Wildlife Conservation

Whether it’s the captivatingly beautiful African wilderness or the abundantly active wildlife you dream of indulging in…it is here for you to discover.

Wildlife Conservation & Ranger Experience

Most of us have watched wildlife programs and dreamt of being in Africa, understanding the secret language of the wildlife and being a part of the diverse landscapes. Through Freewalker, volunteers have the opportunity to do just that!
Freewalker is offering volunteers an experience of a lifetime…to be part of two working game reserves, helping to preserve indigenous wildlife and habitats, getting hands on experience with cheetahs, taking part in game monitoring and management research projects and receiving nature conservation, general zoology and behaviour lectures.

The Reserves

Kragga Kamma Game Park (KKGP) and Essendene Game Farm (EGF) are family owned and managed reserves. The Garnett Cantor Family are true conservationists, passionate about wildlife and have created these reserves with the vision to restore previously-farmed land to its natural state and reintroduce a wide variety of African game that are most endemic to the area.

KKGP was established in 1998 and opened to the general public in 2000 for touring and wildlife education excursions. It is located on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth in the lush coastal woodlands and grasslands, so you are not far from modern amenities. It is 200 hectors in size and hosts an abundant array of game, including white rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, nyala, and many more species.

EGF is located in the coastal indigenous forests 70Km from Port Elizabeth and 25Km from the infamous Addo Elephant National Park and is teeming with African wildlife including giraffe, zebra, buffalo, impala, nyala, bontebok, caracal, cheetah and many more species. Animals were first introduced in 2005 from the KKGP, along with a variety of species from other reserves. EGF is over 500 hectors and exclusively functions as a breeding site for the game, instead of being open to the public. The land provides excellent grazing and browsing for a variety of African game, which in most cases were endemic to the area hundreds of years ago.

Volunteers Experiences

Game Park Maintenance

The success of a wildlife reserve is dependent on how well it is maintained, and volunteers play a large role in keeping these reserves sustainable. Volunteers are active in the daily management of the reserves and are a tremendous support to the team.

• Volunteer tasks will include:
o Electrified game fencing presentation by specialist and on-site training in erecting and fault finding
o Fence monitoring and construction
o Assisting with the Anti-Poaching Program
o Boma construction
o Cleaning cheetah runs
o Building roads
o Identification of invasive exotic plant species
o Eradication actions
o Spontaneous projects that may occur

Cheetah Breeding & Education Experience

Cheetahs are the fastest land creatures and now quickly becoming rare to find on this African continent. Habitat loss and human overpopulation are the main causes of the decimation of the cheetah; your assistance could make a valuable contribution in saving these splendid creatures. Through cheetah breeding programs, proper management and educational programs, the cheetah can make a comeback. We are doing our part in designing a sustainable breeding program and using captive reared cheetahs as ambassadors for the species to educate the public.

• Volunteer tasks will include:
o Learning the natural history of the cheetah
o Working on cheetah conservation programs
o Handling, feeding & caring for cheetahs
o Educate public on cheetahs and interactions
o Monitoring cheetah behavior
o Enclosure maintenance & development

Wildlife Education Experience

Instead of just coming as a general tourist, scanning the game from a vehicle and moving on to your next destination, why not submerge yourself in the wildlife and learn about everything you are experiencing? Through the wildlife program, volunteers will gain in-depth knowledge of the tremendous South African ecology and biodiversity, indulging in all elements of nature and conservation. Master basic field-guiding skills, learn about vetting techniques, short reptile course, track animals through the bush, get acquainted with cheetah, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, zebra and the many antelope, and go on adventurous bush walks and night camp outs.

• Volunteer skills will include:
o Mammal introduction and herbivore identification
o Large herbivore ecology and behavior
o Reptiles of the region – Demonstrations by professional handlers
o Nature Conservation – Presentation by the Department on Law Enforcement and Regulations
o Veterinarian lectures on diagnosis and treatment of common wildlife diseases
o Basic animal tracks and sign skills
o Setting up a bush camp & sleep-outs
o Spotlighting and nocturnal animal excursions
o Identify vegetation and learning medicinal purposes

Wildlife Monitoring & Research Experience

Why not take your newly acquired bush skills one step further and learn to be a field researcher and assist in wildlife management research projects? Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about research management projects and how to collect and analyze data. This valuable information is needed to manage a reserve and breeding program properly, and this allows for the volunteer to be part of the action in making a difference on their stay!

• Volunteer tasks/skills will include:
o Large herbivore ecology and behavior
o Individual predator ecology and behavior
o Wildlife conservation Management
o Learning to collect behavioral data
o Creating/maintaining ID files of specific species on reserve
o Population monitoring
o Monitoring social interactions
o Assisting in projects to better management

Game Capture Experience

Because almost all wildlife in South Africa is fenced, it must be managed appropriately. One method of bringing in new genetics to the isolated populations and to maintain the correct carrying capacity is that a Game Capture Program must be in place. As a volunteer, you might be lucky enough to help with such events.

• Volunteer tasks/skills will Include:
o Handling of wildlife
o Capture and release of game
o Use of chemical capture methods
o Transporting game
o Construction of capture bomas