GoEco > Africa > South Africa > Big 5 Wildlife Course

South Africa – Big 5 Wildlife Course

Fast Facts

Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs available in Africa or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.

Join a 10-day wildlife experience in South Africa! Tour Cape Town, learn bush survival skills and monitor wildlife species for conservation purposes.

Program Highlights:

Gain experience in wildlife conservation
Observe Africa’s Big Five up-close
Care for elephants and other wildlife species on the reserve
Ethical wildlife volunteer tasks and interactions
Learn bush survival skills and how to collect data on animal behaviors
Enjoy two days in beautiful Cape Town

Itinerary:

Arrival Day, Friday: Arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT). You will be picked up from the airport and given a map of the area. You will be able to explore the beach, mountains and more on your own on this day. Settle in to the hostel and meet your fellow participants. The evening brings a traditional South African BBQ.

Day 2, Saturday: Following breakfast, you will go on a guided, group tour. A few highlights of this day include visits to the Parliament buildings and the District Six Museum and shopping in Greenmarket Square.

Day 3, Sunday: Early rise, breakfast and then you will be transported to your volunteer program, which is about 20 kilometers from Mossel Bay. Upon arrival at your project, you will be checked in, complete paperwork and receive your orientation. Thereafter you can join everyone at the fire for a braai (BBQ).

Days 4-9, Monday – Saturday: The day will begin with breakfast and a morning activity. Following lunch will be an afternoon activity and clean-up duties, followed by free time and dinner. Daily activities may include preparing food and feeding animals, monitoring and observing the Big Five, conducting soil and water studies, maintaining the reserve, studying animal behavior and more.

Day 10, Sunday: You will have this day to relax at the premises or book an activity. In the evening you will have your farewell braai (BBQ) around the bonfire.

Day 11, Monday: Departure day. You will be transported back to the airport.

Location of the Project: Mossel Bay, South Africa

Project length: 10 days

Arrival Airport: Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Volunteer Work: Wildlife observation, Data collection

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared, dorm-style rooms

Food: Three meals per day are included

Airport Transfers: Airport transfers are provided on both arrival and departure days

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, personal expenses.

Location

Volunteer Work

Activities may include (and are not limited to):

Wildlife nutrition and feeding
Anti poaching information and patrols
Basic soil studies
Basic water studies
Fauna and flora, and related research
Basic reserve maintenance (fences, roads, construction etc.)
Boma elephant care and nutrition
Predator care and monitoring (lions)
Tracking released cheetah on foot
Learn some bush cooking skills “boskos”
Basic survival skills
Animal behavior and approaching on foot
Conservation projects (planting trees, erosion control, seed harvesting etc.)

Groups may be split in 2 or even smaller groups for some of these activities.

Living Arrangements

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers will be in single-gender, shared, dorm-style rooms. Each room will host 2-8 people, and there is a communal lounge and kitchen.

Food icon Food: Three meals per day are included. Breakfast is self-serve and consists of cereals, fruit, yogurt, toast & spreads. Lunch is also self-serve and generally consists of breads, fruit, cold meats & spreads. A hot meal will be served every night. Dinners range from traditional BBQ’s to stews and casseroles with fresh vegetable . Tea and coffee are available all day.