 |
 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
South Africa - FAQTell me more about South AfricaWhat is the climate like in South Africa? What kind of volunteer work is available? What hours do I work? How do I get to the project? Tell me more about the accommodation? What animals do you have on the Reserve and through the Rehabilitation Centre? Do I have to be from New Zealand to participate? What age do you have to be to volunteer? Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer? When do I need to arrive in South Africa? What immunizations/vaccines will I need? Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering? Are there more expenses once I arrive? How safe is it to volunteer in South Africa? What clothing do I need? How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? Can you tell me more about the partner organisation in South Africa? Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement? How do I pay my program fee? ------ Tell me more about South Africa? As its name suggests, South Africa is the most southern country on the African continent. It is bordered by Namibia to the north west, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, and Mozambique to the north east. South Africa is roughly 5 times the size of Britain, and covers 1.2 million sq km. South Africa was isolated politically and economically for a long period of time, during the time of racial discrimination known as apartheid (apartness). That era ended in 1994 when the ANC (African National Congress) was elected to power, lead by Nelson Mandela. A referendum in 1992, under the De Klerk government, gave blacks the right to vote for the first time. What is the climate like in South Africa? In South Africa, the seasons are predominately summer and winter. The autumn and spring seasons are very fleeting. Summer in the Gauteng province is hot and wet. Temperatures can reach 30°C -35°C during the day, falling to around 15°C in the evenings. The winter is dry and very pleasant. Although the temperature can fall below 5°C at night, the days can present clear blue skies and temperatures in the low 20s. Given the high altitude, the sun has far greater intensity than what many are used to living at sea level. Particularly in summer, adequate protection from the sun is essential, and large volumes of water must be consumed to prevent dehydration. The climate presents many similarities with the northern regions of Australia. What kind of volunteer work is available? Both environmental and wildlife conservation work is available. Generally, volunteers participate in a balance of the two. However, in the past we have accommodated requests from volunteers to focus their efforts at the rehabilitation centre. A schedule is distributed at the beginning of each month to all participants. We endeavor to work to the schedule, unless urgent issues arise.
Volunteers are expected to work weekdays and one Saturday per month. There is a small variation in hours depending upon the time of year. The hours are the longest during the winter months, as it is peak fire season and fire breaks must be prepared. How do I get to the project? Volunteers simply need to organise their travel arrangements such that they arrive at Johannesburg International Airport prior to the official commencement date of the program. We will meet you at the airport and bring you to the project site, at no cost. We will also drop you back at the airport once your placement is completed. Tell me more about the accommodation? Volunteers stay in the home which belongs to Tony Prince and Mary Lewis. Other facilities at the project site include computer/internet access, printers, scanners, digital camera download facilities and telephone access. Internet access and telephone calls are charged at reasonable rates, and the account settled at the end of the stay. What animals do you have on the Reserve and through the Rehabilitation Centre? The reserve is home to the following species of wildlife: Zebra, Ostrich, Bush pig, Cerval cat, Bush baby, Blesbok, Springbok, Steenbok, Blue wildebeest, Red hartebeest, Impala, Eland, Kudu, Dassie (Hyrax), Caracal (Lynx), Common duiker, Grey duiker, Common reedbuck, Mountain reedbuck, Klipspringer, Warthog, Vervet monkey, Porcupine / Hedgehog, Turtle, Iguana and (baby) Crocodile. The reserve is also home to over 150 species of bird, and therefore far to numerous to mention. Sadly, the reserve has no members of the �Big 5� (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant or rhino). The land simply cannot accommodate their tremendous appetites, and if it did, then we couldn�t allow volunteers out on the property! One of the magnificent national parks, such as Kruger, is a must-see to experience the big fellows up-close and personal. The rehabilitation centre specialises in bird and small mammal rehabilitation, although it has also helped amphibians and reptiles on their way. Since October 2002, the rehabilitation centre has released over 1200 birds (116 species), nearly 200 mammals, over 100 reptiles and a handful of amphibians back to the wild. A full report is on display at the Centre, and is available by request. Do I have to be from New Zealand to participate? No, we can take volunteers from all over the world. Participants have come from Australia, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. Everyone is welcome. What age do you have to be to volunteer? You must be 18 years old and above. There is no upper limit. All that is required is a reasonable level of health and fitness. Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer? Yes, English is the main language spoken at the project. And if you pick up one of the native tongues, you can teach the rest of us! When do I need to arrive in South Africa? You can start the program at any time of the year. Please refer to the schedule for placement starting dates. You can stay for as little as a month, and as long as you can. What immunizations/vaccines will I need? DTP (Diptheria, tetanus and polio): Essential Hepatitis A and B: Recommended Rabies: Not Required The project site is not within a malaria area. However, if you are planning to travel to the north-east of the country, you should consult a professional for the best and latest advice concerning anti-malarials. Malaria is endemic in the lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and on the Maputaland coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Kruger National Park, a very popular destination, is within a malaria area. We strongly urge you to visit your GP or travel medicine specialist. If you intend traveling beyond South Africa, you must consult additional, reliable sources. Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering? Absolutely. The project is well positioned for day-trips to other conservation destinations, places of historical and cultural significance, art and craft markets and entertainment venues. A variety of tour companies operate within the region, so volunteers have the choice of guided tours or self exploration. Vehicles can also be hired at the project site. Volunteers typically make full use of their weekends for traveling. We also give volunteers one extended long weekend, so that they may travel to destinations not within close proximity. The Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park, Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Mozambique, Durban and Swaziland are examples of destinations volunteers have visited in the past. Are there more expenses once I arrive? The program fee covers all the necessities � food, accommodation, materials, airport pickup and so forth. A weekly trip is organised to a suburban mall, allowing volunteers to replenish supplies of personal items, or stock up on their favourite �goodies�. The trip itself is free, but volunteers must obviously pay for their own shopping. How safe is it to volunteer in South Africa? South Africa, particularly Johannesburg, has a high crime rate and a very poor image when it comes to the issue of personal safety. However, you are staying in rural South Africa, on a fenced-in property. A guard is on duty after dark at the entry-gate to the Conservancy. When you are outside the premises, we will advise you on where it is safe to travel and stay. We will also brief you on the anti-hijacking features of the cars available for hire, and the appropriate action to take should you find yourself in such a situation. To date, no volunteer has ever encountered a problem. What clothing do I need? Clothing should be appropriate for physical, dirty work. Old clothes are perfect. Even in summer we suggest you have light-weight, long-sleeve clothing, for protection both from the sun, mosquitoes, and prickles and scratches. Good sturdy shoes are a must. How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? This depends on how many people volunteer at the one time. A maximum of 12 volunteers can be accommodated. Can you tell me more about the partner organisation in South Africa? The philosophy of the project is as follows:
You will be granted a 3 month tourist visa on arrival, providing you have a valid passport. If you chose to stay in the country longer, either as a result of extending your volunteer placement or electing to travel, it is possible to extend your visa at the Department of Home Affairs. As at 1 April 2004, a tariff of ZAR 425 applies. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after you intend to return home. You will also be asked to substantiate that (i) you have enough money to support yourself during the remainder of your stay (ie. bank statements) and (ii) you have a return ticket. How do I pay my program fee? Your program fee is paid directly to the program director in South Africa through bank transfer at least 8 weeks prior to arrival in the program. This should be paid in US dollars. You will be provided with bank details once you have paid the application fee. ------ Question not covered here? Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unaswered, please submit your question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours). Click here to apply for the South Africa program. |
||||||||||||||