Evie Ancell

During my time with African Conservation Experience (ACE), I visited Golola Rhino Orphanage and Rehabilitation Centre and took part in the Shimongwe Veterinary Experience. Golola is obviously centred on the conservation of rhinos. They really focus on nursing the rhino orphans back to full health so they can then be released back out onto the reserve that surrounds the centre, which is extremely well protected. 

My favourite experience at Golola was definitely helping with the supplementary feeding they do for the rhinos in the reserve. Every morning I got to help load up the flatbed truck with food and then go out into the reserve. The rhinos all flock around you and it’s amazing to be that close to these incredible animals. They are centimetres away from you!

The vet experience was also amazing. Like Golola, it is focussed on conserving African wildlife, but instead of doing this in a rehabilitation centre or sanctuary, you are getting to go out into the field and protect them in their natural habitat. 

My favourite thing about the veterinary experience was getting involved in the fieldwork. We got to take part in so many different procedures like drawing blood from a buffalo to test it for notifiable diseases, and we monitored the vital signs of a rhino whilst its microchip was checked and its horn was trimmed.

Also, the vet experience is fully tailored to your level of confidence and ability. If you want to get involved in drawing blood or helping hold a sedated animal and the vet deems it safe, you can get a really hands-on experience. 

During my trip I was also fortunate enough to get to visit the Kruger National Park. It was amazing. Even the drive there was beautiful and I can’t even explain how brilliant the Kruger is.

Planning this trip through ACE was great, too. I’m the type of person who likes to know what I’m doing, when I’m doing it, how I’m getting there, and I loved that as soon as I had booked my trip the ACE team sent over my itinerary. Then you get so much more information closer to your trip, too. It's super useful and I think ACE would be great for younger travellers too, whose parents want to know what they are doing and where they are going.

From the drivers in South Africa that will answer any questions you have about the scenery, culture, town and wildlife, to the people on the end of the phone who will help you in any way they can! I know I had a few concerns before booking my trip as there is so much misinformation online and you don’t want to be giving your money to unethical projects, but as soon as I spoke with the ACE staff they eased my concerns. 

ACE also have a really great Instagram that I would recommend you look at as you can see that there are real people at these projects. You can see all of the amazing things that they have done and it just gives you that extra sense of security.

I also know that it can be scary as you are investing a lot into this financially, but you can really see where your money is going. On top of that, the project staff are so obviously grateful to you for coming and helping out. They even go the extra mile for you. For example, whilst I was at Golola, two people had their birthdays and the project staff went out of their way to get them a cake and really celebrate them. 

My whole experience has just been brilliant.