Itinerary

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Day 1 (Monday)  Arrive into Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) on Monday morning where you’ll be met by our team at 1pm and then we’ll drive directly to the reserve, a journey of around 90 minutes.  On arrival, you’ll settle in to your new surroundings and get to know the other participants and staff members before orientation and dinner.

The Shamwari Conservation Experience runs Mondays through Fridays, with the weekends off in between.  Participants are exposed to short and long-term projects which are planned to create sustainability for generations to come. Tasks may vary from physical work to interesting and interactive lecture-based content. There are several monitoring projects which assist in capturing vital information used in the research and management of all species on the reserve. The experience is diverse and structured, yet adapted as we go due to the nature of working with wildlife.  
Lion Conservation
The typical experience involves many or all of the following activities:

Practical Activities
  • Wildlife Monitoring drives with a focus on rhino, elephants and/or predators – a safari with a purpose, through these regular monitoring sessions we compile information about family structures, feeding habits and movements.  Data collected on these drives is used to assist in management decisions for the reserve
  • Camera Trapping and Telemetry Tracking - the use of camera traps to monitor wildlife activity is a vital tool in gaining visual footage required to manage the reserve. Additional monitoring of some of the more high-profile and elusive species, like cheetah and leopard, requires the use of telemetry tracking equipment.
  • Research Projects - often undertaken in conjunction with both local and foreign academic bodies to capture data on lesser known species such as the Brown Hyena
  • Visit to Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre - set up to aid in rehabilitating injured animals, the SWRC provides short-term care and then releases them back into the  wild.
  • Visit to Born Free Sanctuary - creating awareness as to the importance of the protection and conservation of wildlife, we maintain a compassionate approach to the care and welfare of any captive animals. No breeding of cats is undertaken at the centre, this is a sanctuary for Lions and Leopards who are unable to be reintroduced back into the wild.
  • Landscape Restoration & Rehabilitation - the need to return the once pristine landscape to its original splendour includes the collecting and removal of old fence lines and rehabilitating degraded and overgrazed land.
  • Alien Plant Control - introduced to the land by past farmers, today this exotic vegetation must be removed to help increase natural biodiversity, decrease fire risk and better preserve natural water sources.
  • Community Projects - the role of conservation includes a responsibility to uplift local and impoverished communities. This responsibility includes education on biodiversity and conserving our natural resources. Weekly trips are made into the local community to assist in various community projects, from vegetable gardens to recycling initiatives, painting classrooms to building jungle gyms for the kids. These community engagements are always enriching and rewarding.
  • Occasional Activities including sleep-outs on the reserve / nature walks / night monitoring

Lectures & group discussions
  • Wildlife Conservation Ecology and Management Principles
  • Ecological Management of Game Reserves
  • Biomes of the Eastern Cape
  • South Africa’s Lion Industry
  • Rhino Poaching in South Africa
  • Elephant Conservation
  • Wildlife Tracks and Signs / Animal Behaviour
  • Medicinal Plants and Trees
  • Control of Alien Invasive Vegetation
  • Astronomy

Saturdays and Sundays are free time, with no scheduled program activities.  You are most welcome to spend some or all of your downtime days relaxing on the reserve, but if you wish to explore the Eastern Cape then a trusted local provider (Rodwin Transfers) offers a choice of excursions which you can book locally at short notice.  From a safari day at the wonderful Addo Elephant National park to exploring the forests, gorges and coastline of the Tsitsikamma National Park, skydiving, bungee jumping or a day in Port Elizabeth city ….. there’s lots to do if you so choose.

Last day (Monday) Having said your goodbyes and packed your bags, we’ll whisk you off to the airport in plenty of time for your flight home.  The included group transfer will have you to the airport in time for domestic flights departing 12.45 or later.  For earlier flights, we’ll arrange you a private transfer with our trusted driver, payable locally.
 
Another great option is to depart on your final Saturday and join an amazing 1 week camping adventure from Johannesburg through Botswana to the mighty Victoria Falls (details below).
Accommodation and Meals  The basic but comfortable twin/triple-shared rooms all have private bathrooms – if travelling solo you’ll be paired with another participant of the same gender. 

​Three meals a day are included so you’ll enjoy the luxury of having your breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared for you. Vegetarians and other dietary requirements can be catered for, provided we’re notified in advance.