Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (Kapama) - South Africa

only  £1449

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (Kapama)

Ref:

GYC 2583

Countries:

South Africa

Duration:

from 3 Weeks

  

or call:

0845 344 7511

more info:

click here

 

This placement would suit:

This is the ultimate experience for anyone who loves nature and CHEETAHS!

 

Cost details:

All our rates include your return transfer and pick up from airport, all accommodation for the duration of your placement, all meals and placement activities. We are a fully bonded agent through IATA; in conjunction with South Africa Airways we can offer some fantastic rates on international airfare.

 

   

Product Details

Kapama Private Game Reserve

This is one of the most exciting reserves in South Africa , situated in the Limpopo Province and was proclaimed a private nature reserve in December 1993. Covering approximately 13 000 hectares of prime big game territory, Kapama Private Game Reserve has succeeded in combining the wilderness of the bush experience with working in the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.

The name comes from Kapama, a Swazi king, whose tribe inhabited and hunted the northern Drakensberg mountain region around Mariepskop back in the 1880s.

A game relocation programme was introduced and the reserve now supports a wide variety of game including elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, and large populations of giraffe, impala, blue wildebeest and kudu. Predators include lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and many smaller species.

The volunteer program is flexible. Kapama is a working reserve and volunteers are included in the operations of Kapama Game Reserve, either with the vet or conservationists.

Some of the more common activities where students will be involved in, are as follows:

• Monitoring programs (general antelope and the Big5)
• Feeding of animals in the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding centre for Endangered Species
• Environmental education on conservation
• Lectures on various topics of reserve management
• Camping in reserve to get the African feeling
• Star gazing
• Immobilizing of wild animals
• Target Shooting (various calibers - in order to expose volunteers to anti-poaching)
• Capturing of wild animals when required by the reserve or the sanctuary
• Assisting the vet with veterinary proceedures
• Game drives through the reserve
• Assisting in hand raised animals - very hands on
• Elephant back safari's

The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

This is situated on over 100 hectares within the Kapama. Established in the late 1980s by Lente Roode as part of a breeding programme for the endangered cheetah, the centre has expanded to breed and conserve other African species for reintroduction into the wild.

The centre has cheetah and wild dog, both on the endangered species list, and are presently under the expert supervision of Lente Roode, veterinary surgeon, Dr Peter Rogers and a dedicated team of young conservationists. Extreme care is taken in creating the most suitable environment for cheetah to breed, for example the carefully constructed breeding enclosures which are diligently maintained to suit the behavioural habits of the cheetah as well as provision of the most nourishing diets.

The cheetah are also maintained free of external and internal parasites. The nutritional status and dietary supplements of the animals are monitored carefully to ensure an optimal and balanced nutritional state. By advising clients on the feeding of cheetah, the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre endeavours to ensure that the high standard of the nutritional state of the animals is maintained.

Volunteers accommodation is in thatched huts shared by two people in Nungu Camp, within the Big 5 reserve boundaries of Kapama Game Reserve. Share bathroom facilities (men and ladies separately) Laundry facilities provided in Nungu Camp. Three meals per day provided in camp or tea garden at the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre for Endangered species .BBQ every Monday night in camp.

only  £1449

Worldwide Experience

Worldwide Experience offers volunteers a unique conservation opportunity to work on some of Southern Africa's premier private game reserves or leading marine ocean research projects. A conservation placement is the ultimate life changing experience gives you the chance to give something back and make a difference to the natural environment.

  

or call:

0845 344 7511