84 day conservation experience - South Africa

Product Details

The Programme - is possibly the ultimate bush and wildlife experience! Huge variety and fun whilst learning about wildlife conservation and ecotourism both on and off the reserve. Numerous off site visits are made and we also bring birding and carnivore experts into the reserve for these specialist areas. A conservation project is also undertaken by each group which has practical benefits to the reserve. We also assist a local AIDS orphanage / school and visit local townships.

Some of the Highlights — camping in Kruger Park, aerial safari flights, elephant back safari & interaction, conservation project, carnivore & birds of prey programme, Sabie activities and community project work.

Location - the reserve is just south of Kruger National Park and 5 hours drive east of Johannesburg. The Swazi and Mozambique borders are 30-40 minutes away. Nearest town is Malelane approximately 20 minutes.

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, boma all facing a small lake.

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

Day 1 – 4 Arrival and introduction to Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve, including game drives, bush walks, orientation, introduction to the big 5 and microlight aerial safari flight.
Day 5 Trip to Matsamo Swazi Cultural Village located at the Jeppes Reef border with Swaziland.
Day 6 Kwa Madwala Conservation day on the reserve.
Day 7 Day off - chill out by the pool or head off into town.
Day 8 Conservation day on the reserve.
Day 9-10 Visit Maholoholo Animal Rehabilitation centre, followed by short a tour of the stunning Panoramic route on the way back to Kwa Madwala.
Day 11-13 Kwa Madwala Conservation days on the reserve.
Day 14 Day off - take an organised excursion, relax by the pool or take the lodge transport into town.
Day 15-19 Day visits and work at a nearby children’s orphanage and community project (Thembalethu), assisting with a variety of tasks such as painting, carpentry, teaching.
Day 20 Kwa Madwala Conservation day on the reserve
Day 21 Day off - chill out or take an organised excursion.
Day 22-25 Project work on the reserve (part 1) – usually conservation, construction or reserve maintenance nature.
Day 26 Visit to a nearby Township - meet a Sangoma and local elders.
Day 27 Kwa Madwala Conservation day on the reserve.
Day 28 Day off - chill out by the pool or head off into town.
Day 29 Kwa Madwala Conservation day on the reserve.
Day 30-31 Carnivore Expert and Photography Expert visit—bush walks, night game drives and possible “calling in”.
Day 32-34 Excursion to Sabi for Extreme Adventure Course, including potholing, bridge-swinging and river tubing.
Day 35 Day visit to Nelspruit Reptile Park and Botanical Gardens.
Day 36 Visit a neighbouring game farm to see its buffalo and rhino breeding projects.
Day 37-39 Kwa Madwala Conservation days, including camping out under the stars.
Day 40-44 Five day trip to Mozambique camping on a beach facing the Indian Ocean (Visa available at border).
Day 45 Kwa Madwala Conservation day on the reserve.
Day 46-47 Birds of Prey Expert visit including capture, tagging and release of birds, especially local raptors.
Day 48 Kwa Madwala Conservation day on the reserve.
Day 49 Day off - chill out in camp or take the lodge transport to Malelane.
Day 50-53 3-night camping safari to Kruger National Park, including morning and afternoon game drives.
Day 54 Overnight stay at our 4-star Manyatta Rock Camp for a bit of luxury.
Day 55-59 Kwa Madwala Conservation days on the reserve, including microlight aerial safari flight.
Day 60-62 Head off on a 2- or 3-day hiking trail.
Day 63 Day off - chill out in camp or take the lodge transport to Malelane.
Day 64 Kwa Madwala Conservation day on the reserve.
Day 65-66 Tiger fishing on Crocodile River (seasonal).
Day 67-69 Kwa Madwala Reserve days, including a shooting and weapon handling course with rifles and handgun.
Day 70 Day off - chill out in camp or take the lodge transport to Malelane.
Day 71-74 4-day excursion to Vygeboom Dam, with camping at Badplaas Resort for waterskiing, mini-golf, gokarts and waterslides – some welcome R&R!
Day 75-76 Kwa Madwala Conservation day on the reserve.
Day 77 Day off - chill out in camp or take the lodge transport to Malelane.
Day 78-82 Project work on the reserve (part 2) – usually of a conservation, construction or maintenance nature.
Day 83 Kwa Madwala Conservation day on the reserve.
Day 84 Departure from Kwa Madwala – transfer to Johannesburg Airport for your homeward / onward flight.

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

• Game drives & bush walks, covering a variety of subjects such as tracking, bird identification, tree identification.
• Lectures and practical experience on various aspects of life on a game reserve, including management, eco-lodges, 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. Sleep outs on the reserve under the stars.
• 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 unless there are unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.