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Madagascar

Sea Turtle Monitoring Program

Join Sea Turtle Monitoring Volunteer Program with Volunteering Solutions and learn how the turtles are protected & sheltered in Madagascar.

Highlights

  • Volunteer to protect endangered sea turtle species in their natural habitat as well as to promote public awareness by further collaborating with local communities and national authorities
  • Opportunity to get up close to turtles s whilst helping to ensure the health and survival of the species
  • Work on the beautiful beaches of Nosy Komba and live the beach life to the fullest!
  • Gain first-hand international work experience and learn more about the conservation procedures of these endangered species
  • Make lifelong friends and return with incredible stories, photos, and memories
Programma voor de Überwachung der Tortugas Marinas

Overview

Be a volunteer for the Sea Turtle Monitoring Volunteer Program in Madagascar with Volunteering Solutions, and assist the staff in identifying nesting areas by visiting remote beaches on islands surrounding the island of Nosy Be. This program gives volunteers the opportunity to get up close to these beautiful creatures whilst helping to ensure the health and survival of the species into the future.

Two species of turtle are monitored; the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the endangered Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). The Sea Turtle Monitoring Program runs year-round with the focus of the program shifting depending on the season. During the nesting season from November to April each year, when turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, the project focuses on preventing the poaching of mothers and nests, collecting data on the nesting turtles and their eggs, and moving nests that have been laid in locations that are unsuitable for hatching success.

During the off nesting season, from May to October, you will be assisting us in establishing areas of turtle activity, identifying population size and re-establishing nesting beaches. When tides allow, you will also be conducting seagrass surveys, turtle watches and beach cleans.

Currently, large numbers of turtle eggs are being plundered on many of the remote beaches, and hatchlings and fully reproductive turtles are shockingly being harvested for the souvenir trade. Due to the already naturally low survival rate of turtle hatchlings, this is having devastating impacts on population numbers.

You will be a part of creating a new research database in a relatively unstudied area. You will be out searching for signs of turtle activities most days and many nights. If we find turtles or eggs during our surveys, you will also get the opportunity to handle these animals as part of the data collection process.

Volunteers in this program gain the following skills -

  • Visual encounter surveys

  • Animal Handling experience (only in nesting season)

  • Track surveys

  • GPS use

  • Turtle Identification techniques

  • Scientific data collection

  • Data processing and analysis

For those who love to be surrounded by animals and are keen to volunteer for the well-being of the turtles, there can be nothing better than this!


Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteers usually arrive on Sunday and the program will start from Monday.

Monday
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Orientation Presentation
10:00 Health and Safety Presentation
11:00 Complete and sign forms and paperwork
12:00 Lunch
14:00 Walk to the neighboring village of Ampang for a tour led by staff
17:00 Return to camp (walk or by boat at a cost of 2,000 MGA/person)
18:00 Dinner
18:45 Daily Board Briefing

Tuesday: First official day on project! Generally, you will be doing hands-on activities integrated with staff and other more experienced volunteers. Staff will go over activities and times after dinner on Monday so you know where to go.

Volunteer Activities:

Each program has morning and afternoon activities. After dinner each day, we have a briefing to go over activities for the following day.
Note: Schedule will vary depending on the project, tides, etc.

Sample Schedule:

05:00-07:00 Breakfast on camp
06:00-08:00 Start of morning activities on the project
12:00 Lunch on camp
14:00 Start of afternoon activities on the project
16:00-17:00 Volunteer activities for the day usually conclude
18:00 Dinner in the camp
18:45 Board Briefing to go over activities for the following day


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Being a volunteer for this program, you'll be mostly assigned the following work:

  • To map and identify beaches used as nesting sites

  • To identify species diversity and numbers

  • To engage and establish a relationship with the local communities enabling us to include them in our conservation efforts

  • To monitor and remove plastic waste and other harmful products from the beaches

Apart from that, identifying and implementing protection measures for these breeding sites is paramount to safeguarding the species in this area. You'll be guided by the Project Coordinator from time to time, and oriented about the work that has to be done.

The following Program Activities are undertaken in the program -

  • Turtle Watch

  • Seagrass Snorkelling Surveys

  • Active Turtle Survey (ATS’s)

  • Beach Cleanups

  • Eco Bricks making

  • Community Engagement


Project Requirement

Project Requirement

If you plan to volunteer in Madagascar, you need to be at least 18 years old. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if you are accompanied by your parents. Volunteers should be highly energetic; have a positive attitude to make a change; possess a certain level of fitness, since the island life is not as easy as it might seem!

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Living

Living

Airport Transfer

Volunteers should arrive on Nosy Be Fascene Airport for pick-up on Sunday before their start date. They will be met at the airport or boat port (if arriving overland) and transferred to the volunteer camp on Nosy Komba. The boat ride from Nosy Be to Nosy Komba takes about 45 minutes with the last boat of the day departing around 15:00. If volunteers not arrive in time for the last boat to camp, our staff will assist in getting them to their hotel (we can provide hotel recommendations).  The following day they will be met at a pre-determined time and place and transferred to the camp. If there is time before the last boat departs for Nosy Komba, our staff will give them a tour of the town of Hellville where they can purchase snacks, a local SIM card, draw money at an ATM, etc. It is important to note that in addition to time constraints with boat departures and tides, shops and stores all close for siesta between noon and 14:30/15:00 each day. 

For your departure:  You are responsible to arrange and pay for your own transport back to the airport, however, we are happy to help you book your transport as needed.

Accommodation

We have 2 accommodation facilities in Madagascar. The first one, Turtle Cove, is built into the steep slopes of Nosy Komba, which is a multi-level compound overlooking the spectacular coral reef below. Climb stone stairs up from an idyllic beach to the main house situated above the dive deck and take in the stunning view of the ocean extending far across all the way to Lokobe Forest Reserve on Nosy Be. The main house accommodates senior staff members and serves as a meeting place and hangout for volunteers during the day. Large decks line the front of the main house complete with hammocks, bean bags, and benches.

Volunteers can expect to share a hut with four to six other volunteers and will need to bring their own bedding and towels. The huts have several bathroom facilities equipped with running water, flush toilets and cold water showers. There is also a work area for volunteers as well as lockable storage boxes available for each hut to store small valuables. Volunteers should also bring a padlock to secure personal items in their luggage when not in use.

The second camp is located on mainland Madagascar in the small remote village of Ampohana. Volunteers are accommodated in communal A-Frame bungalow fitted with double bunk beds. Our camps are eco-friendly with solar-powered lighting throughout. There are no charging facilities for electronic devices; volunteers are encouraged to bring a solar panel and battery pack to keep their devices charged. Charging ports are available in the neighboring village of Ampang, about a half-hour hike from camp.

We do have an onsite generator for staff use located at our main camp, though volunteers are welcome to charge small devices (no laptops) from this if there is space. Bear in mind that in an effort to go green, the use of the generator is minimal, sometimes only once per week or less.

It'll be great fun to live this life away from the network, where you'll get ample time to bond with your fellow mates, share your stories and plan out how to make a difference.

Meals

Three meals per day are provided seven days per week. Each meal is prepared by our on-site cooks using traditional Malagasy cooking methods using fresh, locally grown, seasonally available produce. Most meals have a rice base with beans and vegetables on the side (or over rice).

Fruits and vegetables served will change depending on the season and availability of local produce. Some meals will include fish/seafood, beef (zebu), or chicken. Meat, when part of a meal, is typically prepared with a sauce, cut into small pieces, and served over rice. In addition to bananas, breakfast usually consists of either baguettes and jam, eggs or crepes.

There is a vegetarian option for all meals. Due to logistics and the limitations of our remote location, we cannot provide a vegan option. Vegans can help themselves to the vegetable-based foods prepared, but will also need to supplement their diet with foods purchased off camp.  If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know. We will do or best to provide accordingly, however you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home.

Know that you are volunteering in a remote region of a developing country and flexibility is necessary.

During your Free Time

A few popular weekend activities/places to visit are listed below.

  • Lokobe Forest Reserve
  • Discovery SCUBA Dive
  • SCUBA Dive Training
  • Explore different areas of Nosy Komba with a local guide and learn about medicinal plants, the endemic wildlife and more
  • Tanikely Natural Reserve
  • Visit Nosy Iranja or Nosy Sakatia (swimming and snorkeling)
  • Whale Shark Watching (seasonal)
  • Visit the Sacred Tree or Sacred Waterfall on Nosy Be
  • Hike up Mount Passot on Nosy Be
  • Visit Lemur Land park on Nosy Be, or the Lemur Park on Ampang Village on Nosy Komba
  • Ankarana National Park
  • Amber Mountain National Park
  • Visit plantations on the mainland in the city of Ambanja
  • Visit the city of Diego Suarez including the Emerald Sea, the Three Bays, Tsingy Rouge rock formation and more

Dates

Dates

November

17

December

01

15

Available

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Booked Out


Costs

Duration
Program Fee
Choose your currency
1 Week $510
2 Weeks $770
3 Weeks $1040
4 Weeks $1345
5 Weeks $1645
6 Weeks $1925
7 Weeks $2225
8 Weeks $2500

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

Inclusions

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from staff
  • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
  • Orientation
  • Sleeping accommodation on camp for the program duration
  • Three meals per day, seven days per week on camp
  • Supervision and training by staff
  • Airport pick-up in Nosy Be
  • Transportation to program sites
  • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)

Not included

  • Flights
  • Visa costs
  • Personal items
  • Travel and health insurance
  • Airport drop-off

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

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Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the programs?

Does VolSol provide a reference or a certificate after program completion?

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Flights and Visa

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Health and Safety

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