Vivisto. Unique, once in a life time gap year and career break experiences in Africa, Australia, USA, New Zealand and Canada. http://www.vivisto.co.uk Copyright 2006 Vivisto Ltd. This past week has been another exciting week for Kariega’s conservation volunteers. The week started off with a bang when we did another successful elephant monitoring session. These monitoring sessions are not only invaluable in terms of data collection, but also an amazing experience for our volunteers sitting amongst the elephants and studying these magnificent giants. Day two of the week was incredibly challenging due to the extreme heat and the work that had to be done. We spent the day clearing alien invasive plants on the reserve – although rewarding, this is very hard work! We watch yet another stunning African sunset that evening, sipping on a well-deserved ice cold beer. The next morning we were up early to do a game count, which meant driving around in our open game drive vehicle and searching the plains for animals.   Our count was successful and the results were submitted to Kariega’s conservation department.   We also made time during the week for a beach ecology session on one of Kenton’s stunning and un-spoilt beaches.   All the volunteers made full use of this opportunity and had a great time swimming in the Indian Ocean. On Friday night we were spoilt and treated to a delicious supper at one of the lodges. Socialising around the fire and chatting about the week’s experiences was a lovely end to our working week. On our itinerary left for the week is a night drive tonight. Who knows what we will see …. will keep you all updated!   http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=51 http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=51 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:38:21 EST Dig out your boardies, get waxing down and get qualified as an SSA Level 1 Surf Instructor in just six weeks! 15th September 2010 to 27th October 2010 From beginner to professional in no time at all. As part of your 6 week course you will work with children from underprivileged areas to help build up the instructional hours necessary to qualify as an SSA Level 1 Surf Instructor (This course is endorsed by BSA and ASA). As part of your programme you will also complete a Surfing Life Savers Course before your instructor's exam. Our instructors will be there with you every step of the way. Week 1: Learn to Surf course Week 2: Surf lifesaving introduction and training Week 3:  Surf lifesaving theory and extra training (receive surf instructor course outline) Week 4: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - SSA Level 1 Surf Instructor's Course Saturday and Sunday - finish surf lifesaving course Week 5: Instructing practical, work experience and lifesaving examination Week 6: Instructing practical, work experience and instructor examination Where do I stay? You’ll stay in shared accommodation around Plettenberg Bay, South Africa with other surfers on our programme. You will receive meal vouchers which can be used in the Surf Cafe in Plettenberg Bay.  There will be plenty of time to socialise in the evenings with friends and other surfers that you meet. How Much does it cost? £2200 per person (discounts available for groups of four or more people) What's included? All training Equipment  (surf board and wetsuit) Accommodation Meal vouchers Exam preparation and fees Alumni membership Life Savers Course Practical work in Surfboard factory   Places are extremely limited, so please Contact Us to hold your placement early to avoid any disappointment. Any restrictions?You need to be able to swim, be confident in the water, fit and healthy and aged 18 or over.Surfing is a physically demanding sport and you need a certain degree of physical fitness. http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=50 http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=50 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:59:15 EST JANUARY SALE It's that time of year when we've all over-indulged and couldn't care less if we never saw turkey or tinsel again. So, it's up to us to perk you back up this January and help plan your 2010 get-away. Two weeks, or two months, we have an experience-holiday offer for you all. More than £150 off a Wildlife and Conservation volunteering holiday. Available for travel between the 11th January and 25th January 2010. This project works alongside an abundance of wildlife, whilst directly undertaking conservation and game reserve management activities.   £60 off any Community Project for travel between January 2010 and March 2010. Do something worthwhile with your time off and help those in need.    £50 discount off any Conservation or  "Learn a New Skill" experience holiday when the booking is made in January 2010* From Snowboard Instructor to Game Ranger Training. It's a big wide world out there. Time to embrace it! What's new for 2010? Vivisto is the Latin word for life restoring. Our aim is to create travel experiences for you, that you'll never want to forget. Whether it's the people you meet, the skills you've learnt or the sheer thrill and excitement from the activities you've been a part of, our customers always come back for more. Click here for recent testimonials. We pride ourselves on sustainable projects that our volunteers take part in and for the charities that we support . Soon, you will be able to help support these projects and charities through specific links on our website. We can assure you that the funds go directly to the projects themselves. Here's just a little taster.... Sponsor A Child: Help educate children by paying for school fees and provide three meals a day whilst they are there. Recently the children were able to go on a school outing due to the sponsorship received. Planet Green:Ocean Blue: Plant trees in Africa by offsetting your own carbon emissions and watch them grow on google earth! Dyer Island Conservation Trust: Buy a man-made penguin nest to encourage breeding on Dyer Island, help fund seabird rehabilitation and Shark Research in Gansbaai Email: info@vivisto.co.uk Visit: www.vivisto.co.uk Call: 0845 603 5719 Life Changing Travel     *Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=49 http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=49 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:39:48 EST There was much excitement at the volunteer house at Kariega Game Reserve as Vivisto volunteers embarked early morning to help catch a large white rhino bull. The rhino was sold in an exchange programme for the purchase of two young rhino cows. This was part of a controlled conservation management plan of the rhino population on the reserve. The new cows will increase the breeding capacity of the Kariega rhino as well as bring in new genetics. The bull, who has been dominant on the reserve for some time, will be replaced by the sub dominant bull already in the area. The capture operation was a thoroughly rewarding experience for the volunteers who helped assist. Most notable was pushing and pulling a half awake rhino in an effort to "walk" it to the transport crate. When a 2.2 ton, four legged, prehistoric block of muscle doesn't want to go in the direction you wish it.....it doesn't. Besides this exciting rhino capture operation, Vivisto's conservation volunteers also recently assisted with buffalo capture. Experiences on Kariega Game Reserve. Something none of them will forget in a hurry. For your chance to become a volunteer on this project, please see further details or apply online. The reserve also offers the use of a brand new swimming pool outside the volunteer house, to relax after a hards days graft. http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=48 http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=48 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:21:21 EST Winter Warmers Not time for the winter woollies just yet.......... New Programmes: Great White Shark Research Volunteers are required to assist with the research of Great White Shark in Gansbaai, South Africa. You'll be involved in Shark Cage Diving, data capture, logging of shark fin information, shark bites to other mammals such as whales and dolphins and also be involved in Penguin habitat conservation efforts.     8 days, 7 nights South Africa to Namibia Overland Tour This trip will leave you full of unforgettable memories and will expand your mind, as you experience the sparse Kalahari desert, hot springs, forests, river canyons and the spectacular table mountain, not to mention friendly people, diverse culture and breathtaking scenery along the way.     Building and Community Upliftment There are currently over 400 families waiting to be allocated small government housing within the township of Kurland Village, in South Africa and this number is increasing with the growth in population. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to really get 'stuck in'  and make a real difference, helping with; Removal of debris Helping families move into their new or refurbished home General painting and decorating Aiding local tradesman in the building and preparation work. Gardening All 2010 dates now available Conservation & Community Projects Learn a New Skill Action & Adventure World Cup Due to the 2010 world cup taking part in South Africa next year, it has become extremely difficult to find available and affordable flights. It is highly recommended that if you are thinking of travelling to South Africa next year, you book your flights well in advance. In particular those of you who are looking to travel between May and September next year. Please contact us if you would like some further advise about this.  Wildlife Volunteering Updates - South Africa Wild cat has a litter of kittens, adding to the huge amount of work our volunteers are undertaking in our animal rehabilitation project. Two cheetah that have been rehabilitated over the past 18 months are now ready for release onto a private game reserve within southern Africa Leopard research around Natures Valley through to Wilderness having positive effects on the local farmers For more information:    Email: info@vivisto.co.uk Visit: www.vivisto.co.uk Call: 0845 603 5719 Life Changing Travel http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=47 http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=47 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:11:57 EST