My time on Umphafa was life changing. My experience there shaped me to pursue a career in conservation. The wildlife sightings are far beyond what you would see on safari. Staying in a house (not a tent) with the staff on site is reassuring and provides ample opportunity for social time in the evenings plus an excursion once a week. I really enjoyed being immersed in the life of working on a reserve and being able to ask to participate in things i was particularly keen to do. Overall I found my internship extremely good value and aim to return.

This experience was better than I could’ve imagined, I learnt so much about the African wildlife and the roles of staff on the reserve. The staff were very knowledgeable and happy to answer any and all questions.

The accommodations were okay; there were many activities to keep occupied while there, such as a pool table and a dart board.

The daytime activities are hard work but so rewarding, be prepared for a lot of walking and occasional lifting, but the sights to see are priceless!

I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to get some experience or even just gain some knowledge in the animal conservation field.