The Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience

Highlights

Be on the front line of wildlife conservation

Track rhinos on a bush walk, spot lions on a night drive, monitor wildlife from a riverboat and visit an animal rehabilitation centre. We work with projects at the forefront of conservation giving you the chance to gain a wide range of knowledge and experience.

Witness one of Africa’s only growing populations of elephants

Experience conservation success in action. There are only a handful of places in Africa where elephant numbers are increasing, and Kruger is one of them.

Track animals on foot 

To track an animal on foot through the African bush, immersed in the smell and sounds of nature, is a life-changing experience. You will be one of the lucky people who can say "I did that" and really know what it means.

See lions thriving at the top of the food chain

Lions are awe-inspiring animals. With an incredible population of over 2,000, volunteering in the Kruger gives you the chance to observe their behaviour and track the movements of these incredible predators. 

Gain knowledge from local experts

Working alongside senior anti-poaching professionals you’ll learn how species are monitored and protected. You’ll see what the real challenges in African conservation are and look at the connection between culture, history and science.

Protect rhinos from poachers

The rhino populations in the Kruger are the largest and most important in Africa, but they are being targeted by poachers. You will collect vital information to help protect these gentle giants.

Monitor vulnerable species

As well as white and black rhinos you’ll monitor and record information on other key species such as cheetahs, leopards, lions, pangolins and wild dogs.

Discover the local area

There is real diversity to this experience: you’ll get to explore the area, the nearby animal care and rehabilitation centre, and see what it’s like to live, breathe and be part of meaningful African conservation.

Relax and take in the view

Hidden away in a private area of Greater Kruger National Park, your base camp is a comfortable place to unwind, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Do

Take a step into the vast wilderness that is the Greater Kruger National Park and be part of this incredible story of conservation success.

Monitor and protect 

Kruger has some of the most important populations of vulnerable and endangered species. Black rhinos, cheetahs, elephants, hippos, leopards, lions, pangolins and wild dogs are just a few of the animals that live in this huge, diverse ecosystem.

• Assist in ecological monitoring to collect information on key species
• Learn to identify individual rhinos and pass on their locations to the anti-poaching team
• Record an animal's age and gender as well as predatory, feeding and breeding behaviour
• Track animals on foot through the bush

Explore every aspect of African wildlife conservation

You’ll have a wide range of experiences condensed into a short space of time, giving you a solid foundation in African wildlife conservation.  

• Take a riverboat trip and see animals from a unique and tranquil perspective  
• Go behind-the-scenes at an animal rehabilitation centre
• Gain insight into the behaviour of nocturnal animals such as leopards, hyenas, porcupines and bushbabies during night drives
• See amazing animal behaviour, such as lions hunting or elephants playing in a waterhole
• Take the chance to capture your ‘wildlife photographer of the year' dream shot

Learn

Greater Kruger is one of the most important areas for African wildlife conservation with 21,285 km² of diverse habitat and the largest population of rhinos in Africa. This is an opportunity to learn from some of the most passionate and experienced conservationists in Africa.

Conservation

• The importance of the Greater Kruger National Park
• How wildlife conservation in Africa is funded
• The roles that animal rehabilitation centres play in protecting species
• The rhino poaching crisis, what drives it and how it can be stopped

Ecology

• Why large continuous areas of protected wilderness are more effective for wildlife conservation than an equivalent area split into smaller reserves
• The current threats facing African ecosystems

Bush skills

• Tracking animals on foot
• The medicinal uses of various plants and trees
• How to approach animals safely on foot
• How to identify some of the many insects, reptiles and birds in the area

Behaviour

• The hunting, breeding and social behaviour of the key species you’ll be monitoring