While everyone up in the northern hemisphere celebrates spring and the coming of summer, we at Shamwari Game Reserve are awaiting the return of winter. If you’re thinking of beginning your gap year adventures in South Africa this June or July, the weather certainly won’t be hot. But that’s no reason not to spend time here!
Leopard feeding – by Graham Racher
In fact, the winter months are some of Shamwari’s best. For starters, due to the timing of the northern hemisphere’s school and university terms, many of our gap year volunteers come out during July and August – meaning that if you join them in those months, you’re guaranteed a crowd of friends!
Then there’s the weather. As the season changes through April and May, the average temperatures start to fall. While this may curb our gap year volunteers’ willingness to spend relaxation time lounging around in their bikinis and swim shorts, it makes their wildlife conservation work much easier. Working under the fierce summer sun is not easy. In winter, though they start the day wrapped up against the early morning chill – frost is not entirely unheard of in these parts – they’ll soon be rolling up their sleeves and thoroughly enjoying themselves in the cool air.
The animals like the cool days too. The best time to see them at their most active is early in the morning. Our gap year volunteers help to monitor the animals at Shamwari, so they get plenty of opportunities to witness them in the greener, more vibrant winter landscape.
So if you’re feeling a bit concerned that winter isn’t the best time to visit Shamwari Game Reserve, think again! It’s fantastic down here – why not join us?
Rachel Hill
I have a great passion for wildlife & conservation, after an 8yr background of selling South Africa as a destination and Shamwari Game Reserve I have recently been lucky enough to get involved with Worldwide Experience and contribute towards making changes in people lives. The projects we offer are truly amazing and I hope together we can make a difference.
