This is a chance for any lion lover to get up close and personal with these magnificent predators and other African mammals. Work alongside experienced researchers while learning and putting into practice, tracking and research techniques in South Africa. The reserve is based between the small towns of Gravelotte and Mica in the Limpopo Province and covers over 30,000 hectares of African wilderness. It is home to elephants, leopard, white rhino and various antelope species; you will be in the midst of some of the worlds most fascinating wildlife on a day-to-day basis. This is an amazing opportunity to learn about conservation and predator management, while enjoying a truly wilderness area, excellent wildlife viewing and at the same time contribution to African wildlife conservation. Your assistance in actively monitoring a lion pride is vital for the future development and success of this project and would make a fantastic addition to a gap year, sabbatical or annual holiday.
Project details:
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. 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.
Why the project needs volunteers:
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. The results of this research and your direct involvement, 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.
Where the project is based:
You will stay in a basic but comfortable farmhouse on the reserve and sleep in 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. The volunteers are expected to prepare their own food with provided ingredients and 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.
Please book your flight to arrive into Johannesburg (airport code JNB) before 11am on the advertised arrival date to ensure your airport pickup. Please note you will spend your first night in the orientation hostel in Pretoria and move on to your project the following day. Schedule your return flight to depart after 5pm on the advertised end date.
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