Hanchi Conservation Project in South Africa - Go Horse Riding in The African Bush

Hanchi... Horse Riding in the African Bush

My placement at Hanchi was everything I expected and more. I have learnt a lot and have so many good memories I will never forget!_”

Emma Green

Tuli Conservation ProjectIn the Tuli Block of Botswana volunteers work alongside experienced rangers to establish a baseline ecology study of the wildlife in this vast and unfenced trans frontier region.
Zingela Predator Conservation ProjectAt Zingela, you can study some of Africa's most elusive and persecuted predators, focussing on cheetah conservation, leopard and brown hyena studies.
Phinda Wildlife Research ProjectAs a 'Big 5' safari reserve, Phinda offers superb wildlife viewing while you conduct field research on the populations of lions, leopards and elephants, amongst other species.
Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation CentreVolunteering at the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in South Africa gives you hands on experience in animal care, rehabilitation and hand rearing of wildlife. Join an experienced and dedicated team caring for injured and poisoned wildlife.
Khulula Wild Care
Game Capture TeamJoining the Game Capture Team lets you participate in the exciting work of capturing and relocating many wildlife species, including rhinos, buffalo, giraffe and large herds of antelope - this is hands-on and adrenaline fuelled work!
Hanchi Conservation ProjectWhile volunteering at Hanchi, you assist in the management of a 9,000 hectare reserve from horseback, which operates a breeding programme for rare antelopes as well as a cheetah sanctuary and predator study.
Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary ExperienceThe Wildlife Veterinary Experience gives you the opportunity to work alongside experienced wildlife vets in South Africa, accompanying them on all wildlife cases and learning first hand and up close about this exciting work.
Nholwasi Community ProjectAn immensely rewarding experience, working with local children to promote sustainable and long term conservation, enrich their lives and work with the children of the future.
The Dolphin and Whale Research CentreAt the Dolphin and Whale Research Centre you assist renowned marine scientists studying the populations of humpback and bottlenose dolphins, byrde whales, humpback whales, and southern right whales, along South Africa’s coast.
Mauritius Dolphin Conservation ProjectAs a volunteer at the Mauritius Dolphin Conservation Project you assist with monitoring and controlling the impact of eco tourism on the local populations of spinner dolphins, melon headed dolphins and bottle nosed dolphins.
Tutuka Family Conservation ProjectWork with your family to bring your children's learning to life. Contribute to the conservation research of a Big 5 reserve and join our local community project.
Game Ranger Guide CourseThe Game Ranger Guide Course gives you a thorough introduction to the wildlife and habitats of South Africa and Botswana.
Wildlife Tracking CourseLearn advanced tracking skills and interpret animal behaviour while following wildlife through the wilderness of Botswana’s Tuli Block. This is a tough and adventurous experience.

Set on a vast reserve in the rugged and wild bushland of the Limpopo Province of South Africa, the management of the endangered roan antelope is critical to it’s survival in the wild. From horseback, you will monitor the roan antelope, quizzical Tssessebe and stunning sable antelope as part of this successful breeding and relocation project. The sensitivity of the horse makes them ideal partners in traversing the bush and reserve management, ensuring game are less stressed and by nature alerting you to young and elusive animals. Predator conservation work on the greater reserve is also a unique inclusion to this project.

Horses in the Bushveld

Horse riding in the African Bush

One of the most ecologically friendly way in which a human can traverse the bush is on horseback and the speed at which a horse walks is perfect for looking for tracks of both animals and man. The sensitivity of horses also make them ideal partners when taking part in activities such as game counts as they alert the rider to the presence of game which would often otherwise be overlooked.

Work with the wildlife

Within the large breeding bomas, roan and sable react much calmer to horses enabling monitoring at a much higher level. With their young hid singly in the bush, rather than in creches, it also assists in monitoring of their precious young. Having successfully relocated over 100 endangered roan antelope, this project is of great conservation importance and your work will include:

Equine husbandry and care, including disease control
Equine tack and yard maintenance
Roan and sable monitoring, studying densities, ages and condition
Predator monitoring - young antelope are very vulnerable in bush and the bomas require management to ensure predation levels from cheetah and hyena are minimal
Fence line patrols of inner sable and roan camps and the greater reserve
Disease free buffalo habituation from horseback on the greater reserve
Joining the Zingela predator conservation project on the greater reserve - use radio telemetry to monitor movements of cheetah, brown hyena and buffalo. Working with cheetah, leopard and brown hyena, you will;

Observe hunting and feeding behaviour, including kills, and social interactions
Record GPS positions to determine home ranges and movement patterns

Tracking cheetah on foot

Tracking cheetah at Hanchi Uniquely, cheetah are almost exclusively approached on foot at Hanchi. Follow in the footsteps of these wonderful and endangered predators; moving when they move, resting when they rest and watching them stalk, hunt and feed.

Equine course in the bush

Are you an inexperienced rider eager to learn more about management of horses? Perhaps you are an competent rider wishing to brush up their skills and knowledge. Begin your placement with an intensive 36hr horse riding and equine husbandry course at Hanchi facilitated by a registered and qualified instructor.

Conservation in the field

Monitoring and management from horseback is vital to the successful breeding and relocation of these endangered and rare species - working with the single largest private sable and roan herds in South Africa. This project gives a unique view of the reality behind conserving predators while your research will contribute to the ongoing effort to help secure a future for these stunning animals.

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Duration: 2-12 weeks

Cost: From £2190 for 2 weeks up to £5220 for 12 weeks. Includes return international flights from London, transfers, all meals, accommodation, all project-related costs and back up and support.

Accommodation: Tented camp. Twin tent s, separate ablution blocks with flushing toilets and hot showers, separate living/dining tent and brick built kitchen

Time of year: From January to mid-December

Suitability: If you are passionate about horse riding and conservation, this project brings both together in a unique setting, where you are playing a vital role in the preservation of stunning predators through educational research and endangered and rare species.

African Conservation Experience: Hanchi Conservation Project in South Africa - Go Horse Riding in The African Bush - African Conservation Experience

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