"The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is a truly amazing place and offers a unique opportunity to young people from overseas to learn about African wildlife and bush skills through their student programme" . David Shepherd.

This program is based on participation in the activities at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre and thereby gaining valuable knowledge and experience of nature conservation. Included is a basic conservation course, consisting of lectures followed by participation in practical exercises, which will be completed over the 3-week period.

The aims of the course is to equip the participants with knowledge to actively participate in conserving the wildlife of Southern Africa and to experience more of what Africa has to offer in all her beauty and rich diversity.

The course is presented at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, which is the home of Cheetah, Wild dogs, Black-footed cats, Lion, African wild cats, Ground Horn bills, Sable antelope, and other animals. The participants will form part of the team that looks after the well being of all of the animals at the centre. In addition they will also get the opportunity to visit places of interest in the area, including Kruger National Park. An elephant back safari, within a big 5 area, is part of the program. A once in a lifetime experience

Program presenters:

The presenters of the programme have a contagious passion for conservation and are dedicated to sharing their knowledge of the veld and its inhabitants.
The participating students will work with most of the people at the centre as they feed and care for the animals

Come and take part with us if you are eager to learn, eager to participate and are prepared to come and have some fun. This is an opportunity to make a difference while gaining knowledge.

Facilities:

Students are accommodated in thatched huts, shared by 2 people, in Nungu camp, situated within the boundaries of Kapama Game Reserve, a big 5 conservation area General linen is provided, but an additional sleeping bag is essential. Separate male and female bathrooms are available. Three meals per day are prepared in the camp by its occupants as part of the team building approach. There is a kitchen with fridges in the camp as well as barbeque facilities. The nearest town Hoedspruit, is approximately 25km away. Regular town trips can be organized for supplies, banking or for those who wish to use the Internet facilities there. Telephones are available and the cost of calls will be charged to the student's account. Laundry facilities are available in the camp. Sunday's are "off" days, leaving the students to do whatever they like.

This is the experience of a lifetime, which will never be forgotten.

Location:

The Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre for Endangered Species is located in Limpopo province, South Africa. It is situated in a big 5 game reserve and is only about 40km away from Kruger National Park. It is easily accessible by taking a flight from Johannesburg International to Eastgate Airport at Hoedspruit.

What the course has to offer:

• Possible work experiences:
• Working with cheetah, wild dog, small spotted cats, African wildcats and many more.
• Preparation of animal food in the butchery and feeding the animals.
• If the opportunity arises, working with the wildlife vet ( darting, capturing and operating on animals ) and even sometimes assisting in the hand rearing of animals.

Informal lectures on several topics, including:

• Conservation
• Animal identification
• Plants and ecology
• Field guiding
• Astronomy
• Survival
• Fire arm handling and safety
• Tracks and signs
• Reptiles
• Birds
• South Africa: History and cultural diversity.
• Problem animals
• Problem plant and erosion control
• Anti-Poaching

The lectures will be followed up by practicals, for example:

• Visits to a wildlife rehabilitation centre, reptile park, local tribal village and Kruger National Park.
• Identification of some plants on foot.
• Tracking in the bush.
• Stargazing.
• Game drives.
• And many more.

Some of the other highlights may include:

• An Elephant back Safari in a big 5 area!
• Big 5 walk.
• Bush sleep-out.
• Panoramic Route.
• Boat trip in one of the biggest canyons in the world.
• Optional extra activities are available in the area and can be arranged by the project leader at the request of volunteers who may decide to undertake such activities at their own expense.

The dates for the remainder of 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

Dates for 2006

10/9 - 30/9
8/10 - 28/10
5/11 - 25/11
3/12 - 23/12

Dates for 2007

2/1 - 22/1
30/1 - 19/2
27/2 - 19/3
27/3 - 16/4
24/4 - 14/5
22/5 - 11/6
19/6 - 9/7
17/7 - 6/8
14/8 - 3/9
11/9 - 1/10
9/10 - 29/10
6/11 - 26/11
4/12 - 24/12

Cost:

The programme costs runs R 10000 per student.
To find out more about the Centre, please go to www.wildlifecentre.co.za
Or e-mail: accounts.students@campjabulani.org.za