Programme Details
Volunteers will start with an in-depth orientation, followed by an intensive 3 day photography course with a professional wildlife photographer to improve on your photography skills. A further 3 weeks will be spent photographing the phenomenal wildlife in the renowned local National Parks, which boast all of Africa's Big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard). This project has a number of long-term aims to raise awareness and help preserve the precious African environment:
Creating a Photographic Database
In association with the Green Vision Foundation, African Impact aims to create a complete photographic database, and use it for educational purposes. The aim is to document and preserve iSimangaliso as a key heritage site of Southern Africa. As a volunteer you will contribute to this goal by taking photos of the different species of flora and fauna, some of the 526 species of birds that exist in the Wetlands area, local conservation issues, and the unique eco-systems of the area. On this project we provide a varied programme of bush walks and game drives in order to maximise photo opportunities.
Alongside the Green Vision Foundation, African Impact has also identified that in order to preserve indigenous plant life and wildlife, it is essential to get local communities involved. What is lacking in current educational syllabi is a detailed photographic database of the wildlife in the St. Lucia area. As a volunteer, your photographs will be put towards a database of wildlife, landscapes and environmental issues to help educate local schools about the local nature and the precious environment that surrounds them.
This project is a unique opportunity to encounter some of Africa’s most beautiful animals on a daily basis, to improve your photography skills, as well as to contribute to conservation efforts.
Conservation Education
In partnership with the local village chief (Induna) and the National Parks, volunteers will be assisting in a number of exciting conservation initiatives in surrounding areas:
- Conservation Education in Schools – As a volunteer, you will visit the local high school each week and deliver a class / workshop about the reason for, and methods of conservation to the children in the after school Conservation Club. You will also, along with a conservation education syllabus, use our photography database to do this.
- Conservation Field Trips - In addition, you may take local school children and orphans into the bush on field trips. By experiencing the World Heritage Site and its wildlife for themselves, the children will learn to appreciate the area they live in, and get a better understanding of why these efforts are being made. It will also provide them with a fun and relaxing day out; something they don’t experience often!
- Conservation in Action – Volunteers. To enhance awareness of UNESCO’s objectives and methods, as well as conservational efforts in general, it is vital to involve and educate St. Lucia’s local community. Volunteers will be involved in a number of activities such as regeneration of the local village back to its natural state, planting of indigenous trees, clearing the pan (natural pond) to encourage indigenous species back to their original habitat and assisting with the local conservation efforts at the nearby crocodile centre.
Please note that these projects are always evolving so are likely to be at different stages upon your arrival. Volunteers should be prepared to be involved in a wide spectrum of project work as things progress.
What’s Included in the Programme
- The project fee entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. It facilitates funding for items such as educational materials.
- Transport between Richard’s Bay Airport and St. Lucia
- Orientation programme, including a photography course by an experienced wildlife photographer
- All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay
- All accommodation
- Three meals a day at the volunteer house (except the weekends where breakfast will be provided however volunteers like to eat out Saturday and Sunday)
- Laundry service during your stay
- 24 hour support number and contact for emergencies
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement
- Flights
- All transport by air or bus to Richard’s Bay Airport
- E-mail/Internet and telephone calls
- Lunch and dinner at the weekends
- All visas for border crossings
- Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in St. Lucia
Prices and Durations
South Africa Wildlife Photography & Conservation - 4 weeks $3,199
