Ingwe Volunteer Program
Experience the thrill of wildlife conservation while making a real difference for leopards.
Join Our Volunteer Program
Join two conservation programs that are working hand in hand to allow you to grow into a wildlife conservationist!
We are based in the Greater Kruger in South Africa, in a big 5 reserve. You will be helping with field work - wildlife monitoring, getting your hands dirty to set up camera traps or clear invasive plants but also with the essential behind the scene work, learning how to operate two different tools using AI!
Benefits of the Program
Our program offers a wide range of benefits.
- You become a true team member of Ingwe Research Program.
- You play a key role in the biggest carnivore-focus citizen science project in South Africa.
- You learn from experienced conservationists.
- You become a professional in using AI for conservation on one of the most widely used platforms in Africa.
- You partake in a range of further research activities with the other volunteers (e.g. predator diet study, game counts, rhino monitoring, threatened species monitoring...)
Your Responsibilities
As part of the program, you will have the following responsibilities.
- Learn to use two different AI platforms – Trap Tagger and the African Carnivore Wildbook.
- Process camera trap images from our reserves.
- Format leopard data collected by the camera traps and from sightings. You will be working on data from a range of reserves enrolled in the research.
- Process all camera traps data on Trap Tagger.
- Do bulk imports on the African Carnivore Wildbook platform and run the AI.
- Prepare and update ID kits.
- Depending on your skills and interests, you may get involved in other aspects of the research.
Requirements to Join the Ingwe Volunteer Program
To join the program, you must meet the following requirements.
- Two-month stay minimum
- Being enrolled in a degree in a relevant field, such as Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Conservation Science, Environmental Science, or a related discipline is an added advantage.
- Willing to learn, focused, detail-orientated and meticulous. These qualities are crucial as you will be going through intense training and be dealing with a high amount of sensitive data.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with research team members.
- You will sign a Memorandum of Understanding that states the terms of collaboration between you, Transfrontier Africa and Ingwe Research Program.
- You will also have to sign a confidentiality clause linked to data security.
Understanding the Costs
Please find cost information for participation in the program below.
Costs
60 days stay - R1520 per day (R91,200)
90 days stay - R1160 per day (R104,400)
Includes
- Accommodation at Ndlovu Camp in a big 5 reserves (authentic bush experience)
- 3 meals a day suited for all dietary requirements, cooked on the open fire
- WiFi
- Participation in daily research activities and reserve management duties
- Training
Join Our Conservation Efforts
Become a vital part of leopard conservation - your adventure awaits with Ingwe Volunteer Program!