African Conservation Experience

Program Reviews

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Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Botswana Conservation

My time in the Tuli block was just incredible.

The variety of animals and the unknown of what you will see that day is very captivating. I was lucky enough to see the Tuli block in two different cycles of life. When I arrived it was the dry season; everything was brown, raw and harsh. There was a little water and it was a really big check for me to see these animals live in this sort of environment. Large herds of elephant, many species of antelope, hippo and crocodile, lions, leopards and cheetahs!

When the rains came..and boy did they come it was like a waterfall was falling on the entire world. It was very humbling to witness the power of mother nature. When they stopped the Tuli block came alive. The trees began to burst and the flowers began to bloom. The contrast between when I arrives and the rains was so inspiring, life finds a way!

I also helped with some of the maintenance of the area. This involved controlling soil erosion, invasive plant removal, wire and fence removal, clearing and cutting of roads as well as providing a presence to deter poachers. I also had the opportunity to help with data drives. We would hop in the 4x4 and drive out into the bush, with the aim to see as many animals as possible that were logged into the data system for future reference.

I had a brilliant time. The tuli block is an amazing place to be when the seasons change as you get to witness the hard times and the easier times too!

What would you improve about this program?
One of the techniques to protect species of rare trees is to hang chili from them. This put off the elephant but the kudu took a liking to the chili and our hard work was just eaten. I guess situations like this can't always be predicted.
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Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Month of my life!

After deciding to take a gap year between 6th form and university I started searching for companies that would allow me to work abroad and get experience in the veterinary field, which is what I eventually want to end up working in!
I quickly found the African Conservation Experience (ACE) and emailed them asking for more information about their veterinary projects, the speed of their reply was very impressive and this continued throughout my whole booking experience! They sent me all the information I would need and I felt confident this was the company to give me a really great gap year, after applying and getting accepted they rang me and gave me even more info on the project I had been accepted on, Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience with Dr Rogers. Even at this early stage I was so impressed with how ACE kept me updated with all the information I would need, they booked my flights for me and allowed me to pay in instalments which was very helpful. ACE were great at answering all my question in the run up to my departure and I felt so confident and excited to get to my project even though it would have been my first time out of Europe let alone going without family!
Upon arriving in South Africa we were met off the plane by a lovely guy called martin who made sure we were put on the right transport to get us to our specific projects, he made sure we were sorted and happy and told us to contact him at any time should we have concerns about our placement, needless to say I never had to but it was nice to know there was someone there for us!
My host family were the most friendly and welcoming people I have ever had the pleasure to meet! They went above and beyond to make sure we got the most out of our time in Africa and even spent hours driving us round so we could see all the different attractions, I got to go elephant riding and got to hand feed a hippo, basically if there was something you wanted to do, they would do everything in their power to make sure you got to do it. They took us to the vets practice every morning even if we had to be there at 4am and picked us up when ever we were finished, the food was perfect every night and all dietary requirements are catered for, you certainly become one of the family, I don't think I have ever been as happy as when I was there!
Spending time with the vet was incredible too! I was lucky enough to get hands on with 4 of the big 5!! (minus the lion) Dr Rogers is such a nice guy and an amazing teacher, he answered all my questions happily and in a way I (with no vet school background) understood and didn't mind having to repeat the names of drugs or funny diseases to me over and over until I remembered them. He always explained exactly what he was doing and why and talked us through everything so I really do feel like I got the most out of my time there. On the days where there was no wildlife stuff to do (these were few and far between!!!) we got to spend time in his small animal practice watching small animal surgery which was also really interesting!
My time there was 100% perfect and I wouldn't change a second of it for the world! It was better than I could have ever imagined and I'm so grateful to ACE for giving me the opportunity to go and for organising it for me! Everyone I spoke to at ACE was lovely and really helpful and answered all my silly panicky questions as my departure date got nearer and nearer, and everyone in Africa was so friendly it was so refreshing to feel like I was accepted into their community, I didn't feel like a foreigner at all! I miss it so much and I still cry looking through all my photos I would give anything to go back an do it all over again!
I cannot recommend ACE enough and I would seriously encourage anyone wanting an amazing gap year or summer project to look into what ACE can offer.
I will definitely be back at some point, There was a point on y trip when I was stood on the back of an open top truck racing round a game reserve trying to find the rhino when I realised that this was what I wanted to spend my life doing, ACE gave me the happiest most amazing month of my life and I'll always be so grateful for that!
Thanks ACE!

What would you improve about this program?
"No program is perfect. If you had to change one thing what would it be?" I beg to differ, this programme was perfect, the only thing I would change would be having to come home, I was so desperate to stay longer! England just isn't the same!
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Kaye
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AMAZING ANIMAL EXPERIENCES

I am an older person, now 57 years, and have been 3 times and will be returning in March and again in January 2015.
I have read the reviews and decided to do mine as well.
At home, in Australia, I am a wildlife carer so go over there with certain standards in mind of how animals in care should be treated and with Petronel as Commander-in-Chief, I absolutely love working with her and for her! The animals are her main concern and she is very generous with her knowledge and the sharing of that knowledge and my sometimes endless questions about animals I am helping care for. It is definitely a learning experience, you must ask the questions and observe the animals and no matter how many times I go, there is always plenty to learn from Petronel and her two co-ordinators, Angelique and Sam.
I am surprised by someone's comments regarding the lack of respect by them to us as I found them both to be very helpful and could ask them anything and an answer would come back to me, not necessarily right there and then, but within a reasonable time frame, as they both always have a lot on their plates with the animals in care, jobs to be done not to mention looking after all those volunteers.
My day's are very busy, which is what I want and the purpose of me going over there. Each team has their animals to care for, which involves cleaning out cages, feeding and monitoring each animal in care. Any problem is reported to the co-ordinators and they will get back to you on those problems. All three, Petronel, Angelique and Sam, are extremely approachable with any issue I have ever brought up and listen to what is said before answering my concerns or questions.
My spare time is usually spent redoing cages for animals in care or preparing newly built cages for animals to go into, which is hard work but extremely rewarding to know you have made a better home for an animal that deserves it!
Another thing that surprised me was comments about animals coming in and not being released, white lions was one that was mentioned. When animals come into care, Petronel does not choose which ones she wants, they are coming to her because they are orphaned, injured or needing a better place to be. The animals need to be in top condition and a certain age to be released and they cannot be released without certain protocol. There are a number of regulations and redtape that must be done in order to release an animal back to the wild and not all animals are that easy to release back to the wild. White lions would be one of those as they only come from certain small populations, so you cannot be releasing them in parks where they don't exist to begin with and you also have to be extremely knowledgeable about what populations do exist otherwise new animals coming in will be killed by territorial animals already in place. A lot must be considered to release an animal into the wild and it is not a decision to rush into as Petronel has brought an animal back to good condition, with our help, and wishes that animal to have a long-term future! Always ask anything you wish to know regarding animals, and please do not make assumptions about what is being done. Animals I have cared for in the past, have certainly been released back into Game Reserves.
If you have a love of wildlife, then this is one place I highly recommend as each time I return, I have so many amazing experiences and to know that I have helped animals get into a better place is a very rewarding experience. I learn a lot, as I ask a lot and with the small staff that Petronel has, they have never shown me anything other than friendliness and a great attitude for a busy working day and lending a hand wherever and whenever it is required! We have regular lectures on given subjects or I have requested a subject that interests me as well. You can learn so much by sitting and observing an animal and you will never get to see their different behaviours in the wild like you do watching them at Khulula Wild Care.
I am also going to mention the ACE representative for Khulula as Martin has been specifically mentioned in previous reviews. I have had some communications with him over transfers and minor matters and he was always polite and punctual with his responses. On this last visit, I saw for myself how exceptional he was when a young 18 year old volunteer had serious medical problems and Martin came from Johannesburg and helped this young female through hospital trauma and surgery in what was I would have thought, well above his job description! He made what was a very difficult time for her, as easy as possible as he handled all those details that her family would have had they been here and she was visited very regularly by Khulula staff to ensure her time in hospital prior to surgery and post surgery went as well as it could. At no time did I ever hear staff complain of this extra burden, they seemed to think it was part of their daily programme and the volunteer even came back to rest before flying home and backed up what I was seeing from all involved, Petronel and staff and of course, Martin!
I was not really involved with the social/fun side and that was my choice. Certainly my other 3 team members on my last visit, were a fantastic group of young women, and they were hard workers and they had a lot of fun working and playing, and that was something I enjoyed as I like being able to love my work, and listening to them talk, dance and sing away the working day, made me love my time at Khulula even more than usual - so thanks to Kerry, Alex and Lauren!

What would you improve about this program?
This is correct and if I could change one thing, it would be that volunteers that came here had a good attitude, came to work and have fun, do what needs to be done, help each other - on your own team or whoever needs help and show respect to all the staff and other volunteers!
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Kristen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An African Dream

I had always wanted to travel abroad while I was in college but it wasn't until I had graduated that I made this dream a reality. I spent two weeks at Khulula Care for Wild and it was fantastic, I wish I could have stayed a lot longer. It was definitely not all fun and games, there was a fair amount of work, but it was a very informative and rewarding experience. Between cleaning rhino pens, to bottle feeding a variety of youngsters, playing with the resident animals, and a variety of other activities there was never a dull moment.

There was also an educational part of the trip. Other than just learning information about the various species as you cared for them, there were lectures by the staff and field trips onto the reservation to learn about the local ecosystem. You also get chances to go into town and see attractions in the local area. Most volunteers get the opportunity to go on a safari in near-by Kruger National Park, which was a big highlight.

The staff are all friendly and always willing to help. Even the staff "behind the scenes" that helped me book the program and such were great. You are met at the airport and taken care of every step of the way, I was never worried about getting lost or feeling alone. The food is also great, you are responsible for your own snacks and drinks, but the staff provide 3 meals a day and they were always delicious. The sleeping quarters are great as well.

What would you improve about this program?
I would stay longer. I was there for 2 weeks and I had a blast, but I feel like a longer stay would have allowed me to do more.
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Amanda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Khulula (Care For Wild) is life changing

Care for Wild will always have a special place in my heart. The people and the animals and the place were so wonderful. Angelique (animal coordinator) and Petronel (owner) were incredible and so inspirational. Myself, the staff and the other volunteers became like a family together and if I had the money, I would go back. All the time. I had never experienced more fun and hard work in all my life. I fell in love with rhinos of all creatures (they're the best!!) and learned so much about animal rehabilitation.
It is a smaller and more intimate setting which I enjoyed, and it is a TRUE rehab center as they release animals as often as they can. While I was there they did a few soft releases on some bush babies and owls. The following weeks after I left they released Didi, a beautiful rhino, and a handful of lion cubs.
Care For Wild is such a beautiful place that will strengthen your passion for wildlife and give you one of the best experiences of your life. I am so blessed to have been, and still am a part of the CFW family and I would recommend it to anyone to volunteer here!

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Hannah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable, but not perfect!

Care for Wild is doing much needed conservation work when it comes to Rhinos. Rhino calves that have been orphaned by poachers killing their mothers need a place to take care of them and this is definitely it. Care for Wild has mastered rhino rehab, and this is very important and rewarding work that will change your life! They is so much that Petronel can teach you about saving wildlife. She is amazing at her job.

However I do have issues with other rehabilitation done on site. They are not very upfront with volunteers about the reality of predator rehab. Those lovely white lion cubs you cuddle and go on walks with will never be release back into the wild. Simply because there is no wild to release them in. The only option for lions are private reserves and game farms. It was never made clear, or I could never be sure where the lions would be released to. Game farms of course use lions for canned hunting. Perhaps this has changed with the new facility, maybe they hope to keep the lions on site. I hope so. Either way, Care for Wild should educate their volunteers about predator rehab.

I also didn't like the serval/caracal breeding done. It's one thing to take in orphans, but another to breed kittens and then interfere and make them unreleasable.

I know they are in an relocation/expansion process right now and I have seen photos of much larger rhino bomas which makes me very happy!
I hope they are also providing larger flight cages for the birds of prey. The cages at the old castle didn't allow for much active flight that birds need to maintain flight muscles.

The volunteer co-ordinators could use some training in how to be professional with their volunteers. The volunteers are only there to help. They've travelled to South Africa to donate their time and money to help rehabilitate. I don't believe the co-ordinator always appreciated that fact.

If you choose to this program, go there knowing what it is and that you won't get to release any animals. But you can still help provide a necessary service to wildlife. Especially saving a species like the white rhino.

One P.S. really more of a question. I see they have a hippo babe at the centre now. I have concerns with this. Hippos are dangerous creatures. Most hand raised hippos end up killing their handlers. I know with out a doubt that they will limit the volunteers interactions with eMMa when she becomes a dangerous size(like they do with rhinos). However I know it will be difficult for the co-ordinators to start staying out of her boma once such a strong bond is formed. Please be safe everyone!

What would you improve about this program?
More upfront education for volunteers.

More respect for volunteers from co-ordinators.
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Ali
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cant wait to go back

I went in 2010 for a month on my own straight out of school. It was one of the most amazing experiences in my life! I loved every part of it! Everyone there was amazing and I made life long friends.
I have plans to return and to stay for as long as I can as soon as I get the money and my act together!
If you are considering volunteering....volunteer here you wont regret it!

Words cannot describe how much the place means to me and the life long memories I have and I cannot wait to come back!

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Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Experience

I went to Care For Wild this summer not knowing what to expect but from the moment I arrived I knew that 2 weeks would never be enough! The staff are enthusiastic, well organised, fun and knowledgeable and it is clear that the animals are the most important things.

The site has everything you need for an amazing experience, the setting is stunning, the animal enclosures are specially built and the accommodation is comfortable and cosy.

There is a daily routine and the tasks are well structured and organised to make sure that all of the animals receive the specialist that they require. However, you never know what new animals could arrive while you're there.

Overall I felt extremely well looked after, Care For Wild was like one great big family and I can't wait to go back and as soon as possible. There is no other place where you can get so close to these amazing animals and make a real difference to their care as part of a close and friendly team. you will never regret this amazing experience.

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EllenB
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best thing that ever happened to me

I have been to Khulula three times and am currently in the process of booking my fourth. For someone who necessitates a lot to even consider returning, that is saying something. If I did not have to gain experience for my chosen field and need a lot of money, I would be there every year.

I am not somebody who is trying to work in the field of animal sciences and veterinary. I am actually working towards an academic life in classical studies. I stumbled across Khulula through a talk in school now almost six years ago and frankly it was the best decision I ever made to go.

The people were lovely, sweet and friendly every single trip. I never had any problems with anybody. You were made to feel like you were part of something bigger, almost a family and for somebody who has suffered from shyness and being inverted, Khulula was the first place that I ever felt good about myself. That is in main due to the ethos that Petronel the owner and her staff have continuously spread throughout the stay. No matter how much experience you have already, as long you as try, as long as you work heard, there is always a place for you in Care for Wild/ Khulula.

Sure the hours are long and the work is hard but the reward is so worth it. Being able to see the animals you care for thrive and grow made me feel warm and fuzzy inside whilst also instilling a fire that I never knew I could feel before. It thought me focus, teamwork, social studies and general life lessons.

It was hard, the hours long, and the work exhausting but it was worth every second it to be able to learn and grow from my times there. I came back three years in a row, booking the next trip shortly after returning because I would miss it so much. You work in close proximity to these animals, you get bitten, scratched etc. but you also create this unique, memorable moments and bonds that defy expectation. You make friends around the work and you learn about yourself, what you thought your limitations are and how far you can actually push beyond those to see what they actually are.

Khulula changes you for the better as long as you are willing to work hard and work with people. Sometimes that means staying up most of the night or losing an animal that is very dear to you. Frankly, I left a huge portion of me in South Africa and am counting down the weeks until 2015 when I return. I would heartily recommend this to anyone. Although not a holiday, it is a life experience that is both necessary and uplifting.

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Lisa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Khulula is now a part of me

I had the special opportunity to be at Khulula when it first began back in 2010 and i was there for 9 weeks.

Petronel has a vast experience in the field of animals and her nature to help spread that knowledge with volunteers is over flowing and abundant.

i left there in 2010 with a deep hole where animals that i helped raise were and the many friends in terms of staff there to the other volunteers.

2013 came round and i was fortunate to go back to the place i love, and saw the challenges through moving into a new location which is bigger, and allowing us more opportunities to care for the more animals and different species.

people who go there should realise it is not a holiday it is a hard graft but if animals is your passion and your willing to be there to give feeds to an animal every 3 hours (9pm, midnight, 3am) then this is the place for you.

they try and teach you there with lectures, bush walks, etc.

i personally got to see the animals i cared for as adults with their own families and realise that sadly the amount of hands on we had with them would make it very difficult to release.

It is one thing to study conservation in a classroom but a very different thing to experience it first hand in a different country and i am grateful for that chance and especially to Petronel for allowing us to work with her and the animals and the staff there and will always call it a 2nd home