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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? Where will I be located? What resources are available for the program? Do you cater for vegetarians? Do you provide training? What is the average cost of flights to South Africa? How do I get to the project? Tell me more about the accommodation? Can I bring my family/children to this program with me? What animals do you have on the reserve? 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 and other personal supplies do I need to bring? Do I bring a sleeping bag? Can I get my medicines in South Africa? Should I bring my mobile phone? Do I bring my drivers licence? How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? Can you tell me more about the partner organisation in South Africa? What is the criterion for volunteers to be accepted into the program? Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement? Do I need travel insurance? How do I pay my fees? ------ 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, as other countries protested against their racial discrimination known as apartheid (apartness). That era ended in 1994 when the ANC (African National Congress) was elected to power, led 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? The work is predominantly environmental conservation, with a small number of wildlife management tasks. A schedule is distributed at the beginning of each month to all participants. We endeavour to work to the schedule, unless urgent issues arise. Although there is some seasonal variation, volunteers will most likely participate in the following activities:
Volunteers are expected to work weekdays, approximately 7 hours per day. 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. Volunteers are granted one long (4-day) weekend to travel further afield. Where will I be located? The program is located in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng Province. Bronkhorstspruit is approximately 45 minutes from Johannesburg and 30 minutes from Pretoria. The conservancy is approximately 5,000 hectares. What resources are available for the program? The necessary equipment for daily work is provided, however, volunteers need to come prepared with appropriate clothing for working outdoors. Do you cater for vegetarians? Vegetarians are very welcome. One of the proprietors, Mary Lewis, is a vegetarian herself, so a vegetarian option is automatically available with every meal. Sadly, we do not have the resources to cater for vegans. Our partner also does its utmost to cater for those with other special dietary requirements (e.g. wheat intolerance). We only ask that you nominate any conditions on your application form. If you have a particularly restricted diet due to health reasons, we would appreciate you bringing some of your preferred produce with you. There are many specialty food stuffs that you simply cannot get in South Africa. Do you provide training? Training will be hands-on, according to the activity of the day. What is the average cost of flights to South Africa? Prices will vary according to your country of origin, time of travel, and time of purchase. However, on average, return tickets to Johannesburg cost between US$800 and US$1,000 from Europe and between US$1,300 and US$2,300 from elsewhere. 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. Our partner will meet you at the airport and bring you to the project site. They 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. The accommodation facilities are basic, including bunk-beds, bed-side tables, reading lamps and ample cupboard space. Other facilities at the project site include computer/internet access, printers, scanners, digital camera download facilities and telephone access. Internet access is charged at a reasonable rate, and the account settled at the end of the stay. You may bring your own international phone card or purchase phone credits at Klipkop. Can I bring my family/children to this program with me? Unfortunately, due to limited placements in this program, the spaces in the accommodation are reserved for volunteers only. We are unable to accept volunteers� family members unless they are volunteering as well. What animals do you have on the reserve? 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 too 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. 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. You will need to be able to undertake around 7 hours of manual work a day. 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. There is a Volunteer Information File packed full of sightseeing ideas, which you can browse after you arrive. There is no need to try to book anything in advance. Are there more expenses once I arrive? The in-country 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. Beyond the free weekly 'shopping trip', volunteers may - at the discretion of the owners - hire vehicles on other occasions. Terms and conditions apply and hire fees are payable. The cost of petrol, and any damage the vehicle incurs, must also be covered by the volunteers responsible. The owners may forfeit the volunteers' right to hire cars at any time, should they find the vehicles being mishandled or mistreated. These vehicles are the owners private property and volunteers must treat them as they would their own vehicles - or better! 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 and other personal supplies do I need to bring? 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. Bring a water bottle. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Insect repellant - very useful in summer - should be > 90% DEET. Do I bring a sleeping bag? Yes please. Should you not be able to hire or borrow one, we will make up a bed for you. You do not need to bring pillows or blankets. Can I get my medicines in South Africa? You can't count on it. Please ensure that you bring all the medicines you do - and may - require. Should I bring my mobile phone? Yes. You can purchase a local SIM card so that it will work in South Africa. Do I bring my drivers licence? Yes. We will not let you drive a vehicle without one. Unfortunately, if you have not qualified for a drivers licence we cannot let you command a vehicle, even on the reserve. We don't have the resources to teach you the fundamentals of driving. 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:
Each applicant is considered by the information they provide on the application. If further information is required applicants will be emailed to request this. Please refer to the program requirements listed on the program page which outlines the minimum expectations of what is required for volunteering in this specific program. We also look further at your application as to skills and experience specifically related to the program you have applied to. We look at volunteer experiences, travel experience and also your particular interest in the program to make our decision. Who organises my visa for my volunteer placement? 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. Do I need travel insurance? As with any overseas traveling, insurance is recommended. The Global Volunteer Network has arranged a comprehensive travel insurance package specially designed for volunteering. It includes excellent medical and accident cover as well as a 'loss of deposits' cover which covers all fees paid to GVN, Airlines etc (up to US$10,000). The cost is US$150.00 for the first month and then US$100.00 per month after that. If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/insurance/. How do I pay my fees? Your application fee secures your place on the program. Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer's expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. The program fee is non refundable, in accordance with GVN's legal terms of service. ------ Question not covered here? Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unanswered, please submit your question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours).
Click here to apply for the South Africa program. |
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