Volunteer Abroad Siyafunda - Mathias

Profile

Name: Mathias

Age: 34

Project: Siyafunda Wildlife Monitoring

Location: Limpopo

Duration: 02.09.2024 – 16.09.2024

Rating

Support from the NATUCATE team:

Arrival:

Partner on-site:

Accommodation:

Review Mathias - Volunteer Abroad Siyafunda

1. Would you like to give us a brief overview of your tasks in the project?

The activities varied from day to day: In the mornings, you generally go on game drives with the team or take bush walks. During the game drives, you record data on animal sightings using various apps and receive a wealth of information about the animals. On the bush walks, you track footprints, follow animal herds, and observe the wildlife. Through this, you learn a lot about nature and the animals themselves.

During the midday, there was either free time at the camp, or you could analyse the wildlife cameras in the reserve and input the data into the appropriate apps.

In the early afternoon, there was either another game drive or a bush walk on the schedule. The game drives sometimes ended with a spectacular "sundowner" sunset in the wilderness, followed by a drive back in the dark, with many more animal sightings along the way.

On Fridays, maintenance tasks were carried out, such as clearing paths from trees that had been knocked over by elephants or creating new trails.

Sundays were free days. There is a selection of various activities that you can do with the other volunteers, such as visiting Kruger National Park, exploring nearby villages, or taking a guided hike in the region. You can always find something that suits your interests. The team on-site organises the desired activities.

2. What was the biggest challenge for you during the project?

There weren’t really any challenges for me. During the first week, I had to get used to the intense sun. Chapped lips and a slight sunburn were hard to avoid despite using lip balm and sunscreen.

On two days, we nearly reached the 40°C mark around midday, which was a bit exhausting. However, we got to enjoy the pool at the Main Camp, which provided plenty of refreshment.

3. Was there anything you particularly liked? Or something that you remember particularly negatively?

The absolute highlight was the Sleep Out. In a group, we hiked through the reserve in the afternoon and met up with the other team at the overnight location. At the overnight spot, you find a place to lay out your sleeping bag on the ground.

Afterwards, we made a campfire and cooked a delicious meal. After eating, we relaxed together before receiving a briefing on how the night would unfold. Each volunteer could either take a night shift alone or work in teams.

During the night shift, you are responsible for keeping an eye on the surroundings with a flashlight for an hour and watching out for any approaching animals. In case of an animal sighting, you had to wake one of the rangers.

During this hour, you experience the bush very intensely and clearly, fully living in the moment.

You can hear the patrolling leopard just a few meters away, the distant roar of male lions kilometres away, and the hyenas moving through the bushes nearby. It’s a real adventure! In good weather, you can also enjoy a breathtaking starry sky.

4. Did you have certain expectations before you travelled to the project?

My expectations were quite diverse. I wanted to learn more about the animals in the area and their way of life while also contributing to their conservation.

Additionally, it was important for me to have a certain closeness to the animals without influencing their behaviour. I sought a good mix of work, learning, and adventure. My expectations were undoubtedly exceeded. While you can try to form ideas from home, the experiences and encounters on-site are much more intense.

5. Did you do anything in your free time that you could recommend to future participants?

On a Sunday, I went on a guided day trip to Kruger National Park with other volunteers. The day started at 4:30 AM and ended around 7 PM back at the camp. I would also recommend the day in Kruger to other participants.

It provides another opportunity to see different animals and experience the contrast between a large national park and a private game reserve like Makalali. Some of the volunteers spotted a white lion during their day trip there a week later, which is said to be very rare. So, visiting Kruger is always an adventure.

6. What tips would you give other participants?

Bring a camera! I only had my phone with me. While you can take good pictures with a phone, nothing beats the quality of a camera. A special thanks to Clara, who shared many of her photos with me, some of which are included in this report.

Depending on the season, nights can get cold. Especially for the Sleep Out, a good sleeping bag and warm clothing are essential. If you want to familiarise yourself with the wildlife beforehand, I recommend learning about the bird species in South Africa. I didn’t expect to have so many interesting and beautiful birdwatching experiences.

7. Can you estimate how many additional costs you had on-site?

The trip to Kruger National Park cost about €120. On Mondays, you can stock up in town with your own groceries, such as soft drinks, beer, and sweets; my total expenses there were around €30.

One evening, we went to a lodge for dinner and a celebration, which included playing billiards. My expenses there were about €20. On my departure day, I had breakfast at the Kamogelo Centre and bought a souvenir for home. Overall, my additional costs amounted to around €200.

Finale thoughts - my adventure in Siyafunda

In summary, the project was a true adventure filled with many wonderful experiences. You learn a great deal about nature and wildlife and get very close to the animals. The staff in the project are truly fantastic, and you’re integrated right away.

For me, it was an unforgettable experience that I have already recommended to many in my family and circle of friends.