Payton McGarva

I was fortunate enough to travel through African Conservation Experience (ACE) for six weeks at four amazing projects: Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, The Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience, Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary,  and Phinda Wildlife Research Project. Being an 18-year-old who had just graduated from high school, I was slightly intimidated to travel on my own for as long as I did.

There ended up being about six ACE volunteers who sat in the lovely Mugg & Bean restaurant at Johannesburg airport and had a complimentary breakfast. It gave us some time to get to know one another and ask any questions to the ACE staff. We also got to hear a very insightful talk from the ACE team that prepared us for some of the realities that we would face when dealing with conservation in South Africa. Some of the other volunteers I met in the airport I later reunited with, which was so cool!

The first project I visited was Moholoholo. I spent two weeks there and fell in love with all of the animals. I was in the group that was responsible for taking care of three eagles, three spotted eagle owls, and two servals. Later I was put in charge of two nyala and helped out with many other animals.

Each week new volunteers came through, including a group of 18 university students the first week, and so I found it really special getting to meet so many new people. There were multiple presentations that I got to listen to, including a conservation talk from vet Dr. Peter Rogers.

I was privileged to be a part of Moholoholo’s release of 10 vultures, including the cape vulture (vulnerable), lappet-faced vulture (endangered), white-backed vulture (critically endangered), and hooded vulture (critically endangered). Another volunteer and I got to spend the whole morning helping the staff, Dr. Lindy Thompson, and her partner prepare the vultures for release by taking measurements of each one and attaching GPS trackers or tags to them.

I spent one week at the Vikela Kruger Project and was accompanied by one other volunteer. The project staff here are experts at what they do and are accompanied by their beautiful working dog Letta. They taught the other volunteer and I so much about tracking wildlife by foot, and one day we spent six hours tracking the critically endangered black rhino in the Kruger, and were able to observe their natural behaviours.

We spent every morning and evening driving around the Kruger National Park, monitoring the species that we encountered, and some days we could work on projects such as bush removal and road repairs. We saw a huge variety of animals, including the 'Big 5', giraffes, hyenas, hippos, many different types of antelope, mongoose, and so many more. The Vikela Kruger Project is an amazing experience that opened my eyes to the importance of saving Africa’s wild animals. 

My third location was Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary. I only spent six days here, but I wish that I had stayed for longer. Care For Wild is an incredible sanctuary that is home to many orphaned rhinos who are in the process of being rehabilitated and released. Tasks at Care For Wild included preparing bottles and fish cakes for baby rhinos, preparing feed for the older rhinos, and cleaning enclosures. Care For Wild does so much for their community, such as their Lomshyio Community Farming Project and their Junior Ranger Program!

All of the staff at Care For Wild were incredibly kind and welcoming, and even though I only spent six days there, I fell in love with the animals and organisation, and would definitely love to go back in the future.

My final destination was Phinda Private Game Reserve, where I spent my last two weeks. Phinda is a beautiful reserve that is home to a large diversity of species, both plants and animals.

We spent so much of our time with the elephants because there was a long-term study on the effects of the contraception used on their elephants.

I was also fortunate enough to participate in the horn trimming of one of their black rhinos, which is an effective anti-poaching method employed to protect South Africa's rhino population. It was amazing to see this technique in action as I learned a lot about the severe effects of poaching on rhinos and other species. I even got to watch the amputation of an injured cheetah’s toe and got to observe it throughout the beginning of its recovery, (see the photos I caught of this treatment!)

While at Phinda I saw so many beautiful animals and landscapes. I was glad that my last location was spent with such amazing staff and volunteers. 

I loved my experience in South Africa and am already wanting to plan my next trip. All four of the locations I volunteered at were eye-opening in different ways and taught me so much about wildlife conservation, research, and rehabilitation. 

All of the locations that I went to were very accommodating to my vegan diet and had great food. I felt safe at every project and made friendships with staff members and other volunteers that have lasted until this day. I would highly recommend volunteering through ACE at these locations!