The Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience

• Single project
• 1 – 12 weeks

The perfect introduction to wildlife conservation

Track rhinos on a bush walk, spot lions on a night drive, see hippos and crocodiles from a riverboat, and visit a nearby animal rehabilitation centre. This project gives you the chance to roll up your sleeves and get insight into various aspects of conservation - even if you only have one week.

Explore one of Africa’s largest intact ecosystems

This project is located in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTCA), which is managed by the international Peace Parks foundation. Volunteering here, you’ll help preserve one of the few intact ecosystems large enough to support sustainable populations of threatened species like elephants, lions and wild dogs.

Carry out practical conservation on foot

Walking through the African bush, exploring remote areas that can’t be accessed by vehicles and immersing yourself in the smells and sounds of nature is a life-changing experience. You’ll be one of the lucky people who can say "I did that" and know what it means.

Support the protection of the Greater Kruger’s biodiversity

The Greater Kruger is one of only five areas in Africa with a mega population of 2,000+ lions and home to the largest numbers of white rhino on Earth. It’s also a stronghold for leopards, hyena and elephants - giving you the chance to see African wildlife thriving like nowhere else.

See the wildlife, not the tourists

Vikela is located in a remote area of the Greater Kruger where animals can roam freely but human visitors are highly limited. This lets you see iconic animals up close, without the tarmaced roads and vehicles that are a common sight in the public Kruger Park.

Gain knowledge from local experts

Vikela’s passionate and knowledgeable team bring the bush environment to life, explaining the art and science of conservation during bushwalks, tracking and game drives.

Support rhino anti-poaching efforts

The Kruger is home to the largest wild rhino population in Africa - and plays a vital role in the future of the species. You will actively help protect them from poachers by monitoring rhinos and passing on information to the anti-poaching team in the Greater Kruger.

Monitor iconic species

As well as white and black rhinos you’ll monitor and record information on other key species such as lions, leopards, wild dogs, pangolins and spotted hyena.

Relax and take in the view

Hidden away in a private area of Greater Kruger Park, your base camp is a comfortable place to unwind, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

You’ll get involved in every aspect of project life. Depending on the monitoring and conservation priorities at the time, this will include a range of the following activities.

Monitor and protect

Ongoing monitoring of wildlife in the Greater Kruger is essential to understanding and protecting iconic African species. Depending on the work taking place at the time, this will include a range of the following activities.

You will get to observe and assist:

• Bush walks through the Greater Kruger and tracking animals on foot.
• Monitoring population numbers, movement and behaviour of key species and recording data.
• Identifying individual rhinos and passing on vital monitoring information to the anti-poaching team.
• Recording animals’ age and gender as well as predatory, feeding and breeding behaviour.
• Managing and maintaining camera traps to monitor elusive species.

You could also observe or assist:

• Analysing images and data from camera traps as part of species monitoring work.
• Practical conservation work including invasive plant removal, bush clearing and rebuilding damaged fences.

A 360-degree view of conservation

This experience also includes a variety of additional activities. You will get to:

• Boat along the Blyde River Canyon, giving you the chance to observe wildlife from the water.
• Experience the amazing efforts of an animal rehabilitation centre working in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
• Go on night drives through the Greater Kruger where you’ll gain insights into the behaviour of nocturnal animals such as leopards, hyenas, porcupines and bushbabies.

You’ll learn about the behaviour, biology, ecology, and conservation issues of species living in the Greater Kruger area, as well as various bush skills. Depending on the project’s work at the time, this will include a range of the following topics.

Behaviour

• The hunting, breeding and social behaviour of key species you’ll be monitoring, such as rhinos and wild dogs.
• The use of habitats and the movements of elusive species like leopards.

Biology

• The differences between white and black rhino.
• The physiology and natural diets of the Big 5 and other African species.
• Native African plants, reptiles, amphibians and birds.

Ecology

• The natural environment of the Big 5 and other African species.
• Why large continuous areas of protected wilderness are more effective for wildlife conservation than an equivalent area split into smaller reserves.
• The current threats facing African ecosystems.

Conservation

• The importance of the Greater Kruger Park.
• Various research techniques, such as camera traps and GPS devices.
• How wildlife conservation in Africa is funded.
• The rhino poaching crisis, what drives it and how it can be stopped.
• The roles that animal rehabilitation centres play in protecting species.

Bush skills

• How to track animals on foot.
• How to approach animals safely on foot.
• How to identify some of the many insects, reptiles and birds in the area.
• How to use a spotlight during night drives to minimise disruption to nocturnal animals.
• The medicinal uses of various plants and trees.

Educational talks

• The basic astronomy of the southern sky.
• Does hunting have a place in African wildlife conservation.
• Wildlife poisoning and the ‘muti’ trade in traditional medicine.
• Drought in the Greater Kruger.

This project contributes to a variety of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. As part of the team, so will you.

No Poverty End poverty in all its forms everywhere

By offering paid volunteering opportunities, the project attracts international funding that provides a means for the reserve team to monitor and protect the rhinos and other wildlife.

Quality Education Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

All volunteers acquire knowledge of practical conservation skills, how human actions can affect wildlife and how they can minimise this effect - and have access to the same standard of education regardless of sex and background.

Gender Equality Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Vikela Kruger provides equal employment opportunities for local women and men and equal volunteering opportunities for women and men outside the local community.

Clean Water and Sanitation Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Vikela Kruger achieves access to safe and affordable drinking water by using boreholes to pump water from underground aquifers.

Affordable and Clean Energy Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Vikela Kruger has implemented a modern solar energy system to power the project base camp efficiently and sustainably.

Decent Work and Economic Growth Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Vikela Kruger routinely employs young people between 15 and 24 and provides equal employment opportunities for local men and women. Volunteers provide both economic and physical support, which directly contributes to the protection of all the species in the reserve.

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

Through the financial support generated by self-funded international volunteers, Vikela Kruger have been able to implement a solar energy system that powers the project - thereby developing resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure in Africa.

Sustainable Cities and Communities Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Vikela Kruger builds sustainable and resilient buildings using materials that are locally sourced from within South Africa. The project also protects natural heritage through the conservation of iconic African species.

Responsible Consumption and Production Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Vikela Kruger promotes responsible tourism in a variety of ways: through the creation of local jobs; by educating international and local visitors how to live in harmony with nature; and in its vital conservation work.

Life on Land Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Vikela Kruger takes significant action to halt the loss of biodiversity and prevent the extinction of threatened species. By monitoring and protecting species within the Greater Kruger Park, they prevent the degradation of a vital large-scale ecosystem.

The project also takes urgent action to prevent poaching, by employing a highly skilled anti-poaching unit to protect wildlife in the reserve and Greater Kruger area.

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Vikela Kruger employs an expert team of anti-poaching officers, who patrol the reserve to combat and deter poachers and reduce the unethical practices associated with their activities.

Partnerships for the goals Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Through Vikela Kruger’s partnership with us, they draw in financial resources that are used to fund conservation and provide support to their community partners in South Africa.