Michelle Revai

A few weeks have passed since I finished volunteering with African Conservation Experience (ACE), and I still find myself smiling every time I talk about it. I knew I wanted to make my first trip to South Africa meaningful, and for me, that meant having an opportunity for a more personalised, unique, and hands-on experience, with the chance to learn about animals in more depth. 

Week one was spent with the Golola Rhino Orphanage and Rehabilitation Centre. My favourite part of the project was being able to start the day with feeding the rhinos from the fences and then from the tractor. The vocal range from squeaks to roars as they waited patiently (and sometimes not) for food never stopped entertaining and amazing me. Watching the frenzy of warthogs and wildebeest swarming the hay and pellet piles alongside the rhinos felt surreal, and one instance of this happening during an unexpected rain shower with double rainbows appearing on the horizon will always remain a favourite memory. 

My second week was with the Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience project. Here was where I had my first (and then quickly second, third, fourth, etc.) experience with seeing elephants close up from a game drive vehicle; watching them quietly as they grazed, totally unbothered by us. The day trip to Kruger National Park gave me another favourite memory, seeing a pack of wild dogs interact with an elephant at sunset.

Along with the best parts, there were also times that felt more challenging: early morning wake-ups, mucking and raking, tree cutting and rock clearing, as well as the emotional impact from understanding more about the realities of rhino poaching, canned hunting and illegal cat breeding, and conservation underfunding. But meeting people from all over the world, feeling so grounded and at ease with the group rapport, the togetherness from sun up to sun down, and the simplicity of the downtime after work was complete, makes me already feel nostalgic in a way I don’t think I ever have before.

I started this trip most excited about the animals, and while that held, I got so much more than I expected out of being a volunteer. The team running the project at Golola and the staff at Vikela are all so knowledgeable, dedicated, and passionate about what they do.

Right before this trip, I had a fortune cookie say I’d “be travelling and coming into a fortune”, and in many ways, I did. I’m filled with gratitude for the time in South Africa with ACE and so excited to think about joining them again in the future.