• Management of captive predator populations
• Parasites, diseases and vaccinations
• Genetics and breeding strategies

The course will run on the following dates:

10 - 19 June 2012

5 - 14 August 2012

The structured course will cover all aspects of captive predator management including enclosure design, nutrition, hand rearing, breeding programmes and introduction of breeding pairs, health of the species and veterinary immobilisation and handling. Please see our Predator Course page for a more detailed syllabus of the course and how you can join. Placements on the course are limited and will be available as per the application process. 

Unfortunately during the translocation from the place of capture to the wildlife orphanage, while securing a safe place for release, Raza's mother gave birth to two cubs. Due to the stress of the capture, the mother was not managing to nurse the cubs sufficiently. One cub died and the second cub was removed as soon as possible. This cub was Raza.

Raza was hand reared by the dedicated team at Mpumelelo until she was 14 months old. She is now a large leopard with a lovely nature. Due to being hand reared and the initial stages of her life, she has remained at the wildlife orphanage where she is very settled and paired up with Milo, a male leopard who was brought into the centre as an orphaned cub, having been caught in a bush fire where sadly one of his litter mates died. Milo and Raza welcomed their own cubs into the world this month and both cubs are doing well.

This week the cubs have opened their eyes but have not yet been sexed as their mother is still being very protective! We shall keep you all updated on their progress.

Leopards have a wide range in Africa and tropical Asia, however they are classified in the IUCN list as near threatened due to populations declining in large parts of their range due to habitat loss and fragmentation and hunting.

To join Mpumelelo as a volunteer and help secure the future for leopards like Raza and Milo, please apply online. A registered welfare organisation in Zimbabwe, the wildlife orphanage relies on volunteers to assist in the care and husbandry of all species that call the centre home, and the funding to support their care.

For six amazing weeks I volunteered my time at Phinda Private Game Reserve located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is one of the most pristine reserves on the entire African continent. Phinda is well known for providing tourists with astonishing views of the big five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), including the critically endangered black rhino. They also have several species of antelopes, including the rare suni, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, porcupines, an array of reptiles, hundreds of species of birds plus much more.

Phinda offers you exceptional game viewing experiences that you never expected to see. Within 3 hours of stepping foot into Phinda, we came across four lion cubs lying on the side of the road. Their mother had left them for the day while she caught up with two other lionesses. Luckily the cubs were not skittish as we had to park the vehicle quite close to acquire a skin biopsy sample from each one for genetic and health reasons. Right away we gained insight into what the research team did at Phinda and how they are helping in the conservation field.

On another day in the field, a sub adult male lion walked straight past our vehicle, only within two metres of where I was sitting. I was also lucky to see a lioness make a warthog kill to feed her sister’s cubs. There are only two adult male lions on the whole reserve, but they are exceptionally relaxed around the vehicles. You can be within ten metres of them and they will barely glance at you, as if you are part of their natural surroundings.

While being at Phinda for six weeks, only twice was I slightly terrified yet exhilarated at the same time. Once was when six herds of elephants came for their afternoon drink at a waterhole called “Pipeline Pan”. That was over 80 elephants! The position we parked in gave us a sensational view of these majestic animals as they surrounded us on all sides. Fortunately our guide, JR, taught us well and as long as the animals did not see us as a threat, we were safe. A few of the matriarchs gave us a few warnings then walked off while the young males completely ignored us and made their way to the mud to have a mud bath. Within five minutes, the six herds of elephants had moved on and were no where to be seen.

The second time was when we were looking for the two adult male lions on the whole 23, 000 hectare reserve. Once we located them near another game drive vehicle we decided to sit and observe them with the light we had left before the sun set. The dominant male seemed to be asleep while his brother lay in the grass only ten metres from him. Before we knew it, the dominant male had woken up and was walking straight towards the back of our vehicle towards his brother. Making sure I was sitting perfectly still, I watched him walk straight by me with nothing in between us except 60 centimetres of air. It was truly a heart racing experience and none that will be forgotten.

You’d think the largest land mammal on the planet would be easy to find, but you learn you’re wrong quite quickly. These gentle giants can hide quite easily amongst the thick bush which is abundant in Phinda, with the habitat changing every hundred metres. You start in the ancient and rare sand forest then within a kilometre you find yourself in open woodland then another few hundred metres and you’re in the typical African savannah marshland.

There are seven different types of habitats in Phinda ranging from mountain ranges to wetlands and it is simply astonishing to see the habitat and vegetation change from one to the other before your own eyes. As a volunteer at Phinda Game Reserve, you are treated more as a guest than a student. The opportunities we were provided with to go “behind the scenes” were truly amazing and not something that many people in their lifetime would have experienced.

You have access to being close with lions, leopards and white rhinos that have been tranquillised for research reasons. Seeing a wild animal so close that you can see every hair on its body and to be able to compare the size of your hand against a lion’s paw is incredible and mind-blowing.

In Phinda, no two days are the same. There is always so much happening and going on that every day is a new adventure. African Conservation Experience provided me with an unforgettable experience and adventure that I will cherish for a lifetime. I highly recommend ACE to anyone who wants to experience the rawness of Africa mixed with its natural beauty.

I would like to thank everyone at ACE and Phinda for allowing me the opportunity to partake in such an amazing adventure.”

Karyn Gresser, November 2011

Join Tarryne, JR and the wildlife research team at Phinda, learn research techniques and data collection strategies for population control and management in one of South Africa's most stunning Big 5 reserves. Phinda welcome volunteers throughout the year, please apply online. 

Are you a graduate with some working experience, preferably in a sales role in the conservation or travel fields? Are you looking for a dynamic sales and marketing position where you can combine learning new business skills with a passion for wildlife? If so, then we could be looking for you.

African Conservation Experience is the original and most experienced company to organise volunteer placements on wildlife conservation projects in southern Africa. We are looking for a proactive and independent individual to fill the role of International Sales and Marketing Assistant to help recruit volunteers from diverse target markets around the world. This role will allow you to travel and meet people around the UK and engage new volunteers from all over the world. Working alongside our Marketing Manager, you will be required to assist in implementing marketing strategies to reach ACE’s goals and be responsible for your sales role.

International Sales and Marketing Assistant

Core Responsibilities

You will be:

• Giving talks to potential volunteers at schools, universities and other groups around the UK.
• Assisting with organising and attending exhibitions in the UK and abroad.
• Assisting in online advertising and social media campaigns
• Speaking over the phone to potential volunteers about our conservation projects and how to get involved.
• Liaising with volunteers and our SA Operations Manager to provide group trips and develop itineraries.
• Working with our web-based management system to schedule volunteers’ placements.
• Responsible for general office work, such as record keeping, administration and ensuring emails are dealt with, even when out of the office.

Essential Skills

You must be:

• Passionate about wildlife, conservation and travel.
• Qualified with an undergraduate degree, preferably in biology or conservation or similar.
• Able to be based in our office just north of Bristol, GL12 8LJ.
• Able to regularly travel to venues around the UK, at times for extended periods and during unsociable hours.
• Confident in public speaking to a range of audiences.
• Capable of talking to people from a range of countries and cultures.
• Able to demonstrate strong customer service skills
• Confident in networking and developing relationships with key contacts.
• Able to conduct web-based research and analysis.
• Able to work independently and within a small dedicated team.

The role requires some evening and weekend work, and regular travel around the UK, a full driving license is essential.

Desirable Skills

“After a late night due to a rangers leaving party JR and I had to wake up at 3:30am for a hectic day of elephant capture! We had spent the past three days monitoring and following "One tusks" herd of 12 elephants, but today we could not pick them up. They had completely disappeared.

The weather was perfect for the capture and we had less than 3 hours to find the herd before the 6:00 meeting time with the capture team. Time raced by without a single trace...not even a trace of elephant poo! Our time was up and we still could not locate them. We called Simon Naylor, the Phinda reserve manager to tell him the news. Eventually the helicopter pilot took the telemetry radio up into the air to search for the herd. 

It turned out that they were hiding out in the only place we had not looked. JR and I had covered every square inch except a patch of burnt bush where ellies are apparently never seen! We drove back to the site still very sleepy and already feeling somewhat peckish. Once at the rendezvous point JR, the vet and the pilot took to the air for the actual darting, which is done from the helicopter.

I joined the ground team and awaited a radio call to tell us to head into the bush where the fallen elephant family would be found. We were all pretty nervous especially after being told about the previous years capture that went awry, with a vehicle actually being tipped over by an irate, not so sedated, elephant. We were all hoping for a smooth run. The darted and immobilised elephant group had been given away for free to a nearby reserve in an attempt to keep Phinda's elephant population down.

As we drove closer our excitement grew. We came into a clearing and before us were eight elephants all lying in a near perfect circle. It was such a strange yet emotional sight. These huge animals lying unconscious at our feet as the team raced around them. One baby elephant lying near its mother still had its eyes open and its heart was racing. I could feel its warm breath and felt its blood pumping through the massive veins in its ears, and I placed my hands on its warm and surprisingly soft skin.

The whole herd was winched up one by one, hanging upside down, onto huge flatbed trucks to be transported back to the holding crates. The loading procedure took a long time. Once in the individual crates the elephants began to wake. They were understandably terrified and cried loudly, not a trumpet but a cry that cut right through me.

Before long the trucks started up and I watched them heading off into the distance to a new home. What an incredible experience, one that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life. I was a volunteer at Phinda for 3wks and still cannot believe that I witnessed this and many other amazing events.

Thank goodness they did the capture today, my last day, and not tomorrow! I am one very lucky person.”

Oliver Cutter, Volunteer at Phinda Wildlife Research Project, November 2011.

To join the research team at Phinda please apply online or contact us. 

“If you have never been to Africa, Tuli will guarantee you the experience of a lifetime. Having left Heathrow airport with its extremely busy and crowded terminals — terminal 1 for South-African Airways- on board a packed Airbus, Johannesburg airport meets you after a long night flight with its huge open spaces, newly built modern halls and state of the art handling of passengers and luggage.

The day long trip from Johannesburg to Botswana’s border post gives you the time to soak up the vastness and the different but very pleasant climate of South-Africa’s central and northern territories. If you have any questions on practical or other matters concerning your stay, quite a few of them will be answered buy the driver of your van. If you need any help, “ask and you shall be given”.

Since border crossing into Botswana is not allowed after dark, you usually spend the night at a crocodile farm near the border where the owners, very hospitable, wine and dine you that same evening and provide a super breakfast the next morning. Then it is off to the border where you cross the Limpopo River by cable cart or by 4x4 into Botswana. You are met by someone from the “Tuli Wilderness” and then it’s off to Stuarts’ home and office, GHQ of the Tuli conservation area. Having brushed off the first layer of dust — Tuli means “dust” in Setswana-, a warm welcome from rangers Marla, Andrew and Stuart, together with the volunteers who are already there, is awaiting you.

After your first real 4x4 drive in the open “Landy”, up and down “Horrible Hill” and through the Mopani bush, Mohave camp, your home for the next few weeks, appears in front of you and Kate and Chris, the local couple taking care of the camp, are there to greet you. One of the rangers takes you on a guided tour of the camp’s accommodations and facilities and gives you your first security briefing. Do pay attention to that briefing because your security at camp and in the bush depends on it. There are no fences or walls in Mohave camp so you live by the rules of nature and the rangers. Sticking to the advice you have been given, you are perfectly safe, even when you feel a hyena or a leopard sniffing at your ear at night….

During the next weeks, you will have the experience of a lifetime. A lot of what you have seen on BBC, National Geographic, Discovery and Animal Planet is going to be there “real time” plus the smells, the wind, the African sun, the special, almost alien light just after sunset and real silence with capital S at certain times of the day.

There will be game drives and game counts during the day and night. The records you take from these drives will be valuable for a number of ongoing studies of the conservation area and its fauna. The world of tracking will descend upon you and provide you with a truckload of knowledge. Elephants will stroll by only yards from where you are sitting awestruck in the Landy. Gracious and beautiful raptors will fly over you and if the bush gods are favorable, you will get to see the big cats from very close by. You will sleep out with your colleagues, all gathered around a big Mopani camp fire, and closely watched by the brown hyenas on Leopard Koppies. You and your group will drive out to set up hidden sensor cameras which take day and night shots of the animals “on tour”.

I could go on for dozens of pages, turning all my Tuli experiences loose upon you but I am not going to spoil the surprise. You’ll have to go to Tuli and find out yourselves.

Perhaps just a few practical tips on clothes and equipment.

• Don’t forget your bio-laundry soap for washing underwear and socks.
• Strong heavy-duty cotton trousers and shorts in subdued colors are best; they need to be able to withstand rough handling.
• If you are going during the dry season, bring a warm sweater and a fleece jacket, preferably a wind-stopper. It gets very chilly and windy in an open Land Rover at night. Don’t forget a warm cap, or hat and gloves. (50% of the heat your body loses, escapes from your head)
• Tough boots are a must. You won’t believe what rocks, thorns and sand do to those high street pumps so don’t go for the fancy stuff. It doesn’t have to be trendy and expensive but comfortable and resistant. Lions, leopards and hyena’s have totally different views on fashion …
• Sunglasses will protect your eyes from the African sun which is strong, even in winter. Again, bring a tough pair that can stand abuse and a strong case to protect them when you are not wearing them.
• A day back pack to keep all your stuff in when you are on the move, by vehicle or on foot is extremely useful. It has to be comfortable to wear, not too big, made of strong fabric and dust proof. Don’t get one with too many side and exterior pockets. You have to be able to close everything really well in order to keep out the “creepies and crawlies” and the dust.
• A first aid kit + antihistamines, antibiotic eye drops and painkillers might come in handy.
• A big water bottle, container or hydration pack is vital.
• You can’t do without a box with the odd bits and pieces to do emergency repairs (sewing kit, super glue, duct tape, rope, …)
• If you have a multi-tool, bring it. If not, consider investing a bit of money in a good one. You can use them for a million different things and especially in Africa, you will have the on you when the need arises. There aren’t all that many tool shops in the Tuli area …
• Binoculars are a one of the great lifetime investments. Get a good pair (e.g. 8 x 42) and you’ll enjoy nature twice as much for many years to come.
• Unless you are a well equipped amateur or professional photographer, a good compact camera is the best option for your shots of unforgettable images and action. Quite a few of the latest, full-auto, digital ones are very good value for money and they fit in your shirt or jacket pocket. Don’t forget a strong protection cover or case to keep the dust out.

A prepared Tuli volunteer is worth four!”

Conrad Goossens, Tuli Volunteer, 2011.

To experience Tuli Conservation Project first hand please apply online. You can receive up to 10% off your placement and a fantastic FREE pair of Bushnell Binoculars if you would like to join the project between October and March - volunteer and get twice the benefit!

There was much consternation on Sunday at a small holding that borders on the Likweti private nature when two rhino bulls fought so viciously that one of them ended up in a garbage pit.

A wildlife vet (Dr Cobus Raath) had to be called in to dart the animal and with the help of a crane, lift him out of the rubbish pit. The furore began at about 8:00 on the farm named Vera Lynn, which is above the Primkop Dam. Mr Koos Steenkamp was busy pottering around outside his house when he noticed two rhino bulls close to the electric fence line separating his property from the Likweti private nature reserve sizing each other up.

"We regularly see rhinos close to the fenceline" he said. Without warning the bulls suddenly charged each other, and began to fight viciously. It was like watching scenes from a WWE wrestling match on TV. So intent were they on each other and the battle that they smashed through the electric fencing and continued the battle in Mr Steenkamps front yard. The dogs in the yard, five of them, surrounded and barked at the rhinos but they paid the hounds no attention. In their struggles they snapped, with ease, a thick linked chain with a massive lock on it, and moved slowly towards the back of Mr Steenkamps house.

The bulls kept on pushing and charging each other, with the smaller of the two bulls being pushed off a bank and into a rubbish pit. The larger of the two bulls, who clearly had the upper hand, still attempted to reach his opponent, the fallen bull, even when in the ditch. Mr Steenkamp ended up using his tractor to chase the attacking bull off.

"The larger of the two bulls, who clearly had the upper hand, still attempted to reach his opponent, the fallen bull, even when in the ditch."

The poor stricken animal, now on his side and wedged in the rubbish pit, tried repeatedly, but in vain to get to his feet. Mr Steenkamp, taking stock of the situation, informed the staff at Likweti, and called out Dr Cobus Raath. The bull was first darted in the rump, and once he was unconscious his eyes were blindfolded and various harnesses were fastened around his feet and legs. He was then lifted out of the pit by a crane. Once out of the ditch he was relocated to Likweti.

Dr Raath estimated that the bull had been trapped in the rubbish pit for approximately 90mins, and that the animal had experienced considerable trauma during its ordeal. "He looks fine to the eye now, but he could possibly develop problems, including kidney problems, in the future," Dr Raath warned. Even though both bulls had been de horned prior to the fight the smaller animal still sustained numerous cuts and abrasions. The larger bull also had to be darted before being relocated back to Likweti.

Nicole Smalman

Laevelder, 11 October 2011, Whiteriver, South Africa.

To volunteer with wildlife vet Dr Cobus Raath and the veterinary team at Nsikazi Wildlifevets Experience please apply.

Past volunteer Erin Prigmore, now working at Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, and 20 month old black rhino calf Della recently had a photo shoot to become the face of WWF South Africa in a bid to raise funds for rhino conservation!

Even though Della is used to being the centre of attention at the centre, this was even more exciting for her and Moholoholo had a few close calls when the 500kg rhino decided to stomp around the set! Della has been with Moholoholo for around 19 months, growing to 500kg from the small 1 month old 40kg when she was found stuck in a mud wallow in Kruger National Park.

Erin Prigmore, Della's co-star now works at Moholoholo, and was one of Della's original "mommies", alongside previous ACE volunteer Natalie Rogers, hand rearing the young, vulnerable calf. They slept with Della for 2 months in quarantine, hand raising her with the help of fellow volunteers.

“I first volunteered with African Conservation Experience when I had just turned 18. Working at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre was the most amazing 4 weeks of my life, and when I left I knew I had to return as soon as possible.

After a few more volunteer stints I was offered a job which I jumped at. Not long after I had started, the centre received a phone call which would change my life forever. We were requested to go and collect a one month old black rhino.

She required 24/7 care needing feeding every 2 hours.  A few months later she (now called Landela) had settled down enough for her to be passed on and it was the volunteers’ turn to become ‘mums’.  However, the bond between us had become set in stone and we couldn’t seem to stay away from each other for too long.  She comes running over if she so much as hears my voice, or smells me from afar.

Nearly 2 years on we are still crazy about each other. She now sleeps my garden at night so that we can keep a close eye on her. The number of poached rhinos is starting to reach a horrendous number and we are all very concerned about her future. Dela’s only real worry is ‘how can I break into the house?’ Her persistent wining outside to come in is heart breaking and some nights I have cracked and let her come in to sleep beside my bed just like old times. Unlike when she first arrived and weighed only 40kg she now weighs around 500kg! Just a few weeks ago she tried to climb onto the bed with me crushing the bed under her. Needless to say she is definitely no longer allowed in the house. 

Words cannot begin to describe how strongly I feel about Dela.  Having this amazing experience at such a young age, I really don’t think anything will top this later on in my life. She is the most stubborn, moody baby ever but I wouldn’t change her for the world.”

Erin Prigmore

Della's future is uncertain with poaching at extreme highs in South Africa, but Erin and Moholoholo are keeping her as safe as possible, while she continues her days at the centre enjoying her freshly cut browse and welcoming new volunteers!

Join Dela and the team at Moholoholo to support the conservation of this inspiring species and the many other animals which pass through Moholoholo's caring hands on their journeys back to a wild environment.

But for the volunteers at Mohave camp in Tuli the day was already well on it’s way for today was Wednesday and that meant the end of adventure at Tuli for some of the volunteers and just the start of it for the new ones who would be arriving. Before Hannah and Jenny’s adventure ended, there was still time to check the leopard trap!

For weeks the volunteers had been working on trying to catch an adult male leopard (Panthera pardus) in order to put a Satellite collar on and track his movements, just one of the many animals Tuli focuses on for data collection. And for weeks there has been no luck at any of the bait sights… until yesterday where tracks and signs showed that a male leopard had been feeding off one of the impala legs put in a tree. The cage was moved there and the impala leg was placed in the trap in hopes that the leopard would be back that night to finish the job.

So with anticipation in the air the volunteers woke before sunrise and made their way to the cage. Andrew stopped the car just out of site of the cage and with rifle in hand headed off to check the trap while the volunteers waited anxiously in the car for his return. With a disappointed look he made his way back to the car and all thought there was no luck once again but he couldn’t keep the act up as he went on to tell us that indeed we had caught a leopard and a male at that so the darting will go ahead!

While waiting for the vet to arrive and the darting to take place Andrew walked the volunteers up the Great Wall of Tuli to see the leopard from a safe distance. Even from a distance you could see this was a large, powerful cat who was none too happy to be trapped in the cage. We all made our way back to Mohave Camp to meet with Stuart, the vet and also about 50 school children who were at Tuli for the week on a school trip and who had been helping with the baiting and to say goodbye to Hannah and Jenny who sadly had to meet the transfer and miss the darting.

Plans were quickly made so that everyone would get a chance to see the collaring of the leopard and it was cleared that the volunteers from ACE would be there helping and collecting data every step of the way. So back to the leopard we all went.

The vet, prepared the dart gun and with Andrew and Stuart armed and ready headed off to dart the leopard. Once sedated the volunteers Emily, Ollie, and Ted helped carry the leopard out of the cage and into the riverbed near by.

Here measurements were taken of the leopard’s body length, tail length, paws, and canines; then the collar was put on, the whole process taking about an hour. After a few group photos we left him to recover from the anaesthesia while we sat in the landy close by to make sure he awoke safely and to scare off any animals that could potentially harm him while he was unable to defend himself.

He came around slowly and gradually started to regain the feeling in his legs, stumbling and falling a few times but soon he was back to his old self and he wandered out of sight down the riverbed to recover completely somewhere safe. We all headed back to camp to meet for a celebratory lunch.

Bait Preparation

The bait used in the process was a male impala, which was taken to the location where a radio signal from Sabatana had been picked up earlier in the day. Once at this location, the bait was tied to the back of the land rover and dragged to an area of open bush where the darting was to take place. Dragging the bait in this way created a scent trail, which ideally the lionesses would follow and thus lead them to the bait and subsequently the darting could take place. The bait was then tied to a tree at the darting site, so that the lionesses were unable to drag it away and out of sight in order to feed, which is their natural behaviour.

Attraction to the bait

Along with the scent trail, the ‘call up’ method was used. This method involves playing the sounds of a distressed animal to entice a predator to what it thinks are sounds of prey. In this case, the call of a distressed young buffalo was used. At first, this attracted brown hyenas to the bait; however they were scared away as we did not want the bait to be taken by anything other than Sabatana! During the call up the atmosphere was very tense as everyone was waiting to see whether Sabatana and Mabele (Sabatana’s mother) would come. Telemetry equipment was used intermittently while the call up was happening in order to determine whether they were moving in closer. The signal from Sabatana was getting closer, confirming that they were, and after approximately 20-30 minutes we had a sighting of her. She seemed to appear out of nowhere and was very close to the vehicles. Tentatively, she approached the bait, and initially tried to drag it out of sight, behind the tree. She didn’t start feeding on it straight away, due to the fact that she had a stomach index of 5, meaning that she had not been long without food. She was aware of our presence; however this did not cause her to leave the bait site.

Darting

Once Sabatana had settled down, it was at this point that the researcher who would carry out the darting was able to move to a different position — one which gave a clear aim of Sabatana’s rump, as the dart needed to be shot into an area of thick muscle. Once darted, Sabatana took approximately 20 minutes to go down completely from the anaesthetic. At this point, the bait was cut away from the tree and placed on the ground away from Sabatana to give Mabele, Sabatana’s mother who was also in the vicinity, a distraction while the researcher was dealing with Sabatana. For safety, we put the vehicles in between the newly positioned bait and Sabatana. While Sabatona was under, the collar was removed, blood samples were taken and measurements of her body were made. It was thought that she may be pregnant — however further tests would need to be carried out to confirm this.

Post darting

Once the darting had taken place and the researcher had done all he needed, we stayed with Sabatana until she came round from the anaesthetic — this was essential as we needed to ensure that she fully came round with no complications, and that she was kept out of danger while she was weak and unable to defend herself. It took approximately 1.5 hours for Sabatana to come round to a state that was acceptable for her to be left in. During this time, Mabele’s calls to Sabatana could be heard, which again created a fairly tense atmosphere as she was the more aggressive of the two and we knew she was close, however she was not sighted. Jackals were seen feeding on the impala carcass when we were driving away from Sabatana — unfortunately she lost out on what she thought was a free meal that night!! We all felt incredibly privileged to be able to get so close to a lion, and to have witnessed this event.

Roy, Tina, Meena and Sarah, Tuli Volunteers 2011

In a complex translocation project that took months to prepare, the two young leopards were flown to Malawi early on Friday 7 October on-board a private plane. Wildlife vet Dr. Hein Muller had to tranquilise both animals for the duration of the ten hour journey and keep a constant vigil due to the length of time involved.

The leopards, a male and a female between two and three years old, were captured in Kruger National Park and a private farm near Ohrigstad respectively. Both animals were in conflict with human activity and had been identified for removal. As only one viable population of leopard remains in Malawi - in Nyika National Park - African Parks identified South Africa as an appropriate source of leopards for the Majete restocking programme. A total of eight leopards will be introduced to the 70 000 hectare Majete Wildlife Reserve over the next few months.

Great fanfare and excitement greeted the leopards’ arrival at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre on Friday afternoon. After being transferred to purpose-built cages, watched by wildlife officials and park management, they were transported to Majete by road and finally offloaded at bomas on the reserve. Here Dr. Muller administered a reversal drug to revive them. By Saturday both leopards had made a full recovery and had settled down well into their bomas. The male leopard was released into the reserve early on Friday 14th October and the female shortly after. From the looks of the gps tracking, it seems like the male is doing well and has had a few kills and that the female is now following his tracks. We do hope that eventually they will breed!

The journey required some organisation, darting and loading the two leopard onto a flight to their new home!

The leopards moved to Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi as part of a repopulation initiative started in 2003 by Dr Anthony Hall Martin and other organisations. In the 1980’s the area of about 75.000 hectares had virtually no animals left. 30 animals were counted, this including duikers and warthogs. With a lot of community work they have now been able to help the community feel and care about these animals, as this new reserve gives employment to over 2500 people.

A fantastic initiative to development working with local communities, the people that now passionately protect the animals in the reserve are the same ones that nearly 20 years ago were poaching all of them. Having reintroduced more that 400 elephants, buffalo, sable antelope and 12 black rhinos. it was now the turn for the predators. Only lions and leopards will be re introduced in the area as these are the ones that we have historical records of living in the area. They are looking to introduce 8 leopards eventually and the lions will be reintroduced next year to finalise the project.

It has been a great success and proud movement for Moholoholo assisting in the team to reintroduce wildlife where humans had almost extinguished it.

Alongside this relocation, Moholoholo have seen the arrival of a baby bushbaby and two palm swifts over the last month, and released two genets last week!

If you would like to help Moholoholo continue with their dedicated work, please apply online or contact us for more information about volunteering. 

Volunteer from October through to March and get up to 10% OFF YOUR PLACEMENT AND A FREE PAIR OF BUSHNELL H20 BINOCULARS!

Stand out from the crowd... Do something amazing and make a real difference at;

• Tuli Conservation Project
• Nholwasi Community Project
• Zingela Predator Conservation Project
• Hanchi Conservation Project

FREE BUSHNELL WILDLIFE BINOCULARS WORTH OVER £120 WITH EVERY* PLACEMENT!

EXPERIENCE CONSERVATION CLOSE UP LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE!

OUR MISSION

AFRICAN CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE ESTABLISHES, MAINTAINS AND SUPPORTS CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.

We are driven by two specific aims; To give volunteers the opportunity to experience conservation work in southern Africa. To provide financial support and information exchange for conservation projects in southern Africa.

ACE are passionate about ensuring our support extends to the projects throughout the year, enabling a sustainable approach to the conservation work.

Traditionally quieter times for volunteers can have a huge impact on the projects, who rely on volunteer funding and support. To say thank you for volunteering when the projects rely on you the most, we will offer up to 10% OFF YOUR PLACEMENT* ALONGSIDE THESE FANTASTIC BUSHNELL BINOCULARS!

WHEN CAN I JOIN?

This offer relates specifically to placements booked to travel in the months of October through to March - make an impact with your placement as the southern African summer gets into full swing and the breeding season unfurls. Watch the dusty, arid African landscape dramatically change into a thick bush of emerald green!

Apply now and join the dedicated conservation projects and make your conservation placement really count!

Terms & Conditions

*Valid for placements booked to fall in the period from October through to March

*Valid for placements at Tuli, Nholwasi, Zingela and Hanchi Conservation Project.

*Offer not valid in conjunction with any other offer

Volunteer at the Mauritius Marine Research Project this December and receive 5% off your placement!

Now more than ever the Mauritius Marine Conservation Society need volunteers to collect data on dolphin and whales to see how they are effected by boat trips.  With tourism booming and legislation lacking, there is an urgent need to monitor the impact on the island’s cetacean populations.  Funding for this project is provided through volunteer placements, without volunteers, there are not enough funds to continue the research.

Enhance your contribution to conservation and make your volunteering more valuable!

• Work as a marine biology research assistant on a tropical island
• Receive training in cetacean and turtle research techniques
• Monitor the impact of the dolphin watching industry on behaviour, movements and populations sizes
• Speak with tourists and tour operators to gain an understanding of the economic value of this industry
• Educate local children and public about marine mammals and conservation
• Play an active role in changing legislation to ensure a sustainable future for all!

Terms & Conditions 

*Valid for placements booked on the Mauritius Marine Research Project to fall in December 2011 

*Offer not valid in conjunction with any other offer 

APPLY NOW for TWICE THE BENEFIT!

Simone Landers, the winner of African Conservation Experience’s recent “Game Ranger Guide Course Competition”, tells the tale of her journey from being a bistro waitress to going to the bush to learn all about the life of a game ranger in South Africa.

"Eager and restles, tired, ready to get out! Waitressing at the small Bistro in my hometown has taken its toll and I know in my heart that it's time to leave, seek an adventure. I lay on the coach as I do everyday, waiting for 5pm so I can put on my all black uniform and head to work. "Tring!" goes my phone. I reach for it at my feet expecting junk mail. It's an email from African Conservation Experience...

"We are looking for someone adventurous, spontaneous and with a love for the bush to give away a fully expenses paid place on our Game Ranger Guide Course. Please submit a motivation if you are interested, you have 2 days." (obviously better wording was used)

"Wow," I thought! "this is my chance to pack up and leave!" I had 2 days to put my story forward and hope for the best. I spent the next 24 hours thinking about what to say, then emailed my story. I left my email alone thinking it best to just forget about the entire thing, not even think about it.

Two days later around 4.30pm I get an email. "Congratulations! You are our lucky competition winner!" I almost fell backward off my chair I couldn't believe it! Me, the girl from Durban South Africa with no plan for the near future. This is it!

A week and a half of planning, flight booking and shopping went by very quickly and before I knew it I was on a plane to Johannesburg, calling up Martin and telling him that I'd arrived. "I'm in the pink gumboots," I said.

A very intimidating crowd of mostly British girls sat around a breakfast table, consumed by the awkwardness of conversation making in Fourno's Bakery. We head off for the 8 hour drive to Struwig Eco Reserve. Finally we arrive at the gate and we have to wait for another vehicle to fetch us. Relieved to stretch our legs we start some conversation to break the ice; literally our voices cut through the cold air like ice. Nobody has spoken because we spent the whole trip recovering from our previous journeys. We learn that there are 7 of us doing the course and a second later a breeding herd of elephant present themselves about 10m away as if to say, "Welcome! We are what you seek and aren't we magnificent!" 

A real game vehicle like the ones in safari movies arrives, open on all sides and vulnerable to the elements, groaning, we reload our luggage and climb aboard not anticipating the hour long journey ahead. Impala, elephant, giraffe, impala, elephant, impala, impala, ZEBRA, impala, rhino, impala. Reaching camp we unload and unpack our luggage for the last time for 2 weeks and head to a boerewors and rice dinner. Everybody has a chance to formally introduce themselves...

As the days go by, way too fast, everybody is getting to know each other and it feels more like a family than people we've just met...

Every second week the camp culls an impala for population control and the ground staff slaughter it for its meat and skin. We witness the whole gruesome thing, it's great! The whole animal is used for something from the skin to the brain to the hooves- eat or be eaten is the rule of the bush.

Going for our morning walks is the best part of my day! Although we never see anything when we're out, we learn so much about birds, trees, plants and tracking... Eight in a row keeping in time to our own version of Colonel Hathey's March, dodging twigs, Jurassic thorns and rocks and all slamming in to one another each time Trevor, our guide, stops. White rhino have been near the camp and the tracks are still fresh. Following scuff marks to a make-shift game path and picking out the prints we can make out. I can't see anything to be honest but before we know it we are surrounded by elephants only a 15m radius away. Bumping left, right rear and head on, elephant breeding herds seem to be everywhere as we make our way towards our overnight camp. Our only option is to move quickly , quietly and steadily away to avoid attraction. We manage to escape the elephant fort and continue on our way. 

We are led to a water hole for our next game ranger experience. We are to hide out, spot, count, sex and age everything that we see. A croc slithers stealthily in to the water escaping the midday sun. One hour, two hours, two warthogs pass through for a dip in the mud to cool off, some excitement. Three hours and a numbed bum later Trevor calls me over to show me a marula seed. "Look," he says, "it's ET!"

We then push on to camp, an enclosure of long grass and thorny trees which Benjamin, our chef, has transformed with a fire, mattresses and a table strewn with snacks and juice. As the night closes in and the real beasts awaken, I clench my fists in the hope that the laughter will ease my secret fear of the dark. I don't think that the others realise just how outdoors we are. Although the black night cheats my eyes with the illusion that we are alone, I know that hyena slink around our false safety as they do at camp every night.

The thing about being in the middle of nowhere is that the sky is so clear and pure as you lay under the blanket of stars each light is so fantastic. I spot the most beautiful shooting star fall from the sky with a blazing fire tail trailing behind. I don't need to make a wish...

When our new guide, Hennie, joins the group and Trevor sadly leaves us behind, everybody anticipates our new approach to the bush. Our first night with Hennie closes with the thunder of a lion's roar and an troop of baboons going crazy. Two male hippo get into a tiff nearby and we satisfactorily  head to bed.

Day one with Hennie begins at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, another part of ACE, to see some animals we may not see in the wild. I get excited about a potential photo of a man eating lion, or potentially man eating, we all hear the story differently, and I get electrocuted by the fence which feels like the lion has just smacked me with his huge paw. We touch a chubby leopard and my camera lens is licked by a cheetah. After our trip we go and see the second largest baobab tree in the world which is about 3 000 years old, then end up at the reptile park where we have lunch surrounded by tiny monkeys and some taking parrot that only know the word "hello". An evening game drive surprises us with four lionesses lounging in the grass. Finally we see something awesome! 

At camp we head for an early night's sleep preparing for our Kruger National Park trip in the morning, never expecting the lazing leopard we will spot in some nearby trees, the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

Our days at Struwig are drawing to a close and I feel a heaviness on my heart, resenting the day it will all end. Hennie takes us out on a walk to show us shards of a clay pot from a community that lived in the area about 800 years ago. I breath in the cool, dry morning air and gaze upon the Olifants River and never ending landscape of leafless acacia trees which surround it. I imagine what it would have been like 800 years ago, exactly the same, maybe more green.

Our last few days are spent cramming in all the information we need to know for our test but we can't help being distracted by the desire to drive the game van and shoot a rifle. Hennie eventually agrees and we take turns on the tracker seat and driving at which point I almost get driven in to a giraffe that leaps out of a bush and on to the road. Jenny has her first ever driving lesson and only stalls twice! Later we go for target practice and I'm surprised at how well everybody does, a little unnerved. 

Our days end with extremely late night drives with the volunteers where we see nothing, and lots of sleepovers to spend as much time together as we can. Hennie leads us through a crocodile infested river to get a close up of some hippo and their young which while everyone awes over the sight I wet myself! Why are we walking through crocodile infested waters!? I fear that Hennie believes us to be well trained enough to do some really exciting and wonderful things but I worry that we all may be trampled or eaten because nobody has mastered walking quietly on crunchy leaves... Eventually I calm down and enjoy the buffalo herd we have to hide behind a tree from until they all move on. Our last game drive and we see nothing, it all ends the way it started and it's perfect! 

For our last meal together, Hennie organises us a proper English breakfast of fried eggs, beans, bacon and toast. We laugh and joke but everyone is really sad to leave. We take our last pictures and board the game van one last time to the gate for another 8 hour journey. As everyone is dropped off at their specific destinations we say our last goodbyes. I take one more glance over my shoulder at the terminal and realise that I'm alone. All I can do is hope to see them all again.”

If you want to follow in Simone’s footsteps and learn about the work of a Game Ranger, check out the next dates for game ranger courses on our website or contact us at info@conservationafrica.net

"The work done by the CITW is incredibly worthwhile. Working in Africa, the project aims to bridge the gap between rural communities and wildlife, so that the children, as the next generation and future of conservation, gain a respect and understanding of the environment that surrounds them. The camps aim to teach the children in a fun way the importance of conservation, in a non-threatening and caring environment. They also focus on teaching the children about health and hygiene, respecting their peers, building self-confidence, developing life skills, and generally are there to support and encourage the children to achieve their full potential.

Being part of one of the camps run by CITW was a great experience. The weekend was non-stop! We were up at 6am for wake-up games, and went right through until bed time. We played games, sang songs, went on game drives, did team building activities, arts and crafts, and had educational sessions.

The game drives were fantastic! We saw lion, giraffe, and a cheetah which had just made a kill! I think the volunteers were more excited than the children! Each game drive focused on a different group of animals; herbivores, predators and birds. Hence not only being fun and exciting for the children to be out seeing the animals, it was also educational — teaching them about the animals and their behaviour, getting the children enthused about the wildlife that surrounds them so they can too appreciate and respect it.

Each of the volunteers (there was myself and 3 others from Tuli) had to prepare and run one of the educational sessions; mine was on herbivores, and I prepared worksheets for the children to complete after the herbivore game drive. The children were extremely well behaved, were very keen to learn and did really well with the worksheets!

Arts and crafts is an important activity as it encourages the creative side of the children, and for some it allows them to express their feelings which they might find difficult to do otherwise. Team building activities encourage the children to work together which is an important life skill to be able to have.

Throughout the weekend there was lots of clapping, cheering, dancing — anything to make the children feel special and build them up. Each game drive vehicle was sent off with lots of cheering and waving, and the same whenever the vehicle returned, with leaders asking them straight away what they’d seen, keeping the enthusiasm going the whole time.

At the end of the camp, the children filled out feedback sheets. These gave them a chance to think about and reflect upon their time there and write down things like what they had learnt, what their favourite moment was, what animal they enjoyed seeing the most, and what they will always remember from camp. It was incredibly moving to see what some of the children had written and you realise how much they benefit from these camps. I remember reading one comment that said “I liked being able to eat meat” which really highlights the struggles that some of these children experience within their life outside of camp, and why charaties like Children in the Wilderness are so important.

Along with the camps, CITW work in the schools that the children go to. They encourage the formation of wildlife and environmental clubs where the children can continue to learn about wildlife and conservation, building on what they learnt on the camps. CITW help the school establish a vegetable garden, where children learn how to grow vegetables, providing them with a skill they can take back to their families. The wildlife clubs also allow the CITW team to get to know the children prior to them going on a camp, as often there are limited spaces and it’s the children who show the most enthusiasm, potential and leadership skills in terms of the future of conservation, who will attend the camps. After the camps, a follow-up programme is in place, making sure that the children don’t feel forgotten after the camp is over.

While I was in Botswana, I visited all 3 schools which CITW Limpopo Valley is associated with. One of the visits involved meeting with the village chief and elders to ask their permission for CITW to start working in their village school. Thankfully they gave their permission! It was good news and they seemed to really understand and appreciate what CITW was all about."

To join Nholwasi Community Project and assist with this rewarding charitable work, apply online. Upcoming 'Children In the Wilderness' camp dates include: 

• 25 November - 30 November 2011
• 7 December - 12 December 2011
• 30 March - 5 April 2012

"Choosing a conservation project was the hardest obstacle to overcome All of us who work in some of the finest zoological parks and institutions still yearn to experience the splendor and glory of our charges in the wild. The normal photographic safaris can be very cost prohibitive to the average zoo employee, and the adventure, while authentic, does not allow for immersion in the conservation efforts of a game reserve, nor does it offer a "behind the scenes" experience.

This past November, I found myself between careers and needing a life-changing adventure. I was fortunate to discover African Conservation Experience, or ACE, a U.K. based company that matches volunteers to different wildlife research and conservation projects, primarily in South Africa.

Cost was definitely a consideration, so I was pleased to find that for almost a three month excursion, I would pay close to the same amount as if I had travelled on a week long safari through a traditional company. Best yet, 60% of the fees collected would be donated to the conservation project I signed up for. Choosing a conservation project was the hardest obstacle to overcome, as all of the projects were worthwhile and offered a myriad of exposure opportunities with South African wildlife.

However, the ACE staff was diligent in asking questions and discerning my needs and identifying my goals for the volunteer experience, and helped me make the right decision."

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

"Since my previous work experience involved working in a free-roaming safari park rather than a traditional zoo, I picked Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre for my first project. The setting of the facility is on a free roaming reserve, and there are opportunities during your stay to enjoy its beauty. Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre conducts tours of the facility to educate visitors about the plight of wildlife in Africa, and it cares for some animals on a permanent basis that are unable to be released back into the wild. However, their main focus is rehabilitation and release, and while I was there we rehabilitated and released spotted eagle owls, a civet, and a marabou stork, just to name a few.

On my first day at Moholoholo the volunteer coordinator asked for volunteers to sign up to babysit Bullet the adolescent cheetah and Della the baby rhino. I raised my hand immediately. On my very first day, I spent an hour alone bonding with each of the two animals. It was incredible, to say the least, and these babysitting “jobs” were available on a daily basis. There were daily feeding and cleaning chores for the animals on exhibit, but the hands on opportunities with the animals were the highlight and reward for the several hours of hard work.

During my volunteer experience at Moholoholo, I handled cheetahs, a baby black rhino, a sable antelope, a pair of genets, a bush pig, a mongoose, a bataleur eagle, a cuckoo, a spotted eagle owl, servals, and a bush baby. I participated in both a hippo and hyena capture and relocation, learned how to tube feed an eagle, wallowed in a mud hole with a baby rhino, set a leopard bait and trap, watched the collaring of vultures for tracking, learned to identify and track animals from their spoor, went on bush walks, and went on game drives at Kruger National Park. My adventure was just beginning though."

Phinda Wildlife Research Project

"My next project was Phinda Private Game Reserve. ACE effortlessly coordinated my transfer to the next facility, which involved a van transport then overnight stay in Johannesburg, followed by a short flight to Richards Bay and another van transport. I was so impressed by the professionalism and organisation of ACE throughout my volunteer experience. All I had to do was pack my bag, and ACE took care of the rest.

Phinda’s 56,800 acre private game reserve is home to all of the Big Five, (elephant, white and black rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard), as well as cheetah, nyala, hippo, warthog, red duiker, steenbok, waterbuck, giraffe, hyena, zebra, impala, and jackal. Phinda is conducting long term studies on the movement and behaviour of the elephants, lions, cheetahs, and rhinos on the reserve. Volunteers participate in twice daily game drive viewings of the animals to locate individuals and record observations of their behavior.

The Phinda experience was to me, pure heaven. The game drives were unbelievable, and witnessing these magnificent animals in the wild was unforgettable. My first day at Phinda I saw a lone bull elephant drinking from a dam, two rhinos grazing on a steppe, two male lions napping under a tree, and a mother cheetah and her four cheetah cubs playing on a low lying branch. The cheetah walked within twelve feet of our Land Rover. Watching the four cubs tackle each other, pounce on tails, hunt insects, and scurry after their mother was breathtaking. Phinda was wild and dynamic, and participating in the conservation efforts and management of the game on the preserve was very exciting.

Phinda is home to over one hundred white rhino and approximately thirty black rhino. Four of the white rhino were immobilized and moved to another game reserve during my tenure, and volunteers actively participated in the operation. The rhino was darted from a helicopter, completely immobilised, and then partially reversed. It’s eyes were covered, ropes were applied, and then the manpower of a crew of 18 pulled the rhino with ropes into a waiting crate, which was lifted by crane to the bed of an eighteen wheeler. As they say in South Africa, it was a mission. Afterwards, the three volunteers were given the opportunity to fly in the darting helicopter, and our hearts were in our throat and smiles plastered across our faces as we swooped over several rhino, flew even with a running herd of giraffes, and dipped down over a hippo.

Representatives of all of the species being studied are collared with radio tracking devices, and the Phinda leopards have been part of a ten year study affiliated with Panthera, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the study of large cats. Leopard capture took place at night, and finding and illuminating a leopard face with a spotlight is particularly thrilling. During my first leopard capture, we witnessed a male and female mating several times.

Volunteers participated in the efforts to immobilise and collar three leopards, and as we helped record measurements we were educated as to the plight of the leopard in Africa. Two male lions were added to the Phinda population during my stay, and many of our efforts involved tracking the two of them to monitor their assimilation into the reserve.

During one encounter, we baited an injured lion into a clearing with a warthog carcass chained to the back of the truck. In a particularly tense moment, the lion and I met each other’s gaze and he crouched and roared. I thought he might jump into the bed of the truck with me! The excitement and adrenalin generated in that moment caused me to extend my stay another three weeks. My adventures at Phinda included participating in rhino ear notching, tracking animals using telemetry equipment, immobilisation of leopards for collaring, immobilisation of lions and rhinos for relocation, immobilisation of buffalo to test for Foot and Mouth disease, canoeing down a river with crocodiles, camping in the bush, prey and population counts, and snorkelling at Sodwana Bay Beach. 

We witnessed a lioness make a kill, lions mating, leopards mating, a lioness and her four tiny cubs at a wildebeest kill, bull elephants fighting, cheetahs from Phinda fighting two cheetahs through the fence of a neighbouring preserve, and a mother cheetah grieving over the loss of her cub. My adventure with African Conservation Experience was everything I had hoped it would be and more.

In retrospect, I would have paid three times the fee asked of me. I felt the conservation knowledge and life experiences I received working alongside professionals in the field were priceless."    

If you would like to embark on your own career break like Christina take a look at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Phinda Wildlife Research Project and apply to be a volunteer! 

At Khulula it’s hands on caring for and learning about the animals at the centre. Some are returned to good health for release back into the wild whereas others become permanent residents. There was Kevin the ostrich, who had left but decided to return because life at the centre was so good! He had learnt there was plenty of food around in the different animal enclosures and clearly realised this was a good thing. Then there were the two mongoose, who spent their days following everybody around, curious about everything, playing and stealing food.

"Before I arrived at the centre I had decided that no matter what happened I was going to get the most I could from my time in Africa. I wasn’t disappointed!"

From the start the sights and sounds of the the African bush struck a cord in me. The centre is situated on high ground and has stunning views all around. The sense of peace and space were thrilling. I realise South Africa has it’s problems, conservation and environmental issues are always ongoing and the work will never be finished. But what country doesn’t have problems to work through?

In my two weeks at the centre I was given Bobby to look after. Bobby is a young white rhino, who was at the time of my stay 6 months old and weighed about half a tonne. The time I spent with this amazing animal will always be a very special time in my life.

Each day he was given five feeds of powdered milk, water and vitamins with each feed being 8 litres. The first was at 6.30am the last was at 9.30pm. I will always remember how he would be waiting to be fed as he would know when his feeds were due. He always enjoyed the company and attention at these times and would communicate with gentle whines and chirping sounds.At these times it was easy to forget that this ‘baby’ was half a tonne of muscle and pure strength who could be irritated and bad tempered.

One of my favourite times each day was after his 2pm feed. At this time he was at his most relaxed and gentle. He liked nothing more than a good scratch or tickle. I would climb into his boma and start by giving him a rub in those areas where the skin is thinner and more sensitive; inside his rear legs and behind his ears. Before long this had the desired effect, he soon realised he was on to a good thing and would slowly sink to the ground and lie on his side. This was always a magical moment, to have a bond with such a fantastic animal, to hear his gentle grunts and whistling sounds as he totally relaxed.The feelings I experienced are actually very difficult to express adequately in words because they struck a cord in me that ran very deep.

Also on the land of the centre there was a group of giraffe who were regular visitors in the morning. It is hard to imagine a more surreal moment, in the early hours with the morning mist and soft light, these graceful and elegant animals would visit us. The thrill and beauty of such an encounter is an amazing experience, to see these animals in their natural environment was a privilege.

I was at Khulula for two weeks and I wish I could have stayed longer but the reality of a life back in England did not make this possible. However, in the time I was there I was thrilled by all I saw and did. I count myself lucky to have had such an experience and have many good and happy memories.

My time with Bobby has had such an impact on me that words can never do justice. I have promised myself that one day I will return to Khulula to catch up with the friends I made and to see how the centre has progressed.

Lastly, one morning when I woke, about half way through my stay, I had the overwhelming feeling of having arrived, a strong emotional feeling of being ‘home’.”

By Mark Atkinson, 50, Career Break.

Mark volunteered at Khulula Wild Care. At this project volunteers assist with the hand rearing, care and nutritional needs of infant and orphaned wildlife.

It is hard to appreciate just how complex a task that is! “Feeding rounds” for example - Does that bring up an image of doing the rounds amongst the enclosures, bucket in hand, doling out the food to various animals? Quick walk around, all done? Well, it’s not quite so simple - meet some of the current quirky Khulula residents and the demands they place on the team!

Setting the right dining ambiente

A woodpecker baby might not sound like a big scary challenge to look after, but he had the team thinking on their feet. Woodpeckers have their babies inside a hole in a tree and feed them through this hole as well. The Khulula volunteers have therefore had to build a box to substitute a hole in a tree, and have to feed the little ball of fluff through a hole they have made in the box for this purpose. They have even mounted the box in a tree for authenticity. Top marks for creativity!

Fresh food only

Another fussy eater is a cormorant - quite a rare guest in wildlife rehabilitation centres! The challenge in caring for this bird is that it needs a water source, so a dam has had to be built by the volunteers, and it has to be fed fresh, fully scaled fish! Easier said than done, but everybody put their backs into it to provide the right setting for this care-case as well.

Tummy rub, please!

And then there are “the babies”! Khulula prides itself on its expertise in hand-rearing infant wildlife, and as its reputation spreads, the orphaned and confiscated “babies and toddlers” come in from far and wide. The department of nature conservation recently entrusted Petronel, Khulula’s manager, with three lion cubs for hand rearing. As Shaka, Smirnoff and Pearl have been thriving, Khulula was the first port of call again when the department of nature conservation was tipped off about a lady illegally keeping 2 further lion cubs as pets. They were confiscated and re-homed at Khulula, were they will be looked after until they are old enough to be released into a game reserve, where they can live as lions - not pets! That doesn’t mean that in the meantime, they don’t enjoy being cuddled - giving tummy-rubs to a lion cub is all part of caring for them!

Don’t mention my weight!

Another ward that has worked her way into the hearts of all volunteers is Lunar, the baby white rhino.Lunar comes from a private game reserve in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Her mother was charged and injured by an elephant and later succumbed to her injuries. Lunar was only about 2-3 months old and months away from being weaned let alone able to fend for and protect herself. She was very traumatised at first and refused to take any nourishment or let anyone close. Fortunately, she has overcome her fears and now loves her milk and the company of volunteers - they look after her day and night! Part of making sure she continues to progress well is to monitor her growth and development carefully. She has regular weigh-ins, even if it takes a lot of coaxing and bribing to get her to step onto the scales - she’s a girl after all! 

If you think you are ready to take on the challenge of catering to the whims and needs of these loveable divas, send us your online application form to become a Khulula volunteer.

Meet Simone Landers from South Africa:

“I am 22 and I recently graduated from Rhodes University in Grahamstown with a degree in journalism, specialising in photography.

I have always been an outdoor person and very involved in conservation, always telling my mother, "Don't step on the ants!!!!! They're God"s creatures."

It was not until my second year at university that I was really able to get involved with my passion for animal rights and environmental conservation when I joined a fantastic society called ROAR (Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights). I can honestly say that this society moulded my character and is a huge contributor for who I am today. University is really the only time in your life when you get to discover who you are and express your beliefs to the fullest. Anti fur and leather streaks, SPCA dog walks, rowdy "don't go to zoos and seaworld" parties, and amidst the chaos, studying photojournalism, where I decided that one day I will be a conservation and wild life photographer.

Upon leaving university, I made countless applications to study game ranging and had my heart set on training at Tala Game Reserve. Most of the courses I was accepted to were too expensive and unfortunately my Tala application was rejected.

I came home disappointed but open minded and began a volunteering position with the Kloof and Highway SPCA assisting in projects and poster design, the objective of course to be around the animals.

Applying for this position was a complete shot in the dark for me, but I went for it anyway considering I am now back in Durban, (not the best place in the world), and a waitress, (definately not my dream job but it pays the bills). I am so excited to be given this opportunity and cannot wait to learn from this experience and especially to give back from what I learn. I am most excited to meet people who share my passion for the outdoors and to take photographs, lots of photographs, (I may need some extra memory cards). “

What do you need?

A fair bit of spontaneity - the course starts on the 26 July 2011 in South Africa

A flight ticket that gets you to Johannesburg by 9 am on Tuesday 26 July, and back home again on or after the evening of 10 August. Sorry - the flights are not on us, but we will provide all transfers, food, accommodation and course fees in South Africa.

Travel Insurance & a bit of spending money - The first is a must, the second is optional.

What do you have to do?

Email us at info@conservationafrica.net by the 13 July 2011 and tell us 2 things:

• The best reason for joining a volunteering project
• Why YOU should get the free place.

That’s right - you only have 48 hours but you don’t have to write a novel. A sentence on each will be perfectly fine.

The fineprint - terms and conditions 

• The free place does not include flights to South Africa.
• The winner needs to organise and pay for their own flights, although we are happy to assist with this. Flights must be confirmed by Monday 18 July. The winner agrees to keep a diary or write an article about the course - whichever you prefer. African Conservation Experience have the right to use this article and any photos you supply for marketing purposes.
• Participants of all nationalities are welcome to enter, but please bear in mind that you are responsible for your own visa arrangements, so check if you require a visa to visit South Africa
• Unfortunately current participants of the 26 July course are not eligible to enter - you can not substitute your place for the freebie. If you are already booked on a different conservation placement or course with us, you are still welcome to submit your entry for the free course. However, you may not substitute your confirmed placement with the free course.
• We will chose the lucky winner on Thursday 14 July. We will require the winner to give us written confirmation of their participation by Friday 15 July. If you have sent in your written confirmation and then decide not to participate we reserve the right to charge the standard price of the Game Ranger Course, which is£1600 / $US 2640 - so please check the availability and costs of flights before you confirm!
• There is only one free place available and the decision of African Conservation Experience who to reward it to is final.
• By sending in your entry you agree to these terms and conditions.

"My name is Dionne Smith. I recently travelled to South Africa through African Conservation Experience. I would like to share my experiences with you.

Fundraising for my trip was part of the deal. I found this to be challenging in these times of economic recession. However, some of my successful efforts included a car boot sale, a raffle and donations from friends and family. The largest amount I raised was when my high school principal allowed all the pupils to wear a sports jersey of their choice instead of the school uniform for one day. The pupils had to pay two euro for this day of fun. I had given a talk to promote my task the day before and my passion must have come through because this resulted in most people donating more than two euro. I raised over one thousand euro with little effort. I was thrilled when the day finally arrived to begin my African adventure.

I travelled to Mpumalanga, South Africa on the 19th of April 2011. The name of the reserve is called Kuhulula Wild Care. It was located up on a mountain with a beautiful view of the wildlife around. We stayed in a castle overlooking the nature reserve, which where home to many animals including giraffes, monkeys, zebras and many more. It was also home to many sick animals including a white rhino, caracals, cervals, owls, antelope, porcupines, bush babies, fox, tortoises and ostriches. They are all being cared for at the centre and eventually will be released back into the wild when they have fully recovered.

The owner of the reserve is called Petronel and she gave me such a warm welcome that I immediately felt a true sense of belonging. The days were very structured rising at 6.00 am every morning and working till 9.00pm. There was a brief every morning at 7.00 am to prepare for the day. Volunteers were allocated the animals they were to care for during the day. I got new animals to look after every day!

One of the most amazing animals on the reserve was the baby white rhino named Bobby. A poacher had killed his mother and we were looking after him here. He needed to be fed a special bottle formula every 4 hours. Feeding a white rhino a bottle is something I will never forget along with many other things I experienced on this trip. Along with Bobby, I helped look after the porcupines, the cervals, the tortoises, the fox, the crows, the owls, the monkeys and many more.

On some days, we had lectures covering hand rearing wild animals and how to administer medical aid to the animals. One of my favourite lectures was learning how to dart an animal for medical treatment. We also got the opportunity to practice with real dart guns using targets.

It wasn’t all hard work, the volunteers also had an opportunity to have some fun. We went on a horse-riding trip, where we trekked up the mountains of South Africa and the view was spectacular. Another trip we went on was to a local crocodile reserve. I got to handle crocodiles and ended up with a pretty nasty bruise and cut on my arm as a crocodile struggled to get free of my grip.

An outstanding experience for me was when we visited the Kruger National Park. A lion came right up to our safari truck and we had to remain still and quiet. It was breathtaking to see. We also saw giraffes, buffalo, elephants, warthogs and rhino. Nearing the end of the day we saw a lioness stalking her prey!

Back at the reserve, every day was a learning experience. All the animals were fantastic to spend time with especially the monkeys. I had a lot of fun with them. They were really friendly. They took everyone in as part of their pack. They would climb on top of your head and start grooming you and they were extremely curious. They would try and open your mouth to see what was inside, play around with your eyes and nose and if you were not careful try and pull your piercings out if you had any.

As friendly as they were you always had to show them who was boss. They were at the adolescent time of their lives so if you told them they couldn’t do something they would get angry. They were just like bold teenagers. They would always try and take things out of my pocket like my camera or watch and if I would take it off them and say no they would get angry. But after a while they realized that I did not take any nonsense. Most of the time they were really sweet animals and would love cuddles and sucking on your ear lobe.

By the end of my trip, it was extremely sad to go. The volunteers came from England, Australia and France. We all gelled really well and by the end of my trip it was really difficult to say good-bye. My whole trip to South Africa is definitely something that I will never forget and the information that I learned there is etched into my memory forever.

It would be my ambition to return to repeat this experience as soon as I can raise the money."

Dionne Smith, Dublin, Ireland

To volunteer at Khulula Wild Care, please complete the online application form or contact us with any questions you may have.