Overview
South Africa offers amazing variety – Atlantic and Indian coastlines, canyons, National Parks, mountains, vineyards, vast plains and forests. Our personal highlights include Cape Town, the Wine Lands, the Garden Route and the Kruger National Park...
Our Favourite:
Garonga Safari Camp www.garonga.com
Garonga Safari Camp is a stunning, exclusive 14-bed Camp, situated within the private 25,000 hectare Greater Makalaki Game Reserve within the Limpopo Province, one hour from the main Phalabora Gate to the Kruger National Park.
The reserve is home to all Africa’s game apart from the buffalo. Each en-suite room is sculpted out of rough plastered walls with an overarching canvas tent, set amongst ebony trees on the banks of a water course - simply gorgeous!
Camp Activities
Game drives, walking safaris, walking, tracking and sleep out safaris, bush picnics. Aromatherapy, reflexology and Reiki. Horse riding (outside main camp), drawing/painting facilities – easels and paint supplied, swimming pool.
How you help
In the Camp
This well established operation has a dedicated team of local staff. As such, it is an excellent opportunity to live and work amongst a different culture.
You'll be asked to help out with hosting, reception, administration, catering, stores and general maintenance. They are a small camp and try to be creative with their guests, for example they do sundowner drinks and cocktails in very remote and picturesque spots...
On Conservation and Community projects
The Host does not have any specific conservation or community projects. However, by working and immersing yourself in the local culture you will see for yourself what the managers are doing to improve the lives of the local communities.
Your base
Your Team
You'll join the dynamic camp and safari teams made up of both Europeans and Africans.
Transfers
Fly to Johannesburg International Airport and then a 1-hour internal flight or via the SA express to Hoedspruit.
Accommodation and Food
Basic but comfortable. The staff house is about 3 kms from the camp with its own pool. You’ll do your own cooking unless hosting dinner with the guests.
Weather and Seasons
Summer: Oct – March. Rainy Season: October – December - hot days and warm nights 25-45c. (Bring appropriate wet weather gear!)
Winter: April – August. Dry Season – warm days, cold nights 5 – 25c.
There is no low season as such but the quieter time is June – July. They are open all year round apart from 2 weeks in June.
Time In/Out
Time In
Hours of work are very reasonable. The hosting for dinners is shared between all the front line staff. For a 12 week stay, you will probably get a week off in the middle and the Camp will try to arrange stays at other camps and lodges.
Time Out
Game drives, walking safaris, walking, tracking and sleep out safaris, bush picnics. Aromatherapy, reflexology and Reiki. Horse riding (outside main camp), drawing/painting facilities – easels and paint supplied, swimming pool.
Costs/Dates
Dates
Flexible departures dependent on local weather/seasons.
Placements are for 12 weeks but can be extended when on the ground.
Cost
£2400 current until 31st August 2010.
In rare circumstances there may be an increase in cost, such as when the hosts are unable to get local park fees. In these cases the cost will be confirmed on application.
Includes:
UK
Consultation and briefing on all aspects of the placement.
Organisation and preparation of entire placement from start to finish.
Exclusive access to researched work placements.
Supporting travel documents including effective fundraising guide.
Management, advice and 24-hour backup and support.
In-country
Management and support by an in-country director and placement manager.
24-hour emergency backup and support.
Living allowance of £40 per month (if applicable).
Payment to the host towards your management care.
Airport pick-up and transfer to and from the placement.
Full board and accommodation.
Access to amenities at staff rates.
Not included:
International and internal (if applicable) flights, visas, medical expenses (recoverable through travel insurance) and inoculations, personal expenses – such as drinks etc and any independent travel at weekends, National Park fees (if applicable), travel insurance.
