Experience of a Lifetime!

My time with WildLife ACT was incredible, and beyond what I was hoping for. We woke up early every day to head out and track the painted dogs in the back of our open 4x4, and spent the mornings trying to find them to monitor their health and numbers. We discovered quickly how important this was, as our dogs were dening in a highly poached area and could have easily been caught in snares. Two of the dogs had already lost a leg to snares, and it is thanks to the monitors and volunteers vigilant efforts that their lives were saved. In my time in the iMfolozi reserve, the volunteers captured a photo of a snared dog that would have gone unnoticed otherwise, and we were able to make a successful ID. I definitely think that the extra sets of eyes, cameras, and helping hands the volunteers provide is crucial to the conservation efforts at hand.

The experience was also made more incredible by the phenomenal staff at WildLife ACT. I spent my time with 3 different monitors, all of whom were amazing. They all have so much knowledge of the area, the animals, the vegetation, and tracking. I learned so much in my 4 weeks thanks to them. They made sure we were all well versed on bush safety, and while they were able to get us extremely close to the wildlife, there was never a time I felt unsafe or worried. We also had a great time relaxing with the monitors on our breaks or at night, having fires, playing cards, or cooking delicious meals together.

Going to Africa was a dream of mine for many years, and choosing WildLife ACT was a great decision. I had so much fun with both the people and the animals, and I was so happy to be a part of the conservation efforts. Though the mornings were cold, the water sometimes stopped running, and my clothes were never fully clean, I would not change a single thing about my trip. If you enjoy nature, animals, and are looking for a truly unforgettable experience, this is the place to go!