This program provides volunteers with a lifetime opportunity to actively contribute to and participate in the daily management, wildlife research and monitoring activities taking place on a game reserve in Africa. The programme fosters the conservation of wilderness and is based on Pidwa Wilderness Reserve in 17500 hectares of untamed beauty. In a world where habitat loss is the biggest threat to species, it is essential to secure, increase and improve these wild ecosystems.
Pidwa is well on its way to becoming a benchmark wilderness reserve as it has based all its ideals on mimicking the natural system as much as possible. Unfortunately, humans have taken their toll on many wild areas in Africa and natural processes have been affected. The goal of Pidwa is to restore the balance that existed prior to human interference; to regain and secure a functioning ecosystem in which wildlife can thrive.
Volunteers will experience life on an active game reserve, enjoy world-class wildlife viewing, while making a real contribution to conservation and the establishment of a benchmark wilderness area.
| Arrival airport | Hoedspruit Airport, Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province |
| Arrival day | Mondays |
| Duration | You can volunteer with this project for 2 weeks or longer. The full programme covers a period of four weeks. |
| Join project on: | Monday - on arrival |
| Age limit | You must be aged 18 years or older when you arrive. Exceptions are made if someone younger than 18 is traveling with parents, or a person older than 60 is physically fit. |
| Availability | This project is not available January - mid April, 2 weeks in August and 10 days over the festive period. Available dates for each duration are shown on the top-right of this page. |
| Main Activities | Data collection, reserve management, weekly excursions, wildlife monitoring and game drives. |
| Volunteering Hours | 9-10 hours per day from 6:00-18:00 depending on season and the allocated activity for the day (for example: night drive will end at 20:00). |
| Fly Home | Mondays |
| Food | All dietary requirements are provided for. |
| Pre-arrival Support | Our experienced team are on hand with expert advice and assistance to ensure you are fully prepared for your trip to this project. A WhatsApp group including all volunteers is created two weeks prior to arrival. |
| Airport Transfers | Transfers from the Hoedspruit Airport or your chosen shuttles allocated drop off spot to the game reserve and back are included. |
| Accommodation | All volunteers stay in the Volunteer house which is a converted farmhouse that includes a full equiped kitchen, dining area, lounge, study area, air-conditioning and a boma. |
| Food | All meals are included during your stay. Breakfast you help yourself to cereals, bread, spreads, eggs, bacon, avocado, rusks and fruit. Lunches and dinner are prepared by volunteers and enjoyed around the dining room table. |
| Drinks | A mix juice and drinking water is provided. |
| Orientation | You will receive an induction and orientation on the first day at the project |
| In-country support | The project team live at the same camp as the volunteers therefore always involved and able to assist. In addition, the Via Volunteers team provide full support during your stay. |
| Certificate | A certificate is provided upon completion, as well as a Bird Nerd Badge depending on your birding level. |
| Wi-Fi | Free unlimited Wi-Fi is provided, as well as a desk computer which is shared amongst volunteers |
| Branded Wear | You will receive a branded project shirt and cap upon arrival. There is also a fully stocked curio shop if you are interested in purchasing a souvenir. |
| Leisure activities | Weekly trips to Hoedspruit/Tzaneen as well as a Kruger National Park day trip, a trip to the Giant Baobab and the Hoedspruit Reptile Center. |
| Visas | Citizens from most countries can arrive in South Africa and stay for up to 90 days without a Visa. Refer to our FAQ section for more details if you are unsure. |
| Flights | Please ask us if you need any recommendations for keeping your flight costs to a minimum. |
| Drinks | Alcoholic beverages and sodas are at your own expense. |
| Weekend Activities | Weekend activities are at your own expense. |
06h00 : Leave camp for activity 1 (fruit, rusks, coffee, tea and snacks are often taken with).
10h00 : Return for breakfast
10h30 : Activity 2 (which includes lectures or documentaries depending on weather)
12h00 -14h30 : Lunch
14h30 - 18h00 : Activity 3
19h00 : Dinner. The schedule is flexible and changes depending on the season, the imporance of activities and sightings.
You will be working side by side with the management team, other staff, and volunteers. A real opportunity of a lifetime to be fully immersed in a new environment.
Saturday afternoons and Sundays are off time for you to enjoy the large garden, sports equipment, large swimming pool or an excursion.
All volunteers stay in the project Volunteer house which is a converted farmhouse that includes a full equiped kitchen, dining area, lounge, study area, air-conditioning and a boma. The bedrooms all contain a mosquito net, plug point, bed side light and suitable cupboard space. The house contains three large en suite bathrooms.
Laundry is done twice a week by the volunteer house housekeepers, and detergents and cleaning materials are provided.
ENTERTAINMENT
Volunteers have access to an HD television in the volunteer house lounge, a braai boma area, a 70 000 litre swimming pool, a dart board, board games and a sand volleyball court.
MEALS
All meals are provided and prepared in the full equipped volunteer house kitchen, lunches and dinners are prepared by volunteers using a cooking schedule.
WATER
Tap water is safe and drinkable. Bottled water can be purchased, if preferred.
Your recommended arrival and departure airport for the project in South Africa is Hoedspruit Airport, also known as Eastgate Airport (Airport code HDS).
Alternatively, you may want to fly into OR Tambo International Airport (airport code JNB) in Johannesburg and take a ground transfer / shuttle to Hoedspruit. This transfer is an approximately 6 hours.
The project team will collect you at the Hoedspruit Airport baggage carousel or your shuttles dedicated drop off point.
Collection and drop off days in Hoedspruit are Mondays.
All the airports in South Africa have free Wi-Fi so please log on and let us know via WhatsApp that you have arrived, especially if your flight has landed earlier or been delayed.
All safety equipment is provided by the project: goggles, wellington boots, tools and gloves. Binoculars, sunglasses and cameras are NOT a must but are very helpful during your time at the project.
A town trip to Hoedspruit or Tzaneen is included every Monday, along with a Kruger National Park day trip, a trip to the Giant Baobab and the Hoedspruit Reptile Center.
This program is NOT available for 10 days over the Christmas - New Year period and January - mid April every year.
Contact our experienced team to start planning your ethical volunteering adventure.
Via Volunteers
137 3rd Avenue
Rondebosch East
Cape Town
7780
South Africa