Lion and Elephant Conservation - South Africa - Volunteer reviews

Click here to go to the South Africa Lion and Elephant Conservation page

Yvonne – 2012

“How’s life at the reserve? I LOVE IT HERE!!!!!!!!

It is an experience not to be missed. The organisation was incredible and PoD were there every step of the way. The staff at the reserve were fantastic and taught you so much about the animals we encountered and the value of the work we were doing as well as why we were doing it and how it would help the reserve. There were so many opportunities to get hands on experience with some of the animals and amazing photo opportunities too. The camp itself is modern with a fully equipped kitchen computer with internet access and spacious tents with wardrobes and bedside tables. The leaders gave us 'treats' too such as arranging a day out at the predator centre, arranging a night sleeping under the stars, Going swimming in the river with the rubber tyres, many braais were held and reserve is exceptional. There was always work to do and we were kept busy.

Typical day: Plains project - waking up at 4.30am ready to leave at 5.15am-ish, drive down to one of the sites and analyse the grasses that were growing there. Break for coffee and rusks at 10am-ish, work until 1 pm and then have lunch then work till 5pm-ish and arrive back at camp ready to cook dinner.

What did you find most rewarding? Locating the rhino for the vet for the rhino capture. No paying guest got to witness it...only the volunteers were asked to help and poisoning the weeds so the natural plants can survive.

What did you find most challenging? Waking up so early!!! :) Plains project - you had to stay positive because the work was repetitive and it was a 2 month project working for approximately 6 hours a day on it constantly calling out the grasses that you were finding in different sized treatment blocks.

What advice would you give to others considering this project? DO IT!!! Even if the work is sometimes monotonous, the reserve is fantastic and the leaders are accommodating, helpful and enjoy sharing their knowledge with you. No matter how small your contribution is, you will make a difference in some way.

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? Opportunities to see the world, help a cause and feel self-satisfaction that they have contributes to helping that cause, meeting new people, being out of the comfort zone and experience nature and a different way of life.

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend them to others? I would recommend PoD. Good website, accredited partners/associations, quick at responding the emails and placement bookings. Would DEFINITELY use them again for sure. Keep up the good work!!!”

Louise – 2011

“I had a fabulous time and really didn’t want to come back. The people at the project are the most professional, generous and inspirational people I have ever met and the region the most breath taking.

If I had the choice I would give up my job here and be back in an instant. The project was amazing. I had been to Africa and seen the wildlife before but volunteering gave me a special insight into how it is necessary to manage it when in conflict with people. At the reserve they have excellent people, such as Gerhardt the Volunteer Co-ordinator who was excellent and takes the time to pass on his experience, knowledge and enthusiasm and provided all the necessary support. I loved every second of it and it made a huge impact on my life making me think that perhaps I'm in the wrong occupation and I would like to be out in the bush full time. If you are considering volunteering you should be prepared for it to have a dramatic impact on your life. In our lives now, so much time is spent away from nature that we have lost touch with our link to it and the sense of awe and wonder it provides. If you get nothing else from it, then it will be the sense that the rat race most of us live in and the sense of materialism are unimportant and what we really should be concerned about is looking after our beautiful planet.

Typical day: Get up early, prepare lunch and snack boxes, out in the game drive vehicle, wrap up very warm as it was freezing in it and early in the morning. Then we were completing bird counts, recording how many different types of birds in a range of locations, after 10.00am completing game transects, set route where we counted the different types of game, gender, age etc, throughout the day stopping in different locations for coffee and lunch. Usually returning to the camp around 6pm. Prepare dinner together and relax. On a few days we were involved in fire fighting as there were bush fires and in meeting visiting professors we were carrying out some research on the reserve.

What did you find most rewarding? Working with people who are dedicated to conservation in a practical and realistic way, and who are willing to share their thoughts and knowledge with others. And of course seeing the wildlife where they’re supposed to be.

What did you find most challenging? Walking over some of the terrain was a challenge at the beginning even though I walk quite a bit but usually in the city!

What advice would you give to others considering this project? That they should understand it will have a huge impact on their lives when they come back.

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? To volunteer abroad allows you to broaden you mind to cultures and lives of others from far outside your past experiences and will affect choices you make in the future.

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend them to others? I would recommend PoD and I chose it after a previous bad experience with another company. But I just researched it on the internet.”

Julie – 2011

“How‘s it going at the reserve? Everything is going really well here. Only 4 of us, so a small number, but nice. Have a WHOLE tent to myself – hehe. Been for a couple of bush walks and a bit of rhino searching. The reserve is beautiful and I am enjoying learning about tracking etc. I think I made a good choice to come here & through PoD.

Volunteering at this project was one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. The work is hands-on and you’re certainly made to feel a part of the team. The support & knowledge given by our volunteer co-ordinator was invaluable. If it was possible, I would have extended my stay by another month (one month is ‘not’ enough!) The initial and ongoing support from PoD was invaluable. I would highly recommend this placement and PoD.

Typical day: Depart camp between 6am-7am. Drive through reserve completing research / jobs required for the day. Breakfast and lunch on the reserve. Back to camp between 3pm-5pm

What did you find most rewarding? Every moment was rewarding

What advice would you give to others considering this project? To do it! It's educational and you certainly are apart of it all

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? Experience of a life time for so many reasons.

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend them to others? I felt PoD offered an educational placement. Fees were reasonable. Would highly recommend PoD.”

Melanie – 2011

“It was really nice to live in the middle of the bush. I enjoyed the nature, saw a lot of animals and had a very adventurous time in the bush.

Typical day: At 7h we started our drive through the bush. We looked for rhinos. When we saw rhinos then we took photos. Back at camp we drew the rhinos from pictures and gave them id-numbers. Then it’s easier to identify them later. In that month we did mainly rhino research.

What did you find most rewarding? I wanted to see animals in free nature and to see how people do research in a reserve. And I saw it. It was very nice to see the animals in their natural environment.

What advice would you give to others considering this project? You should not be afraid of snakes, spiders, insects... You should like nature, animals, to live with other people together.

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? It’s a good experience to meet other people and the local people and what they do to protect wildlife.

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend them to others? I googled and the description was interesting and I also would recommend you.”

Amanda - 2010

“We had a tremendous amount of sightings because Gerhardt always went out of his way to ensure that we did. We got ample time in the field and leaned an incredible amount about all of the wildlife. Gerhardt has the ability to open eyes to new sides of nature (e.g. birds).

What did you find most rewarding? I most enjoyed just being in the bush and having the opportunity to observe the animals and their behaviour in their natural environment. The work I enjoyed most was rhino identikits as it gave us the opportunity to ‘get to know’ the individual animals. I appreciate Gerhardt taking the time to let us observe the lions, elephants and rhino (especially the elephants).”

Nicholas - 2010

“I went to understand and aid with the environment in Southern Africa and I came back with a richer experience that I expected. We had a wide variety of tasks within the project such as grass and bird studies and it helped me understand the habitat in more depth than a regular visitor. I can now share the knowledge with my students, friends, and family at home to help them understand the importance of these conservation efforts

What did you find most rewarding? Daily wildlife sightings, the mountain habitat, the people, assisting with research that is truly necessary, nature walks and helping to preserve this spectacular place.

Overall: excellent wildlife, fabulous people and a highly educational experience”

Steve – 2010

"My expectations were greatly exceeded for the following reasons - close encounters with wildlife, complex ecological interactions, local organisation and infrastructure, knowledge and hospitality of staff, and the food provided - all of exceptional quality!"

Allison - 2010

"The experiences with the wildlife were intense. The close range and observation of animal behaviour were unforgettable. The staff was really dedicated and made the trip!"

Caitlin - 2010

"I really enjoyed the tracking with the telemetry kit and finding a herd of elephants. I loved the game drives while doing the grass transects!"

Emma - 2010

"This experience exceeded my expectations in many ways! Seeing the animals and how they behave in the wild was wonderful. The close encounters were incredible!"

Aimee - 2010

"...an amazing reserve with a stunning natural environment and friendly people that has provided me with one of the most memorable experiences of my life!"

Mirosha - 2009

"The staff were very organised and very friendly. They made my stay even more wonderful. I enjoyed everything on the reserve even the dung counts and grass transects! I want to come back again sometime."

Nick - 2009

"The staff are very knowledgeable and always willing to explain the surrounding area and animals to us. I loved darting and tagging the wildebeest, zebra and rhino."

Shane - 2010

"The proximity to the wildlife was constantly impressive. My wildlife photography from Kenya is now obsolete..."

Beau - 2010

"I enjoyed being amongst the wildlife most of the time, and all the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable."

Click here to go to the South Africa Lion and Elephant Conservation page

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