2. MABULA GAME FARM

Eland rearing and game management

2008 Volunteer Programme

 

Maximum Volunteers at one time – 6

Duration of Stay – Min 2 weeks to maximum of 3 months

 

Accommodation:

• Volunteers will be housed in Safari tents at the Farm’s Main Lodge with ablutions; flush toilets and hot showers.

• Meals etc will be served at the lodge

• Cash bar also available at lodge

• Main Lodge also has swimming pool and other facilities.

 

 

Work Programmes

 

Various optional work programmes will be conducted which in summary include:

•   Eland Domestication Project Research.

Volunteers will work closely with the Employees in charge of the Eland Domestication project to study and record each and every aspect of the Eland Domestication Projects. Written reports of each study must be compiled at the end of each volunteer’s stay and this will be added to the main database from which a later publication will be made. Reference will be made to the contributing volunteers in this publication of Eland Domestication.

•   Game Counts 

Accompanied by one of the Game Farm’s scouts, volunteers will conduct game counts on foot within the Game Farm. The purpose of the game counts will be to establish the different herds/groups of a game species, number in the herd and the male/female ratio thereof. This must be meticulously recorded as well as the location of where each group/herd was sighted.
The fenced area of the game farm covers approximately 1400 hectares (3500 acres) which makes the game counts more challenging and exciting than would be expected.
Resident species of game (besides the Livingstone’s Eland) on Mabula which will be counted include Giraffe, Zebra, Defassa Waterbuck, Wildebeest, Tsessebe, Kudu, Impala, Puku, Reedbuck, Common Duiker, Sharpe’s Grysbok, Steenbok, Klipspringer, Bushpig, Warthog, Porcupine, Jackal, Civet, Genet, Pangolin, Baboon & Vervet Monkey.
There are also numerous bird species on Mabula and all sightings can be recorded and added to the Game Farms bird list. Specific counts of Guinea Fowl, Francolin and water birds will also be conducted.

 

•  Other Farm Work Programmes 

The more adventurous volunteers will have the opportunity to get involved in other general farm activities e.g.

1. Assisting farm hands with the seasonal bush burning of fire-guards which mostly take place early mornings and late afternoon. This can also extend to assisting with fighting the occasional bush fires when they do occur (not for the faint-hearted).

2. Daily farm chores e.g repairs and maintenance to farm roads, fences etc.

3. Care taking of the farm horses – grooming, etc

4. Carpentry / Mechanic Work

 

•   Buiketo Community School.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to get involved in working at the neighbouring village community school. This will mostly be in the afternoons after the children are out of school – teaching different sports, activities etc. In some cases where volunteers have teaching qualifications or experience they can get involved in the actual morning teaching at the school.

The school being in the rural village will also give volunteers the chance to experience and appreciate the local cultures and daily life of the rural Zambian Folk.

Fee: Includes accommodation, work program and meals.
Drinks at the bar will be charged at discounted prices.

     Background and History of Mabula Game Farm.
 

Mabula Game Farm lies on the edge of the Zambezi escarpment, 40km north of Livingstone, Zambia and covers a total area of 1600 Hectares. 

 Mabula Farm has been owned and run by the Botha Family since 1974. In previous years, the farm operated as a cattle, tobacco and maize farm. In the late nineties, crop growing and cattle ranching became less and less viable due to climatic changes and rampant livestock diseases.

In 2004 the face of the farm was transformed ... the majority of the farm being game fenced and set aside for game breeding thus “Mabula Game Farm” was born. Different game species were reintroduced to the Game Farm year after and year. With cattle ranching still in our blood it was decided that we would acquire and domesticate Eland for the purpose of running the herd as one does cattle. (There are numerous reasons as to why Eland far surpass cattle for breeding purposes in our region of sub-Saharan Africa). In late October 2006, our first herd of wild eland, captured off an island in Lake Kariba, were introduced into our Eland Domestication Project on Mabula. Months and months of patient human interaction followed in the process of domesticating the Eland. Today, although there are of course a few stubborn oldies set in their ways, the majority of the Eland are managed much like cattle, are breeding well and so the domestication process continues progressing.

With Game Farming on the whole being a long term project, facilities have very recently been put in place on the farm to accommodate tourists whom visit the farm for the various day activities we offer: Tour of the Eland Domestication Project; Game Drives & Walking Safaris; Horseback Trails and Birding.