Phinda Wildlife Research Project
Work with field researchers in a Big Five Safari reserve
Few reserves in Africa have the biodiversity Phinda Game Reserve offers. This vast tract of bush, riverine area and rare sand forest is home to dynamic populations of elephants, lion, white and black rhino, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, wildebeest, buffalo and antelope. An area formerly depleted in wildlife, large mammal reintroduction has allowed for the development of this stunning reserve. You can join the research team at Phinda dedicated to the management of this ecosystem.
- Work alongside a research team on this Big 5 reserve
- Monitor over 100 white rhinos, developing a detailed population database
- Assist with the behavioural studies and introduction of black rhino on the reserve
- Behavioural studies and population dynamics of predator populations
- Cheetah, leopard and lion studies
- Help with elephant population monitoring
- Mark and re-capture programme of serval cats
Conservation in the field
The reserve management rely on volunteers to support the research taking place at Phinda to ensure inter and intra-species populations are balanced and animal management is optimum within the reserve. Regular and dedicated research allows Phinda to become partner to essential conservation initiatives worldwide such as the release of black rhino into the reserve.
Phinda video
A video of volunteers at the Phinda Wildlife Research Project
Cheetah at a kill
Cheetah at a kill
Darted Lion
Black Rhino
Phinda is home to a sizeable population of the black rhino
White Rhino
White rhino at Phinda
Sedating lions
Volunteers assisting with darting and sedating lions
Transporting Lions
Transporting sedated lions for relocation
Collared Cheetah
Phinda monitors its predator populations closely, so some animals are collared for study purposes
Collaring leopard
A Volunteer collaring a leopard at Phinda
Elephant
Close up encounter with an elephant
Male Nyala
Male Nyala
Elephant Sighting
Viewing the Phinda elephants from the water
Phinda zebra
The wildlife viewing opportunities at Phinda are superb.
Phinda Accommodation
The volunteer house at the Phinda project
Work with the wildlife
Sandwiched between the warm Indian Ocean, St Lucia lake and the Lebombo mountains, join an experienced research team at Phinda Game Reserve and be involved in;
White rhino monitoring
- Over 100 rhino traverse the reserve since an initial reintroduction of a handful
- Assist with developing a detailed population database and recording sex, age, territorial information and movements, through ear notched individuals
Big cat and predator research
- Cheetah monitoring, identifying territories and movements through markings on their eyes and tails. A unique hunting substrate of the forest is also be investigated
- Join the active leopard research project, tracking, darting and collaring individuals for data collection
- Record movements and sightings of two lion prides and assist with lion contraception initiatives
Elephant population monitoring
- Assist with behavioural studies to determine the effect of an elephant contraceptive programe to control numbers ( an ethical alternative to culling)
Small mammal survey
- Recently introduced and radio- collared servals have moved out of the reserve. You will assist with setting traps and a mark and re-capture programme to determine why.
Hear from other volunteers who've visited Phinda Wildlife Research Project
Jennifer Palframan, Volunteer March 2011I have just come back from 2 weeks at Phinda, it was so awesome I wish I could have stayed longer! Every day is different, but the basic schedule was in the land rover at 6am, try to find certain animals (elephant, white rhino, cheetah, lion, buffalo, etc), work out who they are, who they are with, and what they are doing; back at the house for lunch/rest; on the road again at 3ish, back around 7-8ish. But the schedule changes all the time! I got to see a few lion dartings, track leopard, and when I left they were planning some rhino dartings. The people were great, it's a very relaxed environment, and the animal sightings are fantastic. You won't be disappointed.
Ellen Spencer, Volunteer 2010It's amazing at Phinda... the people are lovely too!! Such a great experience and I was lucky to see all the big five, go on a walk to find black rhino, stroke a darted leopard, watch a male lion being darted, and lots more!!! Enjoy yourselves and watch the sunset every night...its beautiful!
Christopher BarassThere were so many amazing encounters at Phinda... We needed to collar a leopard for research, after setting up a trap and radio signal. After several hours there was no signal, I only woke once when a white rhino walked past the track munching on the grass. Just before day break the radio signal woke us... we had caught a spotted hyena!
Please wait...
This page has been tagged with...
Project Location
Apply Now
Click here to find out how you can apply to join one of our conservation placements in southern Africa.Sign Up
Click here to sign up to "Bushwire" - Our low volume and incredibly informative newsletter from the African bush. All you need is a working email account!Ethical Volunteering
Find out more about our responsible travel policy and commitment to reducing carbon emmissions within our company, as travellers ourselves and how we help you as a volunteer to do the sameRead
Click here to download a copy of our brochure in PDF format or to request a printed copy to be sent to you in the postOur Brochure
News Tags
- zingela
- wildlife
- hand rearing
- shimongwe
- veterinary
- game capture
- elephants
- volunteer diaries
- marine
- whale
- mauritius
- rehabilitation
- moholoholo
- leopard
- game ranger course
- dwrc
- cheetah
- khulula
- tuli
- predators
- projects
- phinda
- rhino
- hanchi
- tambotie
- community
- tracking
- marine conservation
- nholwasi
- game ranger