HELLO AND WELCOME.

I’m so excited to share this South African adventure with you! We’ll have the chance to photograph incredible wildlife and landscapes, but this trip is also about something deeper — going behind the scenes with passionate conservationists, learning about the work being done to protect endangered species, and experiencing parts of South Africa that are not normally open to the public.

This is a very special journey that combines wildlife photography with meaningful conservation experiences. From time in the African bush to visits with nonprofits in private areas, every part of the trip is designed to offer a deeper connection to the wildlife, landscapes, and people working to protect them.

Nina x

IN September 2026 WE WILL EMBARK ON A WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY CONSERVATION WORKSHOP IN SOUTH AFRICA 

On this 10-day trip, we will spend 3 nights at a Rhino Sanctuary supporting the dedicated efforts of a sanctuary that rescues Black and White Rhino’s, whose numbers continue to decline due to poaching. The Rhino Sanctuary is a Non – Profit and is closed to the public.

We will assist in milk preparation for the rhinos, bottle feeding, boma care, clearing stables, participate in behavioural observations and gain insight into the world of rhino care, rehabilitation and conservation.

After learning how to rescue, rehabilitate, rewild and release Rhinos we will venture to Kruger National Park in search of Rhinos in their natural habitat and the look for the iconic Big Five.

The Park covers an area of 2 million hectares of African wilderness and has a greater variety of wildlife than any other African national park, earning it the classification as one of the world’s super-parks.  It will be all about wildlife and outdoor adventure, spending the day in open safari vehicles, where we will get up close and personal with wildlife.

After Kruger we will  travel to Hoedspruit where we will spend our last 3 nights. 

During our time in the Greater Kruger we will meet The Black Mambas, the world’s first all female anti-poaching unit who protect wild rhinos with boots on the ground and a presence on the front line. We will venture on private open safari drives at Pridelands Game reserve, go on a bush walk in a Big 5 reserve and spend a morning with The Timbavati Foundation.

SOUTH AFRICA TRIP HIGHLIGHTS 

• Spend 10 days with Nina in the African Bush on a photography safari.

• Volunteer 3 days at a Rhino Sanctuary that is closed to the public.

• Spend 3 nights in Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest wildlife reserve.

• Photography guidance from Nina throughout the trip, including instruction in the field.

• Spend 3 nights in the Greater Kruger enjoying on off-road safaris, bush walks and visiting The Timbavati Foundation.

• Meet an All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit – The Black Mambas.

Meet Nina  at KMI Airport in Nelspruit/Mbombela.

We aim to depart at 12 PM straight to Care For Wild Sanctuary so if you are unable to arrive before this time we recommend you fly in a day earlier and overnight at an airport hotel in either Johannesburg or Mbombela.  

Transfer time will take roughly just over an hour.

Care for Wild was founded in 2001 in response to the devastating rise of Rhino poaching in South Africa. The sanctuary is now the largest in the world and they continue to receive orphaned White and Black Rhinos mostly due to poaching. The Rhinos receive specialised care and safety with the long term goal of being released back into the wild.

Our time with the rehabilitators and staff will leave us feeling inspired and hopeful. The teams dedication to each Rhino’s recovery is nothing short of extraordinary. The real unsung heroes of conservation.

Our home for the next 3 nights will be shared volunteer cabins, simple but comfy, each equipped with beds , en-suite bathrooms, and electrical outlets.

Dinner included.

Over the next two days, we will join the team on the ground with hands on tasks.

We will assist in milk preparation for the rhinos and assist with bottle feeding. We will help with boma care and clearing of stables, participate in behavioural observations and gain insight into the world of rhino care, rehabilitation and conservation.

We can expect early mornings, hands-on tasks, and hard work. All our efforts will contribute directly to the survival of the rhinos.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

After bidding farewell to the rhinos and team at Care For Wild, we will venture to Kruger National Park, home to Africa’s iconic Big 5; Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Rhino, and Leopard.

The park covers an area of 2 million hectares of African wilderness and has a greater variety of wildlife than any other African national park, earning it the classification as one of the world’s super parks. 

We will travel by shuttle roughly 2 hours to the Kruger National Park and start our photographic safari as soon as we enter the park gates, enjoying a 2-hour game drive in an open game drive vehicle. 

On arrival into camp, we settle in and relax around the campfire under the African night sky. 

The camp is fully fenced and it is safe to walk around and explore the different viewpoints and attractions. We will camp in 2 person canvas safari tents equipped with a comfortable mattress and pillows. There are hot showers and clean toilets, camp chairs, a gazebo kitchen complete with fridge, cooker, and storage boxes, as well as charge points in camp. USB charger in canvas safari tent too.

Tonight we will fall asleep under the African stars.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Lunch on route - own account.

Our mornings will start with tea, coffee, and rusks in camp, before heading out on an early morning photographic safari.

We will experience a guided adventure in open safari vehicles, where we will get up close and personal with the park's residents. 

Our professional and passionate Kruger guides will explain and interpret what is going on in the natural environment around us as we travel along the tracks. Avid bush enthusiasts love the Kruger in Spring  as the animals are searching for water before the first rains start. Animals also tend to spend more time around watering holes giving us the chance for some incredible sightings and photographic opportunities.  

The park has approximately 147 species of mammals, 500 species of birds, and 114 species of reptiles, so there are plenty of opportunities to experience wildlife in their natural habitat. In addition to the Big 5, cheetah, hyena, wild dog, giraffe, large herds of zebra and wildebeest, and an impressive variety of antelope are among our usual sightings.  

Breakfast and lunch will be at remote picnic sites within the park, where animals roam around us. We’ll arrive back at camp in the late afternoon after a golden hour and enjoy the sunset from the camp’s wooden deck overlooking the river, followed by dinner around the campfire.  

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included.

After catching our final sunrise in Kruger National Park we will travel in a private shuttle to Hoedspruit, our new home for the next 3 nights.

During our stay in Hoedspruit we will explore the wilderness on foot, meet an All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit, visit The Timbavati Foundation and enjoy sunset game drives on a private game reserve.

The afternoon is free for you to enjoy, relax, unwind and cool off in the pool at the lodge.

Breakfast & Dinner are included.

Lunch on the road - own account.

Today we will head over to Pridelands, home to the Big 5, cheetah and wild dogs part of the Greater Kruger National Park for a bush walk.

The landscape is made up of tall knobthorn woodlands, bushwillows and open areas punctuated with waterholes where herds of elephant drink and swim.

We will take our body, mind and soul on a sensory adventure into the wild ancient landscape. Revisit our natural companions on natural terms. Our professional trails guides will lead us safely as we track and encounter wild animals, view wonderful birds and immerse ourselves in nature.

While we may encounter big game, safety and enjoyment is always our focus.

PM:

After brunch we will head to Bulule Game Reserve to meet The Black Mambas. 

The Black Mambas are a remarkable group of women who, unarmed, are fighting the evils of poaching and protecting their wildlife heritage.

We will spend time in their Operations Camp learning all about how this unit came to be, what their mission is, the work they do on a daily basis and what their goals are in conservation.

We will discuss the importance of conservation and how The Black

Mambas contribute to this initiative. We will look at their training regime

that enables them to fight poaching as successfully as they do.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

After breakfast we will head over to The Timbavati Foundation whose primary objective is to reach underprivileged communities neighbouring the

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve with quality environmental education, and skills-development opportunities as well as create sustainable & resilient

livelihoods through their programmes.

Since 2010, the Timbavati Foundation has been actively assisting the communities neighbouring communities to the Timbavati where the greatest

needs have been identified.

These projects impact the local communities, schools and vulnerable families and citizens.

Our group will plant trees, assist with period packs and make a beaded bracelet each to take home with the Gogo’s.

Sunset game drive at Pridelands Game Reserve.

Farewell dinner under the African Sky.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

After breakfast, we will start shuttles directly to Hoedspruit International Airport 

Please only book flights from 12h00 onwards.

Breakfast Included.

RHINO SANCTUARY:

Care for Wild offers an experience that few people will ever have; the opportunity to get involved in the fight against rhino poaching and help save this beautiful species from extinction. We will learn the ropes of wildlife rehabilitation by experiencing practical, hands-on work under the supervision of highly trained and knowledgeable Wildlife Professionals. 

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into the world's largest orphaned rhino sanctuary. While their gates are closed to public visits, we will have the unique opportunity to better understand the effects of the rhino poaching crisis and contribute to the rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding, and release of orphaned and injured rhinos.

As an integral part of their daily sanctuary operations, we will support staff with the care of young rhino orphans. This includes milk preparation, bottle feeding, husbandry, boma care and maintenance, dry feed preparation, behavioural observations, and health checks. Please note that they are a conservation project with a long-term vision of releasing every rhino; contact with the orphans will be limited to essential needs only.

We will have the opportunity to accompany staff on drives to monitor the released rhinos. Assist with feeding, capturing body condition photos, and recording behavioural observations, as well as monitoring the development of calves born in the protected area. We will also have the privilege of working with other African wildlife species under rehabilitation and supporting the ongoing management of the protected area by capturing and recording essential information on game drives.

Our time at the sanctuary will be hard work, with long hours, and requires commitment and dedication but we will leave a piece of our hearts at the sanctuary knowing that we have truly made a difference. 

note that Care for Wild is a rehabilitation centre; it is of utmost importance that visitors understand that the animals’ health and safety come first.

How we will help:

• Preparing milk and bottle feeding young rhino orphans.

• Assisting with husbandry and boma care for young rhino orphans.

• Participating in the rehabilitation process of other African wildlife species.

• Monitoring released rhinos and recording behavioral observations and body condition photos.

• Assisting with monitoring of new rhino calves born in the protected area.

• Supporting ongoing management of the protected area by capturing and recording essential information on EarthRanger and Cybertracker whilst on game drives.

• Attending educational lectures on various topics related to wildlife conservation and management.

• Participating in various activities, such as bush walks, night drives, stargazing, K9 patrol and grooming, horse grooming, river walks, and discussions on botany, geology, and birding.

• Feeding reserve wildlife in winter months and monitoring sables.

• Gaining a deeper understanding of the effects of the rhino poaching crisis and the importance of wildlife conservation.

Morning activities include: 

• Preparing food for animals 

• Feeding animals 

• Cleaning bomas 

Afternoon activities include: 

• Farm maintenance 

• Rhino feeds 

• Game drives/bush walks 

• Swimming 

• K9 walks 

• And many more 

TERMS & CONDITIONS: 

In consideration of being permitted to participate in voluntary service at Care for Wild there may be activities that involve risks and therefore on arrival, an indemnity will be required to be signed by the volunteer. Please keep in mind that by signing this form you give up important legal rights, including the right to litigate. Rules and regulations will be discussed with the party on day.

Volunteer Village (Stonehouse)

• There are a communal mess hall and entertainment area 

• Sharing accommodation 

• On-Suite Bathrooms 

LOCATION OF THE GAME FARM:

The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains contain the best-preserved, oldest and most diverse sequence of known volcanic and sedimentary rocks on Earth. These well-researched outcrops provide a globally unique source of information about the earliest measurable conditions of the Earth’s gradually solidifying oceanic crust from 3.5 billion years ago. From these rocks, more has been learned than from anywhere else about the surface processes at work as the Earth cooled from a molten body, to the creation of the primitive biosphere. The reserve, together with surrounding areas, are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This validates the area as having outstanding universal value for all humanity. Care for Wild is also home to many different animal and plant species. Volunteers will be learning about wildlife care from leading conservationist

We will be staying at a small camp exclusive to our group with in Lower Sabie Camp.

The camp is fully fenced and it is safe to walk around and explore the different viewpoints and attractions.

We will camp in 2 person canvas safari tents equipped with a comfortable mattress and pillows.

There are hot showers and clean toilets, camp chairs, a gazebo kitchen complete with fridge, cooker, and storage boxes, as well as charge points in camp. USB charger in canvas safari tents too.

Leopard's Lair Bush Lodge is the perfect destination in Hoedspruit for us to unwind and relax in the tranquillity of nature.

This hidden gem is ideally situated along the Mohlabetsi River in the exclusive area of the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate.

We will have exclusive use of this lodge.