You are here
Makalali Overview
Duration
Siyafunda Makalali project has a minimum duration of 1 week.
Start dates
The project start day is every Monday throughout the year, with volunteers being collected from Hoedspruit.
Typical Project Schedule
Monday: Project start day. Town trip to pick up volunteers and restock supplies
Tuesday: Early start setting out on a set route drive as part of our game counting program to determine populations of general game.
In the afternoon we depart for a monitoring drive to locate one of our key species of interest; lion, elephant, leopards or hyena.
Wednesday: Waterhole monitoring in the morning to determine species utilisation of the area.
We set off for a drive in the afternoon to the breeding boma to monitor the buffalo, Livingstone eland and nyala.
Thursday: Habitat work; we could be busy with exotic plant removal, erosion control or bush clearing.
In the afternoon or evening, we head out on hyena monitoring and night patrol
Friday: Early morning start and we will be out locating the elephants as part of the ongoing research into the elephant contraception program
The afternoon we will set out to monitor bird species.
Saturday: Habitat work in the morning, followed by an afternoon monitoring drive focussing on our lion population.
On return in the evening, we may head out to the local pub or have a typical South African braai (BBQ)
Sunday: Either an outing will be planned or it will be a free day for volunteers to relax or head out on their own tour.
In between activities, volunteers will receive a series of presentations on the work of Siyafunda, or how to approach dangerous game on foot, or possibly even a Zulu lesson. This time will also be used to transfer all data collected onto the computers and compile the weekly research report, as well as helping out with vehicle checks and cleaning.
Accommodation
Your home during your stay will be the Twines Research Camp, in the heart of the reserve with all of the wildlife on your doorstep, quite literally! There are twin share rooms with shared bathrooms and all meals are prepared by the group. In the evenings, while sitting around the open fire, you can listen to the nightly calls of the lions and sounds of the bush while doing some star gazing and sharing stories of your day.
What is included?
| * Transfers for arrivals and departures on Mondays to/from Hoedspruit |
| * All food (except snacks, soft drinks and alcohol) |
| * Accommodation |
| * All linen (except towels) |
| * Monday to Friday housekeeping service |
| * All training for assistance with our research |
| * All travel within the reserve |
| * Assistance to organise travel in the local area |
| * An outing every two weeks to interesting local attractions outside of the reserve (entrance fees to be paid by volunteers) |
What is excluded?
| * Flights to South Africa |
| * Transfers to town Tuesday to Sunday if required |
| * Personal insurance |
| * Internet (small fee payable for access at camp) |
| * Towels |
| * Entrance fee to local attractions |
| * Other personal items such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks or snacks |
