Bush Direct Experience

Utilizing two beautiful game reserves, one in South Africa and one in Botswana, this is truly a wildlife experience! The eco-friendly camp is set on the banks of the river where hippos, crocodiles and many different types of birds are regular visitors and Game can be seen from your tent or lapa. In addition to the Game reserve we will be utilizing open areas where the Big 5 travel freely, plus other game reserves to maximize the viewing of the animals and the bush experience.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to go on game drives or bush walks daily, learn hands-on the way to survive in the Bush including handling weapons and four wheel driving, learn about the African culture including plants, trees and their uses and actively contribute to the conservation issues. At night volunteers will learn navigation by the stars whilst sleeping out and cooking over an open camp fire.

The Bush Experience Includes: ▪ Game drive morning or evening ▪ Game walk instead of drive sometimes ▪ Survival Skills - finding food, water, making a fire ▪ 4 wheel driving ▪ Shooting* ▪ Sling shot - catapult* ▪ Spear throwing* ▪ Bow & Arrow* ▪ Zulu and other african culture ▪ Tribal costumes and face painting ▪ Tribal music and dancing ▪ Navigation - at night and in the daytime. ▪ Trees and Bushes and plants - their uses with practical examples ▪ Tracking - the animals and their spoor and tracks ▪ Approaching dangerous game - on foot and in vehicle ▪ First aid in the bush - plus natural remedies ▪ Sleeping out in the Bush ▪ 2 day hike with sleep out ▪ Making a bush camp, accommodation and toilet the traditional way ▪ Bush Cooking including the Potjie Pot. ▪ Animal behaviour ▪ Contraception programmes ▪ Monitoring animals *Please note that this is shooting at targets and not at animals!

Who Can do the Course?
Anyone of any age can participate in the course but you do need to be relatively fit! This is a hands-on course where everyone is expected to participate in the activities and also must be prepared to work as part of a team. The more you 'muck in', the more rewarding the experience!

Bush Camp Conditions:
Volunteers are accommodated in tents or lapas and there are hot showers and eco toilets nearby. Duvets and pillows are provided but please bring a sleeping bag for sleepouts.

Recommended Duration:
We have re-structured our courses to a maximum of 3 weeks, however volunteers can join for 1 or 2 weeks if they wish. Weeks 1 and 2 are in the Bush and in week 3 you visit rehabilitation centres, the reptile park, tribal villages, the tame hippo, tame zebras and also have the opportunity to ride elephants or walk with lions (both optional extras). Please be aware that there would be a few aspects of the course you would miss out on if you choose less than 3 weeks.

There are only 8 places per course therefore we recommend you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

COST:
1 week £695
2 weeks £ 995
3 weeks £1250

WHAT IS INCLUDED: Meals, Accommodation and Project equipment whilst at the Game Reserve. Visits to two Rehabilitation Centres and a Reptile Park and some local sights including an African village.  Transfer at the start of the 3 week course from Joburg airport and the transfer back to Johannesburg airport at the end of the 3 weeks. **

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: Flights. Medical Insurance. Visas. Luxury Items (chocolate, cigarettes, toiletries etc). Day off excursions.

** volunteers doing 2 weeks and needing a transfer at the start or finish of the course outside our usual transfer time must pay £110 for the transfer (up to 4 people) or take the Translux bus which is cheaper**

Group Bookings:

If you would like to book as a group, please contact us and we can run a course on dates that you can choose.

Just Talk to us!

Other Activities: The Bush Camp is very remote but one day a week we will visit a local town for volunteers to purchase luxury items and to use the internet. One day off a week is given so that volunteers can experience other aspects of Africa such as white water rafting, visiting local areas or just relaxing.

How to Get There: Volunteers should fly to Johannesburg airport and arrive ready for the transfer to the game reserve which will leave Johannesburg on the Sunday morning. The course will finish Friday night and volunteers will be taken to Johannesburg on the Saturday ready for their flight home which should not be earlier than Saturday evening **

BUSH EXPERIENCE PICS CLICK HERE!