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Come and explore the true wilderness of the Tuli Block with the Botswana Conservation team! Volunteers will assist with the conservation research of elephant and leopard in this region and feel fulfilled from assisting with a valuable, viable and exciting research project.
The main species of study is the elephant and with regular sightings and monitoring, the research will include:
Ascertaining numbers in each herd and location within the search area
Behavioural monitoring of elephants within the herd
Creating and updating personalised identification cards for each elephant
Recording data on herd dynamics, specifically age and sex ratios
Use of GPS to map range utilisation in the conservation area
Vegetation damage assessments
There will also be time spent monitoring leopard and conducting baboon studies. During leopard monitoring, volunteers will record interactions with other species, study their behaviour and collect data to establish territory size. The baboon studies will help to understand the number of troops in the conservation area, food sources and record location sightings.
Volunteers will go on game drives in the conservation area to carry out general game monitoring, where they will record number of different species via a grid co-ordinate system. The game numbers are then mapped and compared to vegetation surveys, predator tracks and waterhole locations.
On top of the conservation work, Shumba volunteers will assist with maintaining the conservation area, including restoration of habitats, alien plant control, removal of old fencing and erosion control due the effects of the Limpopo River.
In July 2009, we will be moving to a new core study site, about 15km away from the current area. This new sample area is approximately 12,000 hectares and has a very high concentration of cheetah, lion and elephant.
For up-to-date stories read the Botswana Conservation News
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The conservation activities you may undertake on the project, could include:
Tracking and data capture of elephant herds numbers & behaviour
Elephant vegetation damage assessments and range utilisation
Wildlife game counts to ascertain species numbers and sex/age ratios
Leopard monitoring and mapping of territory size
Baboon population research
Alien plant and erosion control
Overnight camping in the conservation area
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The camp is located in the heart of the Tuli Block in Botswana. Volunteers live in tented accommodation with wooden beds. Additionally there is a kitchen with fridge, freezers and cookers with a separate eating and socialising area. Although you are living in the bush, the camp will have showers & toilets! Meals are included and there are daily rotas so that everyone gets involved in the day-to-day running of the camp.
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This placement is flexible on start dates and there are places available all year round starting on each Tuesday.
**Four to Twelve week programme also available**
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| Project Fees |
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| Combination of Projects |
Yes you'll be able to combine this with many other Shumba conservation projects
Please see Combo Page for exciting ideas! |
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| What's Included |
1) Accommodation, Meals & Airport Transfers
2) Pre-departure Information and Support
3) Assistance with Flights & Travel Insurance
4) Project Booklet
5) Onsite Training and Guidance
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| Accommodation |
Luxury Tents |
| Food |
3 meals a day included |
| Transfer to/from airport |
Yes, in host country |
| Not Included |
Flights & travel insurance |
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