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Photography & Conservation Project in South Africa

Location South Africa
Start Date Every month, contact our advisors for exact dates
Duration
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The Project

You can volunteer in South Africa on an incredible wildlife photography course where volunteers develop skills for taking great shots whilst working alongside an important documentation project where the wildlife of the wetland parks are being captured and documented. In order to preserve indigenous plant life and wildlife, it is essential to get local communities involved. What is lacking in current educational syllabus is a detailed photographic database of the wildlife in the area. The project aims to create a database which will be used for educational purposes. As a volunteer, you will contribute to this goal by taking photographs of as many wildlife species as possible. You will photograph large animals such as elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, as well as smaller creatures such as chameleons, insects, and some of the 521 bird species that call this World Heritage Site home. The best pictures will be included in the project database. The project is a unique opportunity to encounter some of Africa’s most beautiful animals on a daily basis, to improve your photography skills, as well as to contribute to conservation efforts.
Why the project needs you

Photographing wildlife is an activity that relies as strongly on patience and good luck as it does on the right equipment, knowledge of the techniques and creative skill. When a moment arises, an animal is spotted or a particular behavior is observed, the best chance of capturing it comes from as many people, as regularly as possible, being there to catch the moment. This wetland area is vast and in order to build the database that will aid education and research, volunteers with a passion for photography are encouraged to join this project and combine this opportunity to build a stunning portfolio, with a worthy goal that contributes to the conservation efforts.

Project Location

You will be based in a beautiful Private Game Reserve on the North East Coast of South Africa approximately one and a half hours away from St Lucia. The reserve is home to all of the Big 5 as well as 14,000 hectares of breathtaking Africa bush so there will be lots for you to explore every single day of your project. The award winning reserve is in northern Zululand and, as you’ll be living within the reserve, there will be plenty of opportunities to see lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, black and white rhinos as well as over 400 species of birds.
Project Facts

• Duration: 4, 6 or 8 weeks
• Cost: £1795 ($3141) for 4 weeks, £570 ($998) for every extra 2 weeks
• Requirements: age 18+
• Location: Thanda Game Reserve, South Africa
• Project activities: Photography course, photographing wildlife, organising shots in a database, attending workshops and education days for locals.
• Working hours: Monday –Friday 08:30 - 16:30 (some early mornings required for photography).
• Project availability: Project runs every month, contact our advisors by sending an email to info@kayavolunteer.com to find out the exact dates. Project closed between 11th December and 8th January
• This project is incredibly popular and often gets booked up months in advance (max 7 volunteers per month).
What is included

• Accommodation: Shared room in a volunteer house.
• Food: 3 meals per day (except for Sunday).
• Airport pick up and drop off
• Weekly laundry service
• 3 day wildlife photography course
• Training: Pre-departure information pack, on-site Orientation and project induction provided, plus a basic lesson in Zulu language
• Daily transfers to and from your project.
• Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinator.
• Activities: Staff help organise weekend activities. (Activity price may be extra)
What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas

Role of the volunteer

Following your 3 day photography course within the wetland park, you will spend your mornings on various game drives, located in hides or travelling to an area which is to be documented - each day focussing on a different area or animal. In the afternoons, you will organise and document your shots on the database, visit local communities where you can continue documentation in some of the local community development projects and even get involved with some of the community work yourself. On certain days you might get involved with community education talks, workshops and excursions that begin to educate the local people and children at the local schools, on the value of conservation within their land.

Those that wish to stay on for an extra 2/4 weeks, will be working closely with the research volunteers to assist them in gathering photo research that is still needed. They will also have the opportunity to visit neighbouring reserves, such as Pongola.
Skills Required

For this project, enthusiasm for photography is essential. Photographic knowledge and experience is helpful, but not necessary. Volunteers will need to bring their own photographic equipment as a minimum they should bring an SLR digital camera with 18-55 mm lens, battery charger and external hard drive (in the form of at least a 100GB external drive).

Volunteer Testimonial

"I just got back home and I'm still thinking about the whole month. It was beautiful, it was life-altering, it was just ... wow... I'm already thinking about my next volunteer trip." - Bashar Alaeddin, UK

"My photography has improved 10 fold and I know I will persevere with it for the rest of my life. Living so remotely in the bush gave me time to reflect on my life back in London." - Anna Johnson-Hill, UK

Your life outside the project

You time will be mainly spent in the reserve as there is so much to see and do while you are on your project - with over 14,000 hectares, you won’t be disappointed! Should you wish to venture futher afield at weekends, there are a number of activities that our colleagues in Africa can help to arrange for you. These include: a 4 day photographic workshop in the Drakensberg Mountains, weekend trips to swim with dolphins in Mozambique, a trip to see the beautiful and rugged scenery of Swaziland to experience the country’s cultural heritage, game drives to the Tembe Elephant park – home to the largest Tuskers in South Africa, boat trips on the Kosi Bay Lake to see ancient fish traps and to snorkel in the estuary’s mouth, weekend trips to the seaside town of St Lucia to go whale watching (seasonal), relax on the beach or take a boat ride to see hippos and crocodiles up close.

Many volunteer opt to have at least one weekend exploring the town of St Lucia, a charming waterfront town on the east coast of South Africa, situated at the entrance to a world-renowned wetlands park and famous for its wildlife and fishing. The town has a laid-back atmosphere and development is restricted by the tree-canopy - it is not unusual to see monkeys and various antelope in the streets. It is an emerging tourist destination and you can find restaurants, craft shops and supermarkets in the town, enough to satisfy your weekends needs.
Ideas for Independent Travel

Kruger National Park

This is South Africa's largest game reserve and one of the oldest in Africa. The park is now part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, an area designated by the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve. Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. The best time to go is during the dry season (May - September) when the plains are sparse and animals are easier to view.

Drakensburg Mountains

The Drakensberg mountains of South Africa, known as the barrier of spears is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous world heritage site. There are a number of adventure activities that you can do including rock or ice- climbing, abseiling, white water rafting or take a helicopter ride to view the Drakenberg mountains from above.

Surfing in South Africa

South Africa is renowned around the world for it's many surfing hotspots due to the mix of beautiful coastal scenery and high quality surf. There is a strong surfing culture and way of life that is very contagious due to the friendly people and their enthusiasm and passion for the sport. Whether you are a novice or more experienced you will love surfing in South Africa. In the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, about an hour’s drive southwest of Port Elizabeth, Jeffreys Bay is one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world. Especially great during the winter months of June, July, and August, surfers come here for a great ride and for the renowned blue flag beaches.

Project Quality

Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.

Accommodation & Meals

Volunteers stay in a volunteer house, where, in most cases, they share their room with other volunteers. Shared rooms are usually single-sex. For most placements two to three meals a day are provided, all included in the placement fees. In most houses there will be a cook to prepare your food for you and a cleaner to ensure the house is clean and tidy, though in some of our locations volunteers will be expected to assist with these chores. For more information about the amenities at the house see accommodation summary or please contact one of our advisors.

In-Country Coordinators

Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.

24/7 Emergency Support

As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.

Kaya Help-desk

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.

Briefing Pack & Materials

Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.

Airport Pickup

When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.

Cultural Excursions

Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.

Arrival Orientation

Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.

Funding for Individual Projects

If on your placement you wish to start up your own sub-project, a reasonable amount of funding will be provided. An example is: one volunteer arranged a basketball tournament for the street children where funding was provided for team shirts and trophies. This is a good chance to make your own lasting mark on a project and the people of your chosen country.

Local Community Benefits

Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.