WELCOME TO
KARIEGA BIG FIVE CONSERVATION
Step into life at Kariega Game Reserve, a working wildlife sanctuary in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Your time is split between hands-on Kariega conservation work and meaningful community engagement – with roughly 60 percent spent on the reserve and 40 percent supporting local development.
At Kariega Game Reserve, you’ll contribute to Big Five conservation, support anti-poaching teams, restore habitats, and assist with ecological research.
Off the reserve, you’ll engage with local schools and grassroots initiatives - helping in pre-schools, soup kitchens, community gardens, and Early Childhood Development centres. This is your chance to make a difference that goes beyond the bush and supports the broader vision of Kariega Game Reserve.
This is conservation in motion – hands-on, real-world, and deeply rewarding.
Why Book This Wildlife Conservation Experience Through Lost Adventures
With over 15 years of experience in African travel and conservation - including as co-founder of the Modisa Wildlife Project in Botswana - Lost Adventures offers expert guidance, trusted support, and extended liability cover. There are no added fees, and if anything doesn’t go as planned, we’ve got your back.
Up to 16 volunteers
2-12 weeks
Starting each Monday.
Minimum age: 18
Arrive at Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) on Monday, 09:00-14:30. Departures after 12:30 on Monday.
Transfer between Port Elizabeth Airport and Kariega: 25 Euro/way, payable directly.
HIGHLIGHTS AT KARIEGA BIG FIVE CONSERVATION
Be Part of Big Five Conservation
Join daily game drives to support Big Five conservation efforts. Record animal movements, observe behavior, and log essential data that informs wildlife protection at Kariega Game Reserve.
A 360° Conservation Experience
From restoring habitats to supporting schools and soup kitchens, each week combines reserve work with meaningful community outreach – the heart of Kariega conservation.
Learn by Living It
Build practical bush skills through immersive fieldwork, guided walks, and wild sleep-outs. There’s no better way to understand Kariega conservation than by experiencing it firsthand.
Weekends by the Coast
With the Indian Ocean just 10 kilometers from Kariega Game Reserve, your weekends can include marine safaris, sandboarding, or simply relaxing at the beach.
Community That Matters
Support education, uplift families, and engage local youth through hands-on outreach – building lasting connections at the heart of long-term Kariega conservation.
Behind-the-Scenes Moments
You may assist during animal relocations or vet callouts – powerful glimpses into the daily realities of conservation work at Kariega Game Reserve.
Immerse in the detailed monitoring of elephants and rhinos, key species on the reserve. Track and observe these magnificent creatures, documenting their range utilization, dietary habits, and social interactions. By identifying individuals through unique ear markings and other features, you'll contribute to vital studies on population dynamics and health. Additionally, assist in anti-poaching efforts to protect rhinos, learning about their behavior and helping to safeguard them from the persistent threat of poaching.
Engage in monitoring the feeding habits of Kariega's lions. Documenting their prey selection provides essential insights into the health and dynamics of the pride and helps maintain the balance between predator and prey. For leopards, assist in camera trap setup and analysis. These efforts are crucial for understanding leopard populations, their movement patterns, and interactions with the environment, contributing to potential reintroduction and conservation strategies.
Participate in game drives to observe, record, and understand the behaviors of various species. During night drives, focus on nocturnal animals and learn about their unique adaptations. Alongside this, contribute to bird monitoring projects in collaboration with Avian University. Documenting bird species, their breeding status, and numbers provide vital information on the overall health of the ecosystem and helps identify any ecological imbalances.
Actively participate in maintaining and enhancing the reserve's landscape. Engage in the removal of alien plant species, helping native flora and fauna to thrive. Assist in bush encroachment control, ensuring diverse habitats for different wildlife species. Road maintenance and river crossing repairs are also crucial tasks, facilitating effective movement and management within the reserve.
Play a pivotal role in community engagement initiatives. Teach basic English and other subjects to local children, providing them with valuable skills and fostering mutual cultural understanding. Your involvement in these community projects not only enhances the educational opportunities for local children but also strengthens the relationship between the reserve and surrounding communities, fostering a shared commitment to conservation.
You may get to experience the exhilaration of participating in wildlife capture and relocation operations, a vital aspect of managing animal populations and maintaining ecological balance (not guaranteed). You will also get to enjoy the serene beauty of nature with sleep-outs in the bush, providing a unique opportunity to connect with the wilderness and observe the nocturnal activities of wildlife. Additionally, unwind with peaceful river cruises, offering a different perspective of the reserve's diverse landscapes and inhabitants.
While weekdays at Kariega Big Five Conservation are dedicated to conservation and wildlife management, weekends are an opportunity for adventure and relaxation. Here are some thrilling activities that you can enjoy during your time off:
• Horseback riding on the beach, Sky diving – tandem, Bungee jumping, Deep sea fishing and shark cage diving, Two-day overnight canoe trail on the Bushman's river, Quad bike riding and canopy tours, Addo Elephant National Park field trip
Activity Overview
dive into the details
Why We Love Kariega Game Reserve
These are just a few of the reasons why Kariega Game Reserve stands out – where conservation meets connection, and every day brings purpose, adventure, and impact.
Track Africa’s Giants
Spend time with elephants and rhinos, collecting critical data, observing their behaviour, and contributing to Big Five conservation on a reserve where every effort truly counts.
Make an Impact That Lasts
Whether restoring habitat or teaching young learners, your time at Kariega Game Reserve supports lasting outcomes through connected Kariega conservation programs.
Live the Wild Life
From sunrise drives to sleep-outs in the bush, every day immerses you in the wildlife, rhythms, and raw beauty of Kariega Game Reserve – an experience that stays with you long after you leave.
Balance Bush and Beach
After a fulfilling week on the reserve, unwind on the coast. With so much variety nearby, Kariega Game Reserve is the perfect place to reconnect with nature – on land and at sea.
Make an enquiry for
Kariega Big Five Conservation
Once we receive your enquiry, we will swiftly check for availability and aim to get back to you within 2 business days. Please note that sending this enquiry does not create any obligations for you.
