Volunteer Robin tells us about his experience on The Balule Conservation Project during July 2011
My time at paradise camp and working with Transfrontier Africa.
I came to Paradise Camp with rough idea on what to expect, though it was a nice change when I arrived and had my luggage brought via tractor.
I was greeted at the airport by Stefan and three other new volunteers. We made our way to Paradise Camp which is situated within the Balule National Park part of the Greater Kruger National Park and met rest of the team, Francois, Tim and head of it all, Warden Craig Spencer.
As we arrived we started straight away with a game drive and having a look around at wild life and managed to see elephants on my first day which was amazing. For the next few days we did various game drives and got into helping more on the research side. Transfrontier Africa helps do a lot on research side also looking at waterholes and tree damage from elephants. It is a great atmosphere at camp and everyone helps out with the project.
On July 14th 2011 I and two other volunteers went to visit nearby cheetah rehab centre which was very interesting trip, especially as on the way there we managed to see an African Serval Cat, which was a rarity during the day and helped make the day even better. It was good to see work which they did to help cheetahs and various other endangered animals. We were also able to see two cheetahs which Transfrontier Africa had rescued after they had been abandoned by their mum and was amazing to get up close to these cheetahs.
I still have two more weeks out here and can’t wait for them as has already been an amazing trip so far have seen so much and learnt so much in conservation and animals.
Robin….
