My Phinda Research Volunteer Experience was my first trip ever to Africa and one that has left me with incredible memories to cherish forever. Over my 3 weeks there I learned to use telemetry equipment to track Leopard and Ele’s, to identify tracks of Lion, Leopard, Ele’s for tracking purposes, participated in Biopsy darting on Lion, and Rhino, participated in a Lion tranquilization darting (for DNA collection so 2 young males could be sold to an interested party) and I learned to identify Rhino through ear notching count techniques. We collected valuable data on animal counts, GPS locations, as well as sex, age and size of them and catalogued this data in their archives. The research we were participating in was primarily long term data collection, and observation of animals on the reserve (health, watching for injuries, snares). Coming home was very emotional for me! I had so many special moments and memories while I was at Phinda, that by the end of this trip I was in love with all the animals and those working relentlessly behind the scenes. With a heavy heart I left, teary eyes and all, and arrived home with a new found love of South Africa and their incredible animals. Now I know…. Africa is a place I will visit again!

Visiting Africa as a volunteer instead of a tourist was much more rewarding than I could imagine. The company I went through, African Conservation Experience, better known as ACE, were there for me every step of the way from planning my trip to making sure I arrived home safely. 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. 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. ACE 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 have just come back from 2 weeks at Phinda, it was so awesome I wish I could have stayed longer! Every day is different, but the basic schedule was in the land rover at 6am, try to find certain animals (elephant, white rhino, cheetah, lion, buffalo, etc), work out who they are, who they are with, and what they are doing; back at the house for lunch/rest; on the road again at 3ish, back around 7-8ish. But the schedule changes all the time! I got to see a few lion dartings, track leopard, and when I left they were planning some rhino dartings. The people were great, it's a very relaxed environment, and the animal sightings are fantastic. You won't be disappointed.

It's amazing at Phinda... the people are lovely too!! Such a great experience and I was lucky to see all the big five, go on a walk to find black rhino, stroke a darted leopard, watch a male lion being darted, and lots more!!! Enjoy yourselves and watch the sunset every night...its beautiful!

There were so many amazing encounters at Phinda... We needed to collar a leopard for research, after setting up a trap and radio signal. After several hours there was no signal, I only woke once when a white rhino walked past the track munching on the grass. Just before day break the radio signal woke us... we had caught a spotted hyena!