Wildcliff Nature Reserve

Heidelberg, Western Cape
South Africa

Information for Volunteers and Researchers at Wildcliff

Please consider before heading for South Africa:

• The nature reserve is quite isolated -- 22 kilometers (about 9 miles) from the village of Heidelberg -- and conditions are basic. This is great for some people, but the isolation may prove frustrating to others. There is a phone, but no television and only limited internet. You'll be sharing accommodation with other research volunteers. At times you may find that you're the only volunteer up there. Neighbors are friendly but the nearest one is over two kilometers away. Most locals are Afrikaans-speaking.
• While there may be knowledgeable people among the mix of volunteers working on the project, there may be no expert biologist or conservation expert present at any given time. Time spent at the Wildcliff Reserve is an opportunity to learn about African wildlife and conservation through hands-on experience and daily challenges. For research projects such as photomonitoring and biomonitoring, you'll receive clear guidelines but your work will be unsupervised. The “restoration ecology" work generally involves removing invasive trees (it's tiring) and basic reserve tasks such as wetland restoration. Additional projects include trailbuilding and trail maintenance, helping with the water system, and small construction tasks.
• Much of the work involves field research work and manual labor, which can sometimes be quite physically challenging, especially in a vast reserve in a hot climate (depending on the time of year). Typically, volunteers work a seven-hour day on the reserve, often on a unique research project, and dedicate the late afternoon to reading, or writing up field research results, or just relaxing. These projects can be quite varied, including monitoring a particular animal species, flora identification, biological research, ecological relationships, mapping, physical sciences such as geology and meteorology, and others.
• Each volunteer is expected to propose and complete a research study, and to write up their report on the results before departing Wildcliff. We'll give you feedback on any proposal. Once accepted, your proposal and your findings (including some photos) may be published on the Wildcliff web site.
  

What are the costs?
Volunteering at Wildcliff is free except for a "good faith" fee of $200, of which you get $150 back when you complete your assigned stay and project report. (The $50 goes to reserve and research expenses.) You can pay it on the Contributions page. The cost of living is low: budget about $40 per person per week for food and sundry expenses. Accommodation is provided free but volunteers pay all their living expenses. Transportation by bus to Heidelberg from Cape Town costs $25-30. Sometimes volunteers make an additional contribution for equipment or other costs where there's an identifiable need.

What's the accommodation like?
Volunteers stay in the Heron House -- see pictures on the web site -- which accommodates up to 5 persons with 3 shared rooms. Sometimes we also make use of the "Casita," the wooden house on the hill, for visiting conservationists. The main farmhouse, Talari, is reserved for the Trustees and their guests. Camping on the Reserve is not permitted. The Heron House has hot water, a toilet and shower, and a basic kitchen, living room and lab area. There's a washing machine in Talari. Living conditions are simple, and with the isolation, sometimes one has to be adaptable when things break down. Wildcliff has no staff.

Can I drink the water?
The water at the Heron House and on Wildcliff comes from pure mountain springs and need no treatment. Some people take a week or so to adjust to the water, and you should prepare yourself for this possibility. (Pepto-Bismal?)

What happens if there is an emergency -- e.g.., someone gets hurt, or bitten by a snake?
First-aid equipment is kept at the Heron House and Talari for immediate use. If someone needs professional medical help, there are doctors in Heidelberg and a full Hospital in Riversdale. A fellow volunteer or our neighbor Bob Brown will help. You may wish to obtain medical insurance in your home country. One company that offers travel medical insurance is Medex (www.medexassist.com). Volunteers are totally responsible for their own health and safety.
Be prepared to be marooned at Wildcliff for a few days during the occasional flood. Make sure you have a good supply of rice and beans.

Snakes and insects?
Yes, this is Africa. Nobody that we know of has been bitten by a snake at Wildcliff, and mosquitoes have not been a problem so far. But like almost everywhere in Southern Africa, snakes are a fact of life. Some, like the puffadder, are very poisonous. Though statistically the chance of being bitten by a snake is very low, one should take precautions. (e.g. watch where you are walking, wear boots or possibly snake gaiters such as those available from forestry-suppliers.com). No special vaccinations are necessary for travel in South Africa at this time. Nevertheless, health care providers may suggest vaccinations against hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B or influenza. Hepatitis A is generally recommended for all travelers. Typhoid shots are  often suggested for those with adventurous dietary habits and those traveling off the beaten path.

Toiletries and Medicine
An up-to-date tetanus shot is a normal precaution. Malaria pills? Wildcliff, being in the Western Cape, is thus far a malaria-free zone; however you should be aware that there is a slight risk when traveling around South Africa, and the decision is yours. Consult with your doctor at home about the proper medications and immunizations for you.
First-aid kit including: Pharmaceuticals (e.g. Neosporin, Hydrogen Peroxide) to clean small wounds and blisters; Band aids; Sports tape in case of twisted ankles; Aspirin or other headache medicine; Sunscreen; Afterbite, Calamine lotion or anti-histamines for mosquito bites; Mosquito repellent; whistle and torch.

Is there supervision at the Reserve?
Not much. You'll meet our part-time Reserve Manager as well as local neighbors who can give advice if needed. The manager will provide you with initial orientation, but from then on you'll be unsupervised. Hence volunteers should be independent and self sufficient. When you arrive, ask to see these Guidelines we've prepared for you: "Living and Working at Wildcliff," "Snakebite Guidelines," "Baboon Guidelines," "Wildcliff Server Guidelines," "Fires," the list of contacts, and a map of Wildcliff locations.

How many volunteers are there? How long do they stay? What are they doing?
A maximum of 5 at any one time; usually fewer. The usual stay is 2 months or more; some stay for much longer. Their projects are described on the Wildcliff research page (wildcliff.org/research).

How do we get food?
You'll be cooking on your own, or sharing the tasks with your fellow volunteers. There's a good Spar supermarket and several other stores in Heidelberg. Volunteers are permitted to use the Reserve's 4x4 (the "Bush Pig") once a week for shopping in Heidelberg. Keep a stock of food and supplies for days when severe rains or winds cause Wildcliff to be cut off from the world.

What's a typical work day?
It’s the Southern Hemisphere - winter in July, summer in December. The summer days are long and winter days are shorter. The locals find it best to start early, beginning work at 6:30 and finishing in the early afternoon with a break for lunch. Expect to do field work about 7 hours a day. Part of your day will be devoted to the alien eradication program. Late afternoons are for computer work and reading. Talari has a small but good research library, and a computer with internet access (but we recommend bringing your own). There’s still time for personal projects, a dip in the mountain streams, or simply exploring, before night falls.

What do people do in the evening?
Evening is one of the magical parts of life in Langeberg mountain range. Sunsets on the Pine Hill looking east are amazing. Or looking west from the porch, equally so. After dinner, volunteers often check email or write letters, play cards, read a novel or study the various natural history, animal, and plant books from the Wildcliff library. We are generally in bed before 9 and awake about 6 am to the dawn and the songs of the birds.

What else is there to do?
A majority of a volunteer´s time, during the day, will be spent in field work up in the Wildcliff Reserve and around Talari or Heron House. However, there are other places to visit. You can explore the Wildekrantz valley -- see how far you can get. You can head to the southern end of the Reserve and make your way up the Plattekloof river. You may find cliffs to climb, pools to swim in, and waterfalls we've heard of but never seen. You can hike to Ena's falls and beyond; to put your stamina to the test, climb one of the peaks. You can follow the dirt road toward the little-travelled Gysmanshoek Pass Road. You can learn one of the local languages. You can buy an inexpensive bike and explore further afield.

Finally, once a week when volunteers need to send postcards, use the internet cafe, or eat pizza, they head off to Heidelberg -- entertainment metropolis of the region, with a hotel, bar and video store. Perhaps you'll catch a jukskei game.

What to Bring      
Be aware that you are coming to work in a mountain climate that can be hot in the day and cool at night. It can rain heavily, sometimes for a few days. When packing to come here, you should plan on bringing three kinds of clothes: work clothes, night clothes and city clothes. Your Wildcliff work clothes will inevitably be stained, so these should be tough workwear. Bring enough underwear and T-shirts so that you only have to do laundry occasionally. Some people take their laundry to Heidelberg so it can be washed and dried while they are shopping.
 
Clothing
Rubber boots. When it rains the ground can be muddy; and wearing boots helps prevent snakebites. Inexpensive Wellington boots can be bought in Heidelberg.
Another pair of good walking shoes or sneakers (you might want to bring hiking boots if you plan to do long mountain treks).
Light rain jacket or poncho.
Work clothes: at least 2 long-sleeved, 3 short-sleeved lightweight shirts and 2 pairs of long lightweight pants. These clothes will become stained.
Swimsuit, and flip flops or Tevas. There are great beaches along the Garden Route, and you'll surely want to take dips in the dams or Wildekrantz River pools.
Sweater or fleece for the evenings - it can get quite cool.
2-3 pairs of high socks (up to knee). These are much more comfortable when wearing your boots.
2-3 changes of clothes to wear at night after your shower (these won’t become quite as stained).
Hat with a brim.

Other necessary items
Sheets or sleeping bag liner (sleeping bag is provided)
2 light camp towels
Flashlight (headlight best) and extra batteries    
A good pocketknife (with can and bottle opener)
Digital camera, compact binoculars and laptop computer (convenient but not necessary)
Day pack
Reading matter and notebook (but there's a selection of natural history books at Wildcliff)

Money
Life is easiest in South Africa if you have cash (local currency), an ATM card and a credit card (Visa is best). Carry some cash and draw more from your ATM card as needed. There are ATMs in Heidelberg and all towns (and you can use a credit card to pay for groceries at most supermarkets). Don't keep all your money together. Keep money, passport, tickets, etc. in a very safe place on your person while traveling around South Africa. In cities, beware of ATM scam artists. (If anyone offers to help you, do not let them touch your card! Be firm!)

Visas and Documents
You will need a passport to enter South Africa. Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Tourist visas are generally for three months.. Keep a photocopy of all key documents, such as passport, drivers license and credit cards, in a ziplock deep in your backpack. Better still, photograph them and send the images to yourself as an email attachment. Same with all credit card numbers and key telephone numbers.

Communications
Wildcliff has a laptop computer with a slow internet connection -- it's for research, and secondarily for emails. Heidelberg has an internet cafe with high-speed connection, useful for large uploads and downloads. Stamps are available only at the Post Office. The mailing address is Wildcliff Nature Reserve, PO Box 404, Heidelberg, Western Cape 6665, South Africa. Telephone: +27 28.7222.633 (Talari) or +27 28.7222.633 (Heron House).

Directions and getting there
One can get to Wildcliff to Cape Town or from George. (Cape Town is more interesting, but George is closer.) Print out the "Directions" page from the Wildcliff web site. Print this page out as well. Pick up a tourist map. Click here for recommendations on where to stay in Cape Town. It is inadvisable to hitch hike. There are a couple of bus lines which provide a comfortable ride to Heidelberg.