Nyosi Conservation Experience

Situated on 3100ha of the African bush, the Noysi Wildlife Reserve is a natural land parcel situated in the center of urban development and made up of five of South Africa’s nine indigenous biomes sprawling across rolling and picturesque plains and valleys; lands which host a natural sanctuary to an abundance of wildlife, plains game and birdlife.

The conservation team conducted extensive research on the environment to determine the type of game that originally roamed the area. The team found that the area used to be incredibly diverse and was home to wild kudu, mountain reedbuck, common duiker, springbuck, red hartebeest, ostrich, rhino, cheetah, elephant, and eland. Reintroducing these animals to the area involved purchasing and rescuing animals from local game reserves and transporting them to the Nyosi Wildlife Reserve. The transportation of wild animals is a major task, with many factors to take into consideration.

Volunteers will work alongside game rangers with our projects that revolve around rewilding the reserve to include species that would have naturally occurred here. You will also be involved with monitoring our rewilding initiatives, habitat work, marine conservation, and community upliftment. This program is a unique and professional experience for individuals who want to make a true impact on wildlife conservation.

Quick Overview

Country & Area: Eastern Cape, South Africa
Nearest Airport: Dawid Stuurman International
Transfer Time: 30 minutes
Duration: Flexible
Minimum Age: Flexible

Project Details

The conservation team conducted extensive research of the environment to determine the type of game that originally roamed the area. The team found that the area used to be incredibly diverse and was home to wild kudu, mountain reedbuck, common duiker, springbuck, red hartebeest, ostrich, rhino, cheetah, elephant, and eland. Reintroducing these animals to the area involved purchasing and rescuing animals from local game reserves and transporting them to the Nyosi Wildlife Reserve. The transportation of wild animals is a major task, with many factors to take into consideration.

Volunteers will work along-side game rangers with our projects that revolve around rewilding the reserve to include species that would have naturally occurred here. You will also be involved with monitoring our rewilding initiatives, habitat work, marine conservation, and community upliftment. This program is a unique and professional experience for individuals who want to make a true impact on wildlife conservation.
 
Situated on 3100ha of African bush, the Noysi Wildlife Reserve is a natural land parcel situated in the center of an urban development outside of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. 
All year-round
Volunteers stay in shared rooms (2-3) people/room)
There is a fully equipped kitchen
Swimming Pool

Volunteers stay in shared rooms (2-3 people/room) with en-suite bathrooms at our on-site villas. Although fenced in due to the reserve boasting members of the Big Five, free roaming animals and birdlife can be spotted during the day from the surrounding mountains. Each villa has a large kitchen and comfortable lounge where volunteers can spend their free time in the evening.

Each room has a washbasin and own bathroom, consisting of a shower and a bath in certain rooms with hot running water.

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. Vegetarians and other dietary requirements can be catered for, if notified in advance. Meal examples are burgers, wraps, lasagne to traditional barbeques.
Transfers are included and done by Nyosi representative
Wi-fi is available at main camp
Nyosi has a welcoming communal area along with a swimming pool so you could spend your time relaxing in your free-time or we are situated near the Garden Route, known as the Adventure Capital of South Africa. The options are endless, from horse-riding, surfing, bungy-jumping, cliff jumping, canopy tours, safaris to wine tours and world class restaurants, the area has something for everyone.
Accommodation
24 hour support
Meals
All fieldwork, lectures and community visits
Flights if required
T-shirt
Transfers
Laundry (1x per week)
Wifi


Example activities below:
Cheetah Monitoring
Elephant Monitoring
Rhino Monitoring
Buffalo Monitoring
General Game
River & Health Assessments for citizen science
Community Day
Habitat Conservation
Habitat Rehabilitation & Reserve Management
Biodiversity surveys/transects:
Track & Sign Experience:
Marine Day (Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Boat Excursion & Penguin Rehabilitation Centre) 

Comprehensive Information Pack

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Go

If you have decided that you would like to take the next step and book a Worldwide Experience, it couldn’t be easier. Simply complete the online application form on this website and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
The Worldwide Team South Africa is with you every step of the way. From providing detailed information on your selected placement, right through to offering help and advice on sponsorships and fundraising. We also supply contact details of all your fellow volunteers so you can get in touch before your Worldwide Experience begins.
In the past, we have had several students raise funds for their Worldwide Experience. Because a large portion of the funds you generate goes back into conservation it allows to you capitalize on this opportunity. Fundraising projects past students have carried out include sponsored runs and swims, letters to companies and charities as well as general work. Feel free to discuss the opportunities with our consultants at any time. There is a lot of money to be earned out there!

South Africa

If you have a British passport (or almost any EU passport) you will not have to pay for an entry visa to South Africa (except for French passport holders). You are entitled to 3 months in South Africa, however, should you wish to stay longer your visa can be extended and your placement coordinator will assist in taking you to the Department of Home Affairs. The Department will charge you a minimal fee for this extension.
Certain parts of Southern Africa fall within malaria areas. We are fortunate that most of our conservation placements fall in malaria-free areas. Please contact us for up-to-date advice on Malaria and your chosen placement. Apart from malaria, there are no other diseases one needs to worry about. Yellow fever is certainly not a problem in South Africa. Tap water can be drunk in South Africa; however, it is advisable to consult with the coordinator at your selected placement before doing so. For further information relating to health issues please visit: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm
All of our placements provide three basic but wholesome meals per day. Meals will include Westernised dishes such as beef, chicken, pasta, and lamb with vegetables as well as regular BBQs or braai’s as they are commonly known in our country. Breakfasts will include cereals, eggs, bacon and sausages etc. Those of you curious enough may even have the chance to tuck into impala kebabs or even ostrich biltong and steaks. Vegetarians are catered for and our chefs will be advised according to your dietary requirements.
We have a representative at each destination who will meet you from your flight and transfer you to your placement. For all our African placements, we are able to organise your international flights from the UK. It is also possible to extend your stay to accommodate any independent travel plans you may have. You will be collected from the airport in a microbus (7 seater) and transferred to your assigned conservation placement. There you will be transported around in either open pickups (open trucks/bakkies) or in open 4×4 Land Rovers. Certain placements offer horse riding as a mode of transport when patrolling and monitoring the bush/veld.
At each of our placements, you are provided with safe, although sometimes basic, accommodation – all of which are purpose-built for our volunteers. At the majority of our placements, cleaning and laundry service is provided, to help make your experience a more comfortable one. Please contact us for further information on specific accommodation details for individual placements. Camping under a starlit sky is one of the main attractions of traveling to South Africa. This is something you will experience on the odd occasion. However, accommodation is in houses either based on the reserve or in nearby villages. All accommodation is headed up by the student coordinator and a game ranger.
There are 11 official languages spoken in Southern Africa. However, English is preferred as a common language because it is seen as neutral and prevents the favoring of any one particular dialect. It is advisable to have a basic understanding of the English language should you come from a foreign-speaking country.
In the past South Africa has had a history of violence and political instability. Today crime still exists, but only in certain parts of the country, parts we completely avoid. Levels of crime in our country are however no higher than many other countries around the world. As for political stability, today South Africa experiences and practices a very healthy democracy. If you are alert to potential problems you are already halfway to avoiding them. Your safety and security is of paramount importance to our team.

Further Questions

All of our placements have been carefully selected to meet our exacting criteria. In your country of choice, we have dedicated coordinators for each placement, who are there to guide you through everything and to help with any issues that may occur. There is also a 24-hour contact number for friends and family calling from the UK.
Worldwide Experience requests a significant financial contribution towards all requested placements. All funds generated contribute to the smooth running of the program, a certain portion is contributed to the Born Free Foundation and the Wilderness Trust and the funds also contribute to the ongoing projects related to our conservation efforts. Many organizations tend to step in to assist with a project and then simply disappear. This is not the case with Worldwide Experience. We realize that conservation needs man’s ongoing support, which can only be achieved through the generation of this contribution and via the support of the self-funding volunteer. To discuss any aspect of voluntary work contributions and/or our policies on the projects we support please do not hesitate to contact one of our directors.
There is so much to do in this vast country, and one should aim to spend more time in this wonderful part of the world. Should you wish to extend your placement you are also welcome to do so. Alternatively, we can assist with placing you in an alternative reserve linked to our organization. Many students tend to make their own plans once in the country and upon completion at the reserve of their choice, travel to explore the rest of the country. One means of getting around is via the famous and very safe Baz Bus. All student coordinators will advise you of this.
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