- Summary
- Details / Itinerary
- Included / Not Included
- Extra Information
- Prices, Dates & Booking
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Mozambique Research Assistant
Mozambique
Last updated: 19 August 2012
This conservation internship provides a world-class opportunity for science students to assist with marine research and conservation. The internship offers a great chance for dedicated students to engage in real world research and meaningfully contribute to the projects. Interns get experience in all projects and experience both the challenges and the pleasures of working in the most beautiful, wild and remote coastal environment of southern Mozambique.
Essentials
| Country: | Mozambique |
| Meals: | All meals are |
| Trip duration | 1 month or 2 months |
| Suitability | Qualified Advanced Diver with 30+ dives |
| Getting there: | London to Johannesburg and then to Inhambane |
Details and Itinerary
Programme content and guideline itinerary
The project has been running since 2009 and its aim is to promote and facilitate research and conservation in southern Mozambique. Interns will have a hands-on role developing vital research for the region and increasing environmental awareness through educational programmes with local communities and visitors to the area.
The sub-tropical reefs in southern Mozambique are stunning and the diversity or life is impressive. Diving the region is still in its infancy and there remains very little known about the marine life. The project therefore provides a unique opportunity to study a marine environment that has had little or no impact from recreational diving activities and where there remains plenty of reef to be explored!
The conservation work is very "real"! If you are accepted onto this programme you can expect to work in a variety of different areas and perhaps specialise in one particular area for a thesis subject or dissertation. Current projects involve Manta Ray populations, diver impact on Manta Rays and cleaning stations used by Manta Rays, diversity and distribution of opisthobranchs (nudibranchs and sea slugs), reef monitoring, socio-economic studies on dive tourism, photo ID of Humpback Whales, sea turtle monitoring, Manta Ray distribution using acoustic tags and Whale Shark photo identification.
Intern diving and science activities
Underwater photo identification of manta rays using underwater parallel lasers for measurements, underwater coral reef health and status surveys (for interns who do the training), underwater focal diver interaction with manta rays, underwater focal diver impact on the reef, maintenance of manta ray acoustic listening station, nudibranch (sea slugs) belt transects, maintenance of the nudibranch tank, humpback whale land based survey and photo ID (during season June-October), conducting user group surveys on marine eco-tourism, turtle walks (looking for nesting areas during season Nov-March), fishing monitoring, data entry – using Access, Excel and MID –a software especially designed for Manta Ray identification.
Educational activities including:
Regular activities with kids from the local community, educational open eco-cinema in the village and dive centre, presentations for divers and fishermen and short talks for divers during surface intervals.
Itinerary
The internship runs for 1 or 2 months. You will get two or three days off per month to do your own activities but generally the focus is on the research and conservation initiatives.
Week 1 is always dedicated to practical and theoretical training. This is really the only fixed part of the itinerary.
After week 1: After this initial training you will be given research assistance and some supervision, but you are expected to work hard and independently in order to achieve outstanding goals.
Daily routine: Typically the role of the intern is to collect data during the morning and enter data during the afternoon, but changes can happen depending on weather conditions, research tasks and special events.
Once a week: You do environment education activities at the local primary school.
Once a month: Beach clean-up
Included and Not Included
A guide to what you see and what you get!
Full details of exact inclusions, exclusions and local payments will be sent to you when you request a quotation. As a general guideline you can expect the following:
Included
25 dives per month including equipment rental (all Scubapro and well maintained), return transfer between Inhambane - Zavora on the 1st of each month, accommodation, transport to Inharrime every two weeks to buy food supplies, a5000Met foot allowance (c.£120 every month), research training and assistance.
Not Included
Flights and transport from country of origin to Mozambique, visa expenses, travel insurance, transfers that are not on the 1st of each month, Internet (available upon request at £4 to £5 per hour), drinks and meals apart from the food allowance
Extra Information
A few things you should know and trip downloads
Guideline Pricing Information
All prices are per person and exclude flights unless otherwise stated. The guideline prices shown are designed to provide you with an indication of how much to budget for your trip. You need to be aware that there are a number of factors which can influence the price; these include the duration of trip, the time of year, exchange rates, board basis and the amount of diving you require. For an accurate price you must submit a quote request.
Accommodation
You will stay at a place called Nhanombe Lodge. It is located in a beautiful spot, in front of the sea. It has a big common kitchen and lots of green areas. The interns’ house has two shared bedrooms, a dry lab. as well as female and male toilets. The house also has a large veranda with space to work or relax. Depending on the month and the number of interns you might share a room with other interns of the same gender. Mosquito nets and bed sheet are provided.
Food
Due to the differences in food preferences amongst interns and the limitations of products, we have decided to give each intern a 5000Met food allowance on arrival, so each intern can choose what they prefer to eat. This way, we can give you the freedom of choice and we can concentrate on what is more important: the conservation and research projects! Transport to Inharrime town is provided once every 2 weeks to buy supplies. For those who don’t like to cook, we can organise a local lady to cook traditional meals once per day, six times per week (she charges Met2000 for this service which will be deducted from your allowance). She follows a weekly routine and cooks meals like pasta, chicken, matapa (a local favourite made with cassava leaves), cassava, etc.
Flights
We can arrange flights for you or you can book independently. The best route is London to Johannesburg (South Africa) followed by a flight to Inhambane (Mozambique).
Requirements
The internship program is designed for science students or exceptional naturalists aiming to get experience in marine conservation. You must apply online before booking this trip.
Please note that due to the nature of the work, not all applications will be accepted. You will need to:
1. be serious about data collection and marine conservation
2. have 2 years or more of a Science Degree (or equivalent level of experience and dedication to conservation)*
3. have a minimum of 30 logged dives and a PADI Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent)
* We might accept school leavers but this is subject to your application form
A maximum of 4 intern positions will be available each month.
Dive Training
There is no PADI training available. All dives included in the internship are scientific diving only. You will be collecting data that will be used to manage the dive sites, check the health of the reefs and the manta ray population. Please concentrate on your task. You will enjoy your dive and see lots of marine life, but you must be aware of your role as a researcher.
What next?
Happy with what you have seen and read? To get an exact price please click the 'tailor-made button' (located on the 'prices, dates and booking' tab) to request a quotation as this trip is tailor-made. Following the link will open our online quotation system. Simply follow the steps and make your selections. A formal quotation will be sent to you via e-mail once we have received your request.
Prices, Booking and Dates
Guideline prices, trip dates and how to book!
Guideline Price Table
Request a Quotation| Current Dive Level | As a guide... | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Price | |
| Advanced | 4 or 8 weeks | £1,875 - £3,750 |
| Rescue Diver | 4 or 8 weeks | £1,875 - £3,750 |
| Divemaster | 4 or 8 weeks | £1,875 - £3,750 |
Booking a tailor-made trip
This trip is tailor-made. Please to start customising your own trip. Our quotation system is easy to use and it allows you to get an idea of price according to your dive level. If you wish to book then you must complete the quotation form, add your details and we will e-mail you a formal quotation with all the booking details. You can also call us on 0845 257 3292 to discuss this trip and to book a place.
Booking Instructions
Step 1: This trip is tailor-made! Request a quote so that we can check availability and provide an accurate price based on your travel dates and diving requirements.
Step 2: We will review your request. A quote will be sent to your e-mail address with a link to follow should you decide to book.
Step 3: If you wish to proceed with the booking; follow the link in the e-mail and pay the deposit for the trip. Please note that quotes have an expiry date.
Step 4: You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your booking request along with login details so that you can manage your booking.
Step 5: We will send you all your travel documents and be at-hand to answer any questions relating to your trip.
Trip Dates
01st of every month. Application required prior to booking.
Financial Protection
Your money is secure with us! We have TTA Financial protection under licence Q0621. The protection means that you can book your holiday secure in the knowledge that the Travel Trust Association will protect you in the unlikely event of a us becoming insolvent. Should we for any reason financially fail or cease trading, the Travel Trust Association will liaise with the suppliers to ensure that your holiday goes ahead unaffected. If for any reason this is not possible, the TTA will administer a claim for a refund of money that you have paid to us for your holiday. Read more about how your money is protected.
Deposit and Balance Payments
We request a £250 deposit to secure a place. All balance payments are due 60 days before the start of the trip. If you book within 60 days of departure then full payment must be made at the time of booking.
