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8 Week Conservation and Culture

Working with kids at Thembalethu project
 
Local orphans get to meet Modjadji
Chameleon spotted at night
Visit to local Sangoma
Birding programme at Kwa Madwala

Click on images to enlarge

apply online. A chance to not only experience life on a private game reserve but also to donate some time and effort to the neighbouring Thembaletu Community project with its AIDS orphanage and school, visit local townships and the Matsamo Swazi cultural village. Also, meet a local Sangoma (witch doctor) who will perform a traditional reading. The conservation front is also pivotal and a visit to the Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation centre, carnivore and birds of prey programmes plus 3 nights in Kruger are some of the activities undertaken. This is an all round programme with a valuable community contribution whilst getting really close to the African wildlife.

Programme Highlights Include:

  • Community work and township visits
  • Animal orphanage visit
  • Conservation project work
  • Carnivore and birds of prey experience
  • Camping in Mozambique and Kruger National Park

Detailed 8 Week Itinerary (PDF format)

All our programmes include the following activities which we describe in the detailed programme itineraries as Conservation days. These days can be highly varied and sometimes come down to weather conditions, events happening on the reserve and operational needs:

  • Game drives (day and night) and bush walks, where we cover a variety of subjects such as animal spoor tracking, bird identification, tree identification and biodiversity of species

  • Sleep outs on the reserve

  • Informal lectures and practical experience on various aspects of game reserve management, eco-lodges, maintenance, anti-poaching, hunting, agricultural farming, astrology, birding, alien species

  • Interaction and assistance with the Elephant Back Safari programme at Kwa Madwala

  • Practical ranger skills such as 4x4 driving skills / shooting and gun safety

  • House chores around the lodge- cleaning, painting, maintenance, cooking, firewood collection, marketing, telephone reception

  • Visit to nearby Malelane town for personal shopping and internet/telephone access

Please note that the order of events as listed above may change, for a variety of reasons but that the contents will remain the same.

Further Information on Gap Year Experiences