Cheetah Conservation Project, Botswana
Ex-Volunteer Feedback Extracts
Cheetah Conservation Project Volunteer 1st June to 1st July 2005 - Craig Milne, an Environmental Science student from the UK gives his feedback on his time volunteering in Botswana:
CCB is undoubtedly a brilliant project carrying out vital information about the cheetah in Botswana and it was a genuine honour to be a part of it. The work carried out is never too stressful and we learned many new skills.
Botswana is nothing like anything most people will have ever seen. It is very arid and dry – even in the winter it can get very hot. The temperature when we were there was acceptable – albeit very cold at night time. The country is very culturally rich and tradition is very important to the local people. It is a natural haven for all different types of wildlife and every day you are able to see animals everywhere. There is everything from dense bush to very open savannah. It was a very nice change from what I was used to and I very much enjoyed it.
Positives: relaxed atmosphere, friendly managers, stunning views and wildlife
Negatives: very changeable temperatures – at night its very cold, during the day its very hot, very long flights and drives to get there and around to other parts of the country, unless you can get along with your fellow volunteers it can seem lonely - at times – you are in the middle of no-where!
I genuinely can't think of anything that can be improved – everyone was always willing to explain something, everyone was friendly etc. our living quarters were perfectly adequate – we had all the cooking utensils and the toilet and shower were better than I could ever expect. Day to day living at the camp was an experience not to be forgotten – being in the middle of a desert area with nothing but wildlife all around is a really amazing feeling. In the evening times when it is dark there is nothing to be heard except the animals and looking up, the sky is lit up by stars. The camp we stayed in was, although basic, more than adequate for our desires. The chalets we stayed in are comfortable, the kitchen was spacious and had everything we needed. Free time was spent mostly sunbathing during the day and sitting round the camp fire in the evening times chatting.
Since this trip I feel that I have definitely benefited, both mentally and physically – being on the other side of the world and in an alien environment opens your eyes to many things and makes you realise what is important.
Recommendations for the next group – you will be nervous when you are going there, its only natural but come day 4 or 5 you will be into you routines, come day 14 you will wonder where the first half of your trip has gone and day 30 you wont believe its over – take advantage of everything you are offered, regardless of how you are feeling always do the work, you never know what you will see out there – every day is different. Take nothing for granted it is a once in a lifetime experience.
Many thanks, Craig