Experience:
Organisation:
Name: Becky
Hometown: Shrewsbury
Destination: South Africa
Project type: Conservation
Organisation: African Conservation Experience
What were your impressions of your destination?
Incredible - we were in the middle of the Makalali Game reserve near Hoedspruit, South Africa, living in a farm house which was right in the heart of the game reserve and you regularly saw animals outside the house.
Was the work interesting and challenging?
The work involved game counts, game drives everyday, nights sleeping outside in the reserve, water counts and bush clearing. Each day a student had to do research and a mini presentation on an animal or plant in the reserve. The work was incredibly interesting and you got to learn so much about the African bush and animals. Everyday you got to see and learn about the animals, including the big five.
What was your accommodation like? Did you feel comfortable and welcome at all times?
Very good - you were able to experience life in the bush as you saw animals every day from the farm house.Warthogs would always be around the garden. There was a swimming pool and every weekend a bbq/party took place for the students and some of the reserves rangers. The rangers made you feel very welcome - the students have a ranger who takes them out on the game drives etc and who teaches them all about Garonga and its animals.
Were you happy with the organisation and the staff that were responsible for you during your stay?
Very happy - our ranger was so passionate about his job and this carried through into us.
Do you feel that you got value for money on the project?
Definitely as we were able to get closer to all the animals and have a once in a life time experience. If you are interested in conservation and the animals in Africa this is the best experience.
Would you recommend the project to others?
Yes
