Program Reviews

One in a lifetime experience! Met new people from different parts of the world, seen so much wildlife and learned about how reserves looks after them. So much to learn just amazing would definitely go back again. I have learned about elephant behaviour, they have books that you can borrow to read. Amazing photos taken. Great on CV. 1st time travelled alone and met other volunteers and this was all possible because of Harry, he's very funny and smart to be around with he even picked me up from the airport and drove us to the reserve which is big Pro. They also show you documentaries on rhino poaching and lions and elephants and gives you more insight on what's goes around in Africa and how different reserves approach to protect those animals. Honestly best experience and best choice I ever made. Thank you Hamba Africa!

The experience as a whole was one of the best times I've had in my life. I would recommend this to anyone that has any interest in animals, conservation, or just generally travelling - it is well worth the cost. We did work with rhinos, cheetahs, lions, and most of the other wildlife the reserve had to offer; sometimes we were able to get really close to them, which is just a surreal experience.
The staff that work at the reserve are extremely friendly and you get to know them really well throughout your time there. The Hamba Africa staff are also extremely helpful and very likeable, all around making the travelling, social and cooking aspect of the trip very streamlined and enjoyable.

Africa!
This was my first trip out of the UK alone and I picked the right people to do it with.
Harry is so down to earth and is very passionate about what he does - we were treated to a range of information on wildlife, the geology of the area and a whole lot of humour, and that was just on the drive from the airport! He has a lot of knowledge and experience and puts in a lot of time for volunteers! You can really see how much dedication he has for the projects he hosts.

You can be meters away from iconic African wildlife while carrying out your monitoring tasks and even though you have plans for the day, a call might come through where you’re then needed somewhere else to assist with an intervention. Or maybe the call comes through that there’s a special sighting, and then you’re in for a treat!
We also had some educational talks which were really interesting regarding conservation, management of predators and the issues surrounding wildlife’s decline.

The guides were super friendly and were always happy to answer questions and pause at animals and birds people might want to get a better look at or find more information about.
They taught us a lot while we were out working and you get to see first hand how much data and monitoring is needed to make a game reserve exist in harmony.

Travel with Hamba Africa and you will come home with expanded or completely new knowledge and great memories!
3 months later I still have new stories to tell from my time there and can’t wait to return for a future trip!

I cannot recommend Hamba Africa enough. Harry was incredible and knowledgeable. Our guides were just as amazing and able to answer just about any question anyone had on almost any subject about the reserve, and always got us front row seats to things that ordinarily you cannot come close to; such as lion and rhino interventions, game releases and so much more. I had a tent to myself, and got to meet a dozen other like-minded volunteers from around the world. All in all, a truly incredible month.

A wonderful experience.

I had a great time in South Africa and Harry was a fantastic, and very knowledgeable guide! He is truly passionate about wildlife and much more beside and I can't recommend this highly enough. I learned so much new information and interesting facts, his passion is infectious and really creates a great atmosphere and energy.

South Africa is beautiful country and I can't think of many better places to spend a month. Do yourself a favour and make the journey of a lifetime

Can't fault the project! Very well organised, the whole adventure ran smoothly. Getting to see the natural beauty of the country was my personal highlight, and the wide range of activities kept us busy and always having a good time!

My guide was highly experienced, knowledgable and passionate - the most reliable person to teach you about the wildlife and natural environment out there. Getting involved with ecology and conservation work was a humbling and inspiring experience.

Big thank you to all involved and can't wait to come back again!

The african wilderness is such a wonderful place and how the guide is very welcoming and you can tell is really passioante about nature.

We were able to see loads of animals, birds and other wild life. I enjoyed the information that came with the guides, as I was able understand the balance between nature and humans interactions with them.

Thank you for the experience
I enjoyed ever second and learnt much from the experience. Especially from the lead guide Harry, who has put this thing together quite nicely.

I cannot recommend this highly enough. I had the time of my life, and absolutely want to go back. It was an incredible way to see an amazing country. My guide was so knowledgable, and made it easy to get the most out of my time there. We saw so many animals I've always dreamed of seeing in the wild, and the conservation work was truly inspiring. The passion and dedication of the people I met was so special. If you are looking for a terrific way to learn more about South African wildlife (and yourself) then look no further. I learned so much and had so much fun doing it. Deciding to take this trip was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I went on a 10-week programme in South Africa with a group of 10, and it was honestly the best couple of months of my life. It was an amazing opportunity to see rural SA, and the animals and people who inhabit it. I learnt so much about conservation projects and SA's natural environment, largely due to the knowledge and experience of Harry and the other guides. I became incredibly close with my group, we still keep in touch 5 years later, and we all wish we could go back and experience it all again!

A trip to South Africa was a great way to fill a gap in between school and uni however South Africa will stay with me in my heart forever, the experiences, the people and the sights. It was made even better by our guide Harry, he was very knowledgable, welcoming and talented. He made my experience 10/10 with his on going commentary of wildlife and his wealth of information. I would thoroughly recommend anyone considering this, once in a life time opportunity to have fun and help the local people!