Seychelles Island Conservation Expedition
Are you looking to learn more about conservation, contribute to a meaningful project and want to spend some time in an unspoiled island paradise? You don’t have to look any further!
Travel to Curieuse Island and join one of the leading marine and terrestrial data collection organisations in the Seychelles!
The volunteer program is structured in 2 week rotations and you can sign up for a maximum of 12 weeks. Volunteer group size is maximum 14 and people of all ages and from all walks of life join the program, as part of travel plans during a gap year, working holiday or career break through Namibia and Africa.
Lemon Shark Project – We are conducting a capture and release study of the lemon shark population using P.I.T. tags (peak shark tagging season in September to March, far less activity outside of that time).
Coco de Mer Survey – The endemic Coco de Mer has the largest seed of all living plants and is found only on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse. Census work is carried out year round, but more effort is expended during the months of April to September.
Mangrove Distribution Surveys – Curieuse Island has one of the largest remaining area of mangrove forest left within the Seychelles inner granitic islands. GVI Seychelles is investigating seedling recruitment and mortality and further determining species distribution across the mangroves.
Giant Tortoise Census – We conduct an annual census of the giant tortoise population and record key measurements on growth and distribution. The tortoise census is conducted primarily during the months of April to September. Hawksbill Turtle Surveys – We conduct patrols of the beaches, recording data on nesting turtles and tagging females, also monitoring the beaches for signs of nesting activity, and marking nests when we locate them. The peak hawksbill season runs from September to March, although some nest excavations usually continue into April.
Beach Profiling – Our beach profiling studies monitor changes throughout the seasons, and will contribute to a long-term dataset to follow the long-term trends.
Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) Surveys -We are conducting BRUV surveys to assess the populations of carnivorous fish species along the remote north shore of Curieuse Island.
You should expect to be working 5 ½ days each week, Mondays – Friday. The weekends will be free so that you can explore the island, learn to dive, snorkel or experience the local culture.You will spend the majority of your time on foot working in the forests and on the beaches, experiencing different field techniques and varied project sites.
At the end of each day, you will return to your base with the team to have dinner and relax together.This project is season dependent and you will conduct surveys on animals & wildlife prevalent to the time of yearSeasonal – turtle surveys run from September until MarchOutside season – main focus on Coco de Mer and Mangrove surveys.
Field conditions
Accommodation is in shared (mixed) dorm rooms. There is cold running water available for showers and bottled water available for drinking. Bathroom facilities are shared, and participants also share base duties, including cleaning and other chores.
Volunteers take it in turns to prepare meals for the group. Food is basic but nutritious, and primarily vegetarian with optional fish or meat available no more than once or twice a week.
Breakfast could be porridge with fresh fruit, or occasionally pancakes or cereal, lunch and evening meals may include pasta, beans, rice, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, etc.
Languages: English, French
| Number of weeks | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| 2019 | £1.345,00 | £1.795,00 | £2.245,00 | £2.695,00 | £3.145,00 | £3.595,00 |
What’s Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Location orientation
- 24-hour in-country support
- Live and work in a protected reserve under GVI’s research permit
- First Aid & CPR training
- Community work workshop
- Terrestrial research training
What’s not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxe
You will have access to long distance communications whilst on the program, but make sure friends and family know how often they can expect to hear from you. Participants typically use internet cafes to keep in touch, with access to internet about once a week.
Local SIM cards and pay-as-you-go credit can be bought affordably in the Seychelles and the signal is good in most areas. Contact your mobile/cell phone provider for more information before travelling.
