Changemakers Service Learning Trip

Welcome to Mountain View, a private reserve surrounding one of Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuaries, Moholoholo. This protected ecosystem is home to large populations of buffalo, giraffe, hippo, leopard and other species that have been rescued, rehabilitated and released from the sanctuary. Accommodation on the reserve is in thatched chalets with en-suite bathrooms and the camp has a swimming pool where students can cool off after a long day.

Students will support Moholoholo’s expert team with all aspects of wildlife care and rehabilitation. They’ll gain first-hand experience preparing nutritionally balanced diets, providing hands-on assistance with feeding, enriching animals’ lives by creating a natural setting in captivity, as well as the daily cleaning and mucking out of animal enclosures.

Head into the bush on foot and gain insight into how wildlife is effectively protected and monitored on the ground. While on the walk, students will learn from experienced rangers how to tell the difference between tracks left by hippo, buffalo and other species - and identify which species have recently visited an area by recognising their unique droppings.

Throughout this field trip, students will engage in talks and debates about important conservation topics. From the bird of prey crisis and the vital role animal care plays in wildlife conservation to ethical questions around elephant overpopulation and whether hunting still has a place in modern-day conservation.

Welcome to your off-grid base camp, deep in the Greater Kruger National Park - home to the Big 5 plus hippo, giraffe and wild dog among others. Your group will have exclusive use of the camp with accommodation in safari tents with comfortable beds. Throughout your stay, students will help prepare meals, wash dishes, and keep the camp clean and running smoothly - a great way to learn important life skills. Evenings are usually spent around a crackling fire, soaking in the sounds of the bush at night.

Removing invasive plant species is vital for protecting biodiversity, as they can outcompete native plants and disrupt natural processes. By eliminating invasives, students will help restore and improve habitats for native species, and ensure the overall health of the ecosystem. Clearing out old fencing material is just as important, as this can be used by poachers to create snares or entangle wildlife leading to injury or death. By extracting this material students will actively save the lives of African wildlife.

Assist the rangers in setting up camera traps to carry out real-time monitoring of wildlife. Head out on game drives to learn how to use digital and hard-copy maps to apply sampling techniques and record species’ presence. And practice real-world scientific data collection skills while observing a diverse range of species at a watering hole.

Embark on a thrilling night drive to search for nocturnal species such as bushbabies, leopards and hyenas. Learn how to use a spotlight to find these species while ensuring no negative impact on the animals. Then enjoy an astronomy lesson under the vast African sky where students will learn to identify constellations visible in the southern hemisphere.

Spend the morning at a local NGO which offers a crèche to support children while their parents work on nearby farms. Students will get to help in the food garden, assist with the upkeep of the centre, and support educational playtime with the children. The time they spend at the creche is an opportunity for everyone to learn more about different cultures and engage in meaningful exchange.

Head to the Blyde River Canyon, the largest vegetated canyon in the world, where students can take in awesome views from the water and witness some of Africa’s most iconic aquatic wildlife species including the hippopotamus and nile crocodile. They will also have the chance to hike up to a spectacular waterfall to cool off in the lagoon. The water is pure, refreshing and perfectly safe to swim in.