Note: This program is currently unavailable. Check out our other elephant conservation programs.
This project is an interesting, informative and fun educational program that is made up of learning and research tasks through wildlife volunteering along the stunning Garden Route of South Africa. This four week program provides ample opportunity for volunteers to engage in a host of different conservation efforts and research initiatives, working closely with African Elephants. Volunteers on this project will be able to learn about elephant conservation in South Africa, be involved with regional elephant conservation projects and research initiatives and learn about the perpetual threats to ecosystems and the environment.
This project is an interesting, informative and fun educational program that is made up of learning and research tasks through wildlife volunteering along the stunning Garden Route of South Africa. This four week program provides ample opportunity for volunteers to engage in a host of different conservation efforts and research initiatives, working closely with African Elephants. Volunteers on this project will be able to learn about elephant conservation in South Africa, be involved with regional elephant conservation projects and research initiatives and learn about the perpetual threats to ecosystems and the environment.
Location of the Project:
The Garden Route, South Africa
Project length:
Min 2 weeks - Max 4 weeks
Arrival Airport:
George Airport (GRJ)
Age:
18-60
Number of Volunteers:
Up to 12 International volunteers
Important Note:
Some start dates for 2018 are only valid for a 2-week program duration stay, and other start dates are only valid for a 4-week duration. Please check with a placement coordinator before selecting your start date.
What's Included
Accommodations:
Shared rooms in volunteer house
Food:
Three meals per day are included
Airport Transfers:
Included on arrival and departure
Orientation:
Orientation: full project details will be sent following registration. Training: all necessary training and introductions provided upon arrival.
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
The Garden Route is a stretch of land on the South Eastern coast of South Africa. It is located between the seaside town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the famous Storms River in the Eastern Cape. The area is well known for its lush and environmentally varied vegetation as well as the many lagoons and lakes scattered along its coast. It includes towns such as Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and George - the Garden Route's largest city.
The varied ecosystems of the region fill up to ten nature reserves, including a variety of distinctive marine reserves, home to soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a host of other marine life. Due to its diversity of habitat and endemic species accounts, this region is a favoured research zone.
The varied ecosystems of the region fill up to ten nature reserves, including a variety of distinctive marine reserves, home to soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a host of other marine life. Due to its diversity of habitat and endemic species accounts, this region is a favoured research zone.
This project consits of four weeks that involve different volunteer tasks.
Week 1: Elephant Husbandry, Care, Welfare and Management: This first week will involve learning about various elements of elephant care. Volunteers will become familiar with every facet of an elephant’s life, becoming involved in various management functions, including the repair and maintenance of the grounds. Throughout the 4 week program volunteers will be required to report back on their experiences and provide feedback to the other volunteers. Each day volunteers will be tasked with individual and group research assignments.
Week 2: Elephant Behavior Research, Monitoring and Observation and Interpretation: During this week volunteers will be guided through the use of various tools, techniques and mechanisms to record, monitor and note interesting behavioral observations and features pertaining to each of the Elephants. As well as providing feedback, volunteers will also be required to compile their own account of the elephants through photographic accounts, written accounts and recorded research data.
Week 3: Wild Elephant Behavior and Ecological Adaptability Wilderness Safari: During this week volunteers will be taken to the world renowned Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth for a five-day elephant observation, interpretive and facilitated safari experience. During this week wild elephant behavior is observed and monitored. During this week volunteers will also observe all the other animals in Addo and how they relate to one another.
Week 4: Elephant Behavior, Adaptations and Observations and Conservation Research Projects: The final week is an accumulation of all the knowledge and practical experience volunteers have acquired over the past 3 weeks. Individual experiences and interesting facts pertaining to elephant life, ecology, behavior and adaptability are collated by the group in presentation format. The document is copied, bound and presented to each participant when the program concludes.
Week 1: Elephant Husbandry, Care, Welfare and Management: This first week will involve learning about various elements of elephant care. Volunteers will become familiar with every facet of an elephant’s life, becoming involved in various management functions, including the repair and maintenance of the grounds. Throughout the 4 week program volunteers will be required to report back on their experiences and provide feedback to the other volunteers. Each day volunteers will be tasked with individual and group research assignments.
Week 2: Elephant Behavior Research, Monitoring and Observation and Interpretation: During this week volunteers will be guided through the use of various tools, techniques and mechanisms to record, monitor and note interesting behavioral observations and features pertaining to each of the Elephants. As well as providing feedback, volunteers will also be required to compile their own account of the elephants through photographic accounts, written accounts and recorded research data.
Week 3: Wild Elephant Behavior and Ecological Adaptability Wilderness Safari: During this week volunteers will be taken to the world renowned Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth for a five-day elephant observation, interpretive and facilitated safari experience. During this week wild elephant behavior is observed and monitored. During this week volunteers will also observe all the other animals in Addo and how they relate to one another.
Week 4: Elephant Behavior, Adaptations and Observations and Conservation Research Projects: The final week is an accumulation of all the knowledge and practical experience volunteers have acquired over the past 3 weeks. Individual experiences and interesting facts pertaining to elephant life, ecology, behavior and adaptability are collated by the group in presentation format. The document is copied, bound and presented to each participant when the program concludes.
Internet:
There is no WiFi available
Laundry:
There is a washing machine available
Accommodations:
Weeks 1, 2 and 4 are based exclusively at the sanctuary. Week 3 is an outward bound extension module where volunteers are based at the world renowned Addo Elephant National Park for five days. Volunteers will be accommodated 20 km from Plettenberg Bay. All accommodations are comfortable and up-to-date with necessary amenities. The rooms are shared and separate-gender, with two volunteers per room and separate bathrooms.
Food:
​Three meals per day are provided. Breakfast consists of cereals, fruit, yogurt, toast, and spreads and is available on a serve yourself basis. Lunch is will be in the form of a packed lunch on excursion days or a buffet of breads, fruit, cold meats and spreads for sandwiches. A hot meal will be served every night for dinner and includes a meat, a starch, and vegetables.
Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:
- CV/ Resume
- Good level of physical fitness
- Basic level of English
- Prepared to get dirty
- Passion for wild animals ( especially elephants)
For an additional fee the following activities may be available. Please enquire about availability and cost after registration.
- Bungy Jumping off Bloukrantz Bridge
- Canyoneering
- Cage Swimming with Great White Sharks in Mossel Bay
- Animal Sanctuary Visit in Crags – Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Jukani Predator Park
- Guided Walks and Guided Canoeing at different spots in the area
- Guided Interpretive Bush Walk Experiences
- Various Experiential Bush Eco-Adventures and an Overnight Bush Survival Adventures just outside Plettenberg Bay
- Skydiving in Plettenberg Bay and Tandem Paragliding in Wilderness or Sedgefield
- SCUBA Diving in Plettenberg Bay or Knysna or Jeffreys Bay
- Learn to Kite Surf or Sail in Knysna
- Swim with Seals in Plettenberg Bay
- Oudsthoorn Full Day Adventure – Cango Wildlife Ranch, Ostrich Farm and Cango Caves Wild Adventure
- Horse Riding in the Forests in the Crags or at Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve
©2016 GoEco. All rights reserved.
Destination 
Activities - Wildlife and Animal Conservation
- Marine and Coral Reef Conservation
- Community Aid and Development
- Volunteer with Children
- International Internships
- Most Affordable Volunteer Programs
- Volunteer Vacations and Tours
- Learn Spanish and Volunteer
- Teens and High School Students
- Family Volunteer Vacations
- 50+ Volunteering
- Medical and Healthcare
- Teach English Abroad
- Special Offers
More Info