St. Lucia is situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a beautiful area that was declared as South Africa’s first Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and which is called by many “Africa’s premier bush-and-beach destination”. Encompassing almost half a million acres, it is a stunning and ecologically diverse area, where five different eco-systems join, and where you find savannahs, wetlands, swamps, beaches, and a great wealth of wildlife.

The area is home to the Zulu tribe; a group of people with a very lively and colourful culture. It is within this impressive setting that we offer you the opportunity to photograph the phenomenal wildlife in the area, and to help raise awareness in the local community about the importance of conservation.

Activities

* Improve your photography skills through a course taught by an experienced wildlife photographer

* Spend many hours in the bush, taking pictures of animals such as rhino, elephant, and possibly even leopard

* Help to create a photo database for awareness and educational purposes * Teach local South Africans about the importance of conservation

* Get involved in local conservation projects

* Immerse yourself in the local Zulu culture

* Make friends for life

Working Hours

Working hours: 8:00am – 14:30pm (lunch break 12:30-14:00)

Details

Project Cost Includes:

* The project fee entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. It facilitates funding for items such as educational materials and tools for conservation work

* Transport between Richards Bay Airport and St. Lucia

* 3 day photography course taught by an experienced wildlife photographer and an in depth induction about the projects and being a volunteer

* All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay

* Full board and lodging, which includes 3 meals a day at our volunteer house (except Sundays)

* Laundry service during your stay

* Assistance at your projects by African Impact staff and volunteer coordinators

* Any visits to other African Impact programmes based in St. Lucia


Project Cost Excludes:

* Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement, which must include cover for evacuation and repatriation

* All transport by air or bus to Richards Bay

* All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)

* E-mail / Internet and telephone calls

* Soft drinks, wines and spirits

* All visas for border crossings

* Any excursions over-and-above your planned itinerary in St. Lucia (see below for more information on some of the great travel options available in and around the area you will be staying)

Description

CREATING A PICTURE DATABASE In order to preserve indigenous plant life and wildlife, it is essential to get local communities involved. What is lacking in current educational syllabi is a detailed photographic database of the wildlife in the St. Lucia area. In association with the Green Vision Foundation, African Impact aims to create a database which will be used for educational purposes. As a volunteer, you will contribute to this goal by taking photographs of as many wildlife species as possible. You will photograph large animals such as elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, as well as smaller creatures such as chameleons, insects, and some of the 521 bird