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Big 5 Volunteer Project South Africa
Big 5 Volunteer Project South Africa
KL

Highlights: Oudtshoorn


Other Departures: Manchester - £2105, Glasgow - £2145, Birmingham - £1315, Edinburgh - £2145, Norwich - £2185, Leeds Bradford - £2149, Aberdeen - £2195, Cardiff - £2189


Activities:
- Cape Town weekend visit (optional)
- Visit Cango caves
- Watch the Meercats
- Visit Garden route


Itinerary:


Day 1:
London to George airport


Day 2:
Transfers to the Lodge.
Orientation upon arrival.
Dinner.


Day 3:
07:00 - 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 08:10 Morning meeting 08:10 – 10:00 Hands-on (Lion Enclosure) 10:00 – 12:00 Research & Conservation (Monitor meerkats) 12:00 - 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Lion food prep 14:00 – 15:00 Rehabilitation, Sustainability & Recycling (Veggie garden) 15:00 – 17:00 Research & Conservation (Monitor bush kamera) 17:00 – 18:00 Dinner prep 18:00 – 22:00 Dinner & Cleaning 22:30 Lights out


Day 4:
07:00 - 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 08:10 Morning meeting 08:10 – 10:00 Hands-on (Lion Enclosure) 10:00 - 12:00 Research & Conservation (Game Count) 12:00 - 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Lion food prep 14:00 - 15:00 Educational (Animal behavior) 15:00 – 17:00 Rehabilitation, Sustainability & Recycling (Recycling of elephant dung) 17:00 – 18:00 Dinner prep 18:00 – 22:00 Dinner & Cleaning 22:30 – Lights out


Day 5:
07:00 - 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 08:10 Morning meeting 08:10 - 10:00 Hands-on (Lion Enclosure) 10:00 – 12:00 Hands-on (Fence patrol – Naankuse section 1) 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Lion food prep 14:00 – 15:00 Educational (Learn Surviving techniques) 15:00 – 17:00 Research & Conservation (Planting trees – Acacia Karoo) 17:00 – 18:00 Dinner prep 18:00 – 22:00 Dinner & Cleaning 22:30 Lights out


Day 6:
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 08:10 Morning meeting 08:10 - 10:00 Hands-on (Lion Enclosure) 10:00 – 12:00 Reseach & Conservation (Monitor meerkats) 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Lion food prep 14:00 – 16:00 Hands-on (Road maintenance) 16:00 – 17:00 Rehabilitation, Sustainability & Recycling (Veggie garden) 17:00 – 18:00 Dinner prep 18:00 – 22:00 Dinner & Cleaning 22:30 Lights out Saturday


Day 7:
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 08:10 Morning meeting 08:10 - 10:00 Hands-on (Lion Enclosure) 10:00 - 12:00 Research & Conservation (Erosion Control) 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Lion food prep 14:00 – 16:00 Research & Conservation (Monitor bush camera) 16:00 – 17:00 Research & Conservation (Birding) 17:00 – 18:00 Dinner prep 18:00 – 22:00 Dinner & Cleaning 22:30 Lights out


Day 8:
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 08:10 Morning meeting 08:10 - 10:00 Hands-on (Lion Enclosure) 10:00 – 12:00 Research & Conservation (Planting trees) 12:00 - 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Lion food prep 14:00 - 15:00 Educational (Surviving technique) 15:00 – 17:00 Educational (Tracking) 17:00 – 18:00 Dinner prep 18:00 – 22:00 Dinner & Cleaning 22:30 Lights out


Day 9:
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 08:10 Morning meeting 08:10 - 10:00 Hands-on (Lion Enclosure) 10:00 – 11:00 Hands-on (Cleaning & repairing around camp) 11:00 - 12:00 Research & Conservation (Animal time) 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Lion food prep 14:00 – 16:00 Rehabilitation, Sustainability & Recycling (Recycling elephant dung) 16:00 – 17:00 Educational (Tracking & Geology) 17:00 – 18:00 Dinner prep 18:00 – 22:00 Dinner & Cleaning 22:30 Lights out


Day 10:
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 08:10 Morning meeting 08:10 - 10:00 Hands-on (Lion Enclosure) 10:00 - 12:00 Research & Conservation (Bush camera monitor) 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Lion food prep 15:00 – 16:00 Hands-on (Fence patrolling – Naankuse section 2) 14:00 – 17:00 Rehabilitation, Sustainability & Recycling (Vegetable garden) 17:00 – 18:00 Dinner prep 18:00 – 22:00 Dinner & Cleaning 22:30 Lights out


Day 11:
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 08:10 Morning meeting 08:10 - 10:00 Hands-on (Lion Enclosure) 10:00 – 12:00 Research & Conservation (Remove invasive plants) 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Lion food prep 13:00 – 14:00 Research & Conservation (Erosion control) 15:00 17:00 Research & Conservation (Monitor meerkats) 17:00 – 18:00 Dinner prep 18:00 – 22:00 Dinner & Cleaning 22:30 Lights out


Day 12:
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 08:10 Morning meeting 08:10 - 10:00 Hands-on (Lion Enclosure) 10:00 – 12:00 Research & Conservation (Animal time) 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch 13:00 – 14:00 Lion food prep 14:00 – 16:00 Hands-on (Elephant Enclosure) 16:00 - 17:00 Elephant food prep 17:00 – 18:00 Dinner prep 18:00 – 22:00 Dinner & Cleaning 22:30 Lights out


Day 13:
Transfer to the airport for onward travel.


What to pack:
Volunteer work at Buffelsdrift includes being very hands-on with animals, project work and walking with elephants so you are likely to get very dirty! Old and dispensable clothes are advisable for daily activities. While working in the bush you will need suitable footwear and casual old clothes for evenings and weekends. While we do not sell any toiletries, cosmetics, sunscreen or other items apart from snacks and drinks at the lodge, Sunday trips to Oudtshoorn are available but it is advisable to bring enough of what you need for the duration of your stay.


General:
- Toiletries – Please bring biodegradable products if possible.
- Sleeping bag: for use at our Research Sites and useful for winter months at the program, possible overnight sleep outs in the field, or if you plan to travel outside of your project
- Silk or Cotton Liner: Ideal for hot nights or as an extra layer to your sleeping bag
- Sunglasses (high UV protection)
- Sunscreen (high factor needed)
- Torch and batteries (preferably a head torch)
- Alarm clock/watch
- Diary and writing pens
- Camera/batteries/film or memory card
- Water bottle at least 75cl
- Day pack/rucksack for everyday use
- Mobile phone set for roaming – local SIM cards are available at the airport
- Swimming towel
- Sewing kit and a pocket knife for general use (not in hand luggage!)
- Plug adaptor (3 large round pins)
- The evenings can be quiet so bring books, cards, iPods, etc.


Clothing (if possible, please mark your clothing with your name prior to arrival):
- Sets of outdoor loose-fitting cotton clothes with adequate cover for cool mornings and evenings
- Sun hat/bandana
- Closed-toed shoes for walks in the field, as well as boots or sturdy trainers for project work
- Work clothes that you don’t mind getting worn and dirty
- Casual clothes for day trips to Oudtshoorn and for weekend activities
- Flip flops/sandals
- Underwear enough for at least seven days (laundry services are available on-premises)
- Pajamas/nightwear
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm clothes for winter and early mornings.


Medical Kit:
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Re-hydration salts and Imodium or similar product
- Any personal medication e.g. prescription drugs/inhalers
- Contact lenses and solution if necessary
- Lip Balm with SPF
- Sanitary products if necessary
- Mosquito repellent (please bring non-DEET mosquito repellent since DEET is not environmentally friendly)
- Ear Plugs – you may be sharing a room with 1 or 4 people and sometimes even an animal The type of clothing you should bring depends on the time of year you visit. May to September is the winter period and can be very cold at night and in the early mornings and daytime temperatures can vary. A sleeping bag is recommended! October to April is the summer period and the rainy season is from November February. Whilst during this time it is generally hot during the day it can rain and become chilly in the evenings.


Weekend Activities:
Weekends at the lodge tend to involve a Saturday activity that can vary from paintball, nature walk through the reserve, “boere sport” competition, volleyball or challenges and quizzes. You will also be able to enjoy the activities in the surrounding area such as Ziplining, Cango Caves, Ostrich Farm and Wine Tasting at Karusa Wine Cellars. Evenings involve a braai and time to socialize and relax together. Sundays you may have the option to visit Oudtshoorn or spend some time at our luxury lodge for the day.



Offer Includes

  • Flights from London Heathrow with KLM
  • Airport taxes
  • 12 nights accommodation as per itinerary
  • Airport return transfers
  • Arrival orientation
  • Full support and assistance from your programme coordinator
  • Activities as per itinerary

Meal Plans

  • As per Itinerary