Project Overview
Are you a big cat person?
Set in over 30,000 hectares of African wilderness this project in particular will delight wildlife lovers with rhinos, elephants and leopards all wandering by (but hopefully not too close!). Lions will be your primary focus though, and you’ll have the opportunity to actively monitor a lion pride and get up close to these amazing animals. Recently the research has expanded to include Rhinos and Elephants and these studies are combined with the focus on the Lions in the reserve making for an even richer experience. Your help is vital for the immediate and long term success of the project, so your contribution, like your memories, will last long after you return home.
What does the project do?
The Research programme was developed in 2004 with the main focus to monitor behaviour patterns, movement and the impact on prey and predator species that the reintroduced lions have on the reserve. The aim of the lion monitoring expedition is to learn more about their behaviour and produce a detailed report that will enable reserve owners and managers to determine the carrying capacity and sustainability of large predators on the reserve. Recently the research has been expanded to include Rhino and Elephant studies within the reserve creating a more detailed picture of the interaction between the different species. In addition the research programme is currently expanding and is hoping to incorporate leopard and other mammal research of a similar nature as well as helping the reserve monitor its vegetation communities.
What you'll gain from the experience
This is a unique opportunity to get involved with a pioneering research programme and gain knowledge from highly trained staff; remember you are not just observing the research but also actually doing it! This is a chance for you to learn skills such as tracking collared lions using radio telemetry, navigation techniques, using a GPS, animal identification and gain an awareness of the fauna and flora in the area.
Why does the project need volunteers?
The results of the research you'll be helping with and your direct involvement in the project will allow reserve managers to make well-informed decisions about how to manage the lions and the ungulate populations of the game reserve. Your project fee not only goes towards your food, accommodation, and full training but also is also crucial in funding and maintaining the research programme.
What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project
You must have an interest in animals and research and be prepared to spend many hours observing lion behaviour. Hours will be based upon the animal's movement, so you must expect early mornings and late nights. With guidance, you will learn how to use all the relevant equipment and will be trained in all areas of data collection and input. You should be prepared to get involved in all areas of the research and base logistics, as we will all work a team. The project is expanding so expect you may be part of a team working towards collaring and habituating leopards for new research initiatives, when you are not monitoring the lions.
Your role as a volunteer
Once trained, you will generally be out in the game drive vehicle twice a day, tracking, spotting and then observing and recording the lions' behaviour. The hours vary, depending on their movement and activity, so you could be out late into the night. During the heat of the day, you will find yourself entering the data you have collected from the field, becoming involved in reserve or house maintenance or getting involved with the other research programmes conducted on the reserve.
Accommodation included
You will stay in a basic but comfortable farmhouse on the reserve and sleep in shared dormitory style bedrooms. A 'donkey boiler' provides hot running water for most part of the day. The house is equipped with solar electricity and paraffin lights are available when necessary. There are facilities to charge batteries and cell phones. You’ll be expected to complete house duties on a daily basis. Town trips are available when the team replenishes food stocks, and you will be given access to these as and where possible, and as determined by logistical feasibility. Most amenities are available in town, including a supermarket, Internet café, and public telephones.
Project resources and advice
You will be provided with all the necessary materials and equipment during the expedition.
Food
You’ll prepare your own food from locally sourced ingredients, which will be provided.
Airport pick-up included
You will be met at the airport if arriving on the scheduled arrival date . Please book your flight to arrive into Johannesburg. Oliver Thambo international (airport code JNB), we advise you arrive before 16.00 to avoid missing your orientation in the afternoon.
Things you'll need to organize yourself
- Flights
- Insurance
- Visa costs
- Optional cultural add-ons - please contact i-to-i for more details
- Return airport transfer
Stories
Vicky Smith gives this project 10/10
Here is what Vicky had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
I loved everything about the trip - the only downside was not being able to stay for longer!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The brilliant people! A big thanks to the guys at Selati - Laurence, Shawn and Kerin. I've had an absolutely fantastic experience, a lot of fun and they made it great!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I loved every minute of it!
Joan Kenny gives this project 10/10
Here is what Joan had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
So
much happened that made it great I can’t remember it all, but I will never
forget when Mica (one of the lions) stood beside us with a bloody face and neck.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I have
a huge love for animals and this adventure has only made me want to do more.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Anyone
who loves animals or adventure will love the Lion Monitoring Expedition in the
Selati Game Reserve!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Volunteering
in the Selati Game Reserve was the best experience of my life.
Katie Badowski gives this project 10/10
Here is what Katie had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
All of it. I had an amazing time. from getting off the plane to monitering the Lions. I had some one in a lifetime experiences and the only part i didn't like was having to come home.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Yes, i realized that i can have a great time and live without hot water, electrisity, and many other comforts i am used to.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Research the waether so you take the right types of clothes. Take backup cameras and batteries. And just go with the flow, nothing happens the way you expect it to.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
An experience i wouldn't trade for anything!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
If i could stay longer.
Tanya Hevroy gives this project 10/10
Here is what Tanya had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Seeing five lions playing in a tree, and being on foot a mere 15 meters from wild elepants.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Seeing such a beautiful place of the world which is in such dire need of protection. It definitly made me realise that i want to return and work in Africa one day.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Experience the culture of the country.
Go out and meet people of the country.
Realise how lucky you are to be able to travel and see the world.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
The best 3 weeks of my life.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Wish i would have spent more time there.
Eugenia Anderson gives this project 10/10
Here is what Eugenia had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Eevrything! Seeing the lions, elephant, rhino among all the other animals in their natural habitat was amazing. I was lucky enough to be there when one of the lion cubs (2 1/2yrs) was collared, so got to stroke and touch him whilst he was sedated! I also saw a leopard, which never thought i'd get to see. The people, the scenery and the animals were perfect.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I gained a much deeper respect for animals of all kinds and my understanding of insects and spiders through what i was taught has now helped to curb at least a little my fear of them! For the first time in my life i held a spider!
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1) Take a excellent camera and a pair of binoculars! You will need both on every occasion!
2) Be prepared for early starts
3) Listen and learn as much as you can in your time there. Get involved in everything as it will really highten your experience!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
The most amazing, beautiful, outstanding, enriching experience. So worth it!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Have the volunteers fly to Phalabowra rather than get the bus would make the most of the time there. I didnt realise that although I got to SA on the Monday, a day was spent travelling and in effect we lost a day on the project. Getting us there in the quickest and easiest way would have been better!
Michaela Laxton gives this project 10/10
Here is what Michaela had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
There were so many highlights that it is too hard to name a few, but the chance to see many animals so close up and in the wild was a fantastic opportunity. Close up encounters with the pride of lions was incredible yet terrifying. Watching elephants herd across the grass at night was also pretty special. Seeing so many giraffes everywhere was a hightlight for me. They are such beautiful and inquisitive animals.
Learning about the wildlife was brilliant. I loved learning about tracks and recognising signs of the wild. Each species is so unique and incredibly formed for the environment they live in. It's so interesting to learn.
Meeting such amazing people over there was up there with the best bit. Everyone who does this project has something in common and we had such a great time and a lot of fun.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Being surrounded by nature and waking up the sounds of the African bush makes you realise that it is the simple things in life that you can appreciate the most. You learn a lot about the animals out there and its not just about the bigs stars like the lions and elephants. The little animals, birds and insects are equally fascinating.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Go for as long as you can for every day something amazing will happen!
Go with the flow and get involved as you possibly can. There is a lot of opportunity to really learn about the wildlife around you so the more you put into the trip the more rewarding it will be for you.
Good things come to those who wait out there. Don't expect to see everything every day. You have to work sometimes to find the animals, so be patient and wait for the experience and you'll get the reward of seeing them right up close to the vehicle. Or maybe you'll get the chance to see a leopard if you're lucky, or a lion making a kill....there is potential for so much and you are right at the heart of the action!
Bring binoculars. You'll definatey appreciate them!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Quite possibly the best 3 weeks of my life!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Being able to stay forever!
Jenny Price gives this project 10/10
Here is what Jenny had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Tracking Lions in the dark and not knowing where they were. elephants suddenly appearing out of the bushes. The funny stories the other volunteers told
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I learnt a lot about myself and this helped boost my self confidence.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Go with a completely open mind
Dont go if you are not prepared to work hard, mentally and physically
This WILL be one of if not the best things you will ever do
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Amazing
Uncontrollable grin (all the time)
unforgettable
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
More information about when to return etc. We were not infromed that we would spend the night in a back packers before going to selate. We were not infromed that we could fly in an hour instread of taking a whole day on a bus.
We were not infromed that weekends we would still go on game drives (absolutely no problem as I woudl have gone 7 days a week)
Generally it felt like we were totally unprepared in the sense of knowing where we were going and what we were expected to do
I paid £80 for an internal flight as my return fligt was on the 2nd March when the project ended, however because this was the only day off for the staff I could not expect them to get up at 6am to take me to the bus on the sunday. Had I known that I could leave on the Tuesday (when all the swedish volunteers left who seemed to be better informed) then I would have saved myself the additional unbudgeted cost.
John Speke gives this project 10/10
Here is what John had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
All of it! The animals I saw were amazing and the people I met were friendly, helpful and just lovely. I made lots of new friends and had a great time.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Yes, seeing wildlife in there natural habitat was wicked. Working together with others to monitor the lions on the reserve and help produce reports is a very satifying and worthwhile experience, as this research is needed to see how the reserve can sustain its wildlife.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
My three top tips would be:-
Always follow the health and safety rules, they are there for your safety.
Muck in with everyone by helping and sharing chores, you'll get to know people quicker.
Just enjoy the experience.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
This has been an awesome experience. Amazing!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Yes, I would have liked to have been able to stay much longer!
Leila Yahyaoui gives this project 10/10
Here is what Leila had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Being charged by a huge herd of elephants, seeing the lions a few meters away from the car, seeing a LEOPARD, the sleepout we had in the bush, and just how awesome the rest of the volunteers and staff were.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Just seeing the animals in their own habitat and seeing such a beautiful country made me really see there is so much more out there in life. I also learnt a lot about myself and have become a lot more confident and have a lot more self belief.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Bring WARM clothes! Even though its boiling hot during the day - you'll be out on drives really early in the morning and late at night and it gets VERY cold. Also, go for as long as you possibly can. It really does go rediculously fast. And beware of Ticks!! I got Tick Bite Fever and believe me - it is NOT fun.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
The most amazing 3 weeks of my life!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Staying longer and not getting ill!
michelle reeves gives this project 10/10
Here is what michelle had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Getting to see the animals up so close was amazing. We had a leopard walk out right in front of us one evening which i got on viedo that was brilliant. Doing a sleep out in the middle of the bush was another brill experience.
Going out on my day off to walk with lion clubs was brilliant getting to stand next to them and touch them was just amazing.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Dont go for less than 3weeks cus its just not long enough.
Make sure you take a sleeping bag.
Get involved with everything
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Best 2 weeks of my life trully amazing
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
I thought the night in pretoria was abit pointless and if i had know there was an airport in phalaborwa i would have perfered to have flown up to avoide the 7 hr bus. Also when i arrived in phalaborwa the guys from selati didnt know i was coming and it took 4 days before they had my details from i-to-i. Luckily i arrived with someone else and they knew he was ariving other wise i could have been stranded.
Evelyne Schnider gives this project 8/10
Here is what Evelyne had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The other grupp was stocked in the bush, when the lions runnning behind our car. the have to wait more than an houer without ligth in the nigth, till we are back to help and start the car^s battery!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
it was nothing new that i change the way I look!
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
-take only naturecolored clothes with you
-enjoy your time, it goes to fast!
-and dont forget a good camera, to take amazing pictures!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
beautiful
amazing
bumpy
itchy
hot
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
oh yes the day i arrived they anaesthetize a lion the give him a sender! i missed it, i wish i were also there!
lara Ferrighi gives this project 7/10
Here is what lara had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The collaring of one of the lions at the reserve and the overall experience was very exciting and wild.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Life can be calm and relaxing. We should all slow down and take care of ourselves.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1) bring raincoat, headtorch and binoculars2) don't worry too much: it's a healthy and safe place3) don't exchange too much money...you don't need them in the reserve.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
"A slow life which is shining and rich"
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
avoiding the trip from pretoria to Phalaborwa. We could just land in Phalaborwa, gaining 2 more days in the reserve.
Susan Bisset gives this project 7/10
Here is what Susan had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Cheetah walking, arrival of the baby Giraffe end the involvement with the care of her. How wonderful some of the staff are at the lion park, Alex, Shandor, Natalie, Louis, what a lot of work, care and attention they put in.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Some of the staff were very passionate about what they do and I want to feel that in my next job.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Plan in advance for what food you think you will want for 9 days on site at the Lion Park.
Offer to help out as much as possible, no matter how boring the task is it needs to be done.
Go out of your way to get to know the staff - they have interesting tales to tell.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
OMG, 10 cant tell you how good this trip is.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
more information on what I should consider taking to the park food wise for 9 days. You are taken to the supermarket but suddenly in a rush to try to plan menus for 9 days. Also the fridge and freezer space could be improved and the fridge and freezer could be in better working order. It should also be made clearer to people that they may need to spend 2 hours just collecting tickets but that this is an important job in order to keep the park running.
Michelle Allen gives this project 6/10
Here is what Michelle had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The experience as a whole on he expedition.. The team there was great and everything we did there was great.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
In general I felt it didnt change too much, I live in the country anyway, bu to see these wild animals in their natural habitat was great
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Bring warm, camoflage coloured clothes..
you dont need walking boots specifically!!
Camofolage clothes!!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
It was great...
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Yes, I feel as I had only two weeks there time was limitd. I thought I would have two weeks on the project this was not the case however. I felt I would have far benifited from flying to palaborowa, definately on the journey home!! it was almost a waste of two three days!! The oriantation in the project was far enough sufficient and almost more specialised to what we were going to do rather than the i to i one. Thus I felt I was paying alot for this where it could be avoided.
