Sara Constanzi

My main motivation to go on this trip with African Conservation Experience was my lifelong dream of going into veterinary medicine. I have always had a huge passion for animals, and I'd had the opportunity to visit South Africa for a safari before; ever since, Africa has held a special place in my heart. 

When I was younger, I loved animals and was lucky enough to have several safari experiences, but they were all more surface-level than this. I feel like I've now gained a deeper understanding of wildlife and conservation. For example, when I was younger and encountered a lioness injured and tending to her cubs, my initial reaction was a desire to rescue them. I now understand that those cubs need to be managed very differently for their long-term well-being - a perspective I didn't have before. My focus has shifted from immediate solutions to thinking about animals' long-term welfare and what is genuinely best for them.

The highlights of the trip were Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Kruger National Park. At Moholoholo, seeing the animals, learning the reasons why they were there, and being able to help was so powerful. I was involved in a lot of animal care here, which included feeding the animals and cleaning their enclosures. I also got to see their 'vulture restaurant', where they provide food to endangered vultures -  including some who had previously been poisoned.

During our time in the Kruger, seeing animals in the wild never got old! I've been on safari before, but watching elephants come up to the water at camp and seeing a pride of lions at night was just incredible. We also helped cut wires from old fences, work that directly prevents animals from getting trapped and injured.

This trip has opened my mind in so many ways. Living in London, I'd been craving something completely different, and this delivered.

Africa is an absolutely amazing place. The animals are beautiful, but it's not as simple as that. There is so much happening behind the scenes. I can now go home and raise awareness, and hopefully encourage my friends and family to ask deeper questions. Not just "I saw an elephant in the wild," but, “Is that elephant truly wild?” “How does it behave?” “What is happening to it?” “Is it living in a sustainable environment?”

Even if they don't want a career working with animals. This experience will open your mind and leave you with a greater understanding of the world around you.