
Experience life as a Big Cat Conservation Volunteer in the bush of Botswana's stunning Kalahari Desert
This incredible volunteering program, situated next to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (the world's second largest game reserve), aims to provide volunteers with an educational experience that actively contributes towards conservation efforts in this stunning region of Botswana. This project is situated within 10,000 hectares of farm-like land, and as a result provides wildlife in Botswana with an ideal environment in which to live and thrive, as well as many stunning landscapes and panoramic vistas.
Whilst on the project you will also be offered many opportunities to experience the local culture and to encounter a wide range of animals living within the area through bush walks, including lions, leopards, giraffes and even wild dogs!
As a volunteer you will spend time learning practical information about the environment and surrounding ecosystem. Hands-on work in the bush provides detailed insights into the lives and behaviours of the many different species indigenous to the area, allowing you to gain a vast amount of knowledge about African animals, wildlife management and general facts about wildlife conservation in Botswana from the facilitators.
The day to day work includes everything from helping in the maintenance of the facilities to cleaning predator enclosures after the animals are fed. If you wish you will also be able to take part in an additional activity and meet the local bushmen, but please note that this does come at an extra, albeit minimal, cost.
A thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience; this project will provide you with memories that will last a lifetime!
This incredible volunteering program, situated next to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (the world's second largest game reserve), aims to provide volunteers with an educational experience that actively contributes towards conservation efforts in this stunning region of Botswana. This project is situated within 10,000 hectares of farm-like land, and as a result provides wildlife in Botswana with an ideal environment in which to live and thrive, as well as many stunning landscapes and panoramic vistas.
Whilst on the project you will also be offered many opportunities to experience the local culture and to encounter a wide range of animals living within the area through bush walks, including lions, leopards, giraffes and even wild dogs!
As a volunteer you will spend time learning practical information about the environment and surrounding ecosystem. Hands-on work in the bush provides detailed insights into the lives and behaviours of the many different species indigenous to the area, allowing you to gain a vast amount of knowledge about African animals, wildlife management and general facts about wildlife conservation in Botswana from the facilitators.
The day to day work includes everything from helping in the maintenance of the facilities to cleaning predator enclosures after the animals are fed. If you wish you will also be able to take part in an additional activity and meet the local bushmen, but please note that this does come at an extra, albeit minimal, cost.
A thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience; this project will provide you with memories that will last a lifetime!
During your time at this project you can expect to take part in the following activities:
Please note that you need to stay at the Okavango River Lodge the night before the project start date and on the final day of your project you will be transferred back to the Okavango River lodge where you will spend your final night.
The nights at the Okavango River Lodge and the transfers to and from the project site are not included in the project price but can be booked by us for payment on arrival.
For the first night at the project, you will need to stay at the Okavango River Lodge, just outside of Maun. Whilst at the project, you will share single-sex tents at a campsite on the farm - single accommodation may be available on request. Tents are secured by a natural barrier of thorny bushes to protect against animal intruders. Each tent includes four beds, shelves and chairs, as well as linens, pillows and duvets. There is a nearby washing block with fresh, running water, with cold showers and toilets. There is no telephone signal in the camp, but wifi is available to use on Sundays. Single accommodation requests can be catered for if requested, but this depends on the size of the group at the project at that time.
Three meals a day and beverages are provided by the site’s fully-equipped kitchen. The chef at the project ensures the menu has a great variety and the facilities also allow for home cooked meals from the stove or fire. Meals tend to consist of game meat, beef, chicken, vegetables, rice, potatoes and pasta and are usually served with a side salad. Vegetarians are catered for, but if you have any special dietary needs or allergies, you will need to let us in advance. Unfortunately, vegans cannot be catered for on this project. Water here is provided by a natural underground source which provides clean drinking water - you just need to bring your own bottle! Soft drinks, beers and ciders are available for purchase on site.
This project involves a fair amount of manual work. Therefore, a moderate level of fitness is necessary. However, the project aims to give you a balanced mix between physical work, safari experiences and lectures. In terms of skills, no specific skills or experience are required, only a positive attitude and full commitment to the cause. You must be prepared to work as part of a team!
There are 2 main seasons in Botswana which effect the weather and also the wildlife.
Summer (November to March): Most of Botswana’s rainfall occurs from December to March but it may be earlier. The rain completely transforms the landscape in beautiful ways. This season spawns a baby boom, so if you love seeing tiny warthogs, infant zebras and baby impalas, this is the time of year to come. The disadvantage is that wildlife becomes slightly harder to spot behind denser bushes and taller grass. It makes a game drive or bush walk less predictable, but heightens the excitement!
The weather in this period, whilst being wetter, is also hotter with daytime temperature reaching 35°C (95°F).
Winter (April to October): In winter, which is also known as the dry season, you will experience little to no rain during the entire season. Humidity is also low, typically between 20% and 40%.
The dry season is also the best time to view wildlife as the animals are easy to spot over longer distances because the grass is short and the bushes are thin, plus, animals gather in larger herds to drink from the few remaining water sources. The project is located in the Kalahari, so you will need to expect some frosty mornings and chilly evenings.
Please contact a member of the team to learn more about how you will get to this project.
If you would like help booking your flights, please visit our flights page and fill out the form. A member of our team will get back in touch as soon as possible with a suitable quote.
A tourist visa can be issued on arrival for most nationalities. The visa costs $30 and can be paid in cash or by credit/debit card.
The currency in Botswana is the Botswana Pula. The exchange rate is around 1 BWP = 0.07 GBP, 0.1 USD, 0.08 EUR. Please note exchange rates are subject to change.