Why take part in a Conservation project?

Man's negative impact on the environment is more apparent today than ever before. Unsustainable development, a rapidly growing population, exploitation of natural resources, high pollution levels, over-hunting of animals... these are just some of the ways in which man has abused and is abusing the earth. The consequences of our actions are serious. In destroying natural habitats and causing the extinction of animal species, we are simultaneously destroying our own environment and causing potentially irreversible damage, the effects of which will be suffered by future generations.

Taking part in this conservation project will enable you to give something back and you will have the chance to make a invaluable contribution to one of the oldest and most beautiful ecosystems left on the planet.

Why Conservation in South Africa and Botswana?

South Africa: Despite its troubled history, South Africa is now a beacon of economic development and stability. Built on a plethora of natural resources, especially diamonds and gold, it is a country of enormous optimism. From the Cape of Good Hope to the Kruger National park, South Africa is home to spectacular scenery and some of the greatest game reserves in the world.

Botswana: Landlocked Botswana gained independence from the British in 1966, since when the country's economy has flourished, resulting in it being one of the wealthiest nations in Southern Africa. Arguably as a result of this, Botswana has chosen to largely veer away from an expansion of game reserves, and remains a country with a progressive attitude to conservation, keen to remove all fences and allow all wildlife to roam free.

Volunteering in Southern Africa

Projects Abroad volunteers in Southern Africa will take part in the conservation and protection of our very own area of untouched African Bush, called Legodimo. Our goal is to protect the resident wildlife and allow the land to return to its natural state after previous disturbances. Your base is an unfenced nature reserve in the south of Botswana in an area called "Tuli Block". Your neighbours will be herds of elephant, antelope and zebra to name but a few and the lack of fences in Botswana means that we continue to see wildlife returning to the reserve as their confidence slowly returns in an area where they were previously threatened. Whether you are awoken by the laughing of hyenas outside camp or come across a warthog foraging in the undergrowth, every time you enter the reserve, you collect another memory to take away with you.

There is a huge variety of activities operating in the reserve ranging from research investigations, bio-diversity studies, water hole constructions, erosion control, tree protection, elephant monitoring and much more. You will spend most of your time working in Botswana but often cross the border into neighbouring South Africa, where you have the chance to work on one of the youngest South African National Parks and World Heritage Site, Mapungubwe. Here you can experience how a commercial park works by joining their conservation teams and whilst working on their projects you will get to learn the basics of managing and maintaining a reserve. Other trips will see you tracking lions and cheetahs or just relaxing in some of the most beautiful locations in Africa.