|
Elephant and Horse Project
Set on a 1600 hectare conservancy near
Hazyview in one of the most
wild and beautiful parts of South Africa adjacent to
Kruger Park,
this new project is undoubtedly one of the most diverse and exciting
available to volunteers. Volunteers have the opportunity to work
closely with elephants and horses but can focus on one or the other
should they have a preference.
Additionally they will work closely with the
community and on the wildlife conservancy.
The project is run by Sean Hensman, a
qualified FGASA guide with a BA/BSc in Tourism and Leisure with
Business Management. He has over 20 years experience working with
wildlife with his first pet being a warthog and his first elephant
when he was just 7 years old!
His father, Rory Hensman, is known as
the ‘Elephant Whisperer’ and has trained over 70% of Africa’s
trained elephants. Originally from Zimbabwe he has been involved in
Nature Conservation and working with National Parks all his life.
He started EFAF (Elephants for Africa Forever) in 2003 and has spent
over 20 years working with them.
Elephants
Volunteers will work with 6 elephants
and assist in the mucking out, brushing down, food cutting and
feeding daily. They will have hands on experience of interacting
with the elephants, riding them and assisting the
stable master and the handlers
with
their training.
Volunteers will assist with visitors
who come on day visits to have an experience with the elephants and
there is also the possibility of any research should a volunteer
wish to specialize in this.
Horses
Volunteers will be asked to help with
the horses at the project. These horses will need schooling, care,
feeding, etc and as such those who wish to will be able to focus on
the horses. There is an experienced groom who will help the
volunteers with the horses, and the volunteers will use the horses
for a variety of things from helping on horse back safaris to
checking the boundary fences. In addition these horses are schooled
to play polo and volunteers will be able to learn a little about the
game in the arena during their stay.
Working with the horses is for all levels of riders,
including complete beginners.
Day to day work involving riding the
horses includes fence patrols and anti-poaching patrols in addition
to rounding up the cattle on the conservancy. Volunteers will also
assist with monitoring and branding the cattle and the weekly
dipping of the cattle.
Community Work
From the volunteer contribution, £100
will be given to the community project of the volunteer’s choice.
Projects in the local community include assisting with schools,
improving sports facilities, women’s clubs, constructing new
buildings and anything else that will enhance the community.
Volunteers will spend some time with the local community to give
hands-on help and assistance where it is needed.
Introduction Week
In the first week volunteers will learn
First Aid in the Bush, to drive 4 x 4, to use the tools that they
will need for their work and have an in-depth introduction to the
Conservancy.
Game Capture
The Conservancy will be stocked with
Game and volunteers may well be involved in assisting with Game
capture. This may mean working alongside local vets to net, herd or
dart the animals. Game on the Conservancy will include impala, kudu,
wilderbeest, waterbuck, giraffe, rhino and zebra to name but a few.
Accommodation
Volunteers will be accommodated in a
farmhouse with 2 people per room. At this moment the project is
limited to only 8 people at a time. Three meals a day are provided
and washing and laundry is also done by the maid. There is internet
at the farmhouse and a swimming pool. The Conservancy is only 4km
to the nearest town therefore town visits are possible for supplies
of luxury items.
Working Day
Volunteers should note that the days
are very busy and the work demanding so a reasonable level of
fitness is expected. A typical day will include:
6am – wake up
7am – breakfast
8am – work projects
12 – 2pm – lunch
2pm – work projects
5pm – 6pm – relax
6pm – one hour lecture
7.30pm – supper and free time
Trips Included
In the 4 weeks there are 4 days off
where trips are organized and included in the price of your
programme. These include Kruger Park, Graskop (God’s Window), the
Rehabilitation Centre and the Elephant Training Centre at Mooketsi.
There may be other days off when work
allows but this will depend on the workload.
Extra Weeks
The
volunteers must be available in
Nelspruit
Airport or Hoedspruit (Eastgate Airport) for a Monday morning
pick up and transfer to the Conservancy. On the Monday after
the course the
volunteers will be transferred back to
Nelspruit or
Hoedspruit (Eastgate Airport).
The minimum course
programme is 2 weeks
- Please note that even though the 2 week option is available we
prefer volunteers to come a minimum of 4 weeks as the work with the
elephants in particular is very specialized and there is a great
deal to learn.
6 week courses – volunteers will assume
more of a leadership role and assist with the new volunteers and
diversify into whatever area they choose or prefer working in.
8 week courses – Volunteers can stay on
and help further at the elephant and horse project or can opt to
spend 2 weeks at either the Monkey Sanctuary at Letsitele, on a
local Game Ranch or assisting with the Elephant Training Facility at
Mooketsi or the Snake Park.
Volunteer Contributions
2 weeks - £1075
3 weeks - £1400
4 weeks - £1825
6 weeks - £2425
8 weeks - £3220
What is included:
Return transfer to the Conservancy from
Nelspruit Airport or Hoedspruit (Eastgate) Airport,
accommodation in farmhouse, 3 meals a day, laundry, use of internet,
4 trips on days off, all project materials
relating to the programme.
What is NOT included:
Flights, Medical Insurance, luxury items such as alcohol,
cigarettes, chocolate,
extra activities on day trips such as skydiving, water rafting etc.
If volunteers would prefer to travel by road to Nelspruit or
Hoedspruit instead of flying, this will be extra at £150 between 1 -
4 people.
ELEPHANT AND HORSE
PROJECT PICS HERE...
|
