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Ecological Reserve uMkhanyakude District Municipality, South Africa
Help save the last hippos on Lake Sibaya!
What you offer
20h
- Hours per week
- Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.
- Gardening
- Help grow plants and cultivate gardens
- Painting & Decorating
- Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.
- Building & Repairing
- Help with a wide range of repairs or building.
- Animal Care
- Help look after and take care of animals.
- Additional Fee
- This host charges a fee in addition to the cost of the Worldpackers annual plan.
Additional fee required
This host charges an additional fee to the cost of the Worldpackers annual plan for the sustainability of the project and the quality of the experience for volunteers. Learn more.
Amount
- US$ 85
Per week
Fee pays for
- Benefits for travelers
- Materials for volunteer activities
Description
Contribution is for daily living cost such as meals, accommodation, transport
What you get
3
- Days off per week
- Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.
- Private Room
- You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.
- Breakfast
- You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.
- Lunch
- You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.
- Dinner
- You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.
- Fast Internet Access
- High-speed internet for you to work remotely
- Use our equipped kitchen
- Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.
- Discounts on Parties
- Get discounts at nearby parties and clubs.
- Discounts on Drinks
- Get discounts for drinks and beverages from our bar.
- Discounts on Tours
- Get discounts for tours and excursions around town.
- Discounts on Accommodation
- Get discounts for your stay in other hostels.
- Free Tours
- We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!
- Free Hiking Tours
- We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!
- Get free drinks or beverages.
- Drink up! Get free and tasty drinks for yourself.
- Free Parties
- Get free entrance for the best parties in town.
- Free Events
- Get free entrance for the best events in town.
- Pub Crawls
- Be a part of our pub crawls at local bars!
- Certificate
- Get a certificate of completion after you finish your experience.
- Support
- Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.
- Verified Host
- This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.
- WP Safeguard
- Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.
- Learn more
Availability
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
- Stay at least
- 2 weeks
- Stay up to
- 12 weeks
The Experience
Our project is located in a remote part of South Africa on the Elephant Coast , bordering the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, an UNESCO World Heritage site for biodiversity and natural beauty. Our camp is next to Lake Sibaya, South Africa's biggest fresh water lake, filled with hippo and crocodile. At the moment we are updating the species list, this is a continuous project with the aim to compile detailed species list .Training is provided.
Learn moreRequirements
- Beginner English or Beginner French
- Between 20 and 35 years old
- Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers
- Be from outside South Africa
What's not included
Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa
Talk to those who have lived the experience
In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.
You can ask things like:
- a) How was your experience with this host?
- b) How was your day-to-day routine?
- c) How much did you spend on this trip?
Exclusive for members
Connect with those who will also be there
Become a Verified Member and exchange ideas before your trip with other worldpackers who will be volunteering in the same place as you.
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UN Sustainable Development Goals
Join the host in pursuit of these goals and contribute to building a better and more sustainable future for all.
24 Reviews
Host & Team
Hours & Tasks
Ecological Reserve
Learning & Fun
How this experience will transform you
- 24 Get in touch with nature
- 20 Developing environmental awareness
- 18 Meeting international travelers
- 18 Meeting locals
- 17 Learning about sustainability
- 14 Immersing in the local culture
This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals
- 20 15. Life on land
- 10 13. Climate action
- 8 14. Life below water
- 1 7. Affordable and clean energy
Daniel
Australia
The reserve and the Winter-dodger location was amazing. Pieter and Julie both had a wealth of knowledge across plants, animals, ecosystems and the area that taught me so much! The relaxed vibe and go with the flow attitude was great to adapt to hot weather, storms and guests, with us always having something interesting to do no matter the situation. I'm flying back to Australia thinking a lot about how much of an issue invasive Aussie plants are in the area. Amazing experience, I could live there!
8 days ago
Greta Marlene
Germany
Dear Pieter. Thank you for letting me join the reserve! I've experienced and learnt so many different things in these 2 weeks - the walks at Lake the reserve, you sharing your (possibly endless :D) knowledge about South Africa and its wildlife, going on safari or beach trips, spending lovely time with you and the amazing volunteers (will miss u!!) at the camp, diving into the topic of the reserve - and so much more. I greatly appreciate that you were always caring, willing to make everyone feel at home and cooking such awesome meals for us. It's a place where everyone is welcomed ! <3
8 days ago
Simone
Germany
My volunteering time at the camp was truly invaluable. The tasks were as described, everything was easy-going and relaxed. Beyond that I loved the conversations, fun activities, and the kind of moments that stay with you long after you leave. What stayed with me most is the importance of protecting this region. Lake the reserve is unique, and being part of its the reserve meant a lot to me. And the host? Absolutely one of a kind, living and breathing wildlife and the reserve, funny & full of the wildest stories. I'm grateful for this experience that is one that will stay with me for a long time.
22 days ago
Nikola
Slovakia
I spent more than two weeks with Cam and Pete. They are amazing people who made me feel at home from the very first moment. Their cooking skills are on a high level, and I enjoyed the food every day. We were a great group of volunteers during my stay, which made the experience even better. I highly recommend this volunteer program and I hope to come back in the future! Miss you already!
about 1 month ago
Arthur
Denmark
I had an awesome time at the reserve. It's a great place to visit if you wanna learn about nature and South African culture. Pieter (the host) has an insane knowledge of everything from plants to animals and he has travelled all over southern Africa so he can really help you with advice and recommendations. I had a great time with an amazing group of people, we even did a couple of safaris, went to the beach and hiked a lot around the beautiful area where the camp is located. I would definitely recommend this experience for anyone who is okay with living a bit off grid.
about 1 month ago
About the host
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Hosted by Pieter
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- This host usually answers to 100% of the messages
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- This host usually writes back in A few hours
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