28 Day Conservation Experience - South Africa

Product Details

The programme - our shortest programme but one packed with activities both on and off the reserve. This condensed itinerary gives you a snapshot of life on a private game reserve whilst learning and contributing towards African wildlife conservation. This shorter programme makes it highly cost effective and allows one to combine with onward travel.

Some of the Highlights – 2 day carnivore programme, Sabie extreme adventure course, camping in Kruger Park and Mozambique, birds of prey programme, elephant back safari and rhino / buffalo breeding project.

Location - the reserve is just south of Kruger National park. Nearest entry gate is at Malelane, 20 minutes drive away. The Swazi and Mozambique border are 30-40 minutes away.

Accommodation - Gazebo Lodge is your home in the heart of the reserve. Shared single sex bedrooms with en-suite bathroom. On site dining lapa, swimming pool, games room, small bar and boma all facing a lake.

Health & Safety - is of paramount importance both on and off the reserve. Our dedicated team of gap year Ranger and Coordinator are on hand 24/7. We only use highly reputable and fully licensed thirty parties for off property activities. We are registered with the Red Cross emergency helicopter service for emergencies.

Week One
Day 1 – Introduction to Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve, including property orientation and a game drive.
Day 2-3 – Carnivore Programme and Photography Expert visit, including big cat tracking, night game drives and slide shows.
Day 4-6 – Excursion to the stunning Sabi area for Extreme Adventure Course, including kloofing, bridge-swinging (like bungee jumping) and river tubing. Activities are optional and you can choose whichever activities take your fancy!
Day 7 – Early morning elephant back safari at Kwa Madwala, followed by a day visit to Nelspruit Reptile Park and Botanical Gardens.

Week Two
Day 8 – Morning bush walk and game drive on the reserve, followed by a visit to a neighbouring game farm, with its buffalo and rhino breeding projects.
Day 9-11 – Kwa Madwala Conservation activities, including camping out under the stars on Wilson’s Koppie, and game tracking with bird, tree and spoor identification.
Day 12-16 – five day camping trip to a beautiful Mozambique beach. Experience a different African country with its different customs and language.
Week Three
Day 17 – Kwa Madwala Conservation activities, including a sleep-out on reserve, in search of nocturnal activity by porcupines and genets.
Day 18-19 – Bird of Prey Expert programme with our visiting expert, including capturing, tagging and release of birds. This is held partly off property in the Olderburg area which is renowned for its raptors.
Day 20 – Kwa Madwala Conservation activities, including 4x4 driving and a sleep-out under the stars, observing the star studded African night sky.
Day 21 - Day off to relax day and sit around the pool. Or join one of our guest excursions to Maputo or Swaziland day trips.

Week Four
Day 22-25 - 3-night camping safari to Kruger National Park, including morning and afternoon game drives and optional night game drives. All camping equipment is provided although participants might wish to bring there own sleeping bag.
Day 26 – A treat! Overnight stay at our 4-star Manyatta Rock Camp, located on a large koppie overlooking the surrounding bush.
Day 27- Kwa Madwala Conservation activities, including a short microlight aerial safari flight and game drive.

Kwa Madwala Conservation days consist of a variety of activities such as:

• Game drives & bush walks, covering a variety of subjects such as tracking, bird identification, tree identification
• Sleep outs on the reserve
• Lectures and practical experience on various aspects of life on a game reserve, including management, ecolodges, maintenance, anti-poaching, hunting, agricultural farming, astrology, birding
• Interaction and assistance with the Elephant Back Safari programme
• 4x4 driving skills / shooting and gun safety, bush survival skills
• House chores around the lodge – cleaning, painting, maintenance, cooking, firewood collection, marketing, telephone reception. Visit to nearby Malelane for personal shopping and internet/telephone access.

Please note: the order of events as listed above may change, for a variety of reasons but that the contents will remain the same.

Please note: There is a special offer price of £1395 for gappers able to leave on 12th May 2007. The usual price for this project is £1495.