Conservation vacation for teenagers, South Africa

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We openly recognise the challenge we are facing and are trying to do everything we can to tackle climate change – we care deeply for our planet! We have put in place steps to minimise environmental impact and address the emissions from flights. For every volunteer that joins a this project, we contribute to environmental initiatives in countries we work in, we are currently focusing wet land restoration in Peru.

We encourage our volunteers to combine volunteering with a vacation to explore the country so that it reduces the number of flights that they do. We encourage flying direct, as indirect flights use more fuel. We use shared transport for the group.

Vegetarian food is available.

Volunteers are asked reduce the amount of plastic they use on vacation but taking reusable bags, water bottles, straws and cutlery as well as taking shampoo and conditioner bars rather than in plastic bottles. When on the trip volunteers are asked to use water carefully, switch off all electric devises when they leave rooms and use public transport to explore.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

The nature of this trip is all about making a difference, contributing to an important wildlife conservation research project.

Your hard work enables the project to study important questions. The results of this research have the potential to be extremely influential for private reserves in Africa. Current studies being undertaken include rhino movement patterns, elephant range and movement patterns, elephant vegetation preferences and impacts, lion social behaviour and bird surveys. Data is used by both external organisations such as Cape Town University and the reserve’s own ecologist.

Private game reserves now collectively represent more land under conservation than national parks. These reserves often don’t benefit from national government funding and are reliant on self funded conservation research projects such as this to create essential data from which to develop best practice policies for private reserve managers.

Volunteers are also involved in other essential hands on activities that are critical to conserving the environment on the reserve.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Volunteers join the project and support local community initiatives at schools, health car center, domestic animal rescue projects and soup kitchens to support those who may not be able to afford hot meals at home. These all directly support the financially marginalised communities who live close to the wildlife reserve.

The team and volunteers are highly regarded by the local people since they are helping to conserve the environment and protect the wildlife and environment which are a tourist attraction, bringing in tourist income to the local community.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

By joining this project you are helping to provide employment for local rangers, conservation staff and hospitality staff year-round at the research base. While volunteers are in-country, we encourage them to buy locally and support local businesses and locally owned restaurants. Volunteers are also able to assist with a community projects whereby children from the local community can learn about environmental issues.