Botswana Wild

Your project starts with a 2-day orientation in Johannesburg at Curiosity Backpackers.

Arrive in Joburg or Jozi, as it is known locally, and get shown around by people who know the city well. The orientation is excellent for first-time visitors to find their feet the local way and meet other volunteers on your project.

Day 1
You will be picked up from the airport and taken to the hostel. Here you will be given a chance to settle down before you receive your welcome pack. You will be given a briefing on your volunteer program and then meet other travelers and volunteers for a welcome dinner.

Day 2
Embark on a captivating exploration of Johannesburg and Soweto after breakfast. Discover the Maboneng Precinct, a vibrant hub of creativity, art, and culture, redefining the city's history and future. Explore landmarks such as the Carlton Centre and Ghandi Square, witnessing the urban renewal of Johannesburg. In Soweto, South Africa's largest township, capture iconic moments at Orlando Towers and Soccer City, the World Cup final venue. Visit the Hector Pietersen Memorial for insights into the 1970s youth uprisings, and stroll along Vilakazi Street, home to both Nelson Mandela and Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu. Enjoy lunch (own expense), shop for local arts and crafts, and delve into the rich history of these dynamic neighborhoods.

Day 3
After breakfast we will take you to Johannesburg Airport or your bus stop for your onwards travel to the project.

Your daily journey will involve approximately six hours of volunteer work, divided between early morning and late afternoon tasks to steer clear of the midday heat. During lunch and the early afternoon, you have free time to indulge in reading, relaxing, playing games, or even taking a siesta! For those more active individuals seeking less downtime, there are consistently available activities around the camp, such as downloading camera trap data, identifying spoor, and capturing images of birds and insects for identikits.

The late afternoons typically culminate with a breathtaking sunset atop a rocky outcrop, and if the weather permits, evenings are spent enjoying the night sky around a campfire.

1. Research:
- Conduct mammal and bird surveys
- Study migration patterns throughout the year
- Develop elephant identikits
- Monitor camera traps and document nocturnal activities
- Contribute valuable data to the broader management planning of the area

2. Conservation Projects:
- Undertake activities based on conservation needs
- Fence repair, waterhole construction, soil erosion control, and more
- Play a vital role in protecting and maintaining the wilderness area

3. Wildlife Observation:
- Observe wildlife in their natural habitat
- Encounter herds of elephant, zebra and giraffe, with opportunities to track leopard, lion and hyena.
- Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of the African bush

4. Sleep-Outs:
- Experience the magic of Africa's starlit sky
- Witness breathtaking sunsets over the plains
- Fall asleep under the vast African sky, listening to the sounds of nearby creatures

5. Discover:
- Learn to identify species in the African bush
- Engage in spoor identification and cast-making
- Participate in conservation debates and bird identification sessions
- Absorb the silence and vastness of the surrounding landscapes

Weekends
There will be free time on weekends where you can catch up on sleep or relax in the camp. Sunday is your day off, there are opportunities to go into the village or hang at the swimming pool. We can take you on walks/game drives and can arrange to go to other places in the area such as Solomon’s Wall (depending on the availability of guides).

On this project you will get involved in whatever is needed, but we want you to have fun and learn along the way. You will attend lectures in our ‘bush classroom’, and will be given practical exercises to carry out to re-enforce what we teach you. Part of your stay will include attending two courses which are included in the price. Your ‘working hours’ will vary but usually be about 4 - 6 hours a day, after which you then get to freshen up and join us for some sort of activity – take a walk on our beautiful islands, go on game drives, or sit quietly at one of our hides and enjoy seeing the animals and watch the sunset.

COURSE 1 - BIRD IDENTIFICATION
This course will teach the beginner how to start to identify birds without having to page right through the entire bird book each time. It will teach you how to identify using beaks, feet, location, colours, behaviour, etc. It will also include details on the habits of some of the birds in our area as well as breeding and nesting. There will be a lot of practical aspects to this course where you will have the opportunity to observe various birds in different habitats and record what you have seen. The Tuli Block is very rich in bird life and there are nearly 400 species of birds here so we would like to start to build up a list of what we have seen. This course will also equip you to identify birds in other areas of the world, simply by using the same technique.

COURSE 2 - CONSERVATION DEBATE
This discussion-based class is very interactive and encourages all who visit us to think about their daily lives at home and how they could make a difference. There is much discussion around wildlife and the welfare of all creatures as well as the habitat they live in and you will gain many insights into how we can help improve the plight of all who inhabit the planet.

Central Tuli Block: Historically a mixed-use area, the Central Tuli Block has been transformed into a wildlife sanctuary. Private conservationists worked to re-wild the region, making it a haven for Africa's iconic species. This program aims to provide an authentic wilderness experience for youth while contributing to the conservation goals of the area.

2 Day Johannesburg Orientation
Return transfer between Johannesburg and the project
Accommodation
Volunteers will receive three meals a day at the project (including braai once a week)
Guided activities
Game drives
Sleep-outs under the stars
24-hour support and supervisor at the project
Donation to the project
Certificate of completion

Completed Application form
Basic level of competency in English
Copy of return flight itinerary
Passport should have at least 6 months validity left after the end of your trip. There should also be at least two blank pages.
Medium level of fitness
Medical Insurance that includes evacuation

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.