Swaziland Savannah Conservation Volunteer Program

Conduct ecological research relevant to Savannah Ecosystems throughout southern Africa. Join us and assist with research on bats, birds, reptiles, ungulates, rodents, small predators, vegetation and a variety of other wildlife in Swaziland conservation areas.

Although savannas are well represented in African conservation areas, they are subjected to increasing degradation as a result of human influences through land utilization and climate change. Well known for large charismatic game such as elephants, rhinos and lions, there are a variety of smaller species that are threatened and equally important to the natural functioning of the savanna ecosystem. Raptors (birds of prey) for example are at the top of the food chain and thus, suffer the cumulative effects of savannas becoming degraded, yet they can roam huge distances (beyond park boundaries) and therefore are exposed to a variety of threats. Many savanna species are very poorly known and understood in southern Africa yet they play a key role in the ecosystem. Although this project involves being based in areas containing big game, your field research activities will be focused on threatened birds, bats, and reptiles, particularly their reproduction and movements, as well as monitoring indicator species of savanna health. By better understanding these species, we can effectively manage and conserve them and the ecosystem in which they are found.

As a volunteer on this project you will get to experience a hands-on wildlife field research program.  All Out Africa runs this project and the field research is in partnership with Swaziland’s game reserves and national parks, namely Hlane Royal National Park, Mlawula Nature Reserve and Mbuluzi Game Reserve, which make up an area of over 40,000 hectares.