SOUTH AFRICA
SAFARI & CONSERVATION EXPEDITION
Explore the front lines of wildlife conservation as you learn to track, monitor and protect South Africa’s most majestic animals.
Program Overview
On this program, you’ll experience life in a quintessential South African reserve and learn about conservation on the front lines. You might spot Africa’s “Big Five” in the region: lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffalo and rhino. By night, you’ll live at a rustic home base on the reserve, listening to traditional stories and learning about tribal culture. By day, shadow wildlife conservationists in the South African bush, go on game drives to observe animals and learn about sustainably preserving the region’s endangered species. Your animal conservation efforts will be hands-on and incredibly immersive. You’ll support the reserve with ongoing animal identification and maintenance projects and assist an anti-poaching unit with wildlife predator monitoring.
On GLA’s South Africa: Safari & Conservation™ program you will:
- Assist rangers with ongoing rhino, big cat and African elephant conservation projects
- Track and monitor wildlife movement on a renowned reserve
- Spot Africa’s “Big Five” wild animals
- Enjoy a bonfire under the stars
- Visit the extraordinary Snake Pharm project and see how they’re advancing the field of anti-venom
- Experience tribal culture and traditional storytelling
- Support the reserve’s local community projects
- Zipline through the Karkloof Forest reserve
Program Menu
SOUTH AFRICA
SAFARI & CONSERVATION EXPEDITION
Community Service
Join professional conservationists in the field to assist with habitat restoration and wildlife monitoring. Help the conservation team eradicate invasive plant species, learn about anti-poaching efforts, join a snare patrol to identify leopards and hear from passionate wildlife protectors about their experiences combating poachers. You’ll track wildlife movements by satellite, see how rangers set camera traps and join them in reviewing video footage. Finally, engaging the local community is key to conservation: support programs that involve the community in protecting this region’s wildlife.
Hands-on Learning
Your time in South Africa will be rich with hands-on learning as you collaborate with your peers, conservationists and local leaders to preserve natural habitat and protect native animal populations. Hear from experts in the field about the challenges in preserving species such as elephants, giraffes, rhinos and large predators in the region. Learn to track fresh prints, identify wildlife tracks, discuss endangered species and more. Discover the biodiversity of the bush ecosystem and learn how nature and wildlife reserves play an incomparable role in the conservation of threatened and endangered species.
Adventure
No GLA program is complete without adventure! Finding the animals you’ll be tracking is an adventure every day in itself. However, there is more fun to be had away from Home Base as well! Discover all the wonders of South Africa and life in the bush. Go on a safari to spot the Big Five, hike the lush landscapes of KZN and explore local community life.
Lodging & Meals
Located in a well-known game reserve, students will hear the surrounding nature as they fall asleep. Accommodations are basic but clean and safe. Students sleep in gender-segregated rooms with roommates and have access to shared bathrooms with showers.
Staples of South African food include rice and potatoes, stew with vegetables and chicken or beef served with pap, similar to cornmeal. Braai is a traditional barbecue that is a must-try for every visitor to South Africa. As Game Reserves are remote in nature, special diets need to be arranged well in advance.
SOUTH AFRICA
SAFARI & CONSERVATION EXPEDITION
Dates & Tuition
14-Day Program
2026 Session Dates
July 09 – July 22, 2026
Program Details
21-Day Program
2026 Session Dates
July 09 – July 29, 2026
Program Details
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
Airport pick-up/drop-off
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
An application fee and $600 deposit are required
to hold your spot on-program.
Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
“My experience with GLA was truly unique and changed my worldview. Having traveled internationally before, I did not expect my trip to South Africa to have such an impact on me. There was something different about volunteering in the bush working with conservationists and locals that helped me develop as a young adult. The activities and volunteer work were fun and engaging and I learned a lot. I believe that this trip changed me for the better.”
Ethan M. | Student | 2016
SOUTH AFRICA
SAFARI & CONSERVATION EXPEDITION
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