Work with the Wildlife

All aspects of this project are focussed on ensuring each member of your family is contributing at a level of work suitable for them. Whether this is the more physical aspect of the work or the theoretical knowledge which accompanies the research of species such as elephants, baboons and predators within the stunning Botswana bush. Your whole family will discover and explore the bush ecosystems in a way suited to your age, so from youngster to grown up, there is something to learn. The African bushveld will be explored by both vehicle and on foot and will involve night viewing.

Conservation elements of the project will include some of the following:

Conservation and habitat management

• Physical habitat management including erosion control, rehabilitation of land through and removal of alien plant vegetation

Working on research projects within the reserve to assist in the research of wildlife species

• Recording elephant movements, herd dynamics and behaviour
• Determining number of baboon troops and individuals within those in the core study area, food utilisation and roosting sites
• Predator studies of lion, leopard and cheetah
• Developing tracking techniques and the basis of research skills such as GPS mapping and radio telemetry

Theoretical studies out in the bush learning skills including:

• Identification of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and trees
• Animal behaviour identification and interpretation of behaviours when working in the field
• Dealing with potentially dangerous animal
• Bush craft and survival techniques

Work with the Community

Tutuka Family Conservation Project would not be complete without the rewarding involvement of your own family with the local community. As a family, you will join our Nholwasi Community Project based in the Tuli block of Botswana:

• Assist established charity Children In The Wilderness in their goals to 'facilitate sustainable conservation through leadership development', by hosting rural children on bush camps to ignite their passion for their natural heritage and wildlife.
• Assist at the local village schools and develop their wildlife club.

Working in the local community can often expose your family to the realities of the harsh and often difficult lives these children face, which can be unsettling for your family and should be approached with an open view. The warmth you will experience from these children however will be a memory that will last forever.