Lion and black rhino monitoring
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Limpopo Eco Operations (LEO) monitors the wildlife on a private game reserve in South Africa near the renowned Kruger National Park. The reserve is closed to tourists, and is focussed on the rehabilitation of what was once farm land to a more natural state. LEO monitors the large carnivores and herbivores on the reserve, and as a volunteer you will help LEO locate and observe the lions, leopards, rhinos, and elephants, as well as helping with the maintenance of the reserve. Longer-term volunteers can help with data generated from the monitoring, and volunteers can help with the reserve's anti-poaching operations if they want.
During their time at the reserve, volunteers will closely experience the wildlife of southern Africa without the traffic of reserves focussed on eco-tourism, and help with the conservation of species such as the critically endangered black rhino, as well as learn about the sustainable management and use of the environment. At LEO, you will gain memories and experiences that will last a life time.
During their time at the reserve, volunteers will closely experience the wildlife of southern Africa without the traffic of reserves focussed on eco-tourism, and help with the conservation of species such as the critically endangered black rhino, as well as learn about the sustainable management and use of the environment. At LEO, you will gain memories and experiences that will last a life time.
Highlights
Monitor the reserve's lionsMonitor the reserve's black rhinos
Monitor the reserve's elephants
Excursions to the Panorama Route and Kruger National Park
General experience of the wildlife of southern Africa
Qualifications
NoneVolunteer Types
ConservationWhat`s Included
Food, accommodation, conservation activities, local transfersProgram Locations
Gravelotte, South Africa
Overall rating
3.3
Experience
2
Program Administration
2
Living Conditions
4
Cultural Immersion
2
Social Life
6
Health and Safety
4
Program Details
Provider:
Limpopo Eco Operations
Location
- South Africa: Gravelotte
Terms:
Throughout the year
Program Duration:
1-2 weeks, 1-3 months, 2-4 weeks
Languages:
Dutch, English, French, Italian, Spanish
Participants:
Worldwide
Cost:
R5400 per person per week, with cost decreasing with longer stays
Limpopo Eco Operations - Program Reviews
The organisation is not great. The two managers, a Italian woman and an Afrikaans man, are a couple who work together, but they are not capable of putting their emotional feelings on a side when it comes to work. So during my first visit, every staff member who was working there, was planning to leave the project. They had internship with Bushwise, and even the students were leaving one by one.
The woman manager tries to keep every volunteer (especially Italians) close to her, worried that at some point she will end it up alone. In addition, when there is the opportunity to go out one evening to have something different to eat, she will have crisis since her boyfriend likes to drink alcohol and she doesn’t like that.
It happened when I was there that she started crying in front of everyone because he wanted to go to a party and she disagree.
He is really male focused, he likes to be bossy and imperative towards woman especially and volunteers. That creates sometimes really difficult situations, where the staff members are obliged to take control of the project to avoid volunteers to feel what is going on.
I know that because the second time I went there, I was working as camp coordinator, without salary, without off days and without the possibility to enjoy Africa for its animals and beauties.
The food was never enough, the volunteers are having two drives per day where it says they do research, but they just driving around looking for animals, and if the Marataba lodge has guests around they will have priority leaving the volunteers in the car waiting for their turn.
I wouldn’t call a volunteer project, but rather a cheap safari. That was my experience.
not as expected
Review by: Elisabeth Grey-
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, On: 07 Jun 2018, Changed On: 07 Jun 2018 | No, I would not recommend this programThe organisation is not great. The two managers, a Italian woman and an Afrikaans man, are a couple who work together, but they are not capable of putting their emotional feelings on a side when it comes to work. So during my first visit, every staff member who was working there, was planning to leave the project. They had internship with Bushwise, and even the students were leaving one by one.
The woman manager tries to keep every volunteer (especially Italians) close to her, worried that at some point she will end it up alone. In addition, when there is the opportunity to go out one evening to have something different to eat, she will have crisis since her boyfriend likes to drink alcohol and she doesn’t like that.
It happened when I was there that she started crying in front of everyone because he wanted to go to a party and she disagree.
He is really male focused, he likes to be bossy and imperative towards woman especially and volunteers. That creates sometimes really difficult situations, where the staff members are obliged to take control of the project to avoid volunteers to feel what is going on.
I know that because the second time I went there, I was working as camp coordinator, without salary, without off days and without the possibility to enjoy Africa for its animals and beauties.
The food was never enough, the volunteers are having two drives per day where it says they do research, but they just driving around looking for animals, and if the Marataba lodge has guests around they will have priority leaving the volunteers in the car waiting for their turn.
I wouldn’t call a volunteer project, but rather a cheap safari. That was my experience.