Experience A Conservation Safari
KWANTU VOLUNTEER PROGRAMMES
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General Volunteer
Accommodation on the game reserve is made up of two backpacker volunteer camps, with shared single sex dorm rooms and shared single sex bathroom facilities. The lodges are fully furnished with a tea/coffee station, lounge area, entertainment area with a television and satellite, and an on-site shop for essentials – in case you run out of toothpaste, or the snack craving hits you.
Other project facilities include table tennis, table football, pool table, a library, internet, and sporting facilities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts and a cricket field, all free for you to use in your spare time. At the weekends, you will get to stay in Port Elizabeth, where you will be provided with dorm accommodation. You’re free to explore the town and try out the numerous activities available, so let your hair down, indulge in the fabulous food and drink on offer and take the opportunity to party with new friends.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be prepared for you while on the reserve. The food served varies, but usually consists of cereals, bread, butter, jam, cheese, tea and coffee, and sometimes eggs, sausages, or beans for breakfast; and burgers, chicken and chips, vegetarian dishes, potato casseroles and a range of other meals for lunch and dinner. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements when booking. Please note that the game reserve is an alcohol-free environment – you’ll have the chance to drink and go out with the other volunteers during weekends in Port Elizabeth.
Your day-to-day activities will vary, depending on where the reserve needs your help most. You can expect to be helping out with fence patrols to make sure the reserve’s animals are safe from poachers, removing alien plant species and replacing them with indigenous plants to ensure the right balance is kept to protect the natural ecology, monitoring and counting game, and even assisting with animal capture for medical treatment and relocation to other areas of the reserve.
• Various accommodation types
• Big 5 game viewing
• A village within the reserve
• Tennis courts
• Cricket field
• 3 outdoor swimming pools
• Touch farm for younger guests
• Specialty cuisine
• Therapy rooms
• Business Centre
• Airport transfers for smaller and larger groups
• Flights
• Travel insurance
• Meals whilst in Port Elizabeth
• Drinks and refreshments
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMMES
GENERAL BIG 5 WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION
Get an all-round experience of life on a Big 5 Game Reserve. Become one with nature as you learn about the conservation of local fauna and flora. Your work will play a valuable part in the sustainability of the region, as you assist in general tasks on a day to day basis on the reserve.Gain skills and knowledge in conservation whilst working directly with our on-site conservation experts and zoologists, and during school terms you’ll get to work with the local community, making sure children receive nutritious meals and a helping hand.
If you want to make a difference to the lives of animals, as well as the environment, while experiencing a range of activities, then this is the place for you.
activities. These activities include:
• Game Capture
• Game Counting
• Lion Monitoring
• Removal of Alien Vegetation
• Planting of Indigenous Trees
• Assisting in the Caring of Orphaned Animals
• Fence and Anti-poaching Patrols
And much, much more
• Scheduled Transfers (one to the reserve and one back to PE/ airport – 2 trips in total)
• Orientation on arrival
• Kwantu Cap
• Kwantu T-shirt
• Accommodation
• Meals while on the reserve
• Beverages with meals
• Weekend Excursions (Transport and Accommodation Only)
• 2 weeks + (starts on any Monday and ends on any Sunday)
Can I upgrade my accommodation to either sleep alone or share with a partner?
Yes, this is no problem at an additional fee. Please however check availability with us as it is not always available.
What if I arrive/ want to travel out of the scheduled times?
This is no problem at an additional fee
What is the age limit?
18+, however, we do sometimes allow younger volunteers (16+) with the correct paperwork and when we are not too busy as they normally require extra attention.
Can I play with lion cubs?
While we are not a zoo/ breeding center to guarantee cubs, should we have some available at the time, then volunteers will get a chance to interact with them if possible.
Can I do a private excursion while at Kwantu i.e. leave for a few extra days during my time?
Yes, we have a private excursion form which they normally fill out and are welcome to explore SA should they wish to.
GAME RANGER COURSE
Get a qualification while you experience what living and working on a game reserve is really like. The Game Ranger Course is an 8 week course that includes the general big 5 wildlife and conservation experience, and lectures, study material, and practical lessons that culminate in the FGASA exam (Field Guide Association of Southern Africa).
If you have a love of nature and the time, then this programme is for you. Now you convert your passion into a pastime, gain experience and have a qualification to match.
Everything you would experience on the big 5 wildlife and conservation experience, as well as:
• Lectures (in the classroom)
• Lectures (in the bush)
• Practical training
This package includes more educational aspects and you will leave with a recognized certificate when you are done.
• Orientation on arrival
• Kwantu cap
• Kwantu t-shirt
• Accommodation
• Meals while on the reserve
• Beverages with meals
• Weekend Excursions (transport and accommodation only)
• FGASA Study Material (level 1)
• FGASA Registration (level 1)
• First Aid Level 1
• FGASA Training
• FGASA examination (theory)
While the course is 8 weeks, it can be combined with any other program should participants want to stay longer.
Will I definitely get my qualification?
We will give the participant the necessary training and assistance to pass the exam, but as the exam is externally moderated, we cannot give any guarantees as this is up to the amount of work which the participant puts in
Is the exam/ course difficult?
As it is the intro course, it is not very in depth. While there is some self study required, with a bit of studying and discipline, the participant should have no problem.
Once I pass, am I a fully qualified game ranger (technical term is Field Guide)?
Once the participant writes and passes the exam, they will receive a certificate from FGASA advising that they are a field guide. However, should they want to work, they would need to be registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and would need to undertake a practical assessment in the area that they would like to work as the wildlife and fauna/flora differ from area to area. Once this has been completed, they can then work as a ranger in geographical parts covered by FGASA.
What is the age limit?
18+
VETERINARY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
Get exposed to real life wildlife care. Learn what it is like to be a wildlife doctor. The Kwantu Veterinary Experience Program gives participants exposure to hands on wildlife veterinary work, animal and reserve management, as well as, preventative care techniques and practices.
Please Note: Our programs are highly dependent on external factors, which are out control, and therefore no particular activity can be guaranteed.
Those interested in, or are pursuing a career in the field of veterinary science. The course covers a wide range of activities, including conservation and wildlife management studies.
• Rearing of orphaned animals
• Game counts
• Game capture and release
• Wildlife structure enrichment
• Conservation management
And many more encounters
GARDEN ROUTE TOURS
See the best that South Africa has to offer. A whirlwind tour that allows you to experience the famous big 5, the Garden Route of South Africa, and of course all of the sights along the way, including Table Mountain.
For those with limited time that want to see the wonders of South Africa, even if it is just scratching the surface.
• 1 week along the Garden Route covering an activity per day, and then allowing them free time to engage in their own activities.
• Scheduled transfers (one to the reserve on arrival)
• Orientation on arrival
• Kwantu cap
• Kwantu t-shirt
• Accommodation
• Meals while on the reserve
• Beverages with meals
• On the Garden Route
• Daily transport
• Accommodation on a BB basis
• 1 activity per day as per the schedule
• 1 meal in Cape Town on the last night
• Transport to the airport on last day (scheduled time)
Can I upgrade my accommodation to either sleep alone or share with a partner along the Garden Route as well?
Yes, this is no problem at an additional fee. Please however check availability with us as it is not always available due to us working with external service providers.
What is the age limit?
18+
Can I do my own activities along the Garden Route?
Yes, you are more than welcome and encouraged to do so during your free time
Do we go into town with the other volunteers on the weekend excursion during our week on the reserve?
This is not actually included, but we do try to accommodate the volunteers where possible.
SCHOOL/YOUTH ‘DISCOVERER’ PROGRAMMES
Kwantu is used to catering for larger groups. We have various camps and dorms that are ideal for group travel of any size.
We are aware of the time constraints and limitations that come with traveling in large groups and we will ensure that you can also enjoy a truly African experience and can offer various packages based on the needs and interests of your group.
