Hamba Africa

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas! 🎅 We're giving you and a friend voucher worth £600 with any 4 week (or longer) placement with us here in South Africa, so if you didn't remember someones gift this year we've got you covered. 👌

We've also got other prizes going as well for second place and runners-up.

Prizes with any 4 week or more placements:
Two prizes of £600 vouchers are available for each member of a friendship, partner or family duo.
Three prizes of £300 vouchers are available for single travellers.
Six prizes of £150 vouchers are available for single, duo or triple of travellers.

How to play:
1 - Like this post ✔
2 - Comment and tag the person you want to join us with 👀
3 - Follow our page 👣
4 - Share this post to your story (£150 only) 🌍

How and when winners are selected:
This competition is going to run from the 25th of December until the 7th of January.

Once the competition is closed, we will give everyone's comments and shares a number, we'll then use a number generator to select at random the winners!

We'll contact winners by replying to your comment and DMing you (or your tagged friend if we don't hear back from you within 5 days).

Key questions:
Can my tagged friend then comment and tag me?
Smart people might have realised if the person you've tagged also makes their own comment and tags you, you've increased your own chance of winning... it's good to have friends 😉

How many comments can I leave?
Although you can comment and tag people as many times as you like, in the interest of fairness, every individual account / person is classed as one participant and we will class your account as "one entrance." If selected the prize will then also be randomly selected from all the tags and comments you've left.

How do I know the prizes are selected at random?
This is our first time running a competition like this and we would love to have some fun with it! We're going to leave a pinned comment on this post and if enough people like it and state their interest in watching the prize draw live, we'll host a live video for everyone to watch as we announce the winners. 😄

When are the prizes valid?
The vouchers are valid on any selected placements between the start of January and the end of April.

What placement are valid?
Any of the 5 listed placements including: Coastal and shark research assistant, community development volunteer, endangered species wildlife volunteer, reptile research and rescue volunteer, cheetah breeding and wildlife rehabilitation volunteer.

Visit our website for further information on each of the placements or contact us directly.

We hope everyone is as excited as we are, feel free to message us during the competition if you have any further questions.

Good luck! 😁😁😁

Please note: Participants of this competition must still meet all requirements to join our placements as normal, our full T's and C's are available on our website.

21/12/2023

If we're being honest, it's not about the destination... Or even the journey.

It's about who's beside you sharing the experience!

It's only a pleasure meeting the adventurous, kind and caring people from around the world who join us.

To support that we'll be running a competition with some big prizes over the holiday period.

Vouchers and prizes including:
2 x £600
3 x £300
6 x £150

The goal is to give a little back to the people who are the heart and soul of our projects and help others join us in 2024.

Make sure to keep an eye on our page as we start the competition! 👀😁

29/11/2023

During a veterinary procedure, we captured this picture of a cheetah paw and wanted to share it with you. Cheetah are unique as the only big cats with non-retractable claws and this photo show that clearly!

As Cheetah are adapted and specialised for speed, running down their prey rather than the "jump on it and hold on" method of hunting lion or leopard rely on.

They don't need their claws to hold onto the prey... but the ground!

Like a footballer's studs on the bottom of their shoes, the claws sticking out help grip the ground. As the cheetah gives chase this grip, coupled with the cheetahs long tail acting like a rudder, they are able to make sharp turns at high speeds.

From its large nostrils for extra oxygen down to its feet, from top to toe its safe to say cheetah are designed for speed!

28/11/2023

We like our lunch Al fresco 😌

During our wildlife and ecology volunteer projects in South Africa, you'll typically start the day early leaving camp around 7am.

The reserves you'll work at are huge, 10's of thousands of hectares so driving back to camp just doesn't make sense... What does this mean for lunch?

Grab the cooler box and find a spot!

11/11/2023

A few more photos and images of the San Bushmen cave paintings including where its located and some hand prints.

These handprints were small and are very high up on the cave wall.

Is it simply that San are a small people owing to their active lifestyle and different dietary intakes? or were they some children playing and drawing on the walls like kids do today?

Who knows, but that's part of the charm of mysteries like this! :)

09/11/2023

An unusual but fascinating find!

The reserve our endangered species conservation research placement runs is home to many treasures... not just the wildlife volunteers, interns and researchers come to protect.

These cave paintings are made by the San, sometimes also called "Bushmen"

Amusingly, the origin for both the word "San" and the word "Bushmen" were given to them by other people.

"San" which means "forager" was given to them by the Khoe-khoe people.

And "bushmen" given to them by the first Dutch settlers that met them and means "bossiesman", translating to english as "outlaw" (and in the most literal sense as they are hunter-gatherers!)

The San still survive today in Namibia and and parts of South Africa, making them the olders culture and hunter-gather group on the planet

They have no name for themselves and simply call each other... the people.

Why give a name to yourself when you've always been there?

As such these cave paintings could have been made anytime in the past 300 years to the past 30,000 from when the San first arrived in the area from further north.

Cave paintings are notoriously hard to carbon date, they are made from naturally occurring rock that is blown or painted on the wall.

So you can only carbon date the age of the rock, rather than when it was painted.

We've taken a few photos of you to look at and share with the world.

Some are quite clear as animals... others are a bit more abstract and lost to time.

08/11/2023

Students from joined us to research and support indigenous tree usage in rural communities in the Kruger National Park region of .

Understanding how indigenous trees are used by people, monitoring data on habitat changes and working long-term to develop industry and access the commercial benefits of locally available resources.

Working with nature to create long-term sustainable economies.

In addition to the economic revenue trees can bring directly as a base resource for food and manufacturing, indigenous trees offer an array of other benefits in particular, biodiversity.

Animals in the communities local area including in the neighbouring Kruger National Park reserve have all evolved with these indigenous tree species, giving them a clear financial value, this naturally encourages the trees and the area's protection by the people who live with it.

If you want to get involved and work with us with these communities find out more visit our website

02/11/2023

Animal conservation in action!

Wildlife reserves and protected areas across Africa are often fenced.

Although this protects both humans and animals alike, this opens a new problem... How do species move to new areas?

South Africa, home to some of the largest populations of African wildlife sets the standard.

Careful management and breeding by ecologists and vets is what keeps these populations healthy.

From legal permits with moving animals, vaccination requirements and animal genetic diversity... there's lots to consider in this specialist field.

Supporting this work we've been out in the field looking for two large buffalo set to moved to a new location to help with breeding projects.

Our wildlife volunteers are fortunate to be able to take part in this exciting and important work as part of their placements.

And next year, our veterinary focused placement will focus critical on wildlife breeding and management as well as the science behind it... all while giving more students and volunteers a chance to learn practical while they support this work!

02/11/2023

Join our projects if you want your morning to start like this!

Heading out as part of buffalo breeding projects, an exciting opportunity to help support practical conservation.

Volunteers and students learn hands-on about ecological and big game management.

Plus in 2024, a specialist veterinary training and volunteer placement is also taking flight.

Allowing vets and vet nurses to gain the skills needed for a career as a wildlife veterinarian, all while helping endangered species.

Follow to stay up to date!

31/10/2023

Cape Scrub Hare are nocturnal animals and seldom ever seen in broad daylight. Along with their hearing, they have great nighttime vision, but the trade is a reflecting tapetum lucidum behind the retina (it's what gives animals eye shine!) makes the eye very sensitive to daylight.

Looking somewhat dazed and confused, this hare is seen in cover observing the area.

As we approached the scrub hare, a slender mongoose was seen trotting away from its location.

Hares unlike rabbits don't dig burrows in the ground, rather they bed down for the day in dense and often thorny bushes for safety.

The mongoose which will prey on the hare if given the chance likely disturbed it causing it to come out into the open.

Although the bigger animals and events out in the South African wilderness leave you no choice but to be captivated, the little stories and dramas played out in nature should be given equal attention... and enjoyment!

12/09/2023

White rhino mothers are fiercely protective of their calves and are known to stay with them for at least 2 years after giving birth. Newborn calves can weigh between 40-60kg and will run in front of their mother when threatened, with the mother tapping the baby on their rear to guide them 🦏

29/08/2023

We love when our volunteers get those pictures they’ve been waiting for! The bush is unpredictable which makes these encounters all the sweeter! 🐘

27/08/2023

Huge congratulations to Mark and Laura !

We've had some sightings out here in the bush... But this will definitely be remembered. 🥰🥰🥰

A cute thought to hold onto is that the first time your ring was worn, it was done so here. Look at it and know a little piece of the wilds of Africa will forever be with you.

As you know everyone, staff and volunteers alike were overjoyed to get to be a part of your special moment.

Wishing you both endless love and happiness.... DJ, cue Elton John's "Can you feel the love tonight"

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

25/08/2023

Student Hayley Hodd from Bournemouth University has been working with us to survey rural communities.

Designing surveys and going door to door to interview locals and understand tree usage in South Africa.

Which trees are utilised? Do people proactively plant or remove trees from their environment? How much if any financial income do these trees provide families?

All this data and more will be used to help inform Hamba Africa and partner organisations like Nourish with how support, training and critically captial investment can be given to these communities to help kick start sustainable economies to better manage these natural resources.

For future context: In an area where unemployment is as high as 85%, entrepreneurship and innovative grass roots development of economy and industry can mean job creation, job creation means stable income, stable income can increase quality of life plus reduce exploitative environmental practices like poaching or excessive harvesting of trees or other plants to generate income.

23/08/2023

Driving home from a day out in the bush can often give gorgeous sunset views and fantastic wildlife sightings later in the day! 🦒

16/08/2023

After studying Veterinary Nursing at Edinburgh Napier University joined our placement to gain conservation experience.

Read her comprehensive article covering everything from the oh so normal pre-placement anxiety to how expectations met reality and her advice for female travellers... plus exciting stories from the bush!

A summary of a wildlife-focused conservation experience as a solo female traveller in South Africa. Featuring highs, lows, need-to-knows and the world renowned big five. About volunteering with African wildlife and living the safari life! Embarking upon a month-long wildlife volunteering abroad expe...

19/07/2023

Banded mongoose are in the same family as the more well known meerkat. These gregarious (group or communal) animals are hours of fun to watch. We can see them here warming up on a termite mound ahead of a day of foraging through the bush for insects, reptiles and anything else slow and tasty.

As they are highly mobile, seen scampering through the bush on their search for food. They are also very social, often seen playing and grooming each other to maintain close ties, trust and we’re sure deep and meaningful mongoose friendships.

Although not a popular as a lion, elegant as an eagle or even imposing as an elephant… these cheeky and mischievous little animals are a favourite!

16/07/2023

Darting a rhino from the sky is often the best way to do it. From the rhino’s perspective, an angry, shouty, “metal bird” is something to be avoided.

Although that might sound cruel, it’s a great way to herd the rhino to a safe and open area to preform veterinary work.

For the helicopter pilot's perspective, a challenge as you pirouette and manoeuvre to match the rhino’s movements…. but talk about job satisfaction!

15/07/2023

We know monitoring and protecting wildlife is a privilege.

But we also believe it should be the duty of every citizen of the planet.

With a future of two possibilities: the loss of species or they are cherished and safeguarded.

Choose the future where inspiration, excitement and connection to life can be found through these remarkable creatures and creations!

22/06/2023

Aman Singh Gandhi joined us to film a wildlife documentary as part of a university placement.

Watch to understand practical conservation work in South Africa, the techniques staff at Welgevonden Biomonitoring use and the commitment reserves like Welgevonden Game Reserve show every day to protect wildlife.

We know how much time, effort and dedication you put into this project and it shows.... well done! :)

Step into the hidden world of private reserves with "Preserving Paradise," a captivating documentary directed by Aman Singh Gandhi. Embark on a breathtaking ...

07/04/2023

International volunteering, research or study abroad placements are an exciting opportunity for career development as you build unique skills and networks... but they often involve costs.

Our guide explains how to find and apply for funding for a placement... plus a list of available grants!

Understand what funding for international volunteer placement exist and how to apply!

13/02/2023

Announcing our newest conservation effort and placement opportunity!

What to expect: Receive PADI/CMAS training, dive on coral reefs, support conservation projects, safeguard an area rich in marine biodiversity.... from humpback whales to whale sharks, seahorses to the great sardine migration!

https://www.hambaafrica.co.uk/marineconservationplacement

30/01/2023

SAWildlife joined us on one of our placements and has taken some absolutely world class captures.

Check her page out to see more!

Cheetah traffic warden. We were out early in the morning when we turned the corner to this lovely cat sauntering in the road. This was taken in a slow moving vehicle as we rolled along behind the Cheetah watching in awe.

15/11/2022

A collection of camera trap images taken as part of Welgevonden Biomonitoring's ongoing wildlife research and monitoring projects and our Long Term Wildlife volunteer placement.

Ahead of joining our placement and work, have a read of our guide explaining how-to-use camera traps here: https://www.hambaafrica.co.uk/post/working-on-conservation-volunteer-projects-in-south-africa-camera-trap-surveys-how-to-guide

Camera traps have come a long way since 1890 and George Shira first hooked up a camera to a trip wire and flash. Now, these autonomous little eyes in the field typically use infrared sensors to detect changes in temperature or movement and take an image or video.

Camera traps are an invaluable tool for conservation work, they allow scientists to capture images and data of elusive or nocturnal animals.

08/11/2022

Beautiful lion sighting during camera trap surveying work at and as part of our Long Term Wildlife volunteer placement.

01/11/2022

A black collar barbet showing of its strong beak which is highly adapted for its fruit focused diet.

20/10/2022

Too funny to not share!

Post by Keith:This has got to be one of the whackiest hyena camera trap pictures taken by NCP team… posing for the camera with 20+ croc’s feeding on hippo carcass, near the Lugenda river

11/10/2022

Cheetah are the fastest land animal on the planet.... or is it this jackal after seeing lions? 😂

04/10/2022

It's the 4th of October, world animal day!

From wildlife to our best pet friend, we can't get over how lucky we are to share this planet with these pawesome creatures!