Taking a safari is a lifelong dream for many of our travelers, and many are drawn back time and time again by the lure of Africa and the magical experiences created by our partners on the ground.

You will be happy to know that just by booking a safari, you are supporting local community and conservation efforts – and at African Portfolio we also support several community development organizations directly. For travelers specifically interested in conservation activities you can fit in while you’re on safari, here are just a few experiences that can be enjoyed close to camp.

Anti-poaching teams

Many wildlife conservancies have dedicated anti-poaching units, and they are worth a visit between your wildlife activities. For example, if you are staying in the Lewa Conservancy, in Kenya, for a small donation guests can have a tour of the Conservancy offices and participate in conservation work such as the training of the anti-poaching tracker dogs.

Similarly, guests visiting southwest Hwange National Park may have the opportunity to visit with the Zimbabwe Parks, Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) and Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit. Their goal is reducing poaching within the park through funding, assisting in patrols and removing snares.

Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, the world’s first all-female unarmed anti-poaching team is active in the Kruger area. Guests are able to join patrols, learn about their anti-poaching work, and see their operations firsthand. This activity would have to be pre-planned and booked in advance.

The Singita Grumeti Fund allows guests to visit an anti-poaching Observation Post (OP 7) to meet the scouts, see how they live and work, and learn about the technology and intelligence gathering used to protect the region. Singita also offers guests to visit their anti-poaching canine units at their Sabi Sand lodges.

Sanctuaries

Many of our guests visiting Kenya enjoy visits to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi or the Reteti Sanctuary in Northern Kenya. These organizations focus on the task of not only rescuing baby elephants who have lost their mothers but ensuring they are ultimately released back into the wild.

In Botswana, guests have the opportunity to visit the wonderful Elephant Havens – guests are picked up via helicopter from camp, and enjoy a beautiful flight to and from the sanctuary – whose mission is conservation awareness and wildlife protection, educating local communities on elephant behavior and habitat protection to minimize human wildlife conflict.

Rhino Tagging

Rhinos are amongst some of the most endangered animals in the world, and anti-poaching efforts are complemented by other efforts to reduce the risks. In some regions, rhinos are unfortunately dehorned for their safety, other reserves choose to “tag” rhinos by either implanting a microchip or gps into the horn. In some instances guests can participate for a significant donation, though it is important to note that it will depend on the conservation schedule and needs to be pre-booked. Tswalu and Lepogo Lodge for example, schedule their rhino notchings at least a year or two in advance.

&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve offer conservation safaris where tourists can participate in practical activities like rhino ear-notching, microchipping, or dehorning.

Game Counts

Another amazing experience is to participate in game counts if they are taking place during your stay. One such project is the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project at Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and founded by Volcanoes Safaris. The lion population declined by 90% between the mid-80s and today. Based at Kyambura Gorge Lodge guests can participate in this project during their stay at the lodge by collecting survey data during game drives in the Queen Elizabeth National Park and then submitting this to the lodge wildlife team. In addition to lion, guests will also count other carnivores, including leopard and spotted hyena.

Let us know if you’re interested in going beyond your safari to gain more in depth understanding about conservation efforts happening close to your safari camps and lodges!