Working with WILDLIFE
Kalahari Conservation Reserve
North West Province
Features
- Get the opportunity to volunteer and work with wildlife while living on a 240 000-acre Big-Five and Malaria Free private game reserve in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert
- The project offers a true perspective of the problems facing African Wildlife, and allows guests to give something back to wildlife conservation efforts.
- Break free from tourists and time limits as you follow animals off-road in their natural habitat for this once in a lifetime conservation experience!
- Largest private Big Five Game Reserve in South Africa
- Closed to general public – Explore the Kalahari’s natural wilderness away from tourists.
- Incredible stargazing and wildlife photographic opportunities
- Some of the best opportunities to witness the iconic black maned Lions, Cheetahs, Wild Dogs, Black Rhinos and Brown Hyenas throughout Africa
- Witness the Kalahari’s incredible nocturnal wildlife (Brown Hyena, Bat-eared and Cape Foxes, Aardvark, Aardwolf, Pangolin, etc.)
- Enjoy unparalleled silence and immense freedom in this untouched piece of African wilderness
- Big FiveYes
- Off RoadYes
- Camp FencedYes
- Child PolicyOnly children 12 years and older allowed
- SPANo
- AirconNo
- Cellphone SignalYes
- Malaria AreaNo
- WI-FIYes
Location
Eastern Kalahari Bushveld, North West Province, South Africa
Getting There
6.5 hours drive from O.R Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg
Approximately 50km from Botswana Border Post
Approximately 150km from Molopo Nature Reserve
Approximately 200km from Mabuasehube and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Parknn- Road Transfers from/to OR Tambo Airport can be arranged at an additional cost. Please contact us if you would like assistance in booking road transfers for you.nnGuests can charter a flight should they wish to as access to an airstrip is available.
Accommodation
4 x Two sleeper guest tents
Rates & Special Offers
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If you would prefer to chat to a Bush Lodge Expert for advice and recommendations, please contact us on 0861 00 44 55 (South Africa) or +27 11 468 3476 (international) or email info@bushbreaks.co.za.
Please note:
- All rates are subject to availability.
- Proof of SADC residency may be required at the time of booking or upon check-in at the lodge.
- Surcharges and a minimum 3 night stay may apply on rates over peak holiday periods and long weekends.
Terms & Conditons
Rates Include
Important Notes
- Unless otherwise stated, all rates listed are based on a minimum 2 night stay. Surcharges may apply for a 1 night booking.
- Rates quoted are only applicable to South African Residents. Special discounted rates for International Residents are available on request.
Single Accommodation Policy
- Please contact your BushBreaks & More consultant.
Child Policy
- Children aged 12 years and older are welcome and will be charged the applicable adult rate per night.
Game Drive Policy For Children
About Working with WILDLIFE
Get the opportunity to volunteer with wildlife and enjoy living on a 240 000-acre Big-5 and Malaria Free private game reserve in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. The project offers a true perspective of the problems facing African Wildlife, and allows guests to give something back to the continent’s conservation efforts. Break free from tourists and time limits as you follow animals in their natural habitat in this once in a lifetime conservation experience!
As a wildlife volunteer South Africa, you will see first hand how urbanisation, agriculture, mining, and other human activities have plagued local wildlife habitats for decades. As a result, numerous wildlife species face extinction. Many animals are simply unable to adapt to such radical environmental changes fast enough, and the ensuing decline in suitable habitats has lead to widespread inbreeding throughout local wildlife populations. The resulting lack of genetic variation is a significant contributing factor to the demise of these animals. Growing human settlements continue to encroach on wilderness areas, and this is leading to a dramatic increase in human/wildlife conflicts.
Any land given back to nature should always be viewed as a significant win for conservation efforts
Guests are accommodated in a tented lodge which offers incredible game viewing and sensational star-gazing opportunities to all who visit! There are four two-sleeper tents each with an en-suite bathroom (rooms are shared between guests). There is a kitchen and dining tent, a shaded outdoor section for guests to relax, and a boma for outdoor dining. There is electricity and hot water at the lodge, and safe drinking water is available. Three home cooked meals are supplied daily.
WORKING WITH WILDLIFE ACTIVITIES
Predator Research: Based on the ecological needs of the reserve, guests will be participating in the continuous monitoring of various predatory species. This research will focus primarily on developing a database of the reserve’s African Wild Dog (Painted Wolf) and Lion populations. This database is essential for the reserve’s ecologist to determine the reserve’s predator/prey populations, and ensure a balanced ecosystem is maintained.
– This research may involve other wildlife including (but not limited to); Cheetah, Leopard, Brown and Spotted Hyena, Elephant, Rhino, Vultures, and Buffalo.
– This may require following predators late at night when they are most active.
– This may require following predators late at night when they are most active.
Camera Traps: Placing and monitoring camera traps to conduct scientific research and animal identification (e.g. a wild dog’s unique coat or a leopard’s unique pattern). Due to the sheer size of the reserve, placing and collecting camera traps from around the reserve before analyzing the data is no small task!
Game Counts: Guests are taken on specific routes to conduct game counts and monitor any increase or decrease of significance in any of the reserve’s wildlife populations. Accurate game counts are one of the most important tools for reserve management as changes in wildlife populations or sex ratios can be an early indication of specific ecological problems (e.g. too many/few predators). Management can isolate different variables and use these counts to correctly identify an ecological problem before it’s too late.
Vegetation Management and Surveys: The reserve’s ecologist has set a programme in motion to monitor changes in fauna and flora. Over sixty randomly selected sites have been identified, and vegetation surveys are used to identify gradual and/or sudden changes in vegetation across the reserve, recognise changes in species composition, health of the grass layer, bush encroachment and whether the reserve is overstocked. This data is captured and analysed and used to determine the impact that environmental factors, including herbivores, are having on the vegetation of the reserve.
Reserve Work: Bush encroachment is a problem throughout African savannas. Not only does it impact on the habitats available to animals, it also impacts the infrastructure that we need to use in conservation areas. As this is a large reserve that is not open to the general public, many of the roads are hardly used. In fact, guests are unlikely to encounter another vehicle during their entire stay at the reserve! This also means that many of these roads get overgrown with encroaching bush and trimming of bushes on the road verges provides access to the road across the reserve. Other reserve work may include removing invasive plant species, and removal of old fencing wires from left over from earlier farming days that may entangle animals.
Special Events (occasional): On any well managed reserve, there are occasional some special activities that take place in the successful running of a reserve. These activities range from ear notching rhinos and lions, to capturing and translocation of wild dogs, lions or other predators to different reserves to ensure proper genetic diversity or to contribute to the conservation of the species elsewhere, tracking collars may be fitted or removed from specific animals, game capture teams may be required to remove some animals to maintain a balanced ecosystem (population control), whilst other animals may need to be darted for veterinary care or moved to a quarantine zone for disease testing. These events can provide veterinary students with a more hands-on experience that will undoubtedly aid in their studies.
Please note: Under no circumstances will an animal be darted for guest purposes. This project falls in-line with the ecological needs of the reserve only.
Other activities can include (but are not limited to): Anti-poaching, game capture, lectures from subject matter experts in conservation, and much more.
ROOM FEATURES
- Two Single Beds/One Queen Bed
- Electricity (Multiple Plug Points)
- Lights
- Electric Standing Fan
- En-Suite Bathroom
LODGE FEATURES
- Electricity
- Laundry Facilities
- Running water (Hot and Cold)
- Boma
- Kitchen Facilities
- Dining Area
- Small shop stocking the essentials (toothbrushes, shampoos, travel adapters, etc.)
- Cell phone signal
About Kalahari Conservation Reserve
ABOUT THE RESERVE / LOCATION
When multiple farms were purchased in the Eastern Kalahari Bushveld of South Africa and combined to form a large 240 000-acre reserve with the objective to return this part of the Kalahari Desert to its former glory by creating one massive free-roaming ecosystem.
This meant that all previous signs and impact of farming activities left behind by the former occupants (cattle farmers and even canned lion hunters!) needed to be removed, the length of the perimeter (237km) had to be fenced with electrified fencing, and animal species that occurred naturally in this part of the Kalahari in the past were reintroduced. This would later become the largest introduction of wildlife ever recorded in South Africa!
Home to the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo), the reserve currently accommodates a significant part of South Africa’s Wild Dog (Painted Wolf) population and a breeding ground for two vulture species! Furthermore, the reserve has given refuge to a group of elephants formerly used for “elephant rides” on a different reserve. These elephants could become wild elephants again and have since thrived with two “born free” calves already amongst the herd!
As the reserve is situated in one of the most remote parts of the country, it offers guests some of the most incredible star-gazing opportunities imaginable due to the absence of light pollution from nearby cities and towns. In fact, the area was chosen by a group of astronomers as their ideal location to study stars.
Beyond their large and highly specialised anti-poaching team, the reserve is run by a small team of professionals. The reserve simply does not have the necessary hands required to conduct their much-needed field work. This adventure and eco-safari project is designed to contribute to the reserve’s ecological needs by assisting with game counts, wildlife research, vegetation surveys, and so much more!
Together, these are the tools needed to ensure a balanced ecosystem is maintained, and that the goal of restoring the Kalahari to its natural state is achieved.
Working with Wildlife are proud to be the reserve’s exclusive partner in offering such conservation experiences.
TRAVELLERS TIPS:
- Travel Insurance is mandatory due to the remoteness of the lodge
- Always wear shoes and use a torch at night
- Bring comfortable clothes and a hat – Temperatures can vary significantly between day and night (Kalahari is often a place of extremes)
- Sunscreen and water bottles are essential (Water filling station is available)
- Photographic equipment and binoculars are recommended
Lodge Features
Boma
Laundry
Curio Store
Additional Activities
- Predator Research
- Camera Traps
- Game Counts
- Vegetation Management and Surveys
- Reserve Work
- Special Events (occasional)
Getting There
- Guests are met in Tosca (North West, South Africa) and escorted to the lodge.
- A vehicle with high ground clearance is recommended to reach the reserve from Tosca as this is a dirt road.
- Safe parking is available at the lodge.
- Should guests not have a high vehicle, parking can be arranged in Tosca and we will escort guests to the lodge.
- Transfers can also be arranged from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg OR Vryburg to the lodge at an additional cost – please contact us for a quote.