How to protect wild animals?

How to protect wild animals? Francesco’s experience in South Africa: studying & preserving the Big Five!

WHAT THIS EXPERIENCE GAVE ME…

This project allowed me to improve my English while pursuing my passion (which is the protection of wildlife). It’s important both for my studies and for traveling.

Of course, I also made incredible connections with people from all walks of life. I also took part in a 100km walk to help raise funds for the anti-poaching unit and the protection of rhinos. Even though it was optional and I was the only volunteer who did it, it pushed my limits while supporting the animal cause.

An experience full of humanity that I recommend to the most motivated volunteers.

THE MISSIONS ON SITE…

We were given different tasks throughout our stay.

First, there is the data collection. This involves gathering various pieces of information on the animals observed during the day (identifying the species, number of individuals, sex, location, sometimes even the names given to specific individuals, whether they are part of the Big Five, etc.).

This data collection can be done in different ways, such as by 4×4 or even on foot. All of this helps build a database to get a better understanding of the reserve’s needs and the challenges to overcome. However, this wasn’t the only task given to us — we also did manual labor to help maintain the roads, which quickly degrade over the seasons.

If you’re lucky, you might even get a few surprises — like when we prepared for the arrival of wild dogs in the reserve or relocated a cheetah to another area.

These were magical and unforgettable moments that helped us understand the tremendous work behind these vast natural areas.

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS PROJECT?

The project is well worth it. The staff are passionate and always happy to share their knowledge. It’s an enriching experience thanks to the knowledge gained and rejuvenating because of the idyllic setting.

I highly recommend it!

I also recommend Freepackers for their service and the variety of projects they offer. Transfers are always well organized and punctual.