What inspired you to travel abroad?
I love to travel and I always had plans to go back to Africa because of my love for nature. I knew about Selati previously and I had a great time there so it made sense for me to go back. I can also see myself working abroad so it makes sense for me to start getting some experience and make contacts in places I would like to work.
Did your program provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, tell us what kind of support you received.
My trip was not heavily impacted by Covid so there were not any restrictions and I had all my jabs already which meant my program did not have to do anything. My program however was very quick to help when I had admin to do and there were no problems in that department.
This was an elephant collaring and another one to remember. Seeing the size up close was really cool.
How did your program help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
Where I was did not have a strong Covid threat so I always felt safe and I did not get Covid so that must be a positive. I also felt safe in general even in circumstances which could have been dangerous with animals for example.
Why did you choose Selati Game Reserve?
I chose the Selati course because of the experience I knew I was getting and I get on really well with the team who are all very easy going and make you feel at home. I also like the private aspect of the program and you have sightings to yourself which in other places you don’t have the luxury. I also love the excitement of the operations and you feel like you are doing more meaningful work to help the animals.
What was your favorite part about South Africa?
I love the landscape and the animals, which is a given if you go to South Africa. You can see why it has that reputation. The weather is perfect too, which helps a lot. I also like the lifestyle and the fact South Africa is a sporty country and as a person who likes sport, there are lots of activities you can take part in and there you can meet lots of cool people with similar interests.
The people are also very friendly and welcoming. I always felt comfortable. There is a stigma around South Africa but I don’t get that at all from my experience. I also like the diversity of the people as you could meet lots of people with different interests and for someone who likes nature. You can find anyone from vets to filmmakers from all other the world and it certainly feels like a hub for nature enthusiasts.
Lion collaring of the biggest male which was a great day and one to remember.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made my trip memorable was the realization of what was on offer and the freedom I had to join in on some once in a lifetime moments on a weekly basis. I would be collaring a lion one week and then collaring a rhino the next and this was crazy to me in terms of a life that can be lived in South Africa.
I was also given a generous amount of opportunities to do other things like flying in helicopters and working closely with exciting projects with well known people. You are also given lots of responsibility if you are up to it which is good for helping you learn and develop your skills for similar jobs and experiences.
You also realize how privileged you are to experience the level of biodiversity, especially when you go home to the UK. It is staggering how much it changes and, as someone who likes nature, there is nowhere else like it.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
I was extremely lucky with the people I worked with. They are very helpful and fun to be around. I think that having staff that make you feel relaxed and involved makes such a difference and is the key to enjoying the experience.
They also asked about what I would like to do in the future and gave me options and advice which was really helpful as they have first hand experience. They were so inclusive. It never felt like staff was one group and volunteers were another, we all ate together and did activities together which made me feel so at home. We would play football once a week which was really fun. It was nice to break up the week with different activities.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
In terms of my trip, it could not have been better. I saw all the animals I wanted to see and did everything I could have hoped to do. I would probably have asked more questions and found out more about the area and what it is like to work at a place like Selati.
I would also have liked to go to more places around South Africa but I was not prepared with the planning for that and it really wasn’t an issue in the end as I had all I needed at Selati. Maybe in the future I would plan more activities outside it but that will come later. As I said, it’s mainly just finding out more information as I would like to work at a place like that.
I don’t think I had the right questions but I’m sure if I did have them the staff would have been more than happy to answer them. I would also like to spend more time exploring the area on foot and go on some small adventures but there are safety issues with considering the big and scary animals so, with more experience, that will be possible next time I go.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
No day was the same, which was what I really enjoyed about this trip. Each day would have game drives in the morning and afternoon, which involved counting animals and checking on individuals with collars.
When you get back in the afternoon there is always a delicious meal waiting for you which is very appreciated. During the time between drives you can relax in your tent or on a hammock in the camp or explore around where you can see many species just in camp. On special days you would be involved in an operation which involves collaring or relocation.
These are the best days. The opportunity is very special as you can get right up close to the animals. Sundowners are also a key part of the schedule. This is where you find a nice place in the reserve to watch the sun go down, which is always a great way to end the day.
This was my first rhino op and a really eye opening experience.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
During the week, you would be pretty busy in a good way and during the day you would probably want to relax. On Wednesdays, you can play 5 a side football which also coincides with an afternoon to town where we get anything we need and usually have a pizza before playing.
You definitely look forward to it and you meet lots of new people, which I enjoyed. On weekends, you can relax or go out and do something. It's totally your choice. Some weekends, I would have a football match and others we would go to events or make trips to cool places. Some weekends it’s nice to relax and maybe watch some sports. For me it was watching Liverpool play, which can give mixed emotions!
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
The accommodation was a large permanent tent which has two beds, a wardrobe and chest of draws for your stuff. It is just what you need and is great for hearing all the animals at night without feeling like traditional camping. I liked that you could see animals around the tent like the dwarf mongoose, which would visit and a rock monitor lizard was also a cool guest.
There was also a family of warthogs and if you are lucky the cheetah will walk through from time to time. The camp also has a waterhole to attract some more animals like elephants and antelope. There is a fence so you are perfectly safe and can still enjoy the wildlife.
What is one thing every future participant should know about Selati Game Reserve before their program begins?
One thing you should do is say yes to everything. You get a lot of opportunities and the variety of things to do is plentiful. Even if you may not think something will be as you expect you will always be surprised by a freak sighting or special moment which can happen any time so try to be out and about as much as possible and you never know what might happen.
Would you recommend Selati Game Reserve to others? Why?
I would definitely recommend this program to someone who loves nature. The time I had was very special and I did things that not many people get the opportunity to do ever and the experience you get will certainly make you stand out in terms of applications since the work is so unique.
You also get to meet some amazing people who can help you with any ambitions you have to work in a wildlife oriented job. Also Africa is special in itself. If you have not visited, you will be amazed by its beauty. It is often said that once you go, you never want to leave. That is true in my case.
Up close with the cheetah. One of my favorites as they are so relaxed around humans and great to photograph.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Traveling abroad teaches you more about life than school or other forms of education and real world experience does go a long way in your development. You can easily get caught up in your own little world and see what other places have to offer.
The different cultures you experience is also valuable experience with learning how other people live and operate. In the modern age, it is important to understand people from other places. I learnt a bit about this on my trip.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
My time abroad made me come to a decision on what I want to do with my working life and cleared up some loose ends. I now know that path I would like to take and what is waiting for me when I go back. I have been able to make informed decisions and make good plans for what I would like to do and being abroad has helped with this.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel would have to involve having a set of things you would like to get out of the trip before you go. That could be experiencing a place or taking some good photos. If you go somewhere without objectives you can feel like you are not learning or achieving anything which can make the trip less meaningful. After my trip, I definitely felt like I had done something meaningful.