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Big 5 African Wildlife & Conservation

4(3 reviews)
Experience
Volunteer
Destination
South Africa
Duration
2 to 12 weeks
Ages
18 to 85

$1,045

$
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Overview

Embark on an unforgettable volunteer trip and experience the African lifestyle whilst making a real difference to the environment and wildlife. On this amazing adventure, you’ll volunteer in the stunning Eastern Cape and be amongst all the famous faces in the animal kingdom. Picture yourself tracking the movements of wild herds of animals across the 6,000-hectare private game reserve upon an open-top safari, have the chance to spot the ‘big 5’ in their natural habitat and contribute to an important, real-world research and conservation project.

We offer the complete package for those looking to volunteer abroad and, best of all, we’ve joined with exclusive project partners to secure you a guaranteed volunteering placement overseas. You’ll be contributing to the environment and wildlife with both confidence and purpose. Our team will help you with all the essentials, from airport pickup and on-site training to volunteer accommodation and provided meals, plus so much more.

Make a sustainable impact on wildlife conservation, make new friends from all corners of the world and break away from your routine back home as you embark on this incredible volunteer travel opportunity. This trip is perfect for anyone ready to make a difference and lasting impact on Africa’s game park management whilst channelling that adventurous lifestyle at the same time.

Inclusions

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Volunteer project placement
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip visa guidance
Personal Travel Concierge
Comfortable accommodation
Covid-19 Medical InsuranceLIMITED TIME
Return airport transfer
Project supplies
Meals
Local cultural experiences
$200 Global Tour VoucherNEW
Certificate of completion
Ongoing support from our local team
24/7 Global Emergency Line
gWorld access
Marketplace dealsNEW
$250 off your next trip

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-85 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

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Requirements

To participate in the "Big 5 African Wildlife & Conservation" volunteer trip in Port Elizabeth, a number of prerequisites must be met. Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old, possess good English communication skills, have up-to-date health insurance, and be in sufficient physical health to manage field work in varied conditions. An open mind and respectful attitude towards different cultural norms is a must, given the multicultural context in which the trip occurs. Prior experience in conservation is not required, but a passion for wildlife and the environment is essential. Volunteers are also reminded that they'll need to successfully obtain relevant travel documents, such as visas. Lastly, all participants are encouraged to complete a basic training provided by the organising entity to familiarise themselves with wildlife safety and conservation protocols.

Extra Costs

The Working Holiday in the UK will involve several extra costs that participants should account for. Firstly, the visa application fee for the UK Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa is not included in the program cost. Getting your passport, if you don't already have one, is another expense to factor in. Other costs include your international flights to and from the UK, health and travel insurance, and potential accommodation costs upon arrival before you find a more permanent place to live. It's also important to budget for groceries, transportation, internet, utilities and other personal expenses. Similarly, you will need to cover any costs connected to job seeking such as transport to interviews. Remember to also factor in recreational and social activities to make the most of your UK experience.

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Details

Our Wildlife & Conservation Volunteer trip in South Africa is designed to get you volunteering overseas in a safe and fun environment and with a genuine and rewarding purpose. Our expert team and local partners take care of everything you need to start making a positive impact, from volunteer placement to accommodation and ongoing support throughout your entire journey.

Whether you’re doing gap year volunteering or taking a volunteering holiday from work, you’ll arrive in South Africa with the confidence that absolutely everything has been pre-arranged for you. You’ll be able to jump straight into your volunteer duties, relax into the African lifestyle and start making new friends with all the logistical details sorted, from airport transfers to accommodation.

Channel all your energy into immersing yourself in your volunteer placement, as well as taking time to get to know the local area. Spend your weekends getting a golden glow on Port Elizabeth’s beaches, roaming through Grahamstown’s trails and trying the local cuisines instead of sweating the logistical stuff - that’s exactly why we’re here. Feel confident and proud you are contributing much-needed help to a meaningful cause and save yourself the time, money and even the risk of being stranded in a foreign country by having us on your side. Make your time count on this life-changing opportunity to volunteer in Africa and arrive home knowing you've made a lasting and positive impact on Africa’s incredible biodiversity. 

Requirements 

To qualify for this trip, you must be able to undertake laborious duties. You may also be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter this destination at the time of your travel.

What extra costs will I have? 

Flights, travel insurance, visa, vaccinations, criminal background check, souvenirs & spending money.

Itinerary Teaser

Day 1

Once you have touched down at Port Elizabeth International Airport, your pre-arranged transfer will take you to a temporary lodge while you wait for the other volunteers to arrive. Once everyone has arrived, you’ll be taken straight to your volunteer accommodation on the reserve.

Day 2+

7.30am: Rise and shine for your first shift of the day. You could find yourself heading out on a safari game drive to assist with game counts and captures or joining in on lion tracking. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot all of the big 5 on your trip; lion, leopard, rhino, elephants and water buffalo.   9.30am: Take a short break in between shifts and enjoy a hearty breakfast served by the reserve staff.  10.00am: Head out to the nursery and conduct some flora and fauna work, head on wilderness trail walks and patrols and help out with tree planting and landscaping in the reserve or visit a local school to help with their mealtime and connect with the local community.  1.00pm: Join the other travellers on your well-deserved pause from your volunteer duties and indulge in a cooked lunch. 2.00pm: Your last shift of the day might have you removing alien vegetation in and around the reserve, maintaining the wildlife structures or monitoring and patrolling the private game reserve fence to ensure the safety of the animals  6.00pm: Wrap up your busy day with a freshly prepared dinner whilst you watch the sunset and listen to the animal kingdom come alive at night. You’ll then have the option to participate in night activities, such as lion monitoring. Weekends: You’ll have every weekend off, which gives you the perfect opportunity to explore on the included weekend excursions. Make the most of your time off and head to Port Elizabeth where you can watch a game at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, visit Kragga Kamma which is a haven for free-roaming White Rhino, Buffalo, Cheetahs, Giraffe, Zebra or head out to have the chance to spot great white sharks and the southern right whales! Or, visit historic Grahamstown and enjoy a picnic in the botanical gardens or hike the Alexandria Hiking Trail.

Ongoing

Our dedicated team will check in regularly and keep in touch with you throughout your stay but, if at any point during your trip you need travel advice or assistance, we’ll be here to answer all your questions. Don’t forget you can always jump on our social media pages too or buzz our 24/7 emergency support line for urgent matters.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and 'work & travel' company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

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Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

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We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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Big 5 African Wildlife & Conservation