
Aid South Africa’s conservation efforts by volunteering with the iconic ‘Big 5’ on one of the country’s most diverse wildlife reserves.
Located in South Africa’s beautiful Eastern Cape, the Kariega ‘Big 5’ Conservation Project offers volunteers the opportunity to aid conservation efforts from within a marvellous 11,000 hectare reserve. Roaming throughout the reserve are members of the ‘Big 5’ which have been aided and sustained by both the project staff and the reserve’s pristine landscape, which is home to the Bushman and Kariega Rivers. These two water sources have nurtured the reserve’s wildlife ever since the project’s inception back in 1989, but modern pressures (including an increase in crimes such as poaching) mean that more must be done to provide a lifeline to species such as rhinos, elephants and more.
As a volunteer, you will take part in a wide variety of activities, assisting in the daily running of the game reserve and becoming an ‘assistant conservation manager’. You may help out in an array of tasks such as game capture (including that of lions and buffalo), elephant impact monitoring, and the occasional relocation of animals, with your time on the project being so much more than ‘just another safari experience’. A volunteer experience on the Kariega ‘Big 5’ Conservation Project will allow you to make a real difference to the lives of South Africa’s wildlife species, so for a new take on the ‘classic Africa’ experience, look no further than here.
Located in South Africa’s beautiful Eastern Cape, the Kariega ‘Big 5’ Conservation Project offers volunteers the opportunity to aid conservation efforts from within a marvellous 11,000 hectare reserve. Roaming throughout the reserve are members of the ‘Big 5’ which have been aided and sustained by both the project staff and the reserve’s pristine landscape, which is home to the Bushman and Kariega Rivers. These two water sources have nurtured the reserve’s wildlife ever since the project’s inception back in 1989, but modern pressures (including an increase in crimes such as poaching) mean that more must be done to provide a lifeline to species such as rhinos, elephants and more.
As a volunteer, you will take part in a wide variety of activities, assisting in the daily running of the game reserve and becoming an ‘assistant conservation manager’. You may help out in an array of tasks such as game capture (including that of lions and buffalo), elephant impact monitoring, and the occasional relocation of animals, with your time on the project being so much more than ‘just another safari experience’. A volunteer experience on the Kariega ‘Big 5’ Conservation Project will allow you to make a real difference to the lives of South Africa’s wildlife species, so for a new take on the ‘classic Africa’ experience, look no further than here.
Below is an example of a 2-week itinerary, but it is possible to join for up to 12 weeks. Staying for 2 weeks will allow you to take part in as many of the activities as possible and a longer stay will provide a more in-depth experience.
You are able to join this project on any Monday throughout the year, except over the Christmas period when the project is closed. To secure a place on this project, a deposit of $245 is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due any time up to 60 days prior to your start date.
Select a duration below to see all available start dates. Please note that the maximum age for joining this project is 60 years old.
During your time on the project, you will be staying in the volunteer house which is situated right in the middle of the reserve and has views of the Indian Ocean. The house consists of five spacious twin-share rooms, each with an en-suite bathroom. Elsewhere you will find a fully-equipped kitchen with a washing machine, a comfortable living area, and a dining area in which to enjoy your evening meals. Outside of the house, you will find a plunge pool (a welcome relief after a hot day working under the African sun!) and a braai area, which is the perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy a sky full of stars at the end of a busy day!
Whilst food is provided for you on this project, volunteers need to prepare their own meals, which you can do either for yourself or as a group. Depending on the weather, you may occasionally get the chance to enjoy a braai, something which is often a highlight of the volunteer experience. Nights spent around the fire having a braai (BBQ) are a big part of South African culture, and should you have the opportunity to indulge in this enjoyable pastime, you will find that it offers a great chance to relax whilst getting to know your fellow volunteers and the team.
Nearly all the activities take place year-round except for the community-based projects, as schools are closed in South Africa between mid-December and early January. Therefore, if you are keen to get involved with the community projects, you should avoid volunteering during this time. The only other factor that may impact your preference of when to volunteer is the weather.
Due to its position on the Eastern Cape, the reserve typically enjoys mild, pleasant weather throughout the year with occasional rain (but no distinct wet season). There are 2 seasons which are explained below:
Summer (November - April): During these months, daytime temperatures average 25–30°C (77-86°F), but can occasionally go up to 35°C (95°F) with January and February being the hottest months of the year. At night, it stays relatively warm, averaging 15°C (59°F).
Winter (May – October): This time of year is still very pleasant during the day with temperatures between 20–25°C (68-77°F), however, it can get very cold at night with temperatures falling to 5-10°C (41-50°F).
You will need to fly into Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) on your project start date, and there are several daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. The project site is located approximately 2 hours from Port Elizabeth Airport by car, and airport transfers can be arranged, but please note that this will come at an additional cost.
If you do require a transfer, please ensure that you arrive into Port Elizabeth by 1pm, to ensure you have time to collect your luggage and pass through airport security before your transfer leaves at 2pm. A one-way transfer costs R900 (approximately $63) for one person, or R450 (approximately $32) per person for two or more people sharing a vehicle.
Transfers back to Port Elizabeth Airport on your final day arrive at 11am so you must book a flight that departs after 12:30pm.
Citizens of most countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and most of those within the EU, do not need to obtain a visa to enter South Africa and are granted entry for up to 90 days upon arrival. You will, however, need at least 2 blank pages in your passport for the immigration officials to use and your passport must be valid for a period of at least 6 months from your date of entry.
If you are unsure of your individual visa requirements, we recommend speaking to your local South African embassy at least 2 months prior to travel.
We recommend all volunteers have a moderate level of fitness, as the days are busy and you will be involved in a variety of activities! Whilst no specific skills are required, we ask that everyone arrives with a willingness to get involved and a respect for the wildlife and the committed project staff with whom you will be working.
The vaccinations required will depend on the individual medical history of each volunteer. We recommend that you consult with your doctor/GP regarding your own vaccination needs as this will ensure you are protected and prepared to travel. In conjunction with this, we also recommend that you take a look at the Fit for Travel website for more helpful information on how best to prepare for your experience.
See what you could get up to as a volunteer at the Kariega Game Reserve, from 'Big 5' game drives and reserve management to community initiatives and spending time with the anti-poaching unit. Kariega offers an incredible African conservation experience to all!
Lou, Garnet and Jakob share their experience of volunteering at the Kariega Game Reserve as they embark on game drives, a river cruise, and work on local community initiatives.