Conservation Research Program South Africa

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This varied and exciting conservation project offers interns an opportunity to become involved in conservation matters within the Greater Kruger Park area, whilst also enjoying the African Big 5 Experience!

You will be based in a bush camp with other volunteers, interns and staff members. During your stay you will get the opportunity to perform research that not only contributes to rural community upliftment and innovative solutions to a sustainable tourism industry BUT also in your personal life!

It’s a registered Non-Profit Organization and established accredited training facility since 2007 through FGASA (Field Guiding Association of Southern Africa) & CATHSSETA (The Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority). They are a research testing center since 1999 and situated within a Big 5 nature reserve as part of the Greater Kruger National Park

The training and research takes place under supervision of qualified nature guides, one of whom has a BSc degree in Zoology & Botan. You will be involved in field work which will put you in contact with wildlife and the environment directly and have access to the free-roaming wildlife on bush walks and game drives.

Age: min. 18 max. 40
Location: Balule game reserve near Hoedspruit
Requirements: 18 years, good physical fitness, flexible
Group size: max 20 participants
Project duration: recommended 8 - 12 weeks
Laundry: Included
WIFI: Free of charge
Linen/towels: Linen and towels provided.

Location

They are based in Balule Game Reserve near Hoedspruit

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Requirements

The minimum age is 18 years old. Studying towards a related degree is recommended.

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Why choose the program?

Registered Non-Profit Organisation
Established accredited training facility since 2007 through FGASA (Field Guiding Association
of Southern Africa) & CATHSSETA (The Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority)
Research testing center since 1999
Situated within a Big 5 nature reserve as part of the Greater Kruger National Park
Training and research takes place under supervision of qualified nature guides
Internship research supervised by a supervisor with a BSc degree in Zoology & Botan
Comfortable accommodation with all facilities available to students
All students have access to the free-roaming wildlife on bush walks and game drives
You will be involved in field work which will put you in contact with wildlife and the environment directly.

Need for research

Balule Nature Reserve covers 40 000 hectares of privately owned land within the Greater Kruger National Park. The park consists of 9 regions with 18 commercial lodges and 43 landowners. Thorough research and data we have identified five fields in need of research:

Sustainable food production and alternative cooking methods. Estimated food waste is 1987kg per lodge per year, a total of 35 766 kg (excluding landowners household food waste)
Renewable energy: Estimated 2 619 680kWh electricity usage for 18 lodges in the area for 2015
Recycling: Recyclable materials burned during 2015 measured 32 tons (excluding private incinerators)
Biofuel and Biodiesel: Estimated 52 four-wheel drive game viewing vehicles and 184 vehicles in total excluding contractors). Estimated carbon emissions of 940 metric tons per year (excluding personal and contractor vehicles). Estimated fuel consumption of 98 500 liters per year
Water recycling and management: Estimated grey water waste of 243 000 liters per year for the area

Implementation of sustainable product

Unsustainable tourism practices undermine the purpose of what we perceive nature to be. Research solutions will make a difference to a sustainable future for humans and wildlife alike
Rural communities NEED solutions that are practical at low to zero cost! Research solutions inspire new solutions to eradicate this problem. What works for Europe does not always work in Africa!
The organization intends to implement sustainable solutions to these two sectors.

What is offered?

Research that not only contributes to rural community upliftment and innovative solutions to a sustainable tourism industry BUT also in the student’s personal life
Participation of mentors, supervisors and lecturers at the testing sites
Collaboration between international and local students and volunteers
35-hour work week from Monday to Friday
Accommodation and facilities
Laundry
Social outings and excursions (optional)
24 hour uncapped Wi-Fi
All facilities available to the volunteers i.e. swimming pool, barbeque area, lookout tower, bush hides for sleep-outs etc.
Lectures: , Ecology & Geology, Astronomy, Weather & Climate, Taxonomy, Mammals, birds, reptiles, arthropods, fish & amphibians, Animal behavior, Biomes of Southern Africa, Botany & Grasses, Conservation management, Historical human habitation, Bushwalks and game drives on week days with weekends optional

What will your day look like

Interns are the foundation of all the projects in progress. You will have a 35 hour work week from Monday to Friday and leisure time over weekends. Leisure time can be spending on social interactions with other projects, optional excursions such as visiting the Kruger National Park or spending quality time in nature.

A typical day (Monday – Friday):
05:30 – 06:00 Wake-up, coffee/tea
06:00 – 07:30 Bush walk or game drive with a qualified nature guide
07:30 – 08:00 Breakfast
08:00 – 12:00 Research
12:00 – 14:00 Lunch and off time
14:00 – 17:00 Research
17:00 – 19:00 Bush walk or game drive
19:00 – 22:00 Dinner, leisure, games, movies etc.
22:00 Quiet time

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Current projects

Sustainable food production Aquaponics ecosystem.
Testing phase completed. Building and implementation of production phase starting May/June 2018. Monitoring of water quality, fish health and crop status, insects and crops. New research project starting June 2018 in co-operation with HAS Hoogeschool, The Netherlands. Project will look at solutions towards solving the problem with insects and rural crops by introducing key vegetation types.
Game Farm Management
Erosion and road restoration. Eradication of alien plant species. Wildlife monitoring
New research project starting June 2018 in co-operation with HAS Hoogeschool, The Netherlands
Project will look at solutions towards solving the problem with insects and rural crops by introducing key vegetation types
Recycling
Compost production from food waste
Building stage of compost plant
Monitoring of compost production
Plastic and glass waste reuse
Intern from HAS Hoogeschool, The Netherlands
Water recycling and management
Grey water recycling system in conjunction with UCT university Chemical Engineer internship
Testing phase
Biofuel / Biodiesel solutions
Testing phase completed. Testing phase completed
Implementation of production phase starting May/June 2018
Waste products from making biodiesel used to make soap, bio-plastic and recycled wash-water
Extraction of potassium hydroxide from hardwood (used in production of biodiesel)
Community work
Nourish – Assistance with local community projects to improve and educate the local
Community - Halo – Assisting a team with education and medical / nutritional care of domesticated animals at a rural community
Bush Babies – Assisting an environmental education and awareness project at rural schools

Proposed projects 2018

Sustainable food production:micro agriculture and bio-intensive farming
Alternative cooking methods; rural communities

Dates

Start date is very flexible, contact us for availability

Rates

Duration	2018 (applicable from May)/2019 Fee
8 weeks	3000 USD
12 weeks	4400 USD

Rates includes

Accommodation sharing in rondawels (max. 4 - 6 people)
All facilities such as bush hides, barbeque area, lookout tower, kitchen, lecture room etc.
Trips to town for supplies
Coffee and tea
Research supervision
Research assistance
Lectures
Bushwalks and game drives
Volunteers to assist you with areas such as construction, data capture, ideas, etc.
Uncapped Wi-Fi
Pickup and drop-off at Hoedspruit or East Gate Airport on arrival and departure
Laundry
Intern Africa will assist you in finding a suitable flight, apply for a possible visa, provide information on travel insurance, immunizations, travel to Hoedspruit and other required details.