LEO AFRICA VOLUNTEERS RESEARCH PROGRAMME

My name is Emanuele from Milan (Italy). I’m 35 and I spent all the month of August ’13 at LEO “Limpopo Eco Operations – Volunteers research programme” in South Africa.
It was my first experience as a volunteer and it was utterly amazing.
LEO is a wonderful association and the only one that offers volunteers the great opportunity of enjoying a real wildlife sanctuary natural reserve by learning about nature and all the animals.
I would recommend this experience to everyone who loves nature and wishes to live an unforgettable adventure. It is suitable to all people independently from their age, where they come from, their culture and their ways of daily life.
LEO’s main activity is focused on monitoring Lions and Black Rhinos, but during your volunteer’s activity you will come across in every kind of animal like white rhino, every species of antelope, colorful birds, eagles, vultures, giraffes, elephants and a huge quantity of many other animals that everyone dreams of to see in Africa.
At LEO there is a well prepared staff to face up every situation making you feel at home, comfortable and in security.
When you get LEO at your arrival, you will immediately receive a warm welcome and feel part of an amazing group of friendly people that are always ready to help you in every necessity of yours.
LEO is located in the middle of one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuary nature reserves in the world. Its name is Selati Game Reserve. This area is closed to the traditional tourism, its access is only allowed to LEO’s volunteers and to nobody else. This last detail can already explain a lot of things to you, because you will be part of an environment thoroughly preserved from the human presence.
As a volunteer you will be supporting the staff in lions monitoring activities, for instance you can learn to manage the telemetry, an instrument to follow the radio collar lion’s signal, thus giving you a help to find out where that lion is located in the bush.
You will be living in a house shared with other volunteers and the staff. This will give you one more chance to make a lot of new international friends. Friends that you won’t forget for all your life and that may be you will wish to meet again in a next future.
I would deeply suggest visiting LEO’s website www.leoafrica.org to everyone interested in a wonderful new experience and do not hesitate to ask for any doubt or information you may need because you will know wonderful people such as LEO’s manager Sabrina always ready to help you in the best possible way.
Do not think over too much to be different from being only a tourist!
I will never forget this adventure and all the people I made friends with!