1) Themba means ‘hope’ in the Xhosa language. You can become part of our mission to restore hope and dignity to people by sharing your skills and experience. We have selected the projects we work with because we have known and worked with them for years, trust them and know that they greatly impact their surrounding communities. You are there to help, share and learn. If you feel the need to take charge, you are in the wrong place.
2) You might not know what you are doing from one day to the next. Any given day’s activity will be set by the project leader locally. Of course, we love to use your specific skills, but those steps need to be swept sometimes! You must be flexible and adaptable.
3) You are going into what is likely to be a very foreign feeling environment. You will meet wonderful people, and create new connections across countries and cultures, but face some of the harsh realities of life in South Africa. You need to have an open mind; you will also need resilience.
4) Your weekly fee covers charming, comfortable en-suite accommodation, daily transport to and from your chosen project, meals, and welcome transfers. Overall, you can expect to be comfortable and well looked after while on your Themba volunteering holiday. Your fees also include a donation, the level of which varies by project up to 5 %.
Want to make a difference by actively participating in the conservation of Africa within a fun, safe, and stable environment? Now is your chance to contribute and become the eco-warrior you always wanted to be! Choose between wildlife, habitat, and community conservation in the heart of the Klein Karoo in South Africa.
Set on the principle that everybody is a potential conservationist, the Buffelsdrift Foundation was born. Against the stunning backdrop of the Klein Karoo, the private game reserve is surrounded by the picturesque waterhole embraced by the Swartberg Mountains. With the strong belief that the numerous small actions by individuals every day, are the cornerstone of effective conservation. The Buffelsdrift Foundation serves as a stepping stone, empowering individuals like you to adopt a conservation-oriented lifestyle, thus contributing to a brighter and greener tomorrow.
Our Eco-Ambassadors program provides an important resource in caring for and feeding the animals daily, as well as helping to maintain and develop the program. The program currently provides a safe refuge for orphaned and rescued wildlife including lions, antelope, elephants, and meerkats. The Research programs offer volunteers the opportunity to observe and monitor wild carnivores and other wildlife in their natural habitat, adding invaluable knowledge to research that is used toward sustaining these often-threatened species for future generations. This project is perfect for those with a taste for research.
We aim to educate you about conservation issues so that you continue to be a mindful global citizen after your program. Our mission is to build conscious travellers that love nature, our wildlife and the people as we share our passion for making a difference.
By joining the Buffelsdrift you are becoming part of a generous group of Eco-Ambassadors. Your participation means you are investing in conservation, enabling the foundation to grow and become even more successful in achieving its vision. Thus far, through the valuable contributions of voluntourists, we actively contribute to preserving the meta-population of the cheetah, the preservation of free-roaming elephants in the Mangetti, the continuous supporting of local farm schools, educating several forums regarding the mitigation of human and animal conflict, etc.
Some of the major causes of environmental decline, is the loss of natural habitat, lack of protection of biodiversity, human-animal conflict and the ignorance of the effect humans have on ecosystems. Understanding these causes, will help us find solutions to protect and conserve and take better care for our enviroments.
No special skills are required. Training will be provided. All you need to have is a curiosity for wildlife, being teachable and have a keen interest on how your stay with leave a positive impact.
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport (5-hour drive) or George Airport (1-hour drive) from the game reserve. A shuttle will collect you from the airport. The volunteer program runs all year round and kicks off every Monday. Arrive before 12 midday.
On arrival, a staff member will show you around the accommodation and facilities. You will receive an induction pamphlet that will help you to settle in and understand more about the project and your role.
Activities are continuous so you will be hands-on from your first day! The orientation will also allow you to meet other volunteers and make new friends!
Normally the working day starts at 08:00 and ends at 17:00. Some of the duties can be:
● Monitoring cleaning and maintaining lion and elephant enclosures,
● preparing food for elephants and lions
● Tracking and monitoring free-roaming cheetahs
● researching and observing wild meerkat families,
● researching and monitoring Aardwolf species,
● performing game counts, electric fence and enclosure patrolling,
● setting up camera “traps” for research purposes, to name a few.
● Contributing to habitat conservation, including planting spekboom.
● Support teachers in the local farm school
● The use of hand-held GPS devices
On Saturdays only essential activities are part of the program, followed by fun activities. There are usually four to six activities per day. Volunteers are free on Sundays allowing them to participate in the private game lodge activities or to explore the captivating Klein Karoo or the Garden Route.
Volunteers are exposed to all activities as the program is based on a rotation system.
Buffelsdrift is located in South Africa (in the Western Cape) approximately 6, 5 km outside the village of Oudtshoorn on route to the Cango Caves. The farm is within a 60-minute drive of the popular area referred to as the Garden Route and has the added benefit that it is a malaria-free area.
Accommodation is provided in a large tented camp with up to four people (same gender) per tent. The accommodation is basic, but the single beds are comfortable with bedding provided (duvets and pillows). Showers and toilet facilities are on-suite. Power sockets for electrical items are available in each tent and the communal area. Volunteers also have access to Wi-Fi in the tented camp. The daily meals are prepared by a staff member assisted by the volunteers. Accommodation for couples can be arranged if there is availability.
Duration
Project Fees:
1 week
3 Weeks
4 Weeks
Not sure which project to choose?
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