Wild South Africa

South Africa's wild predators should be respected for how dangerous they can be.
Please take note of the following when travelling through wildlife-zones:

-Guides are trained and should thus be listened to and obeyed no matter what.
-Never approach animals, leave the vehicle to get a 'good photograph', and walk or swim where it is prohibited.
-Talk softly and blend into the natural surrounds as much as possible. Trying to draw an animal's attention by clapping or shouting will achieve the opposite and they will simply go into hiding.
-Never litter.
-Never exceed speed limits in National Parks or venture off the roads.
-Never smoke on game drives or game walks.
-Do not feed the animals - the outcome is tragic when animals are dependant on feeding.

South Africa's Wildlife Sanctuaries and Conservation Projects need visitors' support if not volunteers. These animal-friendly places are not profit orientated and need help.

A Baboon sanctuary in South Africa
The Baboon Sanctuary (registered NPO) in Phalaborwa hosts over 400 baboons for which volunteers are constantly needed for the running and rehabilitation programme. Situated on the Olifants river banks in Limpopo Province (next to the greater Kruger Park), the visitor can see a range of indigenous wildlife at the Kruger National Park and the Centre both.

The Enkosini Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa
This bushveld experience is for true nature lovers as this sanctuary is a 15,000 acre reserve protecting and preserving indigenous wildlife and birdlife and flora on plains with rolling mountains.

Elephants in South Africa
Guests of Camp Jabulani are taken out into the bush on elephant back to view game such as giraffes, leopard and lions up close for 1,5 hours. These safaris include an experienced handler who gives an educational talk on rehabilitated elephants.

Riding in Addo's Zuurberg mountains is a peaceful experience through exquisite nature scenery of forests, bush and watching the elephants swim and play at the stop-over water hole.

Magaliesberg Mountains is situated in a stunning indigenous bush with its elephants, rich birdlife and wildlife where the visitor can touch and walk, brush and feed the elephants.


Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in South Africa
Situated in the Limpopo Province at the feet of the gorgeous Drakensberg is this NPO conservation camp for endangered indigenous species including the abandoned, poisoned and injured, plus aiding in endangered specie breeding - all with the aid of volunteers. Being close to Kruger National Park (60 kilometres from the Orpen Gate), volunteers can see wild in the Kruger too.

Vervet Monkey Sanctuary in South Africa
The Sanctuary is near the Limpopo town of Tzaneen, borders with the greater Kruger Park area and is thus rich in indigenous wildlife and beautiful scenery. Receiving around 50 babies and 45 juveniles/adults annually, this sanctuary cares for about 500 vervet monkeys while also running outreach programmes where educational talks are given to schools and clubs, land owners and farmers. Therefore volunteers are of utmost importance to the Sanctuary.

The O.R.C.A. Marine Foundation in South Africa
Situated in Plettenberg Bay on the "Garden Route" it houses many fascinating marine species, of which southern right whales and bryde’s whales, humpback whales and humpback dolphins, common and bottlenose dolphins, orca whales plus great white sharks. The Foundation's aim is practical conservation for sustainable utilization of marine, coastal and estuarine habitats and returning these habitats to a near-perfect status through conservation and education, community development and tourism and other. The visitor can expect sea trips (boat or kayak) and informative talks while the volunteer will have the chance to actively participate in marine conservation. O.R.C.A received the 2004 International SKAL Award for Eco-Tourism and the 2001 WWF Green Trust Award.

Turtle Watching with KZN Wildlife in South Africa
Leatherback turtles are the largest sea turtle, measuring 1,4 - 1,7m in length with long flippers and are mystical creatures that lay up to 900+ eggs on moonless summer nights during high tide. Leatherbacks and 2-clawed 1m Loggerheads breed on the shores of Zululand while Olive Ridley's, Green and Hawkbill turtles are found in the ocean here. Hatching, 2 months after being laid, is carefully controlled by conservation efforts and visitors are escorted by KZN Wildlife rangers from Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay for viewings.


The Penguin Conservation Centre in South Africa
This Cape Town Centre is known for rehabilitating oiled African Penguins and the dropping of penguin number (a whole 90% in the last 10 years!) due to guano and penguin eggs exploitation and depletion of fish resources.
Trained staff works closely with volunteers in this centre located on the Flamingo Vlei, famous for its own birdlife - all in the most beautiful city of the world!

The Great White Shark Project in South Africa
The conservation of the Great White Shark and its environment is the aim of the The Great White Shark Project - near Gansbaai, from Klein Bay. Data is gathered by scientists and divers, fishermen, students and eco-tourists, to correct wrong perceptions through education, eco-tourism and behavioural studies of sharks. Shark trips take visitors between Dyer and Geyser Islands.

Whale Watching in South Africa
Whales are a massive draw card for many tourists (no pun intended!) and popular viewpoints are at Koppie Alleen in De Hoop Reserve and the De Hoop/Infanta beach and from L´Agulhas to Infanta. The mothers swim slowly alongside their calves - a memorable sight!
Southern Right Whales, black with white, are of the largest and up to 15+ meters long and 5 meters wide, weighing up to 60 tons.

The Travel-Informed Team

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