Bearded vulture conservation vacation, South Africa

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We are acutely aware that operating in a sensitive mountain ecosystem comes with an inherent environmental cost. For this reason, the Southern Berg project actively works to reduce its carbon footprint wherever possible and to ensure that our presence delivers a net conservation benefit.

A core part of our carbon-reduction strategy is the way we move through the landscape. Much of the fieldwork on this project is conducted on foot, with volunteers and staff hiking through the mountains of the Underberg rather than relying on vehicles. By prioritising walking and hiking for daily monitoring, site visits and field activities, we significantly reduce fuel use, emissions and noise pollution, while also minimising disturbance to wildlife and fragile habitats. This human-powered approach allows for more careful observation, lighter environmental impact, and a deeper understanding of the landscape volunteers are helping to protect.

The project’s Mzimkulu Vulture Hide is fully powered by solar energy, allowing daily conservation activities to take place using renewable power in a remote environment. Volunteer accommodation also incorporates energy-saving measures including energy-efficient lighting, geyser blankets to reduce electricity use, recycling systems, rainwater collection and the use of natural-based cleaning products. Volunteers are actively encouraged to minimise electricity and water use during their stay.

Food choices also play an important role in reducing our overall carbon footprint. We source groceries locally wherever possible, including dairy products from nearby suppliers such as Underberg Dairy, which helps reduce food miles while supporting the local economy. Reusable shopping bags and cooler boxes are used to avoid single-use plastic packaging. Vegetarian and vegan meal options are available to all volunteers, and volunteers prepare their own meals, allowing individuals to make lower-impact food choices while ensuring all dietary requirements are accommodated.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

The Southern Drakensberg Conservation Project is a nature-positive trip that directly contributes to the protection and recovery of threatened species and habitats in one of southern Africa’s most important mountain ecosystems.

The project focuses on the conservation of endangered vulture species, particularly the regionally Critically Endangered Bearded Vulture and the Vulnerable Cape Vulture, both of which are experiencing severe population declines. As keystone scavengers, vultures play a vital role in ecosystem health, disease control and nutrient cycling.

The project operates in and around the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, a globally significant protected area spanning more than 240,000 hectares along the South Africa–Lesotho border. This mountain landscape is a crucial stronghold for threatened species and supports exceptional biodiversity, including over 2,000 plant species and a range of rare and endangered wildlife.

Through a long-term collaboration between several South African NGOs, the project actively contributes to the protection and effective management of this landscape. Volunteers play a direct role in hands-on conservation activities that create measurable benefits for wildlife, including:
- Monitoring active and historical vulture nesting sites to support breeding success and inform management decisions
- Managing and maintaining vulture safe feeding sites, which reduce poisoning risk and provide reliable food sources in a changing landscape
- Conducting long-term remote camera trap surveys that contribute valuable data on wildlife presence, behaviour and habitat use
- Occasionally assisting with emergency responses, such as poisoning incidents or injured wildlife, where rapid action can be critical to survival

Rather than simply minimising harm, this trip is designed to actively strengthen conservation outcomes. The voluntourism model enables our organisation to maintain a continuous field presence, expand monitoring coverage and secure sustainable funding for long-term conservation work that would otherwise be limited by resources. Volunteer participation directly supports the protection of endangered species while contributing to the broader understanding and management of one of southern Africa’s most important mountain ecosystems.

By taking part in this project, travelers are not passive observers of nature, but active contributors to the protection and recovery of biodiversity in a globally significant landscape.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY The Southern Drakensberg Conservation Project is based in a rural area where local economic opportunities are fairly limited, and the project is designed to ensure that benefits remain within the region. Volunteer accommodation is locally owned, and groceries and supplies are sourced locally wherever possible. This includes purchasing dairy products from nearby suppliers such as Underberg Dairy, as well as using local shops and services in the surrounding area. The project works closely with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the provincial conservation authority, ensuring that volunteer contributions support local conservation management and protected area operations rather than external or international operators. The project is also involved in other collaborations with entities such as the Southern Drakensberg Environmental Forum. The Southern Drakensberg Conservation Project supports the local economy where possible, making use of local restaurants and cafés, and encouraging volunteers to spend time in the surrounding community. Where possible, the project also supports local events, such as the Underberg Golf Day, contributing to locally run businesses and community initiatives in the area. EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY We only employ South African nationals largely due to the fact that we believe we should be offering jobs to members within our job-poor economy in South Africa, before looking to offer employment to foreign nationals. This includes the Southern Drakensberg Conservation Project. We also focus on employing individuals from local and regional communities wherever possible. The organisation is committed to fair employment practices and pays staff at least the legal minimum wage in South Africa. We maintain inclusive workplace policies that promote equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, nationality or background, and actively works to create an environment where diverse perspectives are valued. The project welcomes volunteers from a wide range of countries, backgrounds and age groups and is LGBTQ+ friendly. Due to the physically demanding nature of the work and the mountainous terrain, the trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility, vision or hearing impairments; however this is clearly communicated in advance to ensure informed participation.