SAFARI & CONSERVATION EXPEDITION

Touch down in Johannesburg, the heart of South Africa! GLA staff will greet you at the airport, and we’ll head to a local hotel for an overnight stay. Rest up, as we’ll embark on an exciting road trip to our Home Base in the African bush the next morning!

Once everyone arrives, we’ll drive to Nambiti Game Reserve (about 4-5 hours). Use this time to connect with your fellow travelers during the road trip. After lunch, we’ll hike down to our Home Base, set on peaceful grounds along a biodiversity corridor where migratory animals travel. Settle in and enjoy the serene surroundings!

At Nambiti, we’ll learn about reserve life, research projects, and animal tracking using telemetry to support conservation efforts. After dinner, a night drive will reveal nocturnal wildlife, and we’ll assist with monitoring these species.

During the day, we’ll go on bush walks, study the region’s ecology, and enjoy nature. The day ends with an open-fire cooking competition. On Day 4, we’ll help conservationists with mist netting and bird ringing, collecting data on bird size, weight, and health.

Today, we’ll head east to the Karkloof Forest Reserve for an exhilarating zipline adventure! Soar above the stunning landscape, gliding through the treetops while enjoying breathtaking views of ancient rock formations and wildlife. Whether you’re an experienced adventurer or a first-timer, this thrilling experience will leave you wanting more!

At Bonamanzi, we’ll dive straight into service work, rotating through three groups:

• Group 1: Rhino monitoring, tracking black and white rhinos with reserve monitors.
• Group 2: Anti-poaching unit, participating in snare removal.
• Group 3: Reserve management support, including camera trap monitoring.

Monitoring endangered species, like rhinos, is crucial to their protection. You’ll learn how to use telemetry, identify animals by their ear notches, and capture data to support reserve managers and the anti-poaching unit.

You’ll support the Anti-Poaching Unit by checking fences and collecting wire snares with armed rangers. We’ll also assist with reserve management tasks like road repairs and addressing plant invasions. You’ll work with camera traps to monitor elusive animals like leopards and hyenas, helping with wildlife research. Learn about the challenges facing Black Rhinos, including poaching and habitat loss. While spotting rhinos is rare, you’ll see plenty of other wildlife like wild dogs, giraffes, and kudu.

Over the next few days, we’ll explore the world of Anti-Venom and the challenges veterinarians face in Africa. Learn about the Snake Pharm Project’s groundbreaking use of biomimicry to speed up anti-venom production. Students will hear from experts and assist in the research lab with tasks like general admin, digging plants, and maintaining enclosures for snakes, water monitors, and crocodiles.

Today, immerse yourself in local culture by visiting a nearby village. You’ll participate in community projects supported by Project Rhino & Move Africa, NGOs we’ve collaborated with for years. Spend time with local families, enjoy tea with the community Gogo (grandmother), and create traditional crafts like beadwork, basketry, and pottery. In the afternoon, embark on a Big Five Bush Walk, where you’ll hike through the reserve, learning about the wildlife, their tracks, and smaller animals, guided by experienced experts.

Today, we explore Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest game reserve and the birthplace of modern rhino conservation. Once on the brink of extinction, white rhinos were saved through pioneering efforts like Operation Rhino. This visit offers a chance to witness wildlife thriving and see conservation in action firsthand.

For 14-Day students, it’s time to say Hamba Kahle—”goodbye” in Zulu—to South Africa! We’ll depart for the Durban airport together, and GLA staff will make sure that everyone is checked in for their flight and ready to embark on their journey home.

For 21-Day students, it’s adventure time! We’ll head to St. Lucia Wetlands Park and Cape Vidal Game Reserve. iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, features beaches, dunes, wetlands, and coral reefs, providing habitat for diverse wildlife, including nesting turtles, flamingos, and other waterfowl.

Over the next few days, we’ll focus on crocodiles at St. Lucia, home to South Africa’s largest breeding population. At the KwaZulu-Natal Crocodile Centre, we’ll support conservation projects, then visit local markets and take a boat ride along the iSimangaliso Wetlands to spot hippos and crocodiles.

Today we’ll explore South Africa’s east coast during whale season. Enjoy a thrilling boat ride to see migrating humpback whales up close and learn from marine biologists about protecting their ocean habitat.

Our final excursion takes us to Cape Vidal Game Reserve, where sand dunes frame the coastline. Visit observation towers to spot migrating humpback whales and connect with nature while championing conservation!

As the sun sets on our final day, we’ll gather around the campfire to share reflections. From creative solutions to inspiring teamwork stories, we’ll celebrate our memories, growth, and the experiences we’ll carry into the future.

Time to say Hamba Kahle—”goodbye” in Zulu—to South Africa! We’ll depart for the Durban airport together, and GLA staff will make sure that everyone is checked in for their flight and ready to embark on their journey home.