Big 5 Volunteering in South Africa

What is Volunteer with the Big 5 in Port Elizabeth all about?

Volunteer in Port Elizabeth and work alongside South Africa’s Big 5: lion, African elephant, cape buffalo, rhino and leopard. This impressive game reserve is situated in the Eastern Cape (85km out of Port Elizabeth, towards Grahamstown) and spans almost 6000 hectares. In addition to the Big 5 roaming free, the reserve has a predator educational and rehabilitation centre, which houses endangered and orphaned predators, such as rare Bengal tigers, wild dogs, white lions and more. Volunteering on this project will allow you to make a difference in the lives and futures of South African animals through conservation efforts.

Why choose this Volunteer with the Big 5 in Port Elizabeth project?

This programme is designed for volunteers interested in having a truly African experience, while making a difference in the local wildlife and environment. During your stay, you’ll act as an assistant conservationist, working to improve the quality of the reserve.

Role of the Big 5 volunteer

As a volunteer, you will be providing an essential extra pair of hands as there is always plenty to do on the reserve. Volunteers will work together in groups with an assigned leader to complete daily activities. Activities that you may be involved with include:

• Lion tracking and monitoring
• School feeding schemes (let us know if you are interested as spaces are limited)
• Wildlife structures
• Game count
• Game capture
• Removal of alien vegetation in and around the reserve
• Planting of indigenous trees
• Fauna and flora work in the nursery
• Wilderness trail walks and patrols
• Fence patrol

Activities vary on a day to day basis and will depend on the need at the time you will be there.

Skills Required to be a Volunteer with the Big 5 in Port Elizabeth

No specific skills are needed for this project, however, it is expected that volunteers will have a genuine interest in wildlife and conservation. Patience and flexibility are imperative, as this is a dynamic environment and project activities often change.

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