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GYC0266 - Game Reserve Project + Southern Africa Explorer Country: Swaziland Cost: £4240.00 Please note: Cost also includes £850 contribution to project and all activities. Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food, pickup from airport and visas but does not include flight, insurance or kit      Duration: 3 months Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7599 or

 

	This placement would suit... Anyone with a passion for African wildlife and conservation, who also wants to explore Southern Africa on an adventurous Expedition. The Project Phase Working in three neighbouring game reserves in Swaziland on a number of conservation and community projects including mammal surveys, ecological surveys, trail building, school construction and animal photo ID libraries. One reserve has re-introduced lions, elephants and white rhinos and is of particular interest to those students interested in mammal ecology. The Swaziland project gives you the opportunity to work in two to three different game reserves, some of which contain the 'Big Five'. You spend two weeks in each reserve carrying out a variety of conservation work - for example last year we carried out an elephant impact survey, a social survey of giraffe and constructed a bird hide. You will also get the chance to see lions on one of the reserves as well as assisting us with our work studying the social habitats of a small pack of hyaenas - the only ones found in Swaziland - for which Quest are proud to have donated funds to provide radio collars to enable easier tracking and observation of their habitat. For the whole six weeks you will meet and work alongside members of the local community, game rangers and other local staff. "The Quest volunteers were a great help, continuing with ongoing vegetation surveys, painting the campsite facilities and completing a detailed survey of the giraffe population on the reserve. We greatly appreciate the commitment Quest has to conservation in Swaziland, and look forward to working with you in the future" - Matthew McGinn, Manager, Mbuluzi Game Reserve. Expedition phase The expedition follows on immediately after the project phase and takes you through Swaziland, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and finally to Victoria Falls in Zambia. It's jam-packed with adventurous activities for you to really get stuck into - including a three-night wilderness trek in Swaziland's beautiful game reserves, gaining your PADI dive qualification at Tofu beach in Mozambique, river tubing and bridge swinging in South Africa, a mokoro canoe safari and 4X4 game safari in Botswana (last year we were lucky enough to see lions, leopards, cheetahs and some huge herds of buffalo as well as hundreds of elephants) all of which culminates in the ultimate challenge to finish your trip - an 111m bungy jump off Vic Falls! Pre-departure preparation All students join in a training weekend prior to departure which is held in November each year. This is included in the cost of your expedition and covers such topics as cultural awareness, responsible tourism, risk assessments, kit and packing, cooking, camp craft and, of course provides an oportunity to meet all your team before you go overseas. The weekends are held in London and it is strongly recommended that all team members come along as it not only provides a vital part of your preparation but they are a lot of fun as well! Leaders Each team has two Quest Overseas leaders who are there not to be your parents, but to make sure the project and expedition runs smoothly and you all have a great time. All our leaders are professional and experienced in the country you're travelling in, as well as being some of the most enthusiastic people you'll probably ever meet! They're also there to provide support, advice and endless information from their wealth of travel knowledge throughout the whole three months. Our users say... "Quest offered a trip I couldn't refuse. The project work was rewarding, the expedition was fun and the whole experience challenged me in ways I never expected. Being so far from home with little contact is challenging in itself but to go into it with 17 strangers and come out of it with lifelong friends is rewarding beyond belief" - Claire Gunn. Why Quest Overseas? Quite simply because we have the best reputation in the gap year market. We are second to none when it comes to safety, value for money and downright fun! We've never had a complaint and we aim to keep it that way - if you'd like to speak to a past student they would be more than happy to bend your ear on everything you could get up to! Who should apply? Students with an interest in wildlife/ecology/biology/geography are particularly encouraged to join this project as the experiences and skills gained are excellent for your CV if you plan to go onto an environmentally related degree/career. However, if you just have a keen interest in conservation and the effect it can have on surrounding communities then we'd also love to have you on one of the teams! For more details you are welcome to phone the Quest Overseas office on the number above and chat to Beth who can give you heaps of information on what is planned for 2006 and beyond. 0845 344 7599 Quest: Adventure travel in Latin America and Africa combining both worthwhile volunteering and challenging, action-packed expeditions. We commit to all our projects long-term, from constructing schools, helping shantytown children and orphans, rehabilitating animals, working in the depths of the rainforest or scuba diving to help protect endangered marine species. All our trips are designed to show you the real side of Africa and South America, to enable you to make a difference and to make sure you have the time of your life! Open afternoons in West Sussex, online presentations and telephone appointments are all regularly available.