Protecting the endangered rhinos of Botswana
Khama
Volunteer project: Khama Rhino Sanctuary is located around 25 km north of Serowe and 320 km north-west of Gaborone, the capital city of the Republic of Botswana. It is defined by Kalahari Desert sands and quite a range of vegetation. Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a conservation park for endangered white and black rhinos. It also hosts a wide range of animals including kudus, impalas, gemsboks, giraffes, and a variety of small animals and birds.
The population of rhinos is currently facing a serious threat due to poaching, therefore Khama is a safe haven for them. South Africa is donating more rhinos to the park, as 2 rhinos are killed in the country every day. The park has now doubled in area to accommodate over 80 rhinos. The park is being guarded by the game rangers as well as the military who form part of the anti-poaching unit.
The volunteers will have the following duties:
- maintenance of trails and fire breaks;
- trimming trees that overlap the road;
- monitoring rhinos and other wild animals during patrols;
- construction of new roads;
- making and installing signage in the park;
- repairing park fence.
The volunteers may be asked to assist with any other task that may be deemed important at that particular time. Volunteers at the nature reserve can enjoy day and evening game drives and educational lectures on some days. Volunteers can also arrange to join the rangers for their animal counts and patrols.
Orientation: An orientation for the volunteers will take place in Mochudi one day before the project starts.
Language: English
Leisure time: Places of interest to visit around are the Serowe museum, the Royal Cemetery, Makgadikgadi Pans. Khama Rhino Sanctuary is located along the way to Moremi game reserve.
Accommodation: Khama Rhino Sanctuary provides accommodation in camping sites. Volunteers must bring their own tent and sleeping bag. Internet, supermarkets and banking are available in Serowe town which is 20 minutes drive form the sanctuary.
Location: Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 200 USD
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival.
Renovation and promotion of Tsodilo Hills heritage site
Tsodilo
Volunteer project: Tsodilo Hills is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in north-west Botswana, approximately 900 km from the capital city Gaborone. It was declared a cultural heritage site in 2001 for its unique rock paintings attributed to the spiritual and artistic diversity of the San people, the first inhabitants of Botswana. It is therefore important to preserve the intangible reflection of the traditional way of life of the San People, commonly known as Bushmen. The Tsodilo Hills is regarded as spiritual home to the nearby communities, dominated by the San and Hambukushu people who practice subsistence hunting and pastoral farming.
The volunteers will provide support in the renovation of the camp sites and exhibition sites at Tsodilo Hills. Since the declaration of Tsodilo as a heritage site, many people interested in Archaeology and Anthropology throng the area. The volunteers will also participate in the educational tours.
Orientation: An orientation for the volunteers will take place in Mochudi one day before the project starts.
Language: English
Leisure time: In the free time, the volunteers can visit the nearby Okavango Delta, recently recognized as a World Heritage site.
Accommodation: Accommodation is provided in a camping site. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own tents.
Location: Tsodilo Hills heritage site in north-west Botswana
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 200 USD
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival.
Trail maintenance in Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Volunteer project: Central Kalahari Game Reserve is located around 150km northwest of Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. It is one of the largest wildlife management areas in Botswana. Its natural scenery makes a perfect platform for anyone who wants to have a taste of Botswana’s landscape and climate diversity.
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve has been controversial ground between the government of Botswana and the San people, the main inhabitants of the area. The government moved the San people out of the Reserve to the village of New Xade, just outside its borders, where amenities are being provided freely. 20 years after the relocation, there is still a small group of San people who are resistant and want the wilderness life in the Game Reserve. Despite the conflict, there is peace and tranquility between the San people and volunteers at the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
Sandy terrains and quite a range of shrub vegetation characterize the Reserve. Sand dunes provide adventurous 4x4 driving and hiking in some areas. A wide range of animals including white rhinos, elephants, leopards, giraffes and a variety of small animals and birds live in the Reserve.
Participation in the volunteer project in Central Kalahari Game Reserve gives one the opportunity to interact with desert wildlife and to get a feel of the vegetation survival in hot and cold climate. Central Kalahari Game Reserve is home to a special ecosystem, which has unpredictable climate conditions at times.
Visitors to the nature reserve can enjoy day and evening game drives and some educational lectures. There are also numerous camping sites and self-catering chalets available for visitors of the Nature reserve.
The volunteers will assist in the maintenance of footpaths and trails. The team will also be helping in the day-to-day management of the park.
Orientation: An orientation for the volunteers will take place in Mochudi one day before the project starts.
Language: English
Accommodation: Accommodation is provided in a camping site. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own tents.
Location: Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 200 USD
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival.
Education and therapy program for disabled kids
Otse
Volunteer project: The Centre for children with special needs in Otse was opened in 1990 to provide vocational and rehabilitation programs to kids with disabilities. The Center is committed to provision of vocational capacity to the underprivileged students afflicted by psychological and physiological challenges.
The volunteers will assist in the daily rehabilitation sessions and provide mentoring and coaching on the vocational upskilling and sports development. Volunteers will also provide psychological and physiological counseling to the kids at the center. Volunteers can share and exchange different cultural forms during the project.
Orientation: An orientation for the volunteers will take place in Mochudi one day before the project starts.
Language: English
Leisure time: In the free time, the volunteers can visit the Mokolodi Sanctuary which is only 25 minutes drive from the center. There is also the nearby scenic Mayelanoong Hill, which is regarded as a sacred cultural site, with some unexplained mystery about disappearance of lovers centuries ago.
Accommodation: Accommodation is provided in shared dormitories at the center. Volunteers can bring their own tent if they like.
Location: Otse is a village in the South-East District of Botswana, located 70 km south of the capital Gaborone, close to the border with South Africa.
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 200 USD
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival.
Support the educational and social programs of Children’s centers
Tlokweng & Serowe
Volunteer project: Tlokweng is located about 10km south-east of the center of Gaborone, the capital city of the Republic of Botswana. Serowe is 300 km north-east of Gaborone. The Children's Centers in Tlokweng and Serowe are home to close to 300 kids affected by different social issues. These include being homeless after being dumped by their mothers mainly immediately after birth or chased away from home due to infights in some households. Some of the kids have mothers in prison, others escaped the hardships of staying in very poor households living on less than one dollar a day.
The kids at the Children's Centers stay in a family like format headed by mothers volunteering at the centers. The family models are done so as to give the kids an opportunity to grow in a family setup. The kids are taught during the day depending on their education level. The center mainly offers pre-school/kindergarten and primary schooling for free.
The volunteers will assist in the daily education of the kids, gardening, sports coaching, mentoring and general counseling. Moreover, volunteers can assist the center with some renovation work that arises and maintain the kids' library. Spare time is usually meant for interaction with the children during their music practice sessions.
Orientation: An orientation for the volunteers will take place in Mochudi one day before the project starts.
Language: English
Accommodation: The Centers provide accommodation in their shared guest houses. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own tent for privacy.
Location: Serowe and Tlokweng
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 200 USD
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival.