Overview

Inspire offers conservation volunteer work in Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, which provides a natural habitat for over 50 different mammals, including the Big Five. On this Africa volunteer project you support a team of dedicated conservation experts and scientists, as they monitor wildlife, collect data and build a management strategy for the reserve’s ecosystem.

This wildlife conservation role gives you the chance to get up close and personal rhinos, zebras and lions as you learn skills such as animal identification, tracking and behaviour. As a research assistant you could be collecting wildlife samples from traps, helping identify rhinos, radio-tracking lions, or even observing the behaviour of contracepted elephants!

This programme offers a truly unique South Africa volunteer experience ideal for anyone interested in environmental issues who is eager to learn more and make a difference through conservation volunteer work.

Location

Country
South Africa is a country of amazing cultural and natural diversity, where the population shares a staggering 11 official languages and the landscape shifts from dry desert to rolling hillsides and tropical coastline. The ‘Rainbow Nation’ has a notoriously troubled past but nowadays it is a fascinating destination for a gap year or career break abroad.

Region
This volunteer conservation project is based in Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, which is situated in the north-east of South Africa. Welgevonden is located north of Johannesburg within the wildlife-rich ecosystem of the Waterberg plateau.

Local attractions
Welgevonden itself is quite isolated but it is for this reason that it boasts such rich safari wildlife. The natural landscape in the surrounding area is stunning and volunteers can see elephants, lions and rhinos in their natural habitat. Those venturing further afield can visit Johannesburg and Kruger National Park.

Getting there
Volunteers fly into Johannesburg which is located around 150km from Welgevonden. Volunteers are met at the airport and transferred to their project location.

Cost

This volunteer programme supports important environmental research and relies on fundraising to complete its objectives. Your volunteer fee includes a minimum fundraising target, which contributes to the project’s conservation work.

This volunteer project lasts a minimum of two weeks or one month and can be extended on a monthly basis.

Programme Price
2 weeks = £895
1 month = £1,395
Extra months = +£900 per month

What’s Included
• Pre-departure briefing
• On-site accommodation in dormitory buildings or permanent tented camp
• Breakfast, dinner & packed lunch for field work
• Meet at airport and return transfer to project
• In-country orientation & 24/7 support

What’s not included:
• International flights
• Visas, vaccinations and travel insurance
• Personal expenses

How to Book

You can book this volunteer programme online by clicking on ‘Book Now’. After filling in our online booking form you will be asked to pay a sign-up fee of £150 via PayPal, which will confirm your place on the project. Alternatively you can book your place on the phone, by calling 08000 32 33 50 and speaking to one of our volunteer coordinators.

The £150 sign-up fee is not an additional cost and is taken from your total project cost. Your place is not confirmed until we receive this payment. Payments can be made online via PayPal, by phone or by bank transfer. If you have any queries regarding the booking process please get in touch.

Not ready to book?
If you’re not ready to book, but want to find out more about any of our volunteer opportunities, click on ‘Enquire about this trip’ and submit our online enquiry form, or phone us on 08000 32 33 50. Our volunteer coordinators will be happy to answer any questions you may have and advise you on what project best suits you.

What happens next?
Once we have confirmed your booking we will guide you through the application process and be in regular contact as we help you plan your trip of a lifetime!