Tuli Conservation Project
Study elephant, lion and leopard in the Botswana wilderness
Tuli Conservation Project offers you the opportunity to join a dedicated research project in a new approach to game management. Forming part of the Limpopo-Shashe trans frontier conservation area, the core study area allows natural migration of game across historically established national borders. This exciting new concept in wildlife management creates a need for volunteers to assist in research of populations moving through this vast wilderness.
- Monitor elephant populations
- Be involved in predator behavioural studies
- Learn traditional tracking skills and the use of advanced telemetry technology
- Record hyena sightings and den sites
- Conduct general wildlife surveys
- Help with habitat restoration and maintenance
Conservation In The Field
Monitoring the movements and behaviours of these species is essential in the management of a trans frontier conservation area, specifically natural migratory routes and territory movements. Funding for this research project is facilitated solely by volunteer funds. Having a volunteer presence in the area also actively discourages poaching which has led to a fantastic increase in population size of these notorious and last truly wild elephant herds in southern Africa.
Tuli video
Video of life as a volunteer at the Tuli Conservation Project.
Watching elephants from a vantage point
Volunteer observing elephants from a koppie (rocky hill)
Elephant scratching
Elephant with an itchy spot
Collared leopard
Researchers and volunteers at Tuli recently managed to trap and collar a leopard and can now track and monitor its movements more closely.
Leopard Sighting
Close up sighting of the elusive leopard
Setting off for the day's work
Volunteer group heading out on the day's survey
Monitoring elephants
Learning tracking
Volunteers at Tuli learn to identify a number of wildlife tracks
In the tracking seats
Volunteers who have mastered basic tracking skills earn the privilege of riding in the tracker's seat
Cheetah kill
Volunteers often witness nature at its most authentic moments at Tuli - such as this cheetah kill.
Hilltop climb
Volunteers frequently climb koppies (hills) to conduct a 360 degree survey from the top.
Studying an elephant herd
Volunteers at the project study elephant herds in detail and compile identity charts
hyena
Elusive hyena are sighted reasonably often at Tuli
Mother and baby elephants
Mother and baby elephants
Impala antelopes
The Tuli Block is home to large populations of impala
Monitoring wildlife from a hilltop
Surveys from a koppie (hill) are a good way to get an extended view
Lioness sighting
A resident pride of lions is close to the Tuli camp
Tuli after the rains
The land at TUli undergoes a massive change with the season, turning form dusty plains to lush greenery with the rains.
Clearing the land
Volunteers also help with clearing roads and old fences
Tuli sunset
Night time sighting of hyena
Night drives are a regular occurrence at the Tuli project
Platform for bush sleep-outs
Volunteers regularly sleep out in the bush - sometimes platforms are used for a bit of extra safety
Tuli volunteer camp
Accommodation is in traditional huts and tents
Work with the wildlife
Living a rustic life, you will learn traditional tracking methodology and research skills. Through game drives, walks, night drives and sleep outs, you will be involved in the following study topics in this wildlife haven.
Elephants are the key research and monitoring species due to their population density
- Develop identification cards for individual bulls and breeding herds
- Record population numbers, age and gender structure of herds
- Records herd dynamics of around 1200 elephants free roaming the greater Tuli block
- Monitor range utilisation and study seasonal migration patterns
Predator behavioural studies, including key species of leopard, lion, cheetah and hyena.
- Establishing accurate population number and gender ratio of leopard. Determine territory sizes through tracks and sightings collection. Leopards are elusive and sightings can be rare.
- Track the resident lioness and cubs using radio telemetry, and study pride structure and behaviour.
- Monitor movements, numbers, gender and prey selection of cheetah in the core study area.
- Record hyena sightings and den sites.
General game study
- Systematic studies and game counts of baboons, zebra, wildebeest, impala, eland, steenbok, klipspringer, waterbuck, kudu and other game species. Counts include recording data such as sex and age ratios to analyse herd structures, growth rates and seasonal variations.
- Mapping species against vegetation maps.
- Focus on seasonal movements and interactions between prey and predators.
Restoration and maintenance of the bushveld to maximise its suitability for animal species to flourish healthily
- Removal of old fence wire often used in snares
- Erosion control of the gullying effects of the Limpopo River
- Eradication of alien plant vegetation
- Habitat rehabilitation initiatives
Get 10% off your placement cost and FREE H20 Bushnell Binoculars!
Volunteer during the months of October through to March and get twice the benefit with up to 10% off your placement cost and a FREE pair of Bushnell H20 binoculars!
Hear from other volunteers who've visited Tuli Conservation Project
David Wright - Gap Year VolunteerLearning to map populations and herd dynamics... I'll never forget that feeling of being so close to nature. Even beyond the delight of seeing your first elephant or aardvark, there's a much deeper feeling of satisfaction from knowing you are playing such an important part in their protection
Anne Cooper - 50+ VolunteerThe experience, opportunity, friendship and tuition was ageless! I was impressed with how the project was managed and the commitment to local conservation and people... a truly magical place
Antonia PeggBeing meters away from a leopard which has leapt up a tree with an impala carcass, away from lurking hyenas was only one of the incredible things I studied... Tuli is an enchanting experience, from showering under the stars to watching hundreds of elephants crossing the Limpopo [river]. Not only did I learn more than I could possibly have imagined, about subjects I never knew I was interested in, but really felt I made a valuable contribution to studying an area that is innately wild and uncharted,as well as making some great friends on the way
Anna CookeTuli provided me with the opportunity to 'escape' my normal life & routine. The variety is wonderful and Stuart's enthusiasm is infectious.
Please wait...
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