Volunteering

Amakhala Game Reserve also offers a programme suitable for persons of all ages looking for that something different as part of a gap year or following a life change. This is your chance to contribute to conservation, to make a difference and to return to nature.

Volunteers on Amakhala are actively involved in the continuous monitoring of the lions, elephants and cheetah, as well playing a role in the rehabilitation of the the land to its natural state through alien plant and erosion control and assist with the maintenance of fences and roads. Reserve priorities continuously change depending on many external influences; therefor the involvement in certain short term projects regularly occur. These could include assisting the vet in ecological work like the relocating of animals for genetic reasons or the control of population numbers to assisting with post-mortem autopsies to establish and monitor potential diseases.

This is a first of its kind hybrid conservation and community programme allowing you to get behind the scenes and make a lasting difference by assisting in conservation and community activities on and around Kariega Game Reserve.

We are situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, where volunteers also get the opportunity to explore an amazing coastline as Kariega Game Reserve is a mere 10 km from the sea… the beautiful Indian Ocean is literally on your doorstep! This coastline has particularly rich marine fauna and flora as well as endless sand dunes and beautiful beaches.

Volunteers with the Kariega Foundation receive stimulating practical experience in the following four areas: research, conservation management, education and community development. We recommend a minimum 2 week stay to get a chance to experience a good variety of activities across both conservation and community work.

Make a real difference, grow your skills in conservation and have the experience of a lifetime!

Most wild animals in South Africa are contained within a government and private game reserves to protect them from the growing human population.
This has created a need to closely monitor the population of animals within each reserve to prevent inbreeding and overpopulation. Animals are moved in and out periodically to mix up the gene pool.

You will have the chance to understand the every day workings of the Game Capture team and also gain hands on capture experience. Game capture is necessary to preserve species and maintain high population numbers in different game reserves.This means changing the ratio of species on a reserve as well as the actual population size. The movement of wildlife will also ensure that successful breeding programs continue and allow the translocated wildlife to thrive in new reserves.

This is your chance to be part of the biggest “behind the scenes” conservation efforts in South Africa and experience the thrill of game capture!