South Africa – Wildlife Conservation Experience

Day 1: Upon arrival in Johannesburg you will be met by a member of our staff.  At 10 am we will depart the airport to the nearby countryside where you’ll have a chance to rest and refresh.  In the afternoon, enjoy a walk with young lions and learn about efforts to diversify the lion gene pool.  You’ll even have the chance to hold a baby lion cub! Enjoy a traditional South African barbecue, called a brai. Spend the night at a lodge in the Pretoria countryside. Day 2: Wake up to the sounds of singing birds and lions in the distance. Today we drive to the northeastern region of the country to our basecamp situated outside the town of Hoedspruit.  That afternoon, go on a game drive as an introduction to the bush in the Greater Kruger National Park region.  In the evening, dine with a researcher from the INGWE Leopard Foundation to learn about their work and how your hands-on support will benefit them. Day 3: This morning we’ll go on a bush walk to learn how to track leopards and hyenas by identifying scat and paw tracks.  Along the way, set up camera traps to gather data about animal movements in the region. In the afternoon, take a game drive through a Big Five reserve to try to spot some of these magnificent creatures. Day 4: Spend the day at the Hoedspruit Center for Endangered Species learning about their work breeding and rehabilitating vulnerable animals. Lend a hand with daily tasks and get up close and personal with cheetahs and orphaned baby rhinos. In the evening, learn about the difficult but inspiring recent history of South Africa and its unique cultural pageantry. The Greater Kruger National Park Region The Kruger National Park and the adjacent private nature reserves comprise the Greater Kruger region of more than 7,500 square miles of area under conservation. This spectacular region has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.  It is home to over 500 species of birds, and contains more species of large mammals than any other African reserve.   It is possible to spot all Big Five (lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros) within the region. Besides the park, the Blyde River Canyon can also be found nearby.  This is the third largest canyon in the world and is known for the stunning spirals of dolomite that rise from its walls. Leopards are the last of the big five roaming free outside game reserves and national parks in South Africa. Because of this, they are under threat from farmers. These beasts are important as they are at the top of the food chain, and therefore a key indicator of a healthy ecosystem. You will help the INGWE Leopard Research Center gather data on leopard density, behavior and population dynamics outside of formally protected areas. This will help improve local policymaking, and also allow conservationists to work with farmers to humanely move leopards to appropriate lands.  We use camera traps to gather this data. Camera traps are digital cameras that are set out along game trails in remote locations within research areas. These camera traps are triggered by movement and operate continuously, secretly recording the movement of animals without need for human presence or disruption of nature. Day 5: Volunteer with Seeds of Light, a local non-profit that works with vulnerable children and orphans in townships – urban areas reserved for non-whites during Apartheid.  The children here need to practice English with native speakers.  Choose to read to the children or engage them in crafts while learning from them about life in contemporary South Africa.   Day 6: Moholoholo is a haven for the rehabilitation of abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife. Learn about the issues they’re tackling and get up close to some of the rare species they are caring for.  At lunch, sample cuisine from different South African cultures.  In the evening, take a night drive through the Greater Kruger region to see wildlife that comes out after dark. Day 7: The Panorama Route is a drive through the Blyde River Canyon, whose lush subtropical foliage makes it the world's largest 'green canyon'. Your senses will be overwhelmed as you walk through mist-covered forests teeming with birdlife.  Drive through majestic landmarks such as God’s Window, Wonder View and The Pinnacle to take in sights that you’ll never forget.   Day 8: Head out to collect memory cards from the camera traps and compile data for the researchers. Enjoy a picnic lunch out in the bush and have the afternoon to relax and enjoy our final evening at the basecamp. Day 9: Today is a full-day epic game drive through the heart of the renowned Kruger National Park. The park contains 147 species of large mammals.  Along the way, meet with park staff to hear about conservation techniques they employ. Spend the night at in a wilderness lodge near the town of Nelspruit. Day 10: Spend the morning at an inspiring sanctuary for endangered rhinos. Have a chance to feed baby rhinos and witness first-hand how one organization is trying to save them. Fly to Johannesburg in the afternoon in time to catch your return flight home or continue your travels through the country. Our South African Home Base   Your home-away-from-home, the Discover Corps basecamp, is a deluxe tented camp on the banks of the Blyde River It features a common building with a dining area and panoramic private deck, where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush. Rooms include crisp white linens, a plush bed, and full private bathroom with hot and cold water, hairdryer, lockbox, and fan. You’ll also be able to enjoy an infinity pool, wi-fi, hiking trails, and an assortment of South African beer and wine for sale.