Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
22 Apr 2024
Reply rate
96.3 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
20
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
My project is in a remote part of South- Africa, bordering the Greater Isimangaliso Wetland Park, South- Africa's second biggest wilderness area and a UNESCO world heritage site for Bio-diversity and Natural beauty. The project is based just north of the famous scuba diving destination, Sodwana Bay and next to Lake Sibaya, South- Africa's biggest fresh water lake , filled with over 50 hippo's and croc's. Over 400 bird species and loads more to make this a unique wilderness area, not to mention that it is walking distance to one of Africa's most breath taking tropical beaches.
The camp is in the heart of Zululand , close to Swaziland and Mozambique. From here operate my safari company and oversee various volunteer projects.
For years now my place is a get together for volunteers, students and random travelers and we get involved in various conservation and social project. Currently we are monitoring the last hippo's living in Lake Sibaya and updating the species list of the area. We also get involved in many beach and lake clean-ups, visit the parks and try to have fun while learning about the wildlife and doing our bit to save Lake Sibaya.
Thanks to Covid, most of my projects have been neglected and most have to be build up from start again. Our campsite and back packers was destroyed ( That's another story) and the vegetable gardens are in a sad state. This we are slowly building up to its former glory, The place can do with an artist touch, a builder or a carpenter.
On the conservation side , we need assistance with identifying a variety of species, from wildflowers to butterflies, trees, insects and mammals need to be photographed and identified.
With that all said, I need a lot of assistance and there are many things you can do to help out.
The area is amazing. Nature is mind-blowing and there are loads to see and do. We usually work during the week and on weekends you are free to explore the area. I also do a lot of safaris and there are always the chance to join on them.
My place has a relaxed atmosphere and volunteers are encourage to help at their own pace and get involved where they want, off cause with some guidance. Helping hours are flexible and we don't have set hours, Our work is usually fun, entertaining and educational, Our days consist of spending hours around the lake or forest observing nature or hanging out on the beach, We also get involved in art projects around the camp, cook together and generally have a great time.
So , if you have time on your hand and want to come hang - out, help -out, learn a bit or just laze around, this little paradise might just be the place.
Please note that I do host a lot of volunteers and students and my project is self funded, therefore I can only provide accommodation and a basic breakfast, we do have a communal kitchen available for other meals. Less than 10 hours a week is expected, so there is plenty of time available to explore the area or take part in your own project or studies.
Save travels and hope to see you soon in the middle of nowhere!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Our projects is all about wildlife and conservation. While volunteering with us you will work closely with our research staff, training will be provided where necessary. Subjects that volunteers and students will gain experience in will include: Wildlife/Species identification, wildlife tracking, GIS mapping, Data capture(Field work)wildlife monitoring Wetlands/ grassland management, all this and a rich cultural experience as the project is located in rural Zululand( traditional farmers)
Its also a great area for scuba diving, lazy days on the beach , great for seeing the Big 5, long walks in the forest, stunning sunsets and loads more
Help
There are lots to get involved in and I encourage volunteers or students to take part in projects that they find interesting. I have different projects available and volunteers are encouraged to take initiative and work at their own pace. Currently our main project focus on the protection, monitoring and researching the greater Lake Sibaya area. We also have a vegetable garden that provides fresh vegetables to the community, an after school center that we are busy renovating and many other tasks around our camp. We also offer internship programs and study support for students.
Languages spoken
Afrikaans: Fluent
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a comfortable dormitory, campsite and communal kitchen. You can pitch your own tent, use one of mine or stay in the dormitory. If I have a private room available, you can also use that.
What else ...
Our base camp is walking distance from one of Africa's most idyllic beaches, nearby Sodwana Bay offers great Scuba Diving and nearby National Parks are ideal safari destinations, Imfolozi, Mkhuze and Thembe elephant park is close by with regular " Big 5 " sightings. Our camp offers more that 50 activities over weekends and volunteers can arrange these at the camp.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
There are miles and miles of wilderness here, feel free to pitch a tent on camp in your van
Can possibly accept pets
We have pets on the property, a spoiled cat, some chickens and a dog, Wildlife often roam through the area.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
max 2 hours x 5 days- no food
Feedback (13)
It is such an amazing experience to be surrounded by wildlife by Lake Sibaya - which you can access on foot - and go to beaches with almost no one else in sight. It is without counting the occasional trips to the nearby game reserves.… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
It is such an amazing experience to be surrounded by wildlife by Lake Sibaya - which you can access on foot - and go to beaches with almost no one else in sight. It is without counting the occasional trips to the nearby game reserves.… read more
The working hours hours are flexible,… read more
You will love enjoying the beauty of the lake and the beaches (notably 9miles which is worth the experience) where Pieter will be happy to take you
Pieter gives very good advice and will ensure you a better discovery and understanding of the… read more
The lodge/backpackers is located in a really unique corner on the country with landscapes and wildlife not found elsewhere in SA, so it’s really an incredible opportunity to be there and being able to freely… read more
And well...I also have to mention the way, as soon as I arrived, I felt… read more
Pieter and everyone else was super nice and made me feel at home immediately.
I spend three weeks at Pieters Backpackers and learned a lot about the area, wildlife, how to maintain a vegetable garden and just to go with the flow and relax a little.
It was the… read more
Pieter's house is also a refuge for many other volunteers from… read more
If the first few days you're happy to be in the middle of "nothing", you'll soon realize that in fact you're in the middle of a whirlwind of life in this Zulu… read more
