The following review blog was written by volunteer Martin, who joined the Shamwari Conservation Experience with his wife earlier in March.
First Impressions at Shamwari Game Reserve
WOW! What an experience my wife and I had at Shamwari Game Reserve. After only two days of volunteering, we said, “If we went home now, we would go home very happy! We had already seen so many more animals, up close, than we ever dreamed of.”
Over our two weeks on this incredible wildlife volunteer programme in South Africa, we were involved in so many wonderful experiences. From conservation projects and wildlife monitoring to unforgettable animal encounters, every day brought something new.
After our long flights from the UK, we arrived at Proctor's Lodge and were quickly introduced to the wonderful, friendly staff. Everyone was on first-name terms, making for a lovely welcome indeed. We were shown around the lodge and then taken to our spacious room, which had everything we needed for our stay.
The grounds were extensive, with a great view over one of the local lakes, frequented by hippos who were very vocal at 4am! We met the rest of the group at dinner, along with our guide for the first week, Mac. Our group ranged in age from 22 to 64, but we got on very well. After all, we were all there for the same reason.
Getting Stuck Into Conservation Work
Mac took us through the dos and don'ts of volunteering, some local history, and gave us an idea of the conservation work we would be helping with. We soon found ourselves cutting back vegetation from reserve roads and repairing tracks damaged by recent heavy rains.
After loading trailers with sandy soil from a nearby quarry, we spent the morning helping restore roads regularly used by the ranger teams. It was hands-on work, but rewarding to know we were contributing to the day-to-day running of the reserve.
We also spent time removing invasive plant species, a surprisingly interesting task once we learned that many of them could be found growing from seeds spread by rhinos around the reserve.
Incredible Wildlife Encounters
Of course, conservation work came with some incredible rewards.
Along the way, we saw giraffes, buffalo, tortoises, baboons, Cape monkeys, gazelles, impalas, hippos, warthogs, Cape eagles and many more species.
One afternoon, after dropping some of the group off at the shooting range, the rest of us went in search of elephants. We were soon rewarded with the sight of two elephants mock-fighting in a small lake. We also enjoyed close-up sightings of white rhino, buffalo and zebra. You never see that at a UK safari park!
Even our evening drives were exciting. Although the weather wasn't always ideal for photography, spotting wildlife in the African bush after dark added a whole new level of adventure.
A Dream Visit to the Born Free Foundation
A visit to the Born Free Foundation was a particular highlight for my wife. She had watched the films and read the books as a child, so visiting the sanctuary had been a lifelong dream.
Learning about lions rescued from captivity around the world was both fascinating and emotional. While many of these animals can never be released into the wild, seeing them living safely in a natural environment alongside other lions was incredibly moving.
We also spent time bird-spotting, helping to identify species for the South African Bird Atlas database. Armed with binoculars and guided by Mac's expertise, we recorded around 20 different bird species.
Tracking Lions and Elephants
One weekend, Cindy, the ranger manager, took us out to track elephants.
On the way, we came across three lions, one male and two females. We were unbelievably close. The lions did not see us as predators, so they were completely relaxed in our company. We probably sat and watched them for around an hour. They are soooo lazy!
We also spent time watching elephant herds enjoying mud baths and cooling themselves with water. Seeing these animals behaving naturally in the wild was unforgettable.
Weekends Exploring South Africa
While conservation was at the heart of our Shamwari volunteer experience, there was also plenty of time to enjoy South Africa's incredible scenery and culture.
We hiked the Assegaai Trails, relaxed on the beautiful beaches of Kenton-on-Sea, explored local towns, enjoyed meals together as a group and even treated ourselves to a massage by the pool.
The balance between meaningful conservation work and unforgettable adventure was perfect.
The Conservation Experience of a Lifetime: Cheetah Relocation
Just when we thought things couldn't get any better, week two arrived.
We had just started removing alien plant species when our ranger, Sheldon, received an exciting radio call. Two male cheetahs that had been monitored for months had finally been located. The brothers were around five years old and ready to breed. To help strengthen the gene pool, they were being relocated to another reserve as part of an important cheetah conservation programme in South Africa.
What followed was one of the most incredible experiences of our lives.
We were fully involved in the darting operation and helped move the cheetahs into transport cages. Imagine not only seeing two wild cheetahs up close but actually helping with a conservation project that contributes to the future of the species. Surely this had to be the best experience ever? Could anything come close?
Wait and see.
Supporting Local Communities
One day was spent painting a local school in Alicedale and installing guttering to collect rainwater.
It was hard work in 32-degree heat, but incredibly rewarding. The local village has very limited infrastructure, so being able to contribute in a practical way felt worthwhile.
We also joined the ranger team at a local agricultural show, where children had the chance to learn about wildlife by identifying animal skulls and winning prizes.
Behind the Scenes of Wildlife Monitoring
Another memorable day involved visiting a hyena den to check camera traps, replace batteries and install additional monitoring equipment.
Accompanied by armed rangers for safety, we learned more about the behind-the-scenes wildlife monitoring work that supports conservation efforts across the reserve.
In the afternoon, we simply enjoyed driving around and taking photographs of elephants, not a bad way to spend a day.
One Last Wildlife Surprise
On our final working day, we received a WhatsApp message at 6:10am telling us to get to the reception immediately.
Nearby, a female cheetah and her five cubs had been spotted.
What can I say? I love cheetahs. Watching six cheetahs wander across the road in front of our vehicle, stopping to stare at us and pose for photographs, was a moment I will never forget. After all the excitement, we still made it back in time for breakfast.
Final Roar on Our Shamwari Volunteer Experience
Before arriving at Shamwari, we hoped to see wildlife and contribute to conservation. What we experienced was far more immersive.
We worked alongside passionate conservation professionals, contributed to meaningful conservation projects, witnessed extraordinary wildlife encounters and made friendships that will last long after the trip ended.
While helping relocate the cheetahs was undoubtedly a highlight, it was really the combination of every moment, from early morning game drives and wildlife monitoring to evenings spent sharing stories with fellow volunteers, that made the experience so special.
For anyone considering wildlife volunteering in South Africa, the Shamwari Conservation Experience offers something special: the chance to become part of conservation rather than simply observe it. It is far more than a volunteer safari experience; it is an opportunity to make a genuine contribution while creating memories that will stay with you forever.
