Inside Our South Africa Wildlife and Conservation Expedition

A safari can bring you face-to-face with some of Africa’s most incredible wildlife. But this expedition goes deeper. Along with exploring Kruger National Park, participants will learn from the people working in conservation and volunteer alongside the team at Care for Wild. We spoke with our expedition leader about what makes this experience so meaningful, the moments that stay with participants and what she hopes everyone carries home with them.

What do you think makes this South Africa expedition different from a typical safari?

For me, the biggest difference is that this isn't just about seeing wildlife - it's about understanding it, connecting with it and actually playing a small part in protecting it.

I've been incredibly blessed to have travelled to the African bush since I was a little girl, and I've been on many different safaris over the years. There's nothing quite like going out on a game drive, seeing a lion or watching a herd of elephants in the wild, but I think this expedition takes that experience one step further. You don't just observe conservation from the outside. You get your hands dirty, you ask questions, you learn from the people doing the work every single day and, most importantly, you get the opportunity to give your own time back. It's a really beautiful combination of adventure, wildlife, education and meaningful conservation. You leave with a much deeper understanding of what it actually takes to protect these incredible animals and wild spaces.

What's your favourite part of the itinerary, and why?

Without a doubt, visiting my dear friends at Care for Wild. It is such a special place to me personally, and I've been lucky enough to return multiple times. Every time I go, I leave feeling completely changed by the experience. What makes it even more special on this expedition is getting to share that experience with other people. I know how life-changing it can be for me, so being able to introduce friends, guests and fellow wildlife lovers to the incredible work happening there is something I never take for granted. It's not something you can really explain until you've experienced it. You arrive expecting to see rhinos and learn about conservation, but you leave having formed an emotional connection to the animals and the people working tirelessly to protect them.

What moment do you think participants talk about the most after the trip?

Without question, the time we spend volunteering. People talk about the game drives and the incredible wildlife sightings, but the volunteering is what really seems to stay with people. There's something about taking off your nice safari clothes, putting on boots and actually getting involved that makes the experience feel so much more real. You're not just a visitor anymore - you're contributing, even if it's in a small way. I think those are the moments people carry home with them. The conversations, the animals you've met, the people you've learnt from and the feeling of knowing that your time has actually contributed to something bigger than yourself.

If someone could only take away one experience from this expedition, what would you want it to be?

I would want them to leave with a completely different understanding of what conservation actually means. I think we often see beautiful wildlife photographs and incredible safari moments and forget how much work happens behind the scenes to ensure that these animals and ecosystems are still here for generations to come. If someone leaves this trip feeling more connected to Africa, more educated about the challenges facing wildlife and inspired to play a role in protecting it — whether that's through how they travel, what organisations they support or simply how they share what they've learnt, then I think the expedition has done exactly what it was meant to do.

What are some of the wildlife sightings people might see?

That's the magic of being in the bush - you never really know what you're going to see. Depending on where we are and what the animals decide to do, guests could encounter elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, wild dogs and an incredible variety of antelope and birdlife.

But I always tell people not to arrive with a checklist. Some of my favourite safari moments have been the completely unexpected ones - watching a tiny interaction between animals, sitting quietly with a herd of elephants, finding a predator completely camouflaged in the grass or simply watching the bush wake up around you. It's not just about how many animals you see. It's about the moments you get to witness.

Is there anything unique about Kruger National Park that people may not realise?

I think people sometimes underestimate just how vast and wild Kruger is. It's not a traditional 'zoo-like' safari experience where you're guaranteed to see animals. It is a huge, living ecosystem where wildlife is moving freely and you are entering their world. What makes Kruger so special is the diversity of habitats and species, and the fact that you can experience so many different types of wildlife within one incredible landscape.

There's also so much more happening than what you see from a game vehicle. Once you start learning about animal behaviour, tracking, ecology and the relationships between species, you realise that every single drive is an opportunity to learn something new.

Are there any seasonal behaviours or wildlife events that make this time of year especially exciting?

One of my favourite things about being in the bush is how dramatically the landscape and animal behaviour can change with the seasons. This time of year can bring some really exciting wildlife encounters, particularly as animals respond to changing temperatures, water availability and the shifting landscape. Early mornings and late afternoons can be incredible for photography and wildlife viewing, and there is always the possibility of seeing predators becoming active, elephants moving between water sources or large herds moving through the landscape.

But honestly, that's part of what makes safari so addictive - nature doesn't follow a script. You can go out with an idea of what you might see and come back having witnessed something completely unexpected.

Why was it important to include the conservation experiences?

Because conservation is the reason we get to have these experiences in the first place. I've grown up with such a deep love for the African bush, and over the years I've realised that simply loving wildlife isn't enough. We also have to understand the challenges facing it and support the people doing the difficult work to protect it.

I wanted this expedition to give people the opportunity to experience Africa beyond the beautiful landscapes and incredible wildlife sightings. At Care for Wild, you get to see the reality of conservation. You learn about the animals, the threats they face, the rehabilitation process and the enormous amount of work that goes into giving these animals a second chance.

And you get to contribute your own time. For me, that's incredibly powerful. I don't think you can truly understand conservation until you've seen it up close, spoken to the people doing the work and experienced what it feels like to play even a tiny role.

Is there anything else you'd want people to know about the expedition?

Come with an open mind and don't expect a typical safari. Yes, there will hopefully be incredible wildlife sightings, beautiful sunsets and those classic African moments that you dream about. But there will also be early mornings, dusty roads, muddy boots, conservation conversations, getting your hands dirty and learning things you probably didn't expect to learn.

And I think that's what makes it so special. This expedition is about creating memories, but it's also about creating a deeper connection to Africa. I want people to leave feeling like they haven't just visited the bush - they've experienced it, learnt from it and hopefully feel a little more responsible for protecting it.

That, to me, is what makes this trip so meaningful.

This expedition is an opportunity to experience South Africa beyond the wildlife sightings. It’s a chance to learn, contribute and better understand the work happening every day to protect these animals and the places they call home. You may arrive dreaming of lions, elephants and rhinos, but you’ll leave with a much deeper connection to the African bush and your own role in helping protect it.

Interested in joining us in South Africa? Take a look at our 2027 expedition date.