Help Preserve the Wilderness of Botswana

If I had to sum up my experience at the Okavango Wilderness Project in one word it would be “monate”, which, coincidentally, is one of the only two words in Setswana I managed to learn in my two weeks there. It roughly translates to “good” in English, which might sound a bit anticlimactic, but the kind of “good” you'd use for a good day, a good meal or a good life. And I find that quite fitting. Botswana had been on my bucket list for quite a long time, especially after my time in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia, which made me fall more in love with Africa and its breathtaking nature each time. The Okavango Delta, specifically, was one of those destinations I had kept in my list of “places to visit before I die”. I didn’t want to see it from an outsider’s perspective however, I wanted to experience it from an active conservation perspective and see it through the eyes of the people who call it their home. Finding a project which ticked all my boxes seemed like quite a difficult search, but African Conservation Experience offered me exactly that. They took the time to answer each and every one of my questions (before, during and after my trip) with patience, and believe me, it took a lot of kindness and care. They ensured my experience was smooth and hassle-free each step of the way, from my first enquiry to my check-in at Johannesburg airport after my experience, when I was feeling absolutely miserable because I was going back home. Whoever knows me also knows that two weeks in a bush camp with minimal facilities would be a challenge, but I was up for it. It actually made the experience even more memorable. The hecticness and chaos of ordinary life was shut down, and we were free to enjoy and truly experience our surroundings. And if I survived it (and loved it), believe me, anyone can. The transect we went on each day actually fed data to a government database, as Dr. Christiaan Winterbach, in charge of the research project, took the time to explain to us. With so many variables simultaneously interacting and impacting the wellbeing of the Delta, of its wildlife and of its people, this monitoring becomes a vital activity. Knowing that by participating, you actively support such an endeavour gives you peace of mind. You get to enjoy the beauty of the Delta while also giving something back. While we were going on daily game drives, each one with new, marvellous sightings, we knew we were actively contributing to wildlife management in the Delta. I’ll forever remember the sunsets, the sense of freedom and complete contentment as the jeep drove on the bumpy roads of Botswana, the sense of awe and surprise each sighting brought. From the majestic elephants trumpeting at us to the colourful and graceful lilac-breasted roller, from a lioness nursing her four cubs to a leopard crouched down in the shrubs waiting to hunt a group of impalas. This, in and of itself, would have already made the experience absolutely priceless. But what really made this experience exceptional for me was the people who shared these two weeks with me and the sense of community we managed to create, even over a short period of time. I’ll always be grateful to Okavango project staff, for their kindness and experience, and for making us feel like we were truly part of a team. The same goes for the volunteers who shared this experience with me. I’ll remember the endless laughter and the banter around the dinner table after a day of beautiful sightings. I’ll also remember the Setswana lessons, one of my fellow volunteer’s snoring covering the roars of lions and the hyenas’ calls at night, and our guides asking us to identify plants and trees while already knowing they would be met by general confusion. It really feels like I’ve just dreamt all of this. There was too much beauty and happiness contained over the course of two weeks for it to feel real. I can’t wait to go back, it’ll be a way of pinching myself, to make sure it wasn’t just a dream. In the meantime, all I can do is cherish all of the memories and nostalgically go through my photos from a wonderful two weeks at the Okavango Wilderness Project.

I recently had the privilege of spending two unforgettable weeks volunteering in Africa, all thanks to African Conservation Experience (ACE). I visited the Okavango Wilderness Project in Botswana, where I truly connected with the wilderness in a way I never imagined possible. Each day was filled with awe as I contributed to an array of different conservation efforts. Whether it was tracking wildlife through the bush or learning about the delicate balance of their habitats, the raw beauty of the Okavango Delta left me speechless. Being so close to nature in its purest form was nothing short of magical. What truly stood out to me was how well-organised everything was, from start to finish. ACE made sure I felt safe and supported every step of the way. I felt completely at ease, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the wild beauty around me. If you're passionate about wildlife and looking for a volunteer experience that will leave you changed forever, I can't recommend ACE enough.

The person that I was before coming here, is the same person that I left behind. Everything that came with me came back magnified. The main motivation for my trip was definitely to give back my time and give back my efforts to conservation and wildlife. I wanted to experience the data collection and to understand how this data collection can actually help conservation. I expected to get my hands dirty, do the data collection and see my time coming back into tangible research. I had great experiences and it is so interesting and heartwarming to see your work coming back to South Africa, Botswana, and African conservation. The highlights of this experience were definitely living with the locals and spending time understanding how they live and how they coexist with this wildlife. Also spending time and getting to know other volunteers and other people who are like-minded and share the same experience. I have achieved a greater understanding of the situation of wildlife in Botswana, and especially a greater understanding of the need for organisations like ACE, to work cooperatively with locals, towards the conservation of this space. I have brought home even more questions than I had to begin with, and I think that’s now my homework to go after them and answer them by myself.

I had an amazing time volunteering for the Okavango Wilderness Project in Botswana. The African Conservation Experience was well organized, and the time I spent in the African bush was very authentic. I do a lot of adventure travelling and this journey was one of my favorites. I learned a lot, I saw a lot, and I left with a full heart. I will never let go of the moment when I saw the wild dogs. It was fantastic!

Myself and my granddaughter had a thoroughly enjoyable time volunteering with ACE. We both learned and contributed in our time in Botswana. The organisation of the company is fantastic. We were met at every stage of our trip by either Martin or a representative from ACE. My thirteen-year-old granddaughter has grown immensely in confidence, she mixed with other nationalities and ages and embraced all she did and that was required from her. I thoroughly recommend African Conservation Experience and as a 70 this year grandma, I can't recommend enough that if you are considering volunteering with ACE - do it!!

I spent two weeks with the Okavango Delta project and it was amazing! It was great to see how the project is run, be a part of collecting the data on the wildlife we saw, and meet with the ecologist to hear how the data is used and about wildlife management in the area. You will have a chance to see amazing wildlife while being part of an important project. The project team was great - helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. I am already looking at the other projects with ACE and when I may be able to go back.

We decided to join The Okavango Wilderness Project because we have always wanted to visit this area and see the Delta. It has been our favourite location in any documentary series, and we have done a lot of research on the area. The biodiversity and uniqueness of it being an inland river delta that does not flow anywhere else except the Kalahari is so interesting. We have always thought it was breathtakingly beautiful and we wanted to experience it for ourselves. The campsite at the project is lovely. We expected a basic dome tent with only a sleeping bag, but we were thrilled to find a wonderful safari tent with a comfortable mattress, blankets, and a pillow. Moreover, each tent has its own chemical toilet, which comes in handy if you're afraid to walk to the bathroom at night. There are chairs and tables on the porch, so you can relax in front of your tent in the evenings and take in the beautiful surroundings. The campsite has a shower and toilet block, hot running water, and a fully equipped kitchen and living room - what more could you want? Our favourite spot was the fire pit, where the volunteer team would gather around in the evenings to talk about the day. Each day of the project was so different. It would usually start bright and early with breakfast consisting of cereals, fruits, bread, tea, and coffee. Then out on the morning drive, where we would search for wildlife to monitor and collect data on. With carnivores, we would identify their tracks and document them using a Cybertracker program. We used a rangefinder to identify the distance of the animals from our car, and we would record information such as species, gender, age, environmental factors, and number of individuals. All the data we collected went to Dr. Winterbach for his research on wildlife conservation and policy changes, which is really important in this region. After the morning rounds, we would relax at the camp for a few hours before the evening drive. This was because the wildlife was mostly active during the morning and night. Some days, we started as early as 5am to increase our chances of seeing the predators instead of just their tracks. We saw caracal and hyenas on those days, making it very worthwhile. Other days, we had lunch on the road, as we were out on tracks all day. It was exciting to see the mammals, but also the birds and plants, as the team were very knowledgeable about all living things in the area. They wanted us to understand how plant life impacted the ecosystem and was all connected. Tracking was our favourite part of the project because of how in-depth and beautiful the science was. Every day was different and exciting, with something new to learn and discover. One of the highlights of my trip was when I witnessed a lion killing a zebra. It was a mixed emotional experience because I had been watching the zebra herd for a little while, and I think they are wonderful animals. Suddenly, they started running! Then I saw a lioness take off and I was in awe. I did not even know she was lying there. It was like watching National Geographic live in front of the vehicle and I didn't know how to process it. Eventually, the lioness killed the zebra. I was happy for the lion to get a meal but sad for the zebra. Witnessing such a natural occurrence reminded me of how unpredictable nature can be. Another memorable experience was when we were overnighting at the mobile camp and heard lions roaring in the morning. The team quickly got into a truck and drove towards the sound. Here I saw two male lions talking to each other, and taking over the pride! One of the female lions ran away in the opposite direction, while the second one was hesitant to leave. Our guide thought that the second lioness might have cubs nearby and was trying to lure the males away to protect them. The two new male lions then invaded the territory and chased the females away. It was a surreal moment to witness the interaction between the same species that you only read or hear about. A few days later, we saw a vastly different behaviour within the same species! There was another pride of lions enjoying themselves on a zebra carcass. There were males and females, all intermingled and completely at ease with each other. We loved watching a baby elephant that couldn't use its trunk yet. It was around three months at the water hole with its family. It kept coming out of his mom's legs and pretending to charge at us. A very spicy little one! The sightings at this project were unbelievable, resulting in a very long list! We had the incredible opportunity to see lions multiple times, which was truly amazing! We also observed and collected interesting data on the giraffes in this region. As expected, we saw hundreds of elephants, which is unsurprising due to their abundance in Botswana. During our stay at the campout site, we were fortunate to be near a watering hole where we witnessed hundreds of elephants coming and going. It was an incredible sight to see family units of 20+ individuals enjoying themselves, drinking, bathing, and keeping cool. We encountered various species of ungulates such as duiker, impalas, sables, oryx, eland, waterbuck, reedbuck, roan antelope, and zebras. Primate sightings were also a nice surprise! Particularly vervet monkeys which were everywhere. They were quite cheeky and got into the garbage at our campsite, causing a bit of a commotion. I was thrilled to spot crocodiles and hippos, which were a regular sight, with 30 to 40 hippos in the water at times. The bird species we saw were truly incredible! The lilac-breasted roller is now our favourite. We were lucky enough to spot about four or five secretary birds, which the team informed us were quite rare. Every day we observed a new species, making it an unforgettable experience. Our tip for The Okavango Project is to put some money to the side for the optional excursions offered. We went on the Mokoro (canoe through the waterways) and the aerial flight over the delta, which were fantastic value for money. When you take a flight up and over the region, you get to see everything in person with your own eyes, it goes right to your core. It's everything you've ever wanted. The Mokoro cruise is nice and relaxing, after hours on the dirt track. On the water, you gain so much knowledge of life within the floodplains and the history of the bush, local communities, and the animals. It gives you such an understanding of Botswana’s culture and its relationship with wildlife. We even saw an elephant in the water, and one of the guides made a noise to make it go away, and it did. We passed by, and then the elephant came back and started eating again - truly unforgettable! African Conservation Experience was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. The ACE team took care of us through the entire process and they are incredible people. I cannot say enough about the Okavango and the project staff. If you are looking for an unforgettable volunteer experience, you need not look any further. This experience has made us better people and taught us so much. It's only when you meet the people who live there and hear about their experiences and struggles that you start to gain a deeper understanding.

I had always dreamed about coming to Africa ever since I was a child. It was something I wanted to do so that I could learn all about the animals and the people who live there. I did not think I could achieve this dream, but last year somebody I know told me, “you can do anything”. This really hit home for me and made me realise that I can do anything! After that conversation, I started researching different conservation projects, and this is when I found ACE, so I decided to contact them. They were quick to respond and made me feel comfortable throughout the process, so I chose to volunteer with them. Everything during my experience was a highlight! I had no expectations going into this trip; everything was incredible. It was the animals and the people that made it special, and it felt like every day was the new best day of my life. My first day was amazing, but every day got better and better. Each day was different; the people were wonderful, and the sightings were great. It was all amazing - it was all perfect for me! When I returned to Johannesburg, I told the ACE team, “I must look different because I feel different”. The week at the Okavango Wilderness Project changed my life and my perspectives on nature. For example, I saw a lioness hunt a buffalo calf, and in the past, that would have just broken me! However, by witnessing that, I was filled with different emotions. This was not because I was becoming cold but because my heart, mind, and soul broadened perspectives. Everything impacted me while there, and I have grown as a person. I would advise volunteers considering joining the Okavango project to do it and do it scared! I was terrified as I had never camped before. I was always too scared to even camp in my own backyard! I went on the trip without expectations, and being terrified made me come out braver, stronger, and wiser. If you want to change your life, this is the project to do.

Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by wildlife and the cultures of Africa. So when I turned 18, I knew I had to go on my own and experience it for myself. African Conservation Experience (ACE) advised me throughout the booking process and had great project staff to assist and teach me while I was out there. Even when my flight arrived late ACE had already made a contingency plan by the time I landed. I am hoping to work in conservation one day, and I felt my time with the researchers and the professional guides contributed to that. This was an amazing experience, it also exposed me to the difficult realities faced in conservation today. The environment is in a dire state, and I feel like it is everyone's responsibility to do their part to help it, and when I left the project I felt like I had done just that. If you are considering an experience like this, you have got to do it! It will open so many doors and show you that a lot is hidden in the world of conservation, whether that is in documentaries, zoos, or a regular safari experience. Coming here, you witness real behind-the-scenes conservation work while spending your time in the genuine wilderness. Thank you ACE!

From the start the ACE planning, flexibility and information was clear and precise. Correspondence was well organized and the response from head office was always prompt and comprehensive. Nothing was left unexplained. All went so smoothly. Arrival at camp was a pleasant surprise. Beautiful, remote setting, great tents well set up in a glorious location with everything we needed. We were immediately immersed in the African way of life living in the bush. The flush toilet and shower block was a real bonus. We were immersed in the bush and loved it. Early morning starts, monitoring and logging animal sightings with cyber tracking, cups of tea and snacks on the road. Everyday was a different route with different animal sightings. Lots of tracking and the joy of seeing what you have been tracking along the road is amazing. Photography opportunities were unbelievable. The joy of the warm showers provided daily, the great African food and the peaceful campfire and the silence and maybe a gin or cider rounded the days off with the mandatory spectacutar red sky sunset. I had no idea what to expect and was never disappointed, everyday was a new adventure. It was easy just to let the days unfold and whatever happened was marvellous. It was one of the best experiences I've had in Africa and I have been 4 times! The number of animals in Botswana is huge and the added bonus of being there as the water started to move down during our time there was the icing on the cake.

In Botswana, everything is so wild and pure, and you never know when the animals will appear from the thick bush. There are places in Botswana, like the Okavango, where you see groups of people flying directly to their lodges, who don’t really get to experience the true nature surrounding them. But when you’re in transit, and you get to experience the drive to camp, you understand that this is where the tarmacs end, and from here on anything is possible. That’s really amazing! You can’t expect anything, because it’s the wild. You go to sleep and everything is quiet, and then you wake up three hours later with hyenas nearby, the elephants rambling and tons of birds. You can ask the trackers and the driver anything – they know everything about the sounds, the smells, whatever you want to know, they’ll tell you. Everything is there, you just need to grab the information, ask whatever you want. The experience feels like it went super quick – after adjusting to the setting for the first few days, you really start having fun. You get to see the sunrise, and have enough time to relax and read a book. You can cook for yourself and the team on the fire or the stove – everything is possible! The camp is a very nice, secluded place, and you don’t have to worry about anything – it’s lively, there’s fires and big, nice tents. You feel very respectful of nature and the wildlife, and everyone is amazing!

My time spent with the team in northern Botswana was nothing short of an adventure. For a full month, I had the opportunity to assist in vital research, documenting species presence on the Kwatale conservancy. We had some truly special sightings while there: everything from African wild dogs, to Sable antelope, and even a coalition of three male lions! Being able to participate in this project helped me gain a further understanding of the conservation issues faced in this region of the world. It was great being able to apply what I had learned in my lecture halls to the field! In addition to learning more about the local wildlife and ecology at large, I also found myself bonding with the staff and fellow volunteers. The team in Botswana was chalk-full of knowledge; showing us how to identify various tracks, sharing stories from their time in the bush, and patiently answering all our questions. They even laughed at my puns on occasion. It didn’t take long for the camp to feel like home, and thanks to this incredible experience, I have decided to pursue a career in conservation. I cannot thank the team and ACE enough for the opportunity to volunteer with them, and I would definitely encourage those seeking a true, meaningful adventure to consider this program.

The Okavango Wilderness Experience in Botswana (Moremi Game reserve) is truly amazing! A real feeling of being out in the bush and at the same helping out for a great cause. The outcomes from this volunteering are retained for ever! Learning every kind of species that are seen and their social behaviour. You will be amazed by the diversity of animals in this region, and even more about the abundance of birds species encountered. It will also be hard work as it is not as easy as it sounds. Days are long and tough but bearable. If you have never done something like this and you are not quite sure what volunteering to pick, I would suggest to start off by this one as it will give you an idea of what you are looking for. I can assure you, you will not regret it.

Our experience & trip with African Conservation Experience really was a trip of a lifetime! We planned our trip around 3 years before yet it had to be postponed numerous times due to Covid. The booking process & changing of dates was reliable & so easy, the team at African Conservation Experience were really prompt & helpful. This experience was something we have wanted to do as a married couple for some time. We have volunteered in other countries; but by far this has to be one of the best! We first spent 2 weeks in the Okavanago Delta collecting & recording data of the species we saw on game drives. It was incredible! We saw lots of wildlife including Leopards! The living conditions are what we were looking forward to being back to basic in a bush camp & living, cooking, & working with local African people. The experience was unforgettable, hard at times with the heat & being so remote where we were. Yet the staff were amazing in making you feel safe & ensuring we had the best experience. Our whole experience was 5*; from the warm welcome we had at the airport from Martin who was there as soon as we arrived & it was great that he was very informative about the projects we were taking part in. We can't recommend this company & projects enough. We hope one day we will return & get involved some more. Thank-you :)

My favourite moment was seeing a male lion in a Mexican stand-off with some crocodiles to eat a dead hippo in the river at Kwai. The lion was waiting patiently at 10 a.m. and was still there at 7.30 p.m. but was afraid to go into the river because of the crocodiles on the opposite bank of the river.

I was awakened at 2:00 AM and listened to a herd of elephants grazing on the trees just behind my tent, so close that I could hear their digestive systems churning and gurgling. The Milky Way was overhead with an occasional shooting star. I listened for about half an hour and then drifted back to sleep. Now that… was an amazing experience!

I was already familiar with ACE as I'd spent two weeks at Phinda in 2014. However, the project in Botswana seemed like a greater challenge in an area of Africa to which I had never been. As before, the travel arrangements worked perfectly with Martin meeting me at the airport and providing an excellent overview of the project we were to be engaged in. Martin is extremely passionate about his work and it is quite motivating to the novice, which clearly I was, to understand the significance of the project and being provided a clear indication as to the contribution you can make. I was also able to meet my co-volunteers. 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. The greatest reward, however, is the privilege of being able to spend time in the bush. While we were under canvas, the camp facilities were brilliant; certainly that would be the impression for anyone who has spent any time camping. My time there was during the dry season and the evidence of migration of animals due to diminishing water holes was clear; and this was recorded with great commitment by our team which bonded amazingly well. The evidence of the cooperation we enjoyed was most noticeable each evening when we shared the duties of creating a meal; and then sharing stories around a camp fire. ACE understand that if you volunteer to work in these contexts you also hope to enjoy seeing as much as possible of the wildlife which surrounds you. The balance which was achieved in terms of getting the job done while providing opportunities to see much of what Northern Botswana has to offer worked incredibly well. The long days monitoring in the vehicle were always rewarding. In addition, the few days when entered the Chobe and Moremi Game Reserves provided a wonderful set of memories to share with those back home. A great experience which everyone in my group of five enjoyed. The most significant of sightings was a Pangolin. As rare an animal as you might find in this part of the world. Even our Botswanan driver was elated by this find.

From the start the ACE planning, flexibility and information was clear and precise. Correspondence was well organized and the response from head office was always prompt and comprehensive. Nothing was left unexplained. All went so smoothly. Arrival at camp was a pleasant surprise. Beautiful, remote setting, great tents well set up in a glorious location with everything we needed. We were immediately immersed in the African way of life living in the bush. The flush toilet and shower block was a real bonus. We were immersed in the bush and loved it. Early morning starts, monitoring and logging animal sightings with cyber tracking, cups of tea and snacks on the road. Everyday was a different route with different animal sightings. Lots of tracking and the joy of seeing what you have been tracking along the road is amazing. Photography opportunities were unbelievable. The joy of the warm showers provided daily, the great African food and the peaceful campfire and the silence and maybe a gin or cider rounded the days off with the mandatory spectacutar red sky sunset. I had no idea what to expect and was never disappointed, everyday was a new adventure. It was easy just to let the days unfold and whatever happened was marvellous. It was one of the best experiences I've had in Africa and I have been 4 times! The number of animals in Botswana is huge and the added bonus of being there as the water started to move down during our time there was the icing on the cake.

Every day was a gift, but I remember 3 occasions, when the guides took me to the safari game trip (boat trip in Moremi), when we went to the hippos pool in Mababe and to a water hole close to the camp. These were incredible experiences - I highly recommend!

I had a wonderful experience with ACE. This was my first time with ACE and I participated in the Botswana Okavango Program. Everything about the trip ran smoothly. We were met at the airport and given a very detailed overview of our trip. We were met in Maun by the ACE reps and the adventure began! The guides in our camp were fantastic. So nice and knowledgeable about the environment and wildlife. Our accommodations, while basic were good and the food was delicious! The daily research activity of identifying animals on set transepts within a concession was a lot of fun. We all learned alot. On our days off we spent the day inside the Okavango Moremi Reserve. The wildlife we saw was extraordinary. It was a fabulous trip.