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Your chance help promote ecotourism, whilst protecting some of the most stunning coastline and species of mammal and fish, in their natural environment.

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa is home to Southern Right and Humback Whales, Bottle Nose Dolphins, Great White Sharks, Orca's and Hammer Head Sharks, to name but a few.

You'll be working with a team of top conservationists, research scientists and marine guides, giving you the chance to learn about mammals, fish, conservation and the effects of pollution, climate change and tourism. Using you're new found knowledge you willl have the opportunity to gain your marine guide certification (optional), so that you can impart this knowledge to tourists during commercial whale watching trips. You'll making a lasting difference to the way these people interact with the environment.

During your four week experience, you'll also have the opportunity to learn to scuba dive. Diving with research scientists, you can help monitor the unique cold-water reef around the Bay. You?ll also be able to take part in various research projects that are underway and are currently being sponsored by Rhodes University.

You will also spend time at the Qolweni Creche, helping them learn about the environment and their local area, making them our conservationists of tomorrow.

Other activities may include;

* Monitoring & cleaning beaches
* Conducting research surveys
* Tagging and monitoring fish species
* Dissection of fish species
* ORCA patrol boat trips to collect data
* Collection of touch pool and aquarium species for the ORCA education centre
* Sea kayaking
* Learning about conservation and marine ecology
* Diving (PADI certification is available at an additional cost)
* Dolphin and Whale watching
* Overnight adventure in the bush
* Teaching in the local creche
* Learning about organic gardening

Costs / Benefits

From £1249

# Accommodation
# All meals
# Activities that form part of your programme (see above)
# Trips on whale watching boats
# Local transfers to and from the airport
# Course literature
# Comprehensive travel insurance
# Discounted travel products
# ekit phone card
# Alumni membership