Call: +44 (0) 207 193 7819
Email: info@gapafricaprojects.com
Call: +44 (0) 207 193 7819
Email: info@gapafricaprojects.com
The Shamwari Conservation Expedition is a once in a lifetime opportunity for your school, college or university group to get behind the scenes and involved with the conservation efforts of the world renowned Shamwari Game Reserve. The programme is a completely tailor made experience operating over a two week period, we work with you to put together the best possible programme in order to suit the needs and requirements of your group.
Our group expeditions are incredibly hands on and are suited to those groups wanting to gain valuable work experience as well as those just looking for a once in a lifetime experience. Activities are incredibly varied and each group will have the opportunity to work alongside the award winning conservation team at Shamwari assisting with day to day conservation activities, research projects and even veterinary work and game captures!
Project Type: Group Conservation Project, Big Five Game Reserve.
Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Pick Up Point: Port Elizabeth Airport.
Duration: 14 Days – 30 Days.
Price: Prices are tailored to each individual group – Contact Us for further information
Start Dates: Project start dates are flexible and operate year round.
Accommodation: Purpose built volunteer house situated on the Game Reserve.
Meals: Three meals per day included.
Age Range: Dependant on number of supervising tutors and parental consent.
Due to the nature of the experience it is nearly impossible to give a day to day account of the activities you will be involved in. Wildlife does not work to an agenda! We will however ensure that all activities chosen by your group will be covered over the two week period.
Whilst on your placement you will become members of the conservation department and therefore work with the wildlife’s best interests in mind at all times. Details of possible conservation, research and veterinary based activities are detailed below, we will use these to build your tailor made experience:
Conservation Activities
– Anti Poaching.
– Tracking with use of telemetry.
– Volunteering at Born Free Foundation.
– Game Counts.
– Sex and Ratio Recordings.
– Rifle Handling & Shooting.
– General Game Drives.
– Possible Game Capture.
– Restoring degraded thicket and landscapes.
– Management of breeding centre.
– Community projects.
– Fence inspections.
– Alien vegetation control.
– Reserve clean ups.
– Field skills and survival sleep out.
– Possible veterinary interaction.
Possible Talks and Presentations
– Introduction to wildlife conservation in SA.
– Principles of Eco Systems.
– Capture techniques and relocation of wildlife.
– Stress factors in containment and handling.
– Veterinarians role in conservation.
– Biome of the Eastern Cape.
– Medicinal uses of plants.
– Astronomy.
– Facilities and drugs to reduce stress in wildlife.
– Darting techniques.
– Hand rearing of orphaned animals.
– Wildlife monitoring.
– Animal population dynamics.
– Use of bomas.
– Animal husbandry.
– Conservation of flagship species of Africa.
– Wildlife tracks and signs.
– Parasites and disease in nature.
– Introduction to game ranging.
– Animal welfare.
– Anti-Poaching methods.
Example Weekend Activities
– Visit to local historic town of Grahamstown.
– Horseback riding trails.
– Canoe Trails.
– Bungee Jumping.
– Beach Visit/Surfing Lessons.
Whilst conducting your Group Conservation Project you will be accommodated at the purpose built student centre which is situated in close proximity to the main reserve on one of the management properties of the conservation department. General game including zebra and kudu can be found along with buffalo on the property.
The centre boasts 15 twin rooms with ensuite shower and toilet facilities with a communal safe and storage in each room. There is also a number of communal facilities including a lecture theatre, swimming pool, canteen, storage fridge, lounge and entertainment area, television and DVD’s, computer and internet access. Three meals are provided on a daily basis.
Meals will either be served at the facility itself or taken as a pre-packed serving, depending on planned or as result of unscheduled activities.
Laundry services are provided once a week.
Shamwari Game Reserve is located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting regions on planet Earth. The Eastern Cape’s biodiversity is unmatched in Southern Africa.
For the sun seekers, the Wild Coast and the Sunshine Coast has some of the world’s best beaches. For exquisite beaches try Bushman’s River Mouth or Kenton-on-Sea. The Sunshine Coast is also very well known for its surfing waves.
Jeffreys Bay is an area with some of the country’s wildest coastline, which is backed by some of Africa’s most spectacular sub-tropical rainforest. Famous for its “supertubes”, probably South Africa’s longest and most consistently good wave, this affluent area is charged with a friendly and relaxed surfing vibe. Near Cape St. Francis is Seal Point and it is one of the best places to take surfing photos.
The area is an ideal base to explore the wonders of South Africa because of an array of attractions; you can choose to do this during or after your experience.
Prices are tailor made to the groups individual needs and requirements, please contact a member of our team today to find out more.
£300 deposit to secure placement at time of booking, final balance due 8 weeks prior to departure.
– Pre departure support and documentation.
– Programme fee and contribution.
– Return Transfers Port Elizabeth Airport to Shamwari Game Reserve.
– Accommodation for duration of stay.
– Housekeeping costs.
– All meals.
– Reserve activities.
– All transportation on project.
– 24 hour in country support.
– Flights (These can be booked through our preferred travel partner for the group).
– Travel Insurance.
– Any vaccinations as recommended by your GP.
– Internet access.
– Soft drinks and snacks.
– Any visas required.
– Any additional activities outside of project itinerary.
If you have any questions, or if you’d like to find out more about this incredible adventure and create some unforgettable memories, just fill in the form below and one of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.
Had the best experience and would like to thank everyone who was involved both at Gap Africa and Shamwari. I have never experienced anything like this before and would recommend this to everyone! Everyone at Shamwari was brilliant! Mark from Gap Africa was also amazing with the information provided and making sure we had everything we needed, was a great help! Thank you again for everything!!!
Amie Cook - Group Conservation Experience
Shamwari is beautiful and the people are amazing. The best part is that it isn’t a leisure holiday. You go there to do some work and learning, but you have fun while you do it. Gap Africa will make it happen and they are great at it.
Jonathan Troughton - Group Conservation Experience
“Whilst at Shamwari Conservation Experience we were very well cared for and had an exceptional time encountering some of the most amazing experiences of my life let alone the students! We are returning again this year but with a few extra students and for a longer period of 3 weeks.
Although we are only in the early stages of organising the trip, yet again nothing has been a problem for Gap and we are sure to have another amazing experience! I would strongly recommend Gap as a conscientious travel organisation who cares both about their customers here in the UK and at the project abroad.”
Louise Bell – College Group Leader, Shamwari Conservation Experience
“I have met representatives from many school trip providers over the last few years and there have been very few that I have trusted, Gap Africa is one of the select few.
Gap Africa has the flexibility to tailor bespoke trips to our designs, making for an experience that is truly unique. One of the biggest advantages that Gap Africa provides is the assurance they know what to do when things go wrong. These trips often involve a relatively large number of students so it is inevitable that problems will occur at some point; Gap Africa maintain excellent communication links with the school team and Shamwari and are able to advise and coordinate actions where required.”
Mr M. Stapleton, Kesgrave High School - Shamwari Group Experience
