Conservation experiences
Enrich your safari with a meaningful experience
Why just go on safari when you can help preserve it for future generations?
We work directly with local veterinarians and conservationists to make conservation experiences more affordable for guests, and help direct much-needed funding into the right hands.
Below is just a sample of the activities we may be able to offer – availability is subject to time of year, location and veterinarians’ schedules for planned activities.
Rhino horn trimming
Premium experience
Witness the darting of 1-2 rhinos from a helicopter or ground vehicle, tracking the animal with the veterinary team and watching as vets trim the rhino’s horns back as an anti-poaching strategy. (This experience is also known as “rhino dehorning”, but don’t worry – their horns remain intact and grow back to full size in a few years.)
You’ll have the opportunity to assist the team by monitoring the rhino’s vital signs or helping to prepare equipment, participate in data collection and recording of important health information, and learn about the positive conservation impact of dehorning.
Wildlife collaring in Africa
Premium experience
Join local veterinarians as they use telemetry equipment to track animals and fit them with satellite/VHF (very high frequency) collars to help track their movements and support conservation management.
You’ll have the opportunity to assist the team by helping to secure the collar, monitor the animal’s vitals or record data about their health and location.
Depending on location and scheduling, collaring may be available for lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, spotted hyena, elephants, rhinos, buffalo or zebra.
Pangolin research experience
Did you know pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world? Learn about this fascinating animal and its need for protection through a unique research experience in South Africa.
Native
tree planting
A great activity for families, this hands-on experience involves learning about the native flora of the region you’re visiting and helping to plant trees to create precious new habitats for birds, insects and animals.
Turtle nesting
Witness leatherback and loggerhead turtles emerge from the ocean to nest. Watch in awe as these gentle giants lay their eggs, leaving behind a deep trail in the sand
Black rhino DNA testing & ear notching
Limited availability
Help identify and track a black rhino for an ear notching, where vets fit a device onto the animal’s ear for GPS tracking. You may have the opportunity to assist the veterinarian team by administering anesthesia or collecting biological samples and aid in the recording of important data for research purposes.
As with all of our safaris, we require guests to adhere to
ethical photography practices during conservation experiences.
Interested in an experience?
Good on you! Get in touch to tell us what activities interest you, and we can help coordinate a safari experience you can truly feel good about.
Just by booking a trip with us, you'll help fund conservation
Whether you book a traditional safari or add on conservation experiences, we donate a portion of funds to wildlife conservation efforts in South Africa, one of our founding headquarters.
Use your holiday to make a positive impact
Interested? Good on you! Tell us what activities interest you, and we can help coordinate a safari experience you can truly feel good about.
For those particularly interested in a conservation-rich travel experience, explore our conservation-focused safaris.
