Elephant Research & Community Conservation
Join this worthwile conservation initiative and make a difference to sustainable conservation and elephant research projects in South Africa. Volunteers gain hands on experience and inspire the local community to respect and understand their natural environment.This initiative gives you a chance to get involved in a variety of out-door conservation projects.
Make a booking enquiry The Edge Experience
Projects
Elephant Research South Africa
Conducting meaningful elephant related research as well as providing an opportunity for volunteers to gain valuable research skills.
Volunteers are involved in collecting behavioral observations; data entry relating to this project; analysis of data and project development.
Elephant Care
Ensure that our elephants have a cozy and clean sleeping area. Help prepare their food and maintain their night pens. By doing so, you will be preventing viruses and illnesses that elephants can be exposed to.
Conservation Education
Many of the locals have little knowledge of the natural world that they live in so this project encourages respect for conservation and nature in the local community.
Volunteers run workshops and facilitate discussions around topics in this field as well as assist with further development of workshops.
Wetland Rehabilitation
Wetlands are an extremely important eco-system and this project aims to ensure that local wetlands are preserved.
Volunteers are involved in planting of indigenous plants; removal of alien plants; removal of litter; and conducting plant and animal surveys.
Recycling Swop Shop
Through the Swop Shop our volunteers provide an opportunity for children to gain an understanding of the value of working for goods through a recycling exchange incentive scheme. Local children of 18 years and under exchange recyclable materials for tokens with which they "buy" donated items such as clothes & toiletries.
Volunteers assist in the running of the shop; data entry relating to the project; and marketing of the project.
Kayalethu Eco-Trail
An extremely unique and worthwhile community based conservation project which aims to restore the natural vegetation of the township area and to create an eco-tourism project that will benefit the community as a whole.
Volunteers help by planting indigenous species; removal of alien invasive plants and trees; mending paths and walkways; clearing river debris; helping guides with tourists from abroad and the surrounding communities; new businesses plan development; and conducting plant and animal surveys.
Knysna
, South Africa
Knysna is based in one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa. Stunning views, impressive mountain passes, lush green forests and white sandy beaches.
Knysna itself is nestled on the shores of the Knysna estuary - or Knysna Lagoon, as it is more commonly know. It's the most biologically diverse estuary in South Africa and home to the Knysna Seahorse, the most threatened seahorse species in the world. Knysna is also an avenue to the Tsitsikamma Forest, which stretches from just west of George to the Tsitsikamma River near Humansdorp. This indigenous forest is home to numerous fauna and flora. The forest also houses the worlds's most southerly elephants. Sadly, with only a handful of elephants left, the forset elephants are rapidly becoming part of Knysna's history, rather that Knysna's nature.
Timetable
| AM | PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Free Day | Free Day |
| Monday | Kayalethu Eco-Trail | Conservation Education |
| Tuesday | Elephant Care | Elephant Research |
| Wednesday | Wetland Rehabilitlation | Swop Shop |
| Thursday | Elephant Care | Elephant Research |
| Friday | Conservation Education | Cultural Activity |
| Saturday | Excursion | Excursion |
Pricing
» What does my fee include?| 2 weeks | $1,531 | £957 | R11,484 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks | $2,781 | £1,738 | R20,856 |
| 6 weeks | $4,029 | £2,518 | R30,216 |
| 8 weeks | $5,277 | £3,298 | R39,576 |
| +1 week | $624 | £390 | R4,681 |
Arrival dates
» Volunteering with EDGEJune 2013 | Sat, 1 Sat, 15 Sat, 29 |
|---|---|
July 2013 | Sat, 13 Sat, 27 |
August 2013 | Sat, 10 Sat, 24 |
September 2013 | Sat, 7 Sat, 21 |
October 2013 | Sat, 5 Sat, 19 |
November 2013 | Sat, 2 Sat, 16 Sat, 30 |
December 2013 | Sat, 7 Sat, 14 |