Visiting all three projects was an extremely worthwhile experience. I got to understand the differences between all three settings on a deeper level, from Phinda’s well-managed and fenced reserve, to the vastness of the Greater Kruger, to the remote expanses of the Okavango.
It truly was the trip of a lifetime – and maybe just the start!
As an avid photographer, I loved being able to take so many incredible photos and fitting so many animals in one frame! The most unbelievable sighting of this project was a herd of over 100 elephants walking towards us as they were grazing.
I can't recommend ACE enough to anyone who is interested in travelling with purpose and wants to contribute while being hands-on with wildlife conservation.
If you're passionate about wildlife and looking for a volunteer experience that will leave you changed forever, I can't recommend ACE enough.
If anyone is looking at doing these projects and wondering if ACE is the right organisation to go through, I can’t recommend it enough. When you are planning a trip like this it can be daunting, but the reviews for ACE are great for a reason!
The person that I was before coming here, is the same person that I’m leaving behind. Everything that came with me is going back magnified.
I had an amazing experience volunteering with ACE and would do it again in a heartbeat. They were incredibly organised, and there was always someone available to assist me at every step.
I thoroughly recommend African Conservation Experience whether you are a 13-year-old or a 70-year-old grandparent! If you are considering volunteering with ACE - just do it!
We have gained an authentic understanding and a new perspective on many things, which we will carry with us forever. It was like watching National Geographic live!
Everything impacted me whilst I was there and I have grown as a person.
I would recommend volunteering with ACE, as it was valuable to be able to speak with the staff on the phone before booking, to hone in on which projects I would be most interested in. From this, they tailor your trip to what you're looking for and what your needs are.
African Conservation Experience fulfilled my expectations and much more. They were very personal, and I did not feel like I was just a client - It is almost like I am now a part of the team!
The level of support I received from ACE was great. I went to four different projects and I was completely looked after. The whole ACE team is always there for you!
I’ve always found it difficult to pinpoint a favourite part of anything, and with an experience like this I find it even harder. I truly loved every part of the trip as it offered such a wide variety of experiences.
I’ve seen so much, but I think the first moment of seeing that hyena on our second night, while eating in the camp, with it only being a few metres away from my tent, was really special.
I would discuss my thoughts and plans with the ACE team and they helped to advise me on which projects would be best for a more comprehensive understanding of wildlife industries, which will go on to help me in the future. Whilst in South Africa, I was able to contact the ACE team 24/7.
For me, surprisingly, the most rewarding aspect of this whole experience were the quiet moments. After an exhausting day coming back to camp, sitting by the fire you yourself made, as the sun sets and the brightest stars you’ve ever laid eyes on becomes visible above your head.
Coming back to camp from driving around the Okavango Delta logging animal and predator tracks only to find a whole herd of elephants grazing next to our camp was a highlight.
This project is a conservation project in the Okavango area and it’s been absolutely amazing. You feel like you really contribute. To nature. To the ecological environment. You get to see a lot of wildlife, a lot of different landscapes, amazing views and you just feel right at home once you arrive.
Within two days we all became best of friends, and they will be my friends for the rest of my life. We will never lose contact. What we have to bear in mind is they’re all half my age. There are no age barriers or culture barriers, you’re just in a situation where you automatically bond.
I had a very enjoyable three weeks in Botswana on an African Conservation Experience volunteer holiday.
There is something quite rewarding in meeting people who share your views about conservation and like you who are willing to put some of your own time into making some slight difference.
So in the end, we learnt so much about the variety of things involved with wildlife conservation. The response and support from ACE on the ground in SA was amazing and if you ever get the chance to spend some time with Martin and the team, it’ll never be enough - they know so much and are so passionate about what they do!
It’s actually nature – everywhere. In Botswana, everything is so wild and pure, and you never know when the animals will appear from the thick bush.
A real feeling of being out in the bush and at the same helping out for a great cause. The outcomes from this volunteering are retained for ever!
Sunset on the Okavango while watching the maribou storks and cormorants settle at the heronry for the night was awesome. We watched the sun’s rays slanting across the water colouring everything with its red glow and then fading as the sun dipped below the grasses and out of sight leaving us in gathering gloom and heading back to our island abode for dinner.
For a full month at Okavango, I had the opportunity to assist in vital research, documenting species presence on the Kwatale conservancy. We had some truly special sightings while there.