CAREER EXPLORATION IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION WITH FOCUS ON VETERINARY SCIENCE & EARTH STUDIES

Touch down in Johannesburg, the heart of South Africa! GLA staff will greet you upon your arrival, and our group will drive together to a local hotel for an overnight stay in Johannesburg. Rest up, because we’ll be heading out early the next morning for a road trip to Home Base in the African bush.

Once the group arrives, we’ll drive to Nambiti Game Reserve (4-5 hours). Use the road trip to get to know fellow travelers. After lunch, we’ll hike to our Home Base, nestled in a peaceful area along a biodiversity corridor, where migratory animals pass through.

At Nambiti, we’ll start with an introduction to the reserve, research efforts, and the use of telemetry to track animals—marking the beginning of our service work to support the reserve. After dinner, we’ll go on a night drive to observe nocturnal wildlife, engaging in monitoring activities to collect data on these lesser-known species. During the day, we’ll learn animal tracking, explore the region’s biology and ecology on bush walks, and enjoy nature. The day will end with a fun open-fire cooking competition under the stars. On Day 4, we’ll assist conservationists with mist netting and bird ringing, helping to record data on bird weight, size, and health.

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

Upon arrival at Bonamanzi, we’ll dive into service work, splitting into 3 groups to rotate through various tasks requested by the reserve:

• Group 1: Rhino Monitoring – tracking black & white rhinos with reserve monitors.
• Group 2: Anti-Poaching – snare removal.
• Group 3: Reserve Management – camera trap monitoring.

Monitoring endangered species, like rhinos, is vital for their safety and well-being. You’ll learn to use telemetry, identify animals by ear notches, and capture data to support reserve managers and the anti-poaching team.

You’ll assist the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) by checking for fence holes (where poachers may enter) and collecting wire snares used for illegal hunting, all alongside armed rangers. These tasks contribute to ongoing projects like road repairs, fence maintenance, alien plant control, and overall reserve management.

This rotation will expose you to the behind-the-scenes work of a wildlife reserve. You’ll help with camera trap monitoring, which captures images of elusive and nocturnal wildlife like leopards and hyenas. These cameras play a crucial role in studying wildlife movements and behavior.

Throughout the service, you’ll learn from biologists and conservationists about the threats facing the Black Rhino, which has seen a 98% population decline over the past 30 years due to land development, poaching, and invasive plant species. While spotting a rhino is rare, you’ll track their movements in real time with the conservation team and encounter numerous other wildlife, such as African wild dogs, impalas, kudus, nyalas, and giraffes.

Over the next few days, we’ll dive into the world of Anti-Venom and the challenges faced by veterinarians in Africa. You’ll learn about the Snake Pharm Project’s groundbreaking use of biomimicry to accelerate anti-venom production. Students will hear directly from experts about the production process and assist in the research lab with general admin tasks. We may also support the facility by digging up plants and decorating enclosures for snakes, water monitors, and crocodiles.

Life on the reserve is far from the tourist path, offering a rich exposure to traditional culture. Today, we’ll spend the day in a local village, supporting ongoing projects with local NGOs, Project Rhino and Move Africa. You’ll hear firsthand stories from local families, enjoy tea with the community Gogo (grandmother), and participate in traditional crafts, shopping for handmade beadwork, basketry, and pottery from artisans.

In the afternoon, we’ll embark on a Big Five Bush Walk, hiking through the animals’ natural habitat with experienced guides. While larger mammals may be spotted, this walk also offers a chance to learn about smaller animals and identify the tracks and signs of the bush.

Rise early for an exciting adventure through the misty game reserve. If we’re lucky (and quiet), we may spot rhinos, elephants, and lions during our snare patrols. We’ll also review the camera trap footage you collected and report our findings. Take a moment to appreciate the majesty of these wild animals and reflect on how we can ensure their protection for generations to come.

Adventure time! We’ll start early and head to St. Lucia Wetlands Park and Cape Vidal Game Reserve for the rest of our program.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring diverse habitats like coral reefs, sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, and wetlands. These areas provide critical habitats for species from Africa’s seas, wetlands, and savannahs. The park’s dynamic environment, shaped by floods and coastal storms, fosters remarkable species diversity. Notable sights include nesting turtles and large flocks of flamingos and other waterfowl.

Over the next few days, we’ll explore one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating animals – the crocodile. St. Lucia is home to South Africa’s largest crocodile breeding population.

We’ll go behind the scenes at the KwaZulu-Natal Crocodile Center, supporting conservation projects and assisting with daily needs for the crocs. In the afternoons, we’ll visit local markets and take a boat ride along the iSimangaliso Wetland Park estuary to spot the area’s famous hippos and crocs!

Today, we’ll explore South Africa’s incredible whale season, from June to November. Experience the awe of humpback whales as they migrate to tropical waters for winter. We’ll take an exhilarating boat ride to see these majestic giants up close, learning from Marine Biologists about the importance of protecting their ocean home.

On our final excursion day, we’ll visit the stunning Cape Vidal Game Reserve, where sand dunes frame the coastline. Don’t miss the observation towers, offering a chance to spot humpback whales on their epic northward journey. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and embrace your role as a champion for conservation!

As the sun sets on our final day, we’ll gather around the campfire to share our experiences. Each intern will present their unique projects and discoveries, highlighting the skills and insights gained throughout the internship. From creative solutions to inspiring teamwork stories, we’ll celebrate our collective achievements and memories. Together, we’ll reflect on our growth and look forward to carrying these experiences into the future!

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