Alex Saliveros Academic Programme Development Manager
At African Conservation Experience, I work closely with educators and institutions to craft meaningful group travel experiences that inspire the next generation of conservationists. From the first conversation to post-trip reflection, I’m here to ensure every journey aligns with educational goals while delivering real-world impact on conservation efforts in southern Africa.
I’ve always been very passionate about wildlife, which was a driving force behind my ecology and conservation-focused BSc and PhD Zoology degrees from the University of Exeter. From studying threatened turtle populations in the Mediterranean to researching sharks and rays in the Bahamas, the first part of my academic journey fostered a deep interest in marine conservation. My PhD meanwhile, shifted my focus to investigating the behaviour of captive-raised Asian short-clawed otters to support future reintroduction programmes and the innovation of new welfare-driven animal husbandry practices. Now, I channel this scientific grounding into developing innovative programmes that bridge academic learning with hands-on conservation. It’s incredibly rewarding to help students and educators connect classroom theory with the real-life ecosystems they protect by travelling with us.
Building long-term partnerships and continuously improving our offerings through thoughtful research and collaboration is at the heart of what I do. Whether designing bespoke itineraries for school, college and university field trips, exploring new collaboration opportunities, or gathering feedback from returning academic groups, my goal is always to provide enriching, impactful experiences that leave both wildlife and travellers better off!
