distance. There is free WiFi.


Surfer Hostel in Muizenberg

 
 

The Surfer Hostel is located directly on the beach of Muizenberg, which is well known for its colourful beach houses. You can choose between a dorm bed (separated by sex) and single room, or, if two book together, there is also the double room option.
 
There are a communal lounge, outdoor terrace, and a barbecue place, all designed in surfer style. Furthermore, there is WiFi at the hostel at no extra charge. At extra cost, you can have breakfast served at the hostel, and other dishes at the hostel's restaurant.
 

Host families

 
We can arrange host family accommodation in the whole metropolitan area of Cape Town, for instance in the inner city, in the Tabe View Area, in Muizenberg, Wynberg and Nordhoek. We will select a family from which you can reach your placement most conveniently. All host families are of upper standards.
 
 
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Most popular! - Dorm room bed

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Single and double rooms: If you prefer more privacy you can opt for a single room at the accommodation listed above (subject to availability). Two participants who are booking together can also share a double room. 
 
Host families: All host families in Cape Towns are of "Comfort+" category.
 
 
 

I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.
  up to 31 Days
32-60 Days
61-90 Days
91-120 Days
5 Months or longer
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1 Person
690 EUR 750 EUR 800 EUR 850 EUR 900 EUR
2-4 Persons
(Rate per Person)
630 EUR 690 EUR 700 EUR 750 EUR 800 EUR
 
Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies
 

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

 
  • Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
  • Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
  • Preparation Session via Skype; together with further participants
  • Pick-up and Transfers from/to Port Elizabeth (PLZ) Airport in case of placement in Port Elizabeth respectively Cape Town (CPT) in case of placement in Cape Town on arrival and departure
  • Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
  • Orientation and Introduction in Port Elizabeth / Cape Town
  • Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
  • 24 Hours emergency support by local support team
  • Contribution to your project of at least 50 USD
  • Local SIM Card with 100 ZAR air time
  • Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
  • 15% Discount for Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Excursions and Watersports Activities offered by "Budget Safari Tanzania"
  • Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
 

The Rates do NOT include:

 
  • Accommodation and Meals (see below)
  • Travel to/from Port Elizabeth / Cape Town (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
  • Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Vaccinations
  • Local Transport in Cape Town (Estimated amounts see below)
  • Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.
 

II. Accommodation Costs

 
You can choose between the following options:
Preisangaben in EUR
Währung umrechnen
 All durations of stay
(1-365 Days)
WG-Zimmer oder Hostel  
mostpopular2
Shared Volunteer House on Full Board
in Port Elizabeth
1 Person
(single room)
230 EUR/week
Dorm room bed p.p. 170 EUR/week
mostpopular2
Hostel without meals
in central Cape Town
1 Person
(single room)
40 EUR/night
2 Persons p.p.
(double/twin room)
28 EUR/night
Dorm room bed p.p. 20 EUR/night
mostpopular2
Room at shared apartment
in central Cape Town
1 Person
(single room)
400 EUR/month
2 Persons p.p.
(double/twin room)
250 EUR/month
mostpopular2
Surf Hostel without meals
in Muizenberg Beach
1 Person
(single room)
40 EUR/night
2 Persons p.p.
(double/twin room)
20 EUR/night
Dorm room bed p.p. 15 EUR/night
mostpopular2
Lodge without meals
in Table View (northern Cape Town)
1 Person
(single room)
35 EUR/night
2 or 3 Persons p.p.
(double/twin/triple room)
25 EUR/night
Dorm room bed p.p. 100 EUR/week
     
Gastfamilie    
comfortplus3
Host family of upper standards
on full board in Cape Town
(incl. Muizenberg Beach & Table View)
1 Person
(single room)
25 EUR/night
2 Persons p.p.
(double/twin room)
25 EUR/night
 
*You pay incomplete months (exceeding the first month) proportionally per day
In case of 3-4 person: Same rate as in case of 2 Persons. 5 or more persons: Contact us for group rates.
 

Overview of other costs:

 
  • Small local expenses in Cape Town (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
  • Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month
  • If your flights are scheduled outside the time slot from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., there will be an additional cost of 25 EUR per night transfer

 

How do I pay?

 
Once all your questions have been answered and you confirm that you want to participate, we will email you an invoice. You can pay it via bank transfer, credit card or via Paypal. You will pay a deposit of 200 EUR / 250 USD when the invoice is issued. One months prior to your arrival you will pay the remainder for your Service Package.
 
The payment modalities for rent and possible further costs (e.g. internship supervision fees, as stated in info box of the respective project description) depend on your host country and placement. We will inform you beforehand. In many cases these costs are paid on site, but for some countries and placements they need to be paid partially or fully in advance.
 
 
 

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

 
 
These projects are suggestions for alternatives that may interest you or those that could be chosen as COMBINATIONS. The combination of projects in different organizations is often possible and usually cheaper than two individual bookings.
 
 

Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Day Trips, Watersports

 
budgetsafaribannerAs "Budget Safari Tanzania" we are arranging cost-effective yet high-quality safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs, excursions, and watersports activities in Tanzania and Zanzibar. You will group with other World Unite! participants and further travellers.
 
As a World Unite! participant, you get a 15% discount on all offers of Budget Safari Tanzania. We will share a Discount Code with you that you can use with the online booking of your safari, Kilimanjaro climb, excursion or watersports activity.
 
 
 

Travel Health Insurance

 
We recommend the following travel insurance that is meant specifically for participants of internships, volunteering, language study, working holiday, and courses abroad. It is available for travelers of all nationalities and usable for all countries, except your home country. You can also add a journey liability insurance.
 
Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.
 
Travel Health Insurance
 
 
 
 

Cape Town

 
 
Cape Town is a bustling metropolis and is considered the urban and cultural center of South Africa. If you like urban lifestyle, you will not be missing out here.
 
Table Mountain dominates the city, on whose shallow top impressive clouds often form and then slide down into the unique flora and fauna of its slopes, vineyards and beaches. They are part of the Table Mountain National Park, which provides opportunities for numerous excursions and nature activities nearby the city.
 
The city centre, also called "City Bowl", bordered by mountains and the beach, is modern and has offices, shops, restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, tourist attractions and the harbor. There are also many colonial buildings, such as in Long Street, which is a landmark with many antique shops, hotels, restaurants and bars.
 
The neighborhoods south of the university are popular amongst students. You will find bars and party locations there that are cheaper than in the city centre, and aimed at young people.
 
Further south, passing upscale residential areas, you will reach the scenic peninsula with its quiet coastal villages. At Cape Point, at the southermost tip of the peninsula (about an hour's drive from the city center), the Indian and Atlantic oceans merge. On the way there, on Boulders Beach of Simon's Town, you will find a large colony of African Penguins.
 
The suburbs north of the city center are mainly residential areas of middle to upper middle standards. West of it, there is the Atlantic Seaboard coastline, known for its white sand beaches, coastal roads and trendy bars and restaurants that also attract many holidaymakers. Its ocean waters however are rather cold for swimming.
 
The majority of the 3.7 million inhabitants of Cape Town live in townships, which are located mainly in the eastern outskirts, north along False Bay. They were founded during the time of racial segregation to accommodate the non-white population. Even today, many families live there in poverty under bad living conditions.
 
Our local support team in Cape Town includes Dawn and Susanne.
 
 
 

Getting to South Africa

 
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South Africa's two largest airports, Cape Town (CTP) and Johannesburg (JNB), are internationally well connected.
 
Port Elizabeth (PLZ) can usually be reached by flight with a transfer in Johannesburg or Cape Town. There are several low cost carriers in South Africa offering domestic flights that you might also book separately from your international flight to reach Port Elizabeth. In the case of our placements in Cape Town, your flights should be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.. If your flight arrives outside of this time frame (or departs on the return journey), we charge an extra 25 EUR per night transfer.
 
Some South African airlines such as mango connect certain South African cities with Zanzibar, however not throughout the year. They might be an option to look into when combining our two destinations Zanzibar and South Africa.
 
 
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