WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERING: THE RED FLAGS MOST PEOPLE MISS
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My motivation for organising this school trip was primarily to give the students of Capel Manor a real conservation experience; the chance to get involved in fieldwork, learn from locals, and make a genuine contribution to conservation.
There were so many highlights!
The students have spoken about their time at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre as particularly important. Being able to help care for the animals and work behind the scenes at the centre was a real standout for them.
The visit to Kruger National Park was equally amazing, and every single student enjoyed it. Spending time at the camp and getting to know the guides gave them a real insight into day-to-day life in the bush, and working alongside them was another highlight in itself.
I strongly believe the conservation experiences our students gained will be genuinely beneficial for their future careers.
The range of courses and hands-on learning opportunities meant that students studying veterinary science, conservation, and animal management all came away with valuable skills and knowledge. These experiences gave students a broad overview of wildlife conservation, and I believe it has truly shifted their mindsets.
The value of organising through African Conservation Experience (ACE) is that they have the expertise and know exactly what works best for students. Working with a local operator matters for two reasons: the learning opportunities are simply better when the people leading them really know what they're doing, and supporting local communities and businesses is just as important as the experience itself.
Logistically, ACE were excellent!
Everything was well organised and ran on time. From the moment we landed, they were there to meet us and took care of all our transport throughout the trip. Everything was well planned, and all the pre-departure information we received was clearly communicated.
Having the ACE team on the ground with us was invaluable. With a large group of students, that extra layer of support made a real difference. Being able to communicate quickly with the team, check in on how things were going, and make small adjustments along the way made the whole experience run smoothly.
Overall, our experience with ACE was fantastic!
Their knowledge and organisation meant that every student, whether studying conservation, veterinary science, or ecology, left with something genuinely important to take into their future.
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