Requirements and Training
Wildlife Research Expedition in South Africa

Skills Required

No previous experience or foreign language skills are required but expedition members must be able to work as part of a team, have a strong interest in wildlife and conservation and be prepared to enjoy Africa in more traditional way. Days are hot and dusty and expedition members can expect to experience all the adventures and rigours of Africa on a continual basis. Participants must be enthusiastic, adventurous and respectful of their host country’s culture and environment.

Training and Qualifications

The first week will incorporate the bulk of the training, although it will continue throughout the expedition. Training is continuous and includes a rigorous and comprehensive training program, encompassing both lectures and field practicals. The idea is to provide a baseline and holistic understanding of all aspects of the bush to build upon throughout your stay. Subjects included in the training are conservation, reserve management, bird / mammal / reptile identification, tracking, tree identification, geology, ecology and basic first aid. You will also be asked to participate in the training by preparing presentations to the rest of the team on various topics, and a personal or team project that is worked upon throughout the expedition.

After the training, the group will then be divided into three teams and rotate though the various activities to give more variety and training in different fields and locations. During your five-week stay, your team will get the opportunity of heading up into the mountains for five days to take part in a new conservation and biodiversity project in the indigenous rainforest. This will give you the opportunity to experience and learn what the area has to offer in its diversity of habitats, fauna and flora. Back at the base, the two remaining teams will be carrying out the predator research, while two team members will stay in camp per day to carry out camp duties, which again will rotate. Camp duties include cleaning and camp chores as well as data input and personal projects. This approach gives individuals time to themselves and a chance to rest.

Although the program is variable, the basic plan for a ten-week expedition is as follows:

Week 1 Training

Week 2 Predator monitoring

Week 3 Mountain phase

Week 4 Predator monitoring

Week 5 Predator monitoring

Week 6 Training week two / research for ten-weekers

Week 7 Mountain phase

Week 8 Predator monitoring

Week 9 Predator monitoring / prey transects

Week 10 Predator monitoring

Hours will be long but productive, with days beginning at 5-6:00 am each morning until 11:00 am, with time for rest in the heat of the day. Activities will then re-commence at 3.30 pm and last until 7-8:00 pm. These times are subject to change depending on each day’s activities, and may also include night watches. The main animals focused on are: big cats (lions, leopards and cheetahs), hyena and elephants.