Askari Wilderness Conservation

This project is a hands-on, active adventure, where volunteers are treated as pseudo-staff, and take a full-on role (with around three activities per day) in the different tasks required to restore and maintain this beautiful area back to the wilderness it once was. The aim of this project is to restore the land to its former natural state, and to create an area of wilderness that can support many different native species and flora.

The Askari Wilderness Conservation Project is based on the private, Pidwa Game Reserve in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The area that makes up Pidwa was once largely used for farming, and as a result, the ground has been left badly damaged, due to over intensive use. Surrounded by 25,000ha of natural African bush, preserving this beautiful area takes work and dedication from the full-time management and conservation team.

What you can gain as a volunteer at Askari:
• Living alongside stunning, world-class wildlife viewing of species such as elephant,lion, rhino, cheetah, leopard, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and warthog.
• Taking part in additional activities including training in rifle shooting, 4x4 driving and bush first aid.
• Trained, experienced and passionate staff on site combining more than 10 years bush experience, research knowledge and BSc qualifications to guide you through the process and teach you about the area.
• On-the-job training for all parts of the projects, data collection and analysis, research techniques and tasks.
• A practical, personal and interactive approach to all activities with a maximum group size of 10 and an emphasis on teamwork.
• A unique work and wildlife viewing experience in the heart of the South African bush
• The chance to become an active member of the reserve and wildlife management team

Monitor Animals -
Much of the monitoring and conservation of animals at Askari is helped with volunteers. Responsibilities include: bird of prey migration recording, sex and age ratio analysis of herbivores, the monitoring of spatial demography, predator/prey dynamic monitoring, and nocturnal mammals. There is plenty of opportunity for you to enjoy the beautiful animals!

Reserve Work -
Askari has various activities and responsibilities each season. The most important of these are prescribed habitat burns, capturing and releasing game, reed relocation, a rare antelope breeding project, reserve clean-ups, road & fence maintenance, improvement of habitats, restoration of buildings, soil enrichment and tree protection.

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