“First I want to thank Kelcey for directing me to Makalali. I wanted to spend time on a reserve, experiencing day to day activities and learning about the animals, and not just going on a photo safari staying at a four or five star resort. But, I also wasn't ready to sleep under the stars and pack in everything I needed to survive in the bush. My goal was to give back, but more important, to try to find a way to better support organizations with boots on the ground in Africa. What are the real needs and issues they face on a daily basis.

Twines is a wonderful base camp. There is a main indoor sitting area, rooms for the volunteers with shared restroom facilities, a large shared kitchen area and laundry facility and outdoor dining. The first week I had my own room. The second week shared with a friend. You really spend very little time in your room - just sleeping. Up early for game drives or work activities. Few hours midday to relax and have lunch. Then back out again for afternoon/evening games drives and work activities. Generally arrive back after dark. Have dinner. Sit by the fire. And go to bed. There was a mother wart hog who I had to negotiate with each morning to let me pass as I left my room. I can't tell you how adorable it was to watch the five little ones run with their tails straight up in the air. There are no fences. So, one night we came back and there was a bull elephant eating from the marula tree outside my room. So, I just hung out at the kitchen until he was done.

We all took turns making dinner. It is definitely a new experience cooking for 20 people. I wish I had taken some easy recipes with me, and maybe some curry packets. And do yourself a favor when its your turn, have the veggies cut up before you go for the afternoon game drive. On Sunday nights they generally have a braai. Great fun to sit around the fire and enjoy the traditional South African bbq. Everyone just picks up something to bbq in Hoedspruit that day.

Met some great people from UK, Sweden, Australia that were volunteering along with staff from South Africa, Germany and Australia. We all loved our guides - Bethuel, Andrews and Claudia.

I really enjoyed the lectures. One day we had a speaker who was an elephant expert and was responsible for initiating the birth control practices at Makalali that are now required on all private game reserves in South Africa. She was fascinating. We also had a great lecture about hyenas from one of the guides who was conducting a field research project. I came away with a great appreciation for this much maligned species.

Favorite part of the experience hands down were the walks. We tracked rhinos on several occasions, always finding them. I always felt very safe on foot with our guides. Another favorite experience - sundowners overlooking the river listening to the hippos.

We learned to identify tracks, if the tracks were fresh or old, where an animal had laid down. And all sorts of interesting animal factoids - like a herd of giraffes is called a journey and they don't really stay with their family. They just find some buddies in the morning and say "hey, want to hang out today?". How many of your friends know that little tidbit?

There is definitely a business in managing a private game reserve, and some of these animals (like the malaria free cape buffalo, and sable bulls) are worth a great deal. While no one really wants the painted dogs. I found the business side fascinating.

There is some hard work like clearing roads. So take a good pair of work gloves. But, generally only 2-3 hours at a time in the cool of the morning. So, its manageable. We also walked through the bush looking for snares. The main project is tracking animals for the researchers. The information is required to maintain a predator/prey balance and manage the large mammals. Reserves are permitted only so many elephants per x# of square hectares.

Overall, great experience. I highly recommend.” - Tammy Halstead, Redmond

“I was at the Siyafunda Bushcamp for 1 week and 2 weeks at the Makalali Camp in January 2015 and was overwhelmed with all the new experiences I made! Staying at the bushcamp was truly a Dream come true as you stay in tents and without any electricity or any other conveniences. It definitely makes you feel you are in the bush...with all the roaming of the wild animals outside at night.The rangers are wonderful - you feel safe and taken care of all the time. Before my departure I had a great help with the Enkosini staff who with excellent guidance introduced me into what I could expect. I can highly recommend Enkosini for their arrangements as well as Makalali and Siyafunda for their rangers and skills. It was more than I could ever expect! So - GO LIVE YOUR DREAM, I DID IT!!!” - Pernilla Sanstrom, Sweden

“I just wanted to let you know what an absolutely amazing time I had at Siyafunda. The set up there is fantastic and Patson, Andrews, Mike and Hannes are brilliant. They were so welcoming and taught me so much. Thank you for your help in organising my stay and I hope to return next year” - Silvia, Seattle, WA, USA

“I volunteered at Siyafunda back in May-June of 2013. I found this program through Enkosini EcoExperience - they are hand's down the best company to help you find the perfect volunteer abroad program ever! My dad and I went together on this trip, and Enkosini made the arrangements so easily!

When my dad and I arrived to Siyafunda, we were given a tour of everything at the base camp, and then we went off to where we were staying out in bush camp. The living conditions are very different than main camp (they call main camp "Twines") because you are in a tent sleeping in a small bed with sheets (However, I would definitely recommend a sleeping bag and lots of layers because the nights get very cold!!) There is running water, but only cold water. For warm, you need to boil water over the fire or mini stove. There is a toilet and a shower, but the shower is a large bag with a dispenser that you fill up with water then open the nozzle for the shower. There is a kitchen as well, but when it gets dark the only lights you have are the campfire, lanterns and your own flashlights or headlights, so expect to cook dinner in the dark. At research camp, you have a room and a bathroom with a shower that will have warm water, but it's solar powered. If you have a cloudy day (which really doesn't happen too much during their winter) then warm water is scarce. Think of it as camping - your in AFRICA! The fact that you are roughing it makes the experience all that much better! All the food is provided for you, and every night cooking duties switch off amongst volunteers. For those that aren't cooking, they help clean up afterwards. For the actual activities you are doing, you will go on bush walks where you will walk with a ranger, who is always armed with a rifle, and they will teach you tons! Within the first few seconds of the bush walk, your already learning a lot!! You will identify tracks, poop, bird calls, plants, etc. They will go through all the survival and safety procedures first and foremost, so I felt 100% safe the whole time I was there. On game drives you will answer to radio calls and track where the animals are. When you see them you record your coordinates, how many animals there are and their sexes, their behavior, etc. And of course take millions of pictures! There are other things you will do, such as maintenance for camp (we expanded the volleyball court and gathered sand to add to it) and then bush clearing along the roads. After a long day of adventures you typically will end it by the fire hanging with all the volunteers, learning about all the different people and where they are from, then fall asleep to the sounds of the bush. Every night I fell asleep to the sound of hyenas and lions off in the distance. When we were sleeping in the tents at bush camp, we even had hyenas come through camp and rummage through the remnants of our chicken scraps in the fire - VERY COOL EXPERIENCE.

I had always wanted to go to Africa ever since I was a little girl - the fact that I finally took the initiative as an adult to go, and then share the experience with my dad was the best decision I had ever made in my life. Doing a volunteer abroad program while being in Africa allows you to really see Africa for what it truly is - a wild, thriving world! You get the privilege to be just feet away from lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, and so much more. You could wake up one morning, and you will have impala or kudu or even an elephant or leopard literally walking through main camp - because YOU ARE LIVING IN THE BUSH! This is the true was to experience Africa, and I would recommend this company to anyone and everyone. I can't wait to get enough money saved up again and do even more projects in SA!

Don't wait any longer - GO TO AFRICA!” - Kelsie Blysma, Woodinville, WA

“My trip to South Africa was great!  The 2 projects I volunteered for, Siyafunda and ORCA, were full of experiences I will never forget.  It was very interesting and all the people working for the organizations and the other volunteers were friendly, sincere in their efforts and helpful in many ways.  Thank you for all your help and for having a great website that helped inspire me to make it happen. I went over with no expectations other than see and experience some of South Africa's wilderness, its creatures, its conservation programs and its culture.  I did.  Hopefully , I gave something back to the projects and helped further their conservation initiatives.  It was nice hanging out with like minded people who truly care about the animals, mammals, birds, fishes, insects, trees and the general well-being of all life on this planet. Everyone's willingness to share their knowledge and to share in experiences made for a relaxing and educational time.

At Siyafunda, I felt like I was in Africa. Seeing my first lion as we walked along the dry river bed made my senses alive and my heart pound. Seeing so many healthy animals in a reserve of this size showed me the efforts are working.  Marius was awesome. He was extremely knowledgable in all areas of nature and made each day interesting and purposeful. He also had a good sense of group dynamics and kept things flowing. Considering that I was only there for 2 weeks, it was a great way to both understand and help with the efforts at Siyafunda and the overall big picture of South Africa's wildlife.” - Dana Kimball, USA

“I joined Kariega Game Reserve’s volunteer programme for a month during 2007. I left the UK and headed to South Africa not knowing what the road ahead had in store. However, I can honestly say that it was the experience of a lifetime.

My reason for joining Kariega’s volunteer programme was to collect data and information for my third year university project. I was able to prepare prior to my stay due to the excellent response from Enkosini Eco Experience, in finding out what research projects I would be involved in. On my arrival, the Kariega team provided me with a wealth of information, time and support in helping me complete my tasks. The team here is so talented and working in the field with such people was awe inspiring!

I was really shocked at how much I was involved in during my short stay.  I remember thinking back in the UK – “come on, as if I’ll get to do that”. The next thing you know I’m in the back of a truck with a sedated zebra! I was actually involved in all the research and conservation projects the web site advertised – no joke. However, they always made time for my individual needs – sorry for all the questions guys! The team have great personalities too and play just as hard as they work! They allowed me to explore local towns, visit the beach, party (oh!) and skydive from a plane at 10 000 feet. Yes people, I have video evidence – what a day that was!

This has been so much more than a uni trip for me. The memories I brought back to the UK, I will keep with me for the rest of my life.” - Adam Howson, England

"Hello , My name is Dani and I live in Belgium. I want to take a few minutes to share my experience of volunteering in Makalali . I was 52 years old when I went to Makalali and it was my first time to volunteer. I love Africa and wanted to live something different than going on safari," Do "something to help Wildlife and conservancy. Pick-up in Hoedspruit and first the volunteers go to the shopping center to buy some personal items so as soft drinks, candies, chips etc; Arriving in Makalali, welcome by the staff and explaining the organisation in the camp. Accommodation is pretty nice, double shared rooms and bathroom , all located in the middle of nature, no fences.  I did 2 weeks there and it has been a wonderful experience. Go out early morning with the 4X4 for animal observing, data base of the different animals, do Bush walks, bush clearing, surviving experience with a Zulu member ( amazing and lovely man). The work in the camp is shared, some people make the food, other do dishes, etc, following a day plan and menu to prepare the food. You can expect to see the big five . Some days are hard work but it is so rewarding, having the opportunity to be there, have time enough to make pictures during the daily game drives for data base. I would definitely recommend this amazing project, wonderful experience and eye opener to protect and respect wildlife. Thanks to the staff and other volunteers to make this experience unforgettable - Dani, Belgium

“My time at Bambelela was the most fun and awesome experience I've ever had. Getting to work with the monkeys and help out around the farm was interesting. The people there made the experience even better. They are fun to be around and all of them have a deep passion for the animals. I can't wait to return” - Ave_John

“Our time at Bambelela was an amazing experience and I plan on going again. My family and I went for two weeks. Two kids - 12 and 14 years old. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The in-cage monkey interaction is fabulous, but not for everybody. Volunteers only enter the kindergarten cage (with baby monkeys) and the handicap cage. In the kindergarten cage, monkeys jump on you from all directions and for some this may be unsettling. The volunteer's time is definitely utilized and it was very difficult when it was time to leave...” - Travel the World, Beijing, China

“So I've been volunteering at Bambelela for a month now, this place is honestly incredible, the people are so lovely and the animals are unreal Am volunteering for 3 months and I wish it was longer, it's not for the faint-hearted as there is a lot of hard work to do but it's all for the animals The people here put in their life and souls into helping vervet monkeys and its incredible, there life revolves around helping animals and getting them back into the wild. Seeing and looking after the monkeys is awesome, everyone makes you feel so welcome and the memory's I've made here will stay with me forever If anyone is looking to volunteer I'd highly recommend Bambelela” - Ross Graham

“My husband, myself and our two daughters, ages 11 and 10, spent a week volunteering at Bambelela and loved every minute of it! The monkeys were amazing, the people were awesome and the work was rewarding. There were many tears when it was time to leave (I was going to say from my daughters, but who am I kidding?!?!). If you've got a good work ethic, a willingness to get dirty and have a soft spot for animals, this is the place you're looking for.” -JillW - Hong Kong

“My time at Bambelela was the most fun and awesome experience I've ever had. Getting to work with the monkeys and help out around the farm was interesting. The people there made the experience even better. They are fun to be around and all of them have a deep passion for the animals. I can't wait to return” - Ave_John

“Our time at Bambelela was an amazing experience and I plan on going again. My family and I went for two weeks. Two kids - 12 and 14 years old. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The in-cage monkey interaction is fabulous, but not for everybody. Volunteers only enter the kindergarten cage (with baby monkeys) and the handicap cage. In the kindergarten cage, monkeys jump on you from all directions and for some this may be unsettling. The volunteer's time is definitely utilized and it was very difficult when it was time to leave...” - Travel the World, Beijing, China

“So I've been volunteering at Bambelela for a month now, this place is honestly incredible, the people are so lovely and the animals are unreal Am volunteering for 3 months and I wish it was longer, it's not for the faint-hearted as there is a lot of hard work to do but it's all for the animals The people here put in their life and souls into helping vervet monkeys and its incredible, there life revolves around helping animals and getting them back into the wild. Seeing and looking after the monkeys is awesome, everyone makes you feel so welcome and the memory's I've made here will stay with me forever If anyone is looking to volunteer I'd highly recommend Bambelela” - Ross Graham

“Modisa. It has been my home for almost 4 months. I arrived at the end of April and with much tears, left at the end of August 2012.

Modisa has been so much for me. It’s a place where I discovered more of myself. It is a place of lifetime friendships made, a truly leaning experience of nature, whether it be birds, or trees or grasses and a place of never ending enjoyment. It’s about going back to basics in order to fully appreciate and understand the world.

The experiences that I had there will stay in my heart and I will cherish for a lifetime. I’ve slept under the most spectacular light show on earth. I heard the majestic roar of the lions every day as well as in my dreams. I think everyone, at least once in their lifetime needs to experience that. Lions are known to be Kings and each and every day I now understand how they have earned that title and respect.

I’ve been given so many opportunities to try something new (even though at times it was challenging or frightening for me) and I became a stronger person because I was able to conquer and overcome.

The bush food is delectable.  I was able to try so many new things!  I even took home with me a few extra pounds (okay maybe a little more). I was well taken care of, and always felt part of a new family.

I can only highly recommend Modisa to everyone that would like to have a truly unique life experience. If you’re hesitant on coming, just do it. You will never regret your decision. I came to give something to conservation, and what I received in return was tenfold.

It was very sad for me to leave but I will return. I will return to the sounds of the Kalahari, the warm faces and new friendships and to a place I can call my home.

A million thank yous to the Modisa staff and to Valentin and Mikkel for all their continuous hard work and dedication in order to make this project happen. I will never forget the kindness you shown me.” - Tammy Raymond, Canada

 “After two weeks at the project we hadn't just learnt a lot about the African wildlife, we had also experienced it ourselves! Living out in the camp is so much more that I ever expected; the people, the animals, the life.

Even though Sirga, the lion cub, was priority one when we were there, we also had time to do other amazing things! We fed the big lions, went on game drives both day and night and got so close to the wild animals. One morning, on the way back from the showers, a herd of wildebeests just passed by! You are really living in the wild and that makes the whole stay so much better. You never know what you are going to find or see just outside your door! Modisa is really a once in a live time experience!” - Emma Gruden, Sweden

 “Modisa was a life changing experience! From the start until the end, i was completely happy and at peace being around wildlife....everyone there was amazing and friends were made so quickly!Its quite amazing how eveyone connected without trying... It was all made possible through Enkosini and Kelcey with their fantastic site..from picking the project and organizing transfers, everything was a breeze..Highly recommended booking through Enkosini!!” - Wesley, Sidney

 “It is amazing how fast time runs here at the Modisa Wildlife Project. I have now been here for a week and two days, and it feels like I have just arrived! Except of course that I now have come to know the people here a little better. We have so much fun every day. And I have had so many crazy experiences already, that I never thought possible before I left Denmark to come here. Just yesterday we were feeding some of the lions with a wildebeest, and we sat in the open car just about three meters from the eating lions – inside their enclosure! It was SO awesome!

I have walked with the little lioness, Sirga, once, and been feeding her at her lunchtime once too. It is amazing to see her in real life now after I have followed the Modisa Facebook page and seen pictures from when she was 4 times smaller than she is now.

Sunday was our “day off” so we have done some shooting – aiming for empty cans, not animals – for fun, and I of course had to beat the crap out of the guys being the only volunteer girl here right now. And so I did!

Yes, we really do have so much fun here. But at the same time we are learning a lot about nature – both in general and about this nature right here in the Kalahari – and wildlife management. And that is of course the goal of Modisa Wildlife Project – to create awareness of how the nature is affected by us, and how we can and should utilize it in a way, that secures its sustainability. I think that it is so great to have such an amazing experience and at the same time to get a lot of knowledge on this subject for me to take home. I cannot wait for all the awaiting experiences in the following four weeks!” - Sidsel Bouet

 “The past week at Modisa has gone too fast. We have done so much and have had so many amazing experiences. We’ve fed lions and wild dogs, sat with the wild dogs, been on game drives both during the day and night, walked and fed Sirga ( the resident lion cub), had campfires and sleepouts, eaten amazing foods. We’ve learnt heaps about the bush, Botswana and tracking, made walking sticks, been upclose and personal with the lions, learnt how to cook, had amazing photography opportunities, seen the stars like never before, helped the vet out with sick animals and when we havn’t been doing any of those things we’ve been busy working on the side projects around the farm.

This morning Val took me on a walk with Sirga. She's going to be a great hunter some day. She’s been honing her pouncing skills by slinking into the tall grass and then leaping onto Val. This mornings walk quickly turned into a giraffe tracking session when Val spotted tracks and eventually a herd of around 10 giraffes including a baby.

Watching and helping with feeding Sirga is a rewarding experience. Shes still drinking milk and is also starting to eat some meat. She is a fussy eater and most of the time she would rather play than eat.

Game drives are a huge part of being at Modisa. A short drive to the lions or the lodge can quickly turn into a game drive when some kudu or springbok pop up our of nowhere. On the longer game drives we’ve seen amazing things. Yesterday we were following ostridge, wildebeest, zebra and more. It can get really exciting, especially when the herd decides that they want to run across your path right in front of the car. Theres also tones of birds flying around all the time and its pretty common to spot vulchures patrolling the skies. The other night/ very early morning we went on a night game drive looking out especially for predators. We didn’t see any predators but we did see lots of other cool stuff and we finished it off by watching the sun rise over the waterhole.

We went on a sleep out last night and it was lots of fun. We walked out into the bush and chose a good spot to make camp. Then Val left us volunteers for a few hours and we set up camp. Val came back and we cooked steaks, onions and potato over the fire. When it was time for bed we were all assigned an hour or two of lookout duty. The night sky was incredible and before we fell asleep we were looking out for shooting stars.

At Modisa I eat better than I do at home. So far we’ve eaten game meats such as hemsbok, oryks, eland and wilderbeast. When we aren’t eating fresh game meat we’re eating something just as good such as stews, pastas, fresh bread, soups and rice. Everyone helps out with the cooking and cleaning and theres always something we can do to help out.

The wild dogs are very chilled out animals. They are amazing to see in their natural habitat and just sit with. We sat with them for hours the other day just watching the adults and waiting for the puppies to come out of their den. It was awesome to see them up close and a great photography opportunity. Not many people get the chance to see wild dogs anymore. Yesterday Rob the vet came to the campsite with rabies vaccinations for the dogs. We helped out with the process and it was very cool to see how it was done.

We’ve been learning a lot while we’ve been here. Val holds lectures about Botswana, geology and soils, wildlife management, conservation techniques, animals, the bush, fore and water management and ethology. On top of that we’ve been learning heaps about the bush, tracking and animal behaviour. We are all master trackers now!” - Benjamin Lewy

 “People tend to blather on about 'This experience changed my life' when they come back from trips away, and since I'm as cynical as the day is long whenever I hear that God-awful statement I feel like hitting them over the head with my shoe (Actually a steel toecapped boot so, y'know, it'd hurt a bit) but a short stay of a couple of weeks, Modisa managed to change some of my more deeply-held beliefs about nature and conservation, which was no mean feat.

Overall I loved it. The team at Modisa are really trying to achieve something good there and you can tell by them that they're 100% committed to it. The experience is fantastic, and as much you'd sign up to this for the animals & African experience it's the people there who really make Modisa what it is.

While you're there you'll get a 360 degree view of conservation and wildlife in Botswana. Half of your time will be doing volunteer work which I won't deny is hard, especially if you're a pasty white Irish boy who goes from 0 to well-cooked after fifteen seconds of direct sunlight. But as I said above; the people there make these jobs a lot more fun. The other half will be spent on game drives, bush walks etc. which are amazing. Modisa is right beside the CKGR and as far as the eye can see there's just wilderness around you. You'll learn about (and see up close) the big game animals but you'll also learn about the smaller things that people overlook: Plants, insects, birds. After a while you'll gain a knowledge of how these all plug in together and that was why I really loved Modisa: You learn about the entire ecosystem, not just the 'big five'. You'll also learn about the political situation and how it affects conservation which while reading it here sounds pretty dry but in reality is actually fairly interesting.

After all the above Modisa has so much more that makes it stand out in my memory: Having the craic (I'd google that phrase if you're not sure what it means by the way) at the camp after a long day and dinner, having stickbread around a campfire, the sunrises, the sunsets, finding your way to your tent at night and just listening to the noises of the Kalahari as you're going to sleep. It's a fantastic place to volunteer.

Actually as I type this I'm remembering my two weeks there and I want to go back again now!” - Connor, Dublin

 “Val and Mikkel will teach you that approaching wildlife and loving it reminds us our responsibility upon it, our vulnerability facing it, and reveals our humanity as being awesome or dreadful, regarding the side we decide to choose. You arrived at Modisa alone, and you leave it with a big family. Modisa will be your second home, and you will go back there the most as you can. It's a place you never left, you never forget.” - Valentine, Efap

 “I visited Modisa twice and there is no single day without thinking about that unique place in the Kalahari. Miss the thorn bushes, the animals, my little tent, the sunrises and sunsets... But most of all the amazing people who run the project and other volunteers I met. Back to basics, exciting activities - unforgettable memories. I've learned a lot: about the bush and wildlife conservation, about important and unimportant things in life and about myself. Every day I had a deep feeling of freedom and happiness which is hard to explain. Everybody who has been there will understand what I mean. There is only one bad thing about Modisa: The moment when you have to leave.” - Reinecke, Berlin

 “It's a bit over two years ago when I booked my first stay at Modisa.

Three months at a project which I only knew from pictures. "How can you book three months at a place you don't know? What if you don't like it?" That's what everyone said to me. Arriving in Maun I knew it was the right decision to come here. How can it not be right when you meet a girl who already returned twice?

What I didn't know was that this place was about to steal my heart and change my life forever...

Of course I could start telling you about all the things I did, the awesome people I met and the great time I had but I won't. Simply because I can't find the right words to describe it.

Modisa is a place where you discover a new side of yourself you haven't seen before. It gives you so many new experiences you can't even imagine. It's a place you fall in love with.

If you're open minded about everything you will get more than you can ever dream of.

My deepest respect for two friends who had the idea to create a special place. Two friends who are fighting for a better world every day. Two friends who gave so many people a home away from home.

I never felt more at home.

Thanks for having me twice.” - Julia

 “I just "stumbled" upon the Modisa Website and became interested more and more into the project. Also, I wanted to know more about wildlife in Africa.Arriving at the camp was pretty much as I expected. It was even better than I thought. A warm welcome by the staff and the volunteers. Contagious enthusiasm of the people and a huge knowledge. Lions roaring in the evenings and jackals howling at night. And those shining stars at the sky … I definitely will come back to Modisa!” - Tobias, Bern

 “I booked my trip half a year before I went to Modisa, so my expectations grow a lot in that time and I couldn't wait to go there anymore. I went to the Camp for 2 weeks and left with a lot of tears in my eyes.

It all started a little bit bitter when my luggage didn't arrive, but at Modisa it wasn't such a big problem anymore. The people grow like a family to you and everyone is helping you as good as they can. If I could I would have taken them all home with me.

I was a little concerned if there might be just groups coming together and that I'm the only loner. That changed in the second I met the other people. There was not a single person I didn't like.

The two weeks in the Camp where the best of my live! It was 6:00 when the sun rose the first time in the camp and it's just impossible to not look at that beauty. The birds wake you every day, if they are too quiet for you, at least the lion roars might wake you. The days are so exciting, that you just don't want to sleep long. Every day is different to the day before, but I enjoyed every single one of them. At home I'm normally not that much into hard work, to be honest, but collecting stones or firewood, filling the antiseptic-tank with sand, raking the ground became something enjoyable with these people.

My favorite way of traveling became going somewhere with the tractor, having the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. My smile was unable to be whipped off.

I loved the evenings, sitting at the campfire, eating bread on the stick, enjoying a cold cider after a hot day and then sleeping on the container under the stars.

Val and Jack teached us a lot about the animals, the vegetation and how this land used to be. Not only during the two lectures we had, but on every game drive, bush walk, lion and leopard feeding, wild dogs watching, there was something to see and learn all the time. It opened my mind to a lot of thoughts I didn't have before.

Of course one of the best things was, seeing Val and Sirga together, following them with the car and seeing how much love is between them. I could have watched this “little” princess forever.

I hope Val and Mikkel will succeed with all their future ideas for the camp and that a lot of volunteers will have the possibility to see this project and I hope I'll be one of them again in the close future.” - Theresa, MUW

 “It (The Baboon Sanctuary) was a fantastic experience and one that I would hope to do again. As well as the experience with the baboons, I loved the communal aspects of living and working together. Very bonding. Very few experiences are so truly "hands on" with baboons being charming, fascinating, highly intelligent creatures. The description of program and accommodations was pretty accurate so no major surprises or disappointments.” -Ruth Cohen, USA

 “I wanted to thank you so much for getting me involved with the Baboon Sanctuary. I had the most incredible 6 weeks there. What an amazing place and the people there are awesome. It really was a great experience. Having that interaction with the baboons especially the babies (and how many new little babies came when I was there!) I just wish it hadn't been so short as I was never so sad as the day I had to leave. Thank you again so much.” -Bronwyn

 “Thank you so much for letting us come to the Baboon Sanctuary, we had a really once in a lifetime experience and your place is just amazing. You do so much it was a privilege to have met you and been able to see your work. I will always remember my time with the baboons and I really hope to come back one of these summers and spend a longer time there. Thank you so much for your hospitality and I hope to speak to you soon.” - Anne

 “I miss the centre very much, and dream about baboons all the time. I have also decided that I wish to specialise in primates when I finish my education, and I owe this decision to you and the animals for teaching me and showing me the wonderful world of baboons! Thank you.” - Silje

 “I would just like to thank you and everyone at the Baboon Sanctuary for the experience I had, it was fantastic. The baboons have a special place in my heart now and I think my time with the baboons was very special and I will never forget them.” - Stephen

 “The first thing that hit me when I got out of the jeep was the overwhelming baboon scent. By the next morning, it had magically disappeared and all I could smell was the familiar and sweet South African air. My trip to the Baboon Sanctuary was an experience never to be forgotten and one that I take with me wherever my mind and body take me.

The volunteers and staff who run the sanctuary are no less than awesome. The dedication with which they care for these beautiful creatures is inspiring. How they still have patience and compassion for the novice volunteers like me, is beyond me. These are some very special people.

Days were spent tending to the sanctuary duties - it was always a fun moment when the next day's schedule was posted - different and many chores each day so as never to tire of doing the same thing over and over, and to learn about all the facets of maintaining a sanctuary. By far and without question the best part of the day for me was spent with the babies. They are irresistible!

One can look at the world and be overwhelmed by the enormous amount of work there is to be done in order to make it a better place. My time with the Baboon Sanctuary has reminded me that no matter how little difference we think one person can make to the world; we can make a difference - one mitzvah (good deed) at a time.  Thanks to everyone!” - Louise Sherman, Canada

 “The 2 months I spent at the Baboon Sanctuary were the 2 best months of my life.  I just got back to the States in January and my heart aches for Africa and the baboons every day. The staff is amazing, the baboons are amazing and I can't wait to go back...for longer. I feel very lucky that I found the sanctuary.  I wish I could take my trip all over again.” - Tonya Leavitt, USA

 “A Day at the Baboon Sanctuary - A Volunteer’s Story

"I awake with the ‘baboon alarm clock’ as mischievous youngsters from the wild troop play an early morning game on the roof above my head. The troop moves from their sleeping trees at the river's edge to higher ground, seeking the warmth of the early morning rays of sun.  

I head off to check the enclosures in my allocated block. Ensuring that all is well, I stop to tickle tummies and lip smack a greeting to each troop. On to the kitchen to prepare fruit and vegetables and the first of many bottles for the day. The baby baboons form a creche group and as they grow older and more confident spend the day with similar aged youngsters in an outdoor playpen.  

After a quick breakfast with the other volunteers we split into teams to tackle the jobs for the day. Some will travel to local farms and suppliers to secure the animal's food for the day, others will assist with small repairs or maintenance work. Assistance is given to the Centre’s staff to ensure that storage dams are topped up, paddling pools in each enclosure are drained and filled with fresh water, and that waste is cleared and fresh sand added where needed. The food team returns by mid-day with a bakkie (pick-up) load of fresh produce and food preparation begins.  

I spend time inside a cage of young baboons, becoming part of the gym circuit as they dash from roof to floor, dam to sleeping platform, chasing one another around. Bonds between individuals are evident, as is the dominance of some over others. As one little softy sits on my knee, two others vie for my shoulder, a third sits on my head and others are wrapped around my legs. Emerging an hour later I am damp and dirty, and my shoelaces are chewed on the ends. The nuts hidden in my pocket have been found by curious little fingers and sand is deposited down my neck, in my hair and the back of my shorts. Just a regular day at the ‘office.’  

By early evening 250 baboons are fed - not to mention the ever present, opportunistic troop of 60 wild, free roaming baboons.  

We wander to the sandy riverbank to watch the wild baboons settling in for the night. Noisy teenagers are running around with a sack stolen from the feed room, climbing the sprawling fig tree, and claiming the prize from one another. On the opposite bank a shy group of impala nervously drink from the waters edge - ever wary of the presence of crocodiles.  

As the sun sets we settle the orphaned pink-face babies for the night, ensuring they have a warm blanket, soft toy and bottle, giving a last cuddle before they sleep. Dead chickens are fed to the jackals and scattered in the area for the released animals. Genets, jackals, feral cats and the occasional lynx can be spotted if you wait long enough.  

As the animals climb to their sleeping platforms, we climb the hill to our container camp. Dinner will be a casual affair as we sit on the deck overlooking the trees, absorbing the bush sounds and comparing notes and events of the day. The hippos will begin their snorting and the jackals will cry as we settle down for the night - ready to be awoken again by that banging on the roof…"

"I found out about Enkosini Eco Experience when my sister saw a television segment on the orphans at the Baboon Sanctuary in South Africa. With one look at the picture on the website showing a baby baboon in diapers being fed a bottle of milk by a radiant (yet a little tired looking) volunteer, I was hooked.

My first friend was Mr. Stubbs who quickly came over to investigate and invited himself on to my lap. What I soon found, however, is that baboon friendship is fleeting. Yet, there was no reason to worry as there was usually at least one baboon that needed a cuddle or special time from me every day.

Besides the machete lessons for cutting fruit and the 700 milk bottles to be filled and cleaned every day, I still found time for my favorite activity, monkey massage. I became an oasis of calm in the afternoon, especially in the medium pen where I would offer my services. Beau was usually the first to arrive for his daily massage and nap. On his back with his head near my knees and his legs going past my right hip, he would drop his head back and fall asleep. With gentle circular movements, I would go from the tips of his ears, to his fingers and toes and finally down to the end of his tail. At times, he would be so relaxed, he would begin to slide off my lap. If I had not been paying attention and caught him, he would have plunged head first onto the concrete.

At times a baboon would land on us unannounced from above. How Beau could sleep through a 10-pound baboon landing on the middle of his exposed belly, I will never understand.

I miss them all. Constant in my thoughts are Nigel and Valentine in the smalls, Beau, Caley and Violet in the mediums and Button and Elf, the two new babies in the troops that I monitored. Last but never least, Charlie the Samango will always hold a special place in my heart. The thought of his hand reaching out during our last visit can still reduce me to tears.

I will never forget the baboons and the special friendships that developed with the little charmers.” - Jane Stanfield, United States

 “Staying on Kariega Game Reserve was the most amazing and definitely the best thing I’ve ever done. Being part of the whole experience, living on the middle of a game reserve, enables you to learn so much and truly understand what conservation is all about. The work is a mix of physical labour, for example, the removal of old fence lines, which is hard work but very satisfying when finished. Driving around the reserve and being able to see lions, elephants and all the game so close up is unbelievable – definitely an experience to remember! Being able to sit so close to the lions and take photos as they posed for us – stunning! And then there are the beaches, awesome even in winter. The Kariega experience I would recommend to anyone and everyone.”-Rebecca Underdown, England

 “The Kariega experience was one which I will never forget. During the mornings while I was there the group of about 10 of us staying on the game reserve would do work such as fence removal, trail rebuilding, clean up farm sites, game counts, and alien plant removal. This type of work was physical but definitely rewarding because you could see how it was going to directly help the animals on the game farm and conservation of the habitat for the future. In the afternoons we got the opportunity to do some fun activities and see the game reserve a bit more. We went canoeing, on hikes, to the beach, and tracked down the lions or elephants. I'll never forget the feeling of first seeing the group of elephants and just how close we were, especially when they all started to get anxious and we had about 6 of them come at us...inches away from the truck. It was amazing just as it was when we would all of a sudden come upon the gorgeous lions. I loved being able to be a part of the game reserve, both living and working on it. This is definitely a great experience and one which I recommend to anyone.”-Jennifer Benning, USA

 “"It’s definitely true what the Kariega Volunteer Programme slogan says:  'An equal mix of work and play' defines my experience here down to a pinpoint.  If you choose this placement for an easy ride or think that it is solely a better chance to see the Big 5 up close … you’ve come to the wrong place.  That’s not to say you won’t experience things with wildlife that others only dream of.  For example having a bull elephant come up to the fence of your house, patrol around the perimeter and stand majestically, watching a magnificent sunset, allowing for literally perfect photos.  Of course there’s hard work to do as well, such as the removal of invasive plant species or old fences which now act as physical barriers to wildlife, or even expanding the waterhole outside our house with clay and water … BUT you’ll be surprised at the sense of satisfaction and personal gain you will feel.  You will also feel like you are really making a difference when you see the fruits of your work.  My personal favourites were seeing a family of 6 giraffes who have become residents outside the house due to our work on the waterhole, and seeing whole plains of alien plants dying as a result of our spraying chemicals and thus restoring some of the natural balance in the ecosystem.

We also got ample time to explore the surrounding area like the local towns (especially the beautiful Kenton-On-Sea) and had the opportunity to do a number of additional activities, like horse riding on a stunning beach and skydiving over the Eastern Cape bush.  There really is so much to do in the area.  I will love the Sunshine Coast forever!

My personal experience of the programme has been fantastic and even after a 8 week stay, I was still seeing and doing new things every day.  My recommendation to future volunteers … The longer your stay, the better your experience will be as you will get the chance to do so much more – things you may never get the chance to do again!  Definitely make the most of your stay by putting your all into everything and I promise that you will leave Kariega at the end of your visit with awesome memories, new and exciting skills, and some great friends.  I say all this without any doubt whatsoever.  To all future volunteers at Kariega:  Have a fabulous time!”- Adam Tiran, UK

 “Last Saturday we returned from a wonderful vacation and experience at the beautiful Kariega Game Reserve. We enjoyed it very very much and we thank you that you recommended it to us.  Everything was well arranged and prepared. They have a varied volunteer program where you experience a lot! We learned new things about animals and plants and experienced the real life of the Xhosa people who live there. It was great fun!!  We are already saving money for a next year's South African vacation so we will keep in touch because we are very pleased with your organisation.”-Rene Verhaar & Magda Rozenboom, Netherlands

 “As conservationists we live in a world with numerous challenges and daunting odds. However, we all share responsibility for the wise use of our resources and for the conservation of the diversity of ecosystems and species. It is this extraordinary diversity that makes Africa such a vibrant place to live in and to visit. You cannot love what you do not know. Come share our passion for conservation here at Kariega Game Reserve and experience the depth and scope of the challenge facing environmental conservation in Southern Africa.”-Helena Warren, Kariega Volunteer Programme Manager

 “I had the best time at Kariega . The staff, from the beginning of the process was very responsive to all my questions and made sure I felt very comfortable. I learned a great deal about wildlife conservation when I was there. I am very glad I did this project and will forever hold the memories with me. Infact It exceeded my expectations ! absolutely loved it ! I also made some new life long friends ! What great experience and cause !”-Mo Noubani, Orlando, FL

 “Amakala was a very interesting program because it combined animals, conservation and community involvement. A week was too short a time but I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the program even a stay at the fancy lodge!” - Ruth Cohen, United States

 “If you are looking for excitement, adventure and a lot of fun on your trip then read on. I have been a volunteer at Amakhala for four weeks now and it has exceeded my expectations. Being an ecologist, I was looking forward to getting up close and personal with South Africa's wildlife and I have not been disappointed.

The main focus of each day is the family of lions on the reserve so we normally go out and find the male (he has a collar) at the beginning of each day and record the behavior of all five lions before moving on. This is my favorite part of the day. Even if you are not a morning person (I am not) I am eager to get up at whatever time necessary. Wednesdays are the earliest starts before dawn as that is game count day. We are responsible for recording data on the game in two zones on the reserve which can mean counting every animal depending on the type of count. The impala can be very tricky to count. Binoculars are well worth investing in before you come.

Twice a week we spend time at the orphanage in Patterson so come prepared to give the children there plenty of hugs and organise fun activities. Last week we set up an obstacle course for them. Even something as simple as ring a round the roses brings out lots of laughter. One of the best days here so far involved helping the vet, William, dart two eland bulls before they were transported to another area. Things did not go quite according to plan with both animals escaping from the boma once darted and we had to take cover in the vehicle. The eland is the biggest species of antelope and it was a privilege to be so close to these animals. You learn very quickly that a call from William always leads to an exciting day. A lot of other activities also occur during the week such as game drives, maintenance work (alien vegetation removal, road maintenance etc) so bring some sturdy gloves and plenty of energy. You will be shown what to do for the practical work so do not be worried if you have not done this sort of thing before.

A trip here would not be complete without some sort of camping experience. You need to watch out for the local wildlife of course including the off-duty rangers who like to play practical jokes on us gullible volunteers!!! You have been warned.

You have the weekends to yourself but it is easy to hire a car or organise to be picked up and dropped off at places by the local shuttle service. A group of us spent last Saturday in Port Elizabeth which has some fantastic beaches. Addo Elephant National Park is also well worth a visit and you can hire one of the Amakhala Rangers to take you round in one of the safari vehicles. The local pub is just over the road and it stays open until the last person leaves. Food wise everyone helps out and you just need to remember to fill in the food order each week. You will meet a wide range of people during your stay which makes things interesting but do not let that put you off as you often learn a thing or two. I am having a great time and I will definitely be coming back to Africa again and again. If you choose to spend time at Amakhala, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.” - Claire Vetori,

 “We arrived in Amakhala four weeks ago not knowing what to expect. Some of us had traveled alone and were quite nervous about meeting the rest of the group.

After meeting for 5 minutes we set off to track the lions and were all blown away by seeing Mufasa, Scar and the three 5 month old cubs. We noticed our facilitator was using what looked like a television arial to find the lions but we soon learned that this was called telemetry.  Every day we used the telemetry it to track down and monitor the lions. By the end of the four weeks we were experts in using telemetry and compete every day to get the quickest time. The record currently stands at 9 min 30 sec- beat that!  Monitoring the lions was a key activity which we did every day. Doing this is critical for the future success of Amakhala and its sustainability.

Other animal activities which we were involved in included elephant monitoring, jackal count, game counts, crocodile capture and animal relocation. One of the main highlights was coming eye to eye with Norman the 36 year old elephant bull. He was so close that if we reached out of the land rover we could have touched him. It was a breath taking experience!

We were also involved in community based projects which included giving a life science lecture to the children at the local school and undertaking some maintenance on the school building.

Twice a week we visited the local orphanage. This was one of the most rewarding experiences durng our time here as we got the opportunity to bond with the children there. Every time we went we played different games with them and did some arts and crafts which they enjoyed.

Other activities we took part in included camping under the stars in the reserve, a survival challenge where we had to construct our own shelters and had minimal provision, canoeing on the bushman’s river, rifle handling, alien tree removal, and fence and road maintenance. Another opportunity we were lucky to have was behind the scenes tour of the Born Free Foundation.

During our time off we socialized with the locals and the rangers at the nearby pub or at the volunteer house. The house we live in is situated in the small town of Paterson, a short drive from the reserve and has a resident dog called Odie who likes to join in the fun. At the weekend there was lots to do in the surrounding area. From sky diving to horse riding in Addo National Park. We even took on the worlds highest bungee jumping at storms river.

Last but not least we have Ettiene our facilitator, to thank for all the amazing experiences we had and the knowledge he imparted to us. His enthusiasm made our stay interesting, fun and memorable and we all went away with fond and happy memories of our time spent at Amakhala. It has been an experience of a lifetime and we all plan to return in the near future.” - Vicki Holden

 “Noah's Ark was one of the most amazing, life changing experiences I have ever had! I spent a month at Noah's Ark working on rehabilitating and taking care of wild animals. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being able to get so close to these animals. I had daily contact with lions, cheetahs, meerkats, ostriches, baboons, vervet monkeys and so much more.

By the second day we were having hands on experiences feeding, cleaning and grooming the animals. I got to sleep with cheetahs (outside under the stars) and baby baboons (in my bed!). It is an unbelievable experience being able to put a diaper on a baby baboon, feed it a bottle and have it sleep in the bed with you. We experienced everything from hand feeding cheetahs, to taking lions on walks and building a play area for the blind vervet monkey. The daily schedule is pretty much the same but at any moment something could happen - new animals arriving at the farm, an animal needing attention, the bat eared foxes getting out of their enclosure. You have to be on your toes because anything could happen... the main motto is: expect the unexpected... and its true!

This opportunity allowed me the chance to work with wild animals (one of my passions) and also to look within myself.  It was a once in a lifetime experience that was the best choice I could have made!” - Andrea Stein, United States