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. What are you up to this Summer? Last minute specials. Yes, the good news is...there is still some availability on a couple of our projects this summer and we of course want to fill these, so take a look at the availability and offers below! £100 discount Game Ranger Training (FGASA level 1 field guide training): 6th September to 16th October: 3 places available £50 discount Conservation & Animal Rehabilitation: Availability throughout July and August. Endangered Species Monitoring: 2 placements available throughout July, August and September. Kids in Africa: 2 places available in July and August Latest news Two new cheetah arrive on our conservation and animal rehabilitation project. There are now eight in total under rehabilitation, before being released into the wild. Click here for latest diary entries/testimonials from our volunteers. Game Ranger Training: We are also offering all students who take part in this course, an exclusive work experience/volunteer programme on the game reserve before or after each course. Please contact us for further information. Places still available for the Sept/Oct course. 2010 dates soon to be confirmed. For a short video on this course, please follow the link: For more information on our Life Breaks, please;     Visit: www.vivisto.co.uk Call: 0845 603 5719 Email: info@vivisto.co.uk Life Changing Travel   http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=45 http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=45 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:32:59 EDT http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=44 http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=44 Fri, 22 May 2009 09:33:24 EDT Action Packed Wildlife Weekend For those of you who sit and wonder, "what do you do on a wildlife volunteering project?" Here's just a taster from last weekend.... Diary Entry 28th February 2009  Endangered Species Monitoring This weekend was packed with action! Firstly, an elephant had a snare caught around it's leg and the local vet was called in to remove it - First, the Wildlife ACT team helped to track and locate the elephant, then raced through the bush to keep up with the helicopter as it tried to dart the elephant. Unfortunately they could not get a clear shot, so they'll have to try again later this week. We also monitored the Wild Dog pack (We are busy bating it at the moment), the dominant male leopard, 3 six month old cheetah cubs (Their mum was killed by poachers 4 weeks ago and we don't know if they're going to make it, but we're going to do our best to help them), black rhino, buffalo and lots more.We have lots to do in the next 3 to 4 weeks: We are going to assist the helicopter team with the elephant snare removal. We have to dart and replace one of the wild dog's collars - Chris is a darting specialist, and one of a few people in Africa that is allowed to dart wild dog, as they are critically endangered. Two rhino's are going to be darted and relocated (using a helicopter), and we have been asked to be part of the ground team The park manager has asked us to trap the male leopard we monitored we've been monitoring and put a collar on him. We'll be helping the park rangers to dart and tag all the black rhino on the park. All very exciting stuff! Looking forward to the next lot of volunteers coming out to help us! In addition to this, we are looking for self funded volunteers to assist with;  Wild Dog Reintroduction Research: This is a once in a life-time opportunity, and our partners, Wildlife ACT have been asked to manage the whole thing: "Mkhuze has been pushing to get a second pack of Wild dogs on the reserve for quite some time now, in an attempt to ensure genetic diversity and creating a strong pack. It was approved last year. But a country wide shortage of dogs has slowed it all down. But now Thanda wants its dogs out, so this is what is going to happen.........We will catch the 3 Thanda dogs, and the 3 Mkhuze dogs! The composition will be 2 males and 4 females. The 2 males will be bonded in the Imfolozi boma and released there, as a dispersal pair (new genes).Then we will bond the 4 females (2 Thanda, 2 Mkhuze). This involves keeping them separately in 2 compartments for 3 to 4 weeks, letting them get to know each other through the fences etc. Once they seem to be "settled" we will open them into one and hopefully they will bond! (I.e. not kill each other).Then we will bring in 6 new males from the Limpopo Province to the other compartment, and repeat the exercise. The tricky part is the females!Students/volunteers will be monitoring all behaviour from start to post release! The other important thing is one or two of the females will be pregnant so they should den soon after release. We are wanting a self funded volunteer to do a paper/dissertation on it, including a 2 month post release period that follows. So ideally we need 2 people here for at least 3 months. The whole project will start the beginning of April!Wildlife ACT will purchase an extra vehicle for the researcher / volunteers to use to get to the boma and back each day, so this team will be independent from the main / normal volunteering group! Chris and Simon will assist the team with their work that will include GPS and GS data.This really is an amazing opportunity to help collect data on the capture, integration and release of wild dogs (one of the most endangered species in the world!) and their findings can contribute greatly to future attempts!So, we are looking around to see if there are 2 people to come out to help us, and they will need some research background / experience. This cost will be at £3899 for the full three months and include transport, accommodation, food and all training. If you are interested, then please contact us immediately." http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=43 http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=43 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:31:26 EST Warm Up with Vivisto. There's a chill in the air in blighty.  Snow, ice and flooding in two weeks. Yes, quite depressing it has to be said, although I'm sure there's a fair few of you who grabbed the opportunity to build snowmen, throw snowballs at your boss and fly down a hill on a make-shift sledge. (I know we did!).  As a little pick-me up, take a look at some updates on our projects and new programmes on their way! Bahamas Retreat For those who just love a little luxury. Sometimes in life, you just need some time out to do nothing except sit back, relax and take in the beautiful surroundings that only nature can offer. Our Bahamas retreat in Great Exuma will offer you just that. Crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, exceptional diving conditions and the peace and tranquillity that we all deserve. Villa available to rent from one week to three months. Conservation & Animal Rehabilitation The Cat that got the Cream.....or Blueberry Muffin Five new wild cat and two serval have arrived on the game reserve in the past two weeks. They are of course, keeping our volunteers extremely busy, with night feeds for the little ones. Sergeant, our trusty wild cat is feeling a little left out and is becoming, quite literally, a bit of a handful. Last week one of our volunteers opened up a blueberry muffin, only to have it snatched out of her hand by the very naughty Sergeant....who's jut got a little too comfy in the volunteer house!   The rehabilitation of four cheetah on the reserve is being filmed for a TV documentary. The film maker will be spending his time at the reserve over a two year period gathering footage of the progress of these cats throughout their rehabilitation and release.   Trees, Flowers and Shrubs A survey is required to find out what type of plants can be found on the reserve. More volunteers are needed for this! Its a mammoth job. It would be of particular interest to anyone studying or with interest in this field.   Wildlife and Conservation Volunteer Volunteers on this Big 5 conservation project were lucky enough to witness a close encounter of a lion successfully catching its prey last week. This is extremely rare to see. Our co-ordinator, Helena who has been working for 10 years in the wildlife and conservation industry was extremely jealous when our volunteers came home that day with photos and video footage. ....something she's never seen herself. Marine Conservation & Education Sea Horses in Plettenberg Bay Volunteers have re-started a sea-horse research programme after finding endangered Knysna seahorses in Keurbooms/Bitou rivers. The find of these fascinating creatures is wonderful in itself. They are sensitive little souls, who are greatly affected by pollution and haven't been seen in the area for a number of years - which proves that the condition of the water is getting better, thanks to the hard work of our marine conservationist, locals and of course volunteers. The research entails monitoring river temperature, connectivity, salinity and availability of food and habitat. Turtle Survives! After baby loggerhead turtles were found washed ashore in 2008, volunteers have been feeding them up with  large amounts of prawns and mussels. Sadly only one has survived. She goes by the name of Chip. After weighing less than 25 grams when she was found, she now weighs a healthy 375 grams. Music to our Ears Volunteers are helping to record the songs of humpback whales, southern right back whales, seals and dolphins around the Bay. The sound recordings are taken using a hydrophone, that guests on Ocean Blue Adventures can listen to. Ski/Snowboarding Academy Not only do we offer a Ski and Snowboard Academy in Canada......we now can offer you a ten week course in Cardrona, New Zealand. There are just 8 placements available for July 2009. Please contact us for further information.  For more information on our Life Breaks, please;   Visit: www.vivisto.co.uk Call:                0845 603 5719         Email: info@vivisto.co.uk Life Changing Travel http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=42 http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=42 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:56:35 EST CHRISTMAS CHEER & HAPPY NEW YEAR! Christmas isn't just about receiving gifts, but giving them too. So, we're offering you a choice of gift from the list below;   £50 off any new bookings made in December or January 2009* 10% off Endangered Species Monitoring Programme, for travel in February March and April 2009 (Please see below for updated programme details) A survival kit, for all your travel needs when booking a Vivisto holiday in January 2009 Here's just a taster of our new and improved programmes for 2009..... Endangered Species Monitoring This wonderful project is expanding. As a volunteer, you will spend your time assisting with the close monitoring of endangered species, working within three different game reserves - Pongola, Thanda and Mkhuze in Kwa-Zulu Natal. You'll still be working with a maximum of four volunteers at any one time, to ensure an extremely hands on experience. This project is for the adventurous traveller and ideal for those studying or with an interest in wildlife or conservation management. You'll work with herds of 60+ elephant, black rhino, wild dog and lion to name but a few.   Cheetah Walking Safari's Exclusive Cheetah Walking Safari now available on a fully inclusive basis. These walks with cheetah are part of the release programme and all funds generated from these help fund the rescue and release of these wondreful big cats. Minimum stay 1 night. Maximum stay 5 nights. Included in your stay; Accommodation comprising 2x en-suite rooms, sitting/dining area, kitchen, fireplace, veranda overlooking the reserve All meals Teas/coffees Morning walks/hunts with cheetah Afternoon/evening game drive  We can also arrange your local transfers to/from the local airport. Prices £90 per person per night. Maximum of 4 people sharing. For more info, please contact us   Marine Conservation There is now a chance to upgrade your marine guiding programme, with the opportunity to upgrade to a national level programme online, prior to your practical evaluation. A new research programme on sea horse population is now being offered along with research and maintenance of Plettenburg Bay. PADI Open Water Many of you are choosing to undertake your PADI Open Water course whilst taking part in one of our volunteer projects or as part of the  Adventure Sports Programme in South Africa. In the past couple of months, we have had 9 new divers! Congratulations to you all. All volunteers on our marine course will receive a substantial discount their PADI Open Water course. We'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!   For more information on our Life Breaks, please; Visit: www.vivisto.co.uk Call: 0845 603 5719 Email: info@vivisto.co.uk LIFE CHANGING TRAVEL   *For new bookings only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=41 http://www.vivisto.co.uk/news-details.php?ID=41 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:05:27 EST