Wildlife, Wilderness and Conservation

Day 1-2 - Arrive Durban, South Africa

In the morning of day 2 we arrive in Johannesburg and change planes for our onward flight to Durban. On arrival at King Shaka International Airport in Durban, we will be met by our guide and transferred to the hotel, situated on Durban’s newly revamped beachfront, with miles of golden beaches just across the road. En route we will have a panoramic city tour of Durban.

Day 3 - Natal Sharks Board & uShaka Marine World

This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the Natal Sharks Board in Umhlanga. Here we can watch a professional shark dissection. Afterwards we visit the uShaka Marine World, where we will have access to Sea World (one of the largest aquariums in the world), attend a lecture by a resident specialist, and visit the Dangerous Creatures exhibit. uShaka Marine World is a 16- hectare beach front theme park which opened in 2004 in Durban and hosts over 10,000 animals.

Day 4 - Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife

After breakfast, we will transfer to CROW (Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife) and spend the day helping at the centre. This includes feeding the animals, cleaning their enclosures and working on specific projects to be decided upon nearer the time. CROW is a wildlife hospital that cares for injured and orphaned wild animals and birds in KwaZulu-Natal. CROW was established 35 years ago and has 12 depots in and around the Province. It is considered to be one of the leading rehabilitation centres in South Africa. Almost 90% of animals admitted to CROW have sustained injuries due to human negligence. It takes time and dedication to rehabilitate these animals and to prepare them to be re-introduced to their natural environment. Some animals’ injuries are so severe that they cannot be rehabilitated and therefore become permanent residents at CROW. Animals that are currently being rehabilitated are placed in enclosures far away from human activity. Please note: During the July school holidays, CROW has groups of local school children at the centre Mon-Fri until 13h00. During this time (25 Jun-17 Jul 2016), we will only be able to volunteer at CROW for a half day (Mon-Fri) or a full day on Sat & Sun.

Day 5 - Hluhluwe Game Reserve

After breakfast we check out and say good-bye to our Durban guide, before being transferred to Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Here we will have a talk about the snakes, scorpions and spiders of southern Africa. This will be followed by a professionally presented dissection (this will most likely be a warthog, or possibly an impala). The afternoon is spent on an interpretive nature walk in a non-predator area of the reserve.

For the next four nights we will stay in a bush camp near Hluhluwe. Accommodation is in shared tents with bedding provided. All meals will be catered for and a local guide will accompany us on all our excursions.

Day 6 - Full day game drive

Today we will enjoy a full day game drive in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, including a visit to the Centenary Centre.

Day 7 - St Lucia Estuary

After breakfast we transfer to St Lucia where we will take a two-hour boat trip on the St Lucia Estuary. This will be followed by a visit to a crocodile centre. In the afternoon we visit a cheetah centre before heading back to camp.

Day 8 - Elephant conservation & Zulu village visit

A visit to an elephant conservation centre is on the cards for this morning. We will have an educational talk about the plight of elephants and the various conservation strategies that help conserve not only the gentle giants but the ecosystems which they inhabit. We hope to get a close-up experience with animals that live in the wild. Afterwards, we visit a Zulu village and have the privilege of participating in aspects of daily life in the community.

Day 9 - Wilderness Trail walk & overnight camp

Today we embark on a wild camp-out wilderness trail. The trail is fully guided and catered.

A full day’s hiking will be followed by an evening in the bush.

Day 10-11 - All good things come to an end

The walk continues this morning. After breakfast we will be transferred back to Durban and to catch our plane at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, connecting at Johannesburg for our flight on to the UK. Arriving back in the UK on day 11.