African Conservation Experience Reviews

Moholoholo and the Kruger offer unique and unforgettable experiences. If you’re thinking about volunteering with ACE, don’t hesitate, it’s worth it!

I want my family and friends to experience what we have experienced!

I was able to get up close and personal with the animals. I stepped off the beaten track and was exposed to the work the rangers do.

I was feeling disconnected and unmotivated… but after a quick online search and phone call I found myself spending a week at Golola Rhino Orphanage And Rehabilitation Centre. It was a life changing experience!

We completed monitoring drives and recorded various animal sightings. I really appreciated how much effort went into answering my questions.

There's something for everyone at Phinda - whether you love birds, mammals, plants or ecosystems, you won’t be disappointed!

I feel like I could see the difference I was making by being there. I put my heart and soul into this work and gave back as much as I could and I felt so rewarded for this.

It was an experience I will never forget. We loved every minute of it!

I left South Africa with a real sense of fulfilment, knowing that my efforts contributed to an important cause. For those with an interest in conservation and a readiness to get involved, I highly recommend ACE!

There was someone to support me at every step of the journey and I knew that if I had any issues ACE were always on hand to answer queries on a call, or over an email. The team was exceptional!

I wouldn’t change anything from my experience at these projects because they are such a powerful thing to be a part of.

ACE are a remarkable organisation in finding ways of supporting conservation while matching the desires of those who would like to enjoy the experience of working within a game reserve.

The whole experience has been incredible, so I would highly recommend people considering it, to just go for it!

We were busy every day with meaningful work, which made the experience much more engaging than the safaris I had been on.

This week has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

If you're passionate about wildlife and looking for a volunteer experience that will leave you changed forever, I can't recommend ACE enough.

Everything I experienced here, from the amazing guide who took us, to seeing the animals in their natural habitats, is something I’ll never forget!

African Conservation Experience were incredibly supportive throughout the experience, which is very helpful when it is your first time travelling alone.

I have been very content working with cats and dogs in my daily work, but I now have a new perspective on veterinary medicine.

I'm now super interested in following in their footsteps and becoming a wildlife vet. This experience has completely changed my life!

We felt like we were actually helping the animals and the team without just standing there like we were just observers.

The person that I was before coming here, is the same person that I’m leaving behind. Everything that came with me is going back magnified.

If you’re considering a project like this, go for it! Approach it with an open mind and a can-do attitude. I loved every minute of my time in South Africa and am already planning to return for more projects!

At The Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience, I had a wonderful trip filled with various activities such as wildlife research, bush clearing, and wildfire protection. It was hard work, but also very educational.

I had an amazing experience volunteering with ACE and would do it again in a heartbeat. They were incredibly organised, and there was always someone available to assist me at every step.

My advice is to volunteer if you can! You never know how long these environments and wildlife will be around. By volunteering, you not only get to see them but you can also help with their conservation.

At the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience, I was able to compare the clinic in South Africa to the one in America where I work every day.

If you are interested in conservation, this project is perfect for you! You can see the difference it's making for wildlife and the ecosystem you are working in.

We have gained an authentic understanding and a new perspective on many things, which we will carry with us forever.

As a volunteer, you felt like you were having a real impact on those animals' lives.

I gained a first-hand understanding of the amount of effort and time that goes into monitoring different species to ensure they remain healthy and genetically viable.

If you still feel young at heart volunteering is for you! Mind over matter. I do not think I came across a single activity while volunteering that I did not feel comfortable joining in. 

My boyfriend and I went on a two-month experience with African Conservation Experience (ACE) and we had such an amazing trip! ACE were super easy to get in contact with during our experience and the team did such a good job at planning our trip and making us feel welcome throughout. 

It was truly a privilege to work with the amazing team at Phinda. They were so inspiring, dedicated and willing to share their knowledge with volunteers.

Everything impacted me whilst I was there and I have grown as a person.

It felt like ACE knew Africa and really cared about projects that it worked with, which definitely turned out to be the case! 

I have gained a huge amount of knowledge about tracking, wildlife, and the bush, thanks to the amazing guides I've had.

It was clear that the money that was being spent was going to the right places, so it gave me the confidence that the experience would be something that I was looking for.

By volunteering with ACE, I’ve been able to build my confidence so much, and it’s given me a huge amount of knowledge to help me with my university studies.

It was an adventure that taught me so much, not just about the African wildlife but also about myself. This is an experience that will stay with me forever.

There was never a moment in my entire experience where I felt unsafe or unsure of what to do, I constantly had a guiding hand supporting me and helping me contribute to conservation.

ACE gives students the eye-opening opportunity to gain on the ground perspectives about conservation issues, such as the rhino poaching crisis, that can be difficult to understand and appreciate fully from a distance.

This trip has confirmed my desire to pursue conservation as a career and has shown me that I want to support real wildlife projects and learn directly from those who work in conservation.

I've volunteered with African Conservation Experience (ACE) twice now, and it's been an amazing experience both times. It feels like a second home to me.

The most important thing I have learnt from this experience is to slow down and take everything around you. Volunteering at The Game Ranger Experience and having time away from social media and my phone has helped me as a person. It has also made me realise a lot about myself. 

I decided to go with ACE because they were so detailed and helpful during the very personalised phone conversations I had with them, telling me about all of my options and following up with more information by email.

The whole experience with ACE has made me realise that I want to go into wildlife conservation whether it's based in the UK or internationally.

You know your time, effort, and money is going to the right places, and you have had an actual hand in helping conservation.

I would highly recommend ACE and Moholoholo to people who really want to work to help animals. From fantastic communication, which gave us peace of mind while travelling to a foreign country, to information about credit cards, safety, and transport - it was phenomenal!

I would recommend volunteering with ACE, as it was valuable to be able to speak with the staff on the phone before booking, to hone in on which projects I would be most interested in. From this, they tailor your trip to what you're looking for and what your needs are. 

I would definitely travel with ACE again, and I’d love to volunteer at the variety of projects that they work with in the future! I feel like I could return time and time again and never stop learning.

Remembering our fantastic hands-on experiences, how well we were looked after by ACE, and knowing that our donations have gone to worthwhile projects just keeps us coming back.

African Conservation Experience is the company to travel with for wildlife volunteering because they are so organised and professional. They are wonderful!

Being met by ACE at the airport when we arrived, and seeing us on our flight home, made the whole travel experience very easy!

African Conservation Experience fulfilled my expectations and much more. They were very personal, and I did not feel like I was just a client - It is almost like I am now a part of the team!

I would recommend visiting a couple of projects because they are all different experiences that challenge and educate you in different ways. 

Combining both projects into one trip, was the perfect choice for me. I had the chance to witness my dream wildlife and actively contribute to their protection at Phinda, and at Golola, I felt like I made a meaningful difference in the lives of baby rhinos.

The level of support I received from ACE was great. I went to four different projects and I was completely looked after. The whole ACE team is always there for you!

I’ve always found it difficult to pinpoint a favourite part of anything, and with an experience like this I find it even harder. I truly loved every part of the trip as it offered such a wide variety of experiences.

I’ve seen so much, but I think the first moment of seeing that hyena on our second night, while eating in the camp, with it only being a few metres away from my tent, was really special.

It was like National Geographic coming to life. The knowledge that was shared with us was incredible and it made everything more understandable, relatable, and engaging. The expertise delivered to us gave us an appreciation for the whole natural journey.

We got to assess all of the radiographs with the Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick for cranial cruciate ligament disease. It was so, so special, and my timing was just incredible and both the orphanage and Noel were amazing throughout.

ACE provided me with so much more than I could ever have dreamed of. This entire experience has raised the bar for me for future volunteering projects.

I’d recommend it to anyone wanting to experience a slice of life for a ranger sprinkled with lots of learning opportunities and seeing animals in their natural habitats!

The vet I worked with was an inspiration... He was very friendly, funny, and laidback, but also amazing at his job.

My experience was amazing and I would book with ACE again without a second thought. They were really understanding and supportive throughout the whole booking process.

I can’t believe my two weeks at Moholoholo is over already! My experience at Moholoholo is going to be unforgettable.

The consultation and booking process was really personal and efficient and ACE made it easy for me to select the right projects. They are caring experts!

Everything at ACE was very well organised and they took care of all the travel arrangements within the areas to the smallest details.

ACE gave me a lot of information on the projects so I could choose a project that fit my own interests. The team were happy to speak to my parents as well to address their concerns.

During my first consultation they helped me choose a project that would fit my own personal interests and goals. ACE guided me every step of the way. It’s not common for an organisation that arranges international experiences to be so involved with the person.

Every step of the way ACE was there for me, from the first phone call to arriving back in the UK after I finished my experience.

My trip was quite unique as I was already in South Africa but having ACE do my planning and itinerary to make sure everything went smoothly was the best!

I would discuss my thoughts and plans with the ACE team and they helped to advise me on which projects would be best for a more comprehensive understanding of wildlife industries, which will go on to help me in the future. Whilst in South Africa, I was able to contact the ACE team 24/7.

The support provided was excellent, ACE were there 24/7! If I had a question they would always answer it very quickly.

I cannot thank the wonderful people at ACE enough for the unforgettable trip I had in South Africa.

ACE is more than just a facilitator to help get you out there, they truly care about your experience and happiness at the projects.

If you want to help conservation efforts, experience working in conservation, learn about animals, visit Africa and work hard, then this is the program for you!

These people are the best people to work with. They know what they are doing and are very passionate about rhinos.

If you are thinking about going, go! It is life-changing and it’s amazing to see how professional and dedicated everyone is on the project sites. To work with all kinds of people all around the world and to learn so much about the situation in Africa around the wildlife is fantastic.

This experience was a great choice, the staff at Moholoholo was absolutely wonderful, helpful and kind.

We had some very exciting close encounters with animals too. We helped track a particular black rhino, checking on its location the previous two days and then on the third day a helicopter was brought in and the vet darted it so that new ear and leg trackers could be fitted.

I have to say that my trip to Care for Wild was just a completely next level experience.

I think the most important thing to remember at Care for Wild is that you are there for the Rhinos. It’s not a petting zoo or a photo shoot. You can touch them, and you can take photos, but you are there to help them.

When I say “once in a lifetime experience” that barely scratches the surface of my amazing Care for Wild volunteer experience.

I highly recommend that anyone thinking about going to Africa to volunteer, does so with ACE, as they make sure your experience is what you want it to be. 

My experience in South Africa was one of the best adventures of my life and one that will stay with me forever.

Each morning, there was always a challenge: finding the elephant who had an infection on his leg, or another elephant who had teeth surgery.

For me, surprisingly, the most rewarding aspect of this whole experience were the quiet moments. After an exhausting day coming back to camp, sitting by the fire you yourself made, as the sun sets and the brightest stars you’ve ever laid eyes on becomes visible above your head.

I got an enormous amount of African wildlife experiences and my knowledge of the veterinary profession has been greatly improved. I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone interested in animals, not just veterinary medicine!

Although I was only able to spend a short time at Phinda, I am so happy that I got to be a part of the incredible efforts and learn so much about Africa and its wildlife.

If there’s one thing that I hope someone gets out of this, is that if you are considering going, but you are nervous, DO IT ANYWAY! This was the best experience of my life and so eye opening! I would go again in a heartbeat. 

Coming back to camp from driving around the Okavango Delta logging animal and predator tracks only to find a whole herd of elephants grazing next to our camp was a highlight.

I would recommend this project to anyone who is thinking about working as a wildlife vet. You get a lot of hands on experience and also get to learn about common diseases and medications used in the field. 

I work with animals on a day to day basis, but it has always been a dream to work with and interact closely with African species and to use my qualification and skills to make a difference. I chose ACE as I wanted to go somewhere ETHICAL – as this is very important to me – and I definitely found an ethical company!

Within two days we all became best of friends, and they will be my friends for the rest of my life. We will never lose contact. What we have to bear in mind is they’re all half my age. There are no age barriers or culture barriers, you’re just in a situation where you automatically bond.

This project is a conservation project in the Okavango area and it’s been absolutely amazing. You feel like you really contribute. To nature. To the ecological environment. You get to see a lot of wildlife, a lot of different landscapes, amazing views and you just feel right at home once you arrive.

I’ve been back four times and each time my experience has been unique and exceeded all my expectations.

I would highly recommend the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience to anyone with a veterinary background, whether that be a vet/vet student or veterinary nurse/nurse student, who has an interest in wildlife and conservation and wants to test themselves and take their veterinary skills and knowledge to the next level.

This experience was amazing, I would highly recommend it to anyone, not only to those interested in veterinary but anyone who enjoys travelling and an adventure, wants to learn or just to see South Africa’s wildlife close up with a true feeling of the country.

There is something quite rewarding in meeting people who share your views about conservation and like you who are willing to put some of your own time into making some slight difference. 

You won’t regret going to Phinda Private Game Reserve, and you won’t regret going through ACE.

My days with the vet were always full and exciting, with a new unexpected challenge each day; this could be a day trip to de-horn rhinos, capturing giraffe or staying back at the clinic looking after some cheetah cubs.

Would I say that the experience changed my life? Absolutely. You learn life skills and gain confidence you never thought you could in these experiences, and that is something I, personally, cannot thank the ACE team and the team I worked with in Phinda enough for.

So in the end, we learnt so much about the variety of things involved with wildlife conservation. The response and support from ACE on the ground in SA was amazing and if you ever get the chance to spend some time with Martin and the team, it’ll never be enough - they know so much and are so passionate about what they do!

I cannot put into words everything that I saw or did, for the trip seemed to pass in a blur of unforgettable experiences, each day better than the day before. The wildlife, the people, the place became home, and the hardest part of the trip was leaving.

The work the vets do to spread the message about conservation and the multiple chances they gave me to interact with wildlife, is beyond incredible and just being able to watch them, let alone get involved, is an absolute privilege.

Phinda was my third time with ACE and I am 77 years old! If you really want to be a volunteer with wild animals in Southern Africa, please contact ACE.

My experiences at Phinda were absolutely insane, I could never have imagined they would be as good as they were!

My time at Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary can best be described as life changing! It is a magical place.

You won’t quickly forget a bushbaby landing on your shoulder on your way back from dinner, a fearsome honey badger lying on its back without a care in the world or falling asleep at night to the sound of lions roaring and hyenas laughing outside your window.

I would advise anyone with a sense of adventure and willingness to work in a team to have a look at volunteering on any of the ACE programs.

My experience at Phinda, in three words, was wonderful, unique, and enriching. The team from the researchers, ecologists, logistic, back-office, and our dear volunteers were all great people and supportive, and helped make my journey wonderful.

I have several great memories. Too many to single out any particular one; from seeing Wild Dogs in Nthaba, feeding the baby rhinos at Care for Wild, to the day in Kruger National Park. Fantastic!

Life changing, inspirational and heart-warming are just 3 words to describe Care for Wild, but in all honesty, words cannot describe this experience, it’s phenomenal! Waking up to the sound of the resident lions and hippos helps with the early morning starts and the views from site are sensational.

I highly recommend the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience to anyone considering applying. You will not only gain useful veterinary knowledge and skills, you will also create amazing and unique memories in an astonishingly beautiful country.

On my first day at Moholoholo I was involved in a rhino walk, which is as incredible as it sounds. We chaperoned a young rhino on a walk through the bush, providing him with exercise, mental stimulation and a bit of fun. This is just one of many unbelievable things that I was able to take part in.

ACE's continuous support made me feel like I was in very safe hands, particularly as it was my first time venturing beyond Europe. My time with ACE surpassed all expectations, and I feel that I am really fortunate to have experienced this first-hand.

One of the things that made this experience so exceptional was the incredible diversity of veterinary work I was exposed to. Every day brought a fresh challenge and a new opportunity to learn.

We decided to do the veterinary experience trip and to stay for 2 weeks. Let me tell you, 2 weeks flew by! We worked with a variety of animals, and we also got to meet and work with amazing people there. Africa is an amazing place to go and I can not wait to go back!

Huge thanks to the vet team in Hoedspruit for welcoming me and teaching me so much valuable information that will transcend into the rest of my veterinary career. Also, thank you to African Conservation Experience for setting up this wonderful experience! Counting down the days when I can return!

Some days we would be transporting buffalo to various camps, and so the vet would go up in the helicopter and dart the buffalo from the air. We would then chase down the buffalo by truck and transport them out of that camp and into another. This was truly exhilarating.

African Conservation Experience has given me the opportunity to be part of dedicated teams helping preserve wildlife and its habitat. It has been a wonderful experience and I will continue to volunteer my time to conservation programs.

The ACE team and the Phinda locals have provided me with memories that will last a lifetime and an endless amount of stories that I will forever treasure!

For a full month at Okavango, I had the opportunity to assist in vital research, documenting species presence on the Kwatale conservancy. We had some truly special sightings while there.

I could talk for hours and hours about the many adventures I was lucky enough to undertake during my placements with ACE, I still haven’t finished telling my friends and family everything! The amazing sense of accomplishment and pride I feel whenever I look back at what I’ve learnt and been privileged to be a part of is unfathomable.

Although many of the students on my trips are biology majors, I have had several education majors and they have commented to me how much they learned with little background in the sciences.

Having personally overseen the coordination of these field courses with colleagues at ACE for a number of years, I can testify that the service provided by the ground staff both in the UK and in southern Africa is second to none.