Info

Play a vital role in the preservation of cheetahs on the largest big cat conservation project in the world! With 50,000-acres of reserve to explore and a whole host of wildlife to spot, you’ll have your hands full!

You’ll be working a six-day week with Saturdays free to hang around the pool and relax or head out walking the trails. Your activities will vary depending on what the nature reserve needs while you’re there, some of the things you’ll be getting up to include:


• Cheetah welfare programme - Enter the rehabilitation enclosures and get close to the cheetahs! You’ll have the chance to learn the cheetahs’ individual stories and a guide will explain all about the fantastic work that the foundation does.

• Leopard tracking and monitoring – From the safety of a vehicle you’ll learn to track these amazing creatures using technology such as antennae and telemetry equipment, and how to spot unusual behaviours, signs of injury and other problems that need to be reported.

• Cheetah or Hyena tracking and monitoring on foot – Locate cheetahs or hyenas in the area with the help of a guide and the telemetry equipment. Your bush walks will take up at an hour at a time and will focus on checking that the cheetahs are in good health.

• Rescue and release of leopards and cheetahs – During your time on the project one of the cats may need to be rescued or released, in which case you will be in have the incredible and unique experience of accompanying the team.

• Behind the scenes feeding run – Join the in-country team on a ‘feeding run’, making your way around over 100 of the big cats including such as leopards, lions, and cheetahs.

• Bushman walk – Learn all about the daily lives, culture and traditions of the disappearing bushman tribes. Get back to basics and master skills such as making rope from plants, lighting a fire with sticks and the innovative man made traps used for hunting.

• Visiting the wild dogs – You may also be able to get within a close range of a pack of hunting dogs, they have grown up at the foundation having been rescued as puppies at just a few days old.

• Sleeping out under the stars! – Weather permitting you’ll spend a unique and very beautiful night out under the stars in one of the dry riverbeds, every two weeks!

What's included?

* Project Fee
* Airport Transfers
* Arrival Orientation
* All accommodation
* Three meals a day
* Full support and assistance from the on-site staff

What's not included?

* Travel insurance
* All flights
* All visas
* E-mail/Internet and telephone calls
* Soft drinks, wines and spirits

Duration

2 - 8 weeks

Start Dates

Real Gap Experience offer gap years, career breaks and adventure travel from 2 weeks to 2 years with weekly/monthly departures for most trips that aren’t dependant on seasons or weather to operate. Set departure dates means you’re always together with other young like-minded travellers and making new friends is guaranteed.

Costs / Benefits

Prices range depending on activity and duration. Volunteering starts from £389 for 2 weeks, Adventure Travel starts from £799 for 2 weeks and our Paid Work options start from £299 for up to 12 months. All trips come with, accommodation, some food, transfers, support and back up in-country and 24/7 emergency contact numbers. Before you leave full comprehensive information is provided through an Online Accounts and our expert travel advisers are always available to give help and advice.

Requirements

There are no specific qualifications or requirements needed to take part on this trip. We do however require that all travellers have a sense responsibility for other travellers, project staff and local community and most importantly... a sense of fun and adventure!