WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERING: THE RED FLAGS MOST PEOPLE MISS
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Di Roderick and Sam Hemmingway
- Phinda Wildlife Research Project
- Golola Rhino Orphanage And Rehabilitation Centre
- The Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience
Country
🇦🇺 Australia
Length of trip
28 Nights
Travel year
2025
When asked to describe our five-week experience, it feels impossible to separate them into individual moments, for they flowed together in abundance and variety. It was fantastic to be able to visit three projects, all offering something different. First Golola Rhino Orphanage And Rehabilitation Centre, then Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience and finally Phinda Wildlife Research Project.
Each day unfolded with its own quiet miracles, 'wow' moments that surprised, astounded, and gently overwhelmed us in the best possible ways
There was the soft squeak of a baby rhino calling for milk, the timeless grace of herons poised beside a dam, and the solitary beauty of a lone elephant bull feeding in the bush. On foot, we followed the stories written in the sand by black rhino and leopard and were ultimately rewarded with the unforgettable sight of a pack of painted dogs gathered at a waterhole!
Our experience was profoundly enriched by the generosity and dedication of the whole Golola team, whose willingness to share their knowledge transformed each day into a meaningful lesson in conservation.
Feeding a baby rhino quickly became a daily highlight
The project offered an intimate glimpse into their vulnerability, while the excited squeaks of calves and the quiet power of fully grown bulls (who also squeaked) filled us with awe. We gained a deep appreciation for the intensity and constancy of care required at every stage of a rhino’s life, from critical early intervention to rehabilitation, release, and the ever-present reality of anti-poaching efforts.
The physical demands of the work, early mornings and long days became part of the rhythm of the experience, grounding us in the discipline, resilience, and commitment that true conservation requires. Early to bed and early to rise became part of the rhythm, reinforcing the dedication such work demands.
Then, going onto Vikela, this conservation experience was raw, exhilarating, and authentic to its core, a project driven by conservation rather than tourism.
Free from the distractions of tourists, it allowed us to gain a true understanding of conservation in the ‘real world’
We witnessed events that sparked thoughtful conversations about the complexities and challenges of managing a reserve, offering insight that can only be gained through lived experience. Our guides delivered something truly special: an experience that was deeply meaningful, intellectually engaging, and, at the same time, great fun.
Then lastly, ending at Phinda gave a completely different conservation experience, one shaped by a large, highly skilled ecological monitoring team and set within a private conservation-focused Big Five reserve.
Our team leader was exceptional; no request was too much trouble and no question too small. She went above and beyond to ensure we experienced the full breadth of what Phinda has to offer, from rhino horn trimming and bird trapping and tagging research, to mammal counts, tracking cheetahs for collar removals, and exploring the reserve’s diverse biomes.
We were granted rare insight into the daily realities of a working ecological monitoring team and came to appreciate that, in conservation, no amount of planning can dictate animal behaviour, an unpredictability that made each day even more exciting.
We cannot thank the team enough for making our two weeks at Phinda not only a deeply rewarding learning experience, but also an enormous amount of fun
Our experience was exceptional in every way, and we would like to sincerely thank the African Conservation Experience (ACE) team for their outstanding organisation and attention to every detail. All our transfers ran seamlessly, and at every stage we felt supported, secure, and genuinely well cared for.
It was a wonderful way to travel, stress-free, reassuring, and expertly managed. We met so many wonderful and inspiring people along the way and had so much fun, which made our five weeks truly unforgettable. As two female best friends for almost 60 years (from kindergarten), we have no hesitation in recommending ACE and their projects to both solo and group travellers alike.
We took a leap of faith, and the rewards were far beyond what we imagined
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