The Great Rhino Rescue Mission
Join a dynamic rhino rescue mission where you'll rescue a rhino from a high-risk poaching area to the safety of a selected reserve!
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Activities
Itinerary
The following itinerary is a rough guideline, and all schedules and activities are subject to change depending on the rescue mission strategy and the project's needs.
Day 1 - The Adventure Begins:
Upon your arrival at Hoedspruit Airport, a representative from the project will be there to greet you. Once your group has been collected, you will transfer to the project site, approximately 40 minutes away. Here, you will meet the team and get settled in before starting your rhino conservation adventure the following day!
Day 2 - Induction & Training:
Today, you'll have an induction into sanctuary life and get better acquainted with the team. You may participate in a sanctuary activity, such as feeding the lions or checking the reserve camera traps. Then, in the afternoon, you'll receive training ready for the big rescue ahead. You'll cover the fundamentals of animal capture, collaring and leading the rhino to a translocation trailer.
Day 3 - Rescue & Relocation:
It's time to embark on the rhino rescue mission! The rhino capture will take place with a helicopter, where the aerial team will locate the rhino from the sky and radio down to the ground team. From here, you'll head out in the land cruiser to collar, dehorn (if necessary) and translocate the rhino back to the sanctuary and its temporary boma. As a thank you for making the whole mission possible, you and your group will have the opportunity to name the rhino, which should make for a fun night of discussions ahead!
Day 4-14 - Rhino Care & Sanctuary Activities:
When the rhino arrives at the sanctuary, it will be placed in a boma with other rescued rhinos to adjust, bond, and form a herd for their future release into the outer reserve. During the rest of your time on the project, you'll help care for these rhinos, preparing special feed mixes and monitoring their interactions with each other. You'll also take part in some of the extraordinary activities that happen daily at the reserve, including tracking elephants and cheetahs, feeding lions and hyenas, and caring for animals in the Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre.
Day 15 - Departure Day:
Sadly, today is your final day, and while you're departing, you won't be leaving alone, as you'll depart with a whole host of incredible memories and friends you've met along the way. You'll say your goodbyes and transfer back to the airport to catch your flight home or continue your onward travel plans.
Durations & Prices
Accommodation
Volunteer Accommodation
As a volunteer, you'll be staying at the SanWild Lodge in a luxury safari tent with an ensuite bathroom. The accommodation is provided on a twin-share, same-sex basis (except for couples who will be accommodated together), with a daily cleaning service. You'll also have full access to the lodge's stunning lounge, bar, dining room, lapa (fire-pit), pool, and a wooden deck that offers amazing views of a watering hole regularly visited by incredible wildlife!
For those seeking more privacy, you can upgrade to a private Deluxe safari tent, as detailed below.
Accommodation Upgrade
If you're looking for extra luxuries, you have the option to upgrade to a Deluxe safari tent that comes with plush furnishings, a spacious open-plan bathroom with a bathtub and separate shower, a bar fridge, a coffee/tea station, and covered outdoor seating. This project is an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact while enjoying some extra comforts!
Upgrading to stay in a Deluxe safari tent is charged at an additional $804 per week if staying alone and $513 per person per week if staying as a couple. For more information, please contact our travel team.
Meals & Beverages
During your stay at the lodge, you will be provided with three meals per day, including traditional Bush braais (barbecues) and gatherings around the fire, where you can indulge in local delicacies such as potjiekos. The dining hall and deck overlooking the watering hole provide an amazing backdrop, making mealtimes even more magical. Please note that soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included in the package, but you can purchase them from the bar in the main building. If you want to treat yourself, you can explore some of the nearby restaurants such as Leydsdorp Hotel, Kalima Game Reserve, and Meranti Restaurant.
Project Details
GETTING THERE
You need to arrive at Hoedspruit in the afternoon on your project start date. Here, you will be met by a team member and taken to the project site. The best way to reach Hoedspruit is by air, as there are daily flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS). The transfer from the airport to the project site takes about 40 minutes. Pick-up and drop-off services are available for free on Mondays only. If you need transport on any other day, you'll need to make special arrangements and pay an additional fee.
Alternatively, you can choose to arrange your own transport to SanWild, such as driving yourself, but this will be at your own cost. Johannesburg International Airport (OR Thambo) is about 400 km (248 mi) away and takes around 5 hours to reach by car.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Most countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and the majority of EU nations, do not require a visa to enter South Africa and are granted entry for up to 90 days upon arrival. To be allowed entry, you must have a passport with at least 2 blank pages for the immigration officials to use, and it must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
If you're unsure about your specific visa requirements, we recommend contacting the South African embassy in your home country at least 2 months before your trip. It's important to note that obtaining a visa is your own responsibility.
FITNESS & SKILLS
Prior experience is not required to participate in the project. However, some tasks, like guiding the rhino into the translocation trailer, may be strenuous. Therefore, it is advisable to have a moderate level of fitness to contribute comfortably to the ongoing conservation efforts. The most important thing is to arrive with a positive attitude and a passion for the project's values.
VACCINATIONS
There are no specific vaccinations required to join this project; therefore, we recommend consulting your GP/doctor or a travel clinic and following their advice on vaccinations for travel. You can also find helpful advice and information on the Travel Health Pro website.
Videos
Rescuing Africa's Precious Rhinos
Didi brings you the details of this exciting rhino rescue operation at the SanWild Sanctuary & Reserve. Find out why these animals need your help, discover your role in their relocation and how your contribution will benefit rhino conservation efforts in the long term.
Gallery
News & Stories
5
Rescued Rhino Safe in Boma
UPDATE | Nov 2025
Volunteers assisted in unloading the rhino bull into the holding boma, where he’s already settling in well. The team is celebrating a smooth rescue and relocation mission. He will remain in the boma for 24–48 hours under continuous monitoring, and after a final health check, he’ll be released into the wider reserve. For now, the volunteers are preparing for an evening of well-earned celebrations and choosing a name for the rhino!
15
RHINO RESCUED & TRANSLOCATION UNDERWAY
UPDATE | Nov 2025
The team successfully rescued a 10-year-old bull rhino today, an incredible boost for genetic diversity on the reserve! He was safely darted, thoroughly checked by the vet team, fitted with a tracking collar, and gently loaded into the trailer. He’s now on his way to the safety of the holding boma before his release into the wider reserve. Afterwards, volunteers enjoyed a quick trip in the helicopter, and tonight they’ll be choosing a name for the new bull!
4
Volunteers Ready for Rhino Rescue
UPDATE | Nov 2025
It’s rescue mission number three, and today’s the big day! The team has packed up the game viewer, fired up the helicopter, and is off to the rescue site as we speak. All this comes after an evening of volunteer training set against a gorgeous sky. Stay tuned, your rhino rescue updates are on the way!
Reviews
This was a unique and unforgettable experience. Being part of relocating 2 rhinos from one park to a sanctuary was truly amazing. Seeing those endangered animals up close and knowing that this is a way to protect this species from poaching is something else. The rest of the time was however just as great, from flying a helicopter over the sanctuary and seeing some of the animals to taking care of the animals... Thank you to everyone that was involved in this, a memory I will keep for a long time.
Download Project Guide
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Three meals per day
- Airport transfers
- Orientation and training
- Water, tea and coffee
- Laundry and housekeeping
- Wi-Fi
- A donation to the project
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
From
$5,660.00€3,234.00£2,695.00$3,639.00
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Up to 12 Persons
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All Meals Included
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14 Nights
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17 November 2025
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Minimum Age 18
