Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is situated in the heart of the Limpopo Province in South Africa, and the centre itself is surrounded by one of South Africa’s premier Big Five Game Reserves, which makes the Hoedspruit cheetah project one of our most wide-ranging conservation volunteering experiences. The closest town is Hoedspruit, which is approximately 25km from the reserve. Regular town trips can be organized for supplies, banking or internet facilities. Telephone facilities (at participants’ own expense) and laundry facilities are available in the camp.

Volunteers are accommodated in thatched huts (each can sleep 2 people) in Nungu Camp – situated within the boundaries of Kapama Private Game Reserve (Big 5). Separate facilities are available for male and female participants. Three meals per day are prepared in the camp which prove to be a valuable team building experience. There is a kitchen with fridges in the camp and barbeque facilities.You will be working with the wildlife department, and accommodated at the centre. This is a very hands on programme which is offered for 3 weeks, on a monthly basis.
The centre has established itself as one of the leading breeding and private research facilities for animal rehabilitation and endangered species in the country, with particular emphasis on the breeding and maintenance of cheetah in captivity.

The excellent condition of these animals, and of the place in which they live, reflects the attention to detail which is the hallmark of this facility.

In the Limpopo Province the reserve covers an area of approximately 13000 hectares and comprises spectacular diversity in mammal and bird species and topography. Characterised by rolling savannah grasslands and riverine forests, the reserve supports no less than 42 mammal species and approximately 350 bird species. Amongst the mammal species is the Big 5 – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino.

Evenings and Sundays are “off” days for those on conservation volunteering projects. There are adventurous activities available in the area. Should volunteers decide to participate in activities such as hot air ballooning, horse rides, paint-ball games, and river rafting in the Blyde River Canyon, they can be arranged with the project leader at participants own expense.

During your conservation volunteering placement you may have the opportunity to experience:

•Monitoring programs (general antelope and the Big 5)
•Feeding of animals in the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding centre for Endangered Species
•Environmental education on conservation and animal rehabilitation
•Lectures on various topics of reserve management
•Camping in the reserve to get the African feeling (Sleep out under the stars; it is a bit risky to do so in the big 5 area so sometimes we will sleep under the stars in camp)
•Star-gazing
•Immobilizing of wild animals
•Target shooting in order to expose volunteers to anti-poaching (done with an air-rifle and not with live ammunition)
•Capturing of wild animals when required by the reserve or the sanctuary
•Assisting the vet with veterinary procedures
•Assisting with hand-raised animals – a very hands on experience.
•Game drives through the reserve
•Elephant-back safari
•Day trip to Kruger National Park – animal identification and conservation
•Trip to the Reptile Park for a full orientation on reptiles; venoms etc.