South Africa has evolved over thousands of years to become the biologically and culturally diverse nation that it is today. The country welcomes millions of visitors a year attracted by its wide, sandy beaches, foaming surf, cosmopolitan cities, world famous national parks and game reserves and of course its monumental and dramatic natural landscapes including Table Mountain.
Rolling hills, extensive grasslands, lush savannah woodlands and historical frontier architecture will greet you at this exclusive game reserve. The unspoiled bushveld and crystal clear blue skies combine to offer a magnificent setting for you to explore and track the Big Five wildlife and to discover the intriguing history of this African paradise
You will be working within the reserve five days a week from Monday to Friday. The game reserve is home to all of Africa's Big Five animals (the lion, the African Elephant, the Cape Buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros) as well as many others, and you may get to help out with the reserve's animal rehabilitation work. The reserve has been successful in breeding Bengal Tigers with a new cub born in the reserve! Other work may include checking up on the lions and their cubs or feeding and cleaning the elephants in the on-site elephant sanctuary.
During your stay, you will follow a fully accredited FGASA field guide training course, led by qualified and experienced assessors. The FGASA field guide course is an entry-level qualification, involving a theoretical and a practical component. Your successful completion of this course will qualify you for a FGASA Level 1 certificate and First Aid Certificate.
The course objective is to train and qualify highly competent and skilled nature guides in all aspects of field guiding and to provide an experience for all participants to develop a greater appreciation of our natural environment and be able to effectively communicate that knowledge.
Your work will be hugely varied and may include such tasks as vegetation rehabilitation and the eradication of invasive plant species – invaluable for maintaining the local flora and fauna. Fence patrolling also needs to be carried out to check for wear and tear and to ensure the safety of the animals. Those joining in the month of February may get to assist with the annual game capture programme. Remember though, you are also here to study!
Within the reserve you can visit the historic English frontier town of Sidbury, noted for its contribution to the development of agriculture in South Africa and home to the oldest cricket grounds in the country. Here you will find a post office and a modern convenience store.
Excursions to Port Elizabeth, South Africa's second oldest city, are arranged every other weekend. Here you can enjoy sunbathing, surfing and swimming at the beautiful blue flag beaches such as George's and Humewood beach. In the evenings you can explore the exciting bars, clubs and restaurants of this vibrant city.
