African Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Management Course

Our African Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Management Course provides nature enthusiasts and aspiring conservationists the chance to work alongside Wildlife ACT monitors, gaining conservation experience and a strong theoretical understanding of South African wildlife conservation in a practical and fun way. 

Our hands-on conservation course allows you to participate in daily wildlife conservation management efforts at the world-famous Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park – Africa's oldest Big 5 nature reserve, the site where the White Rhino was saved from certain extinction in the 20th century and Shaka Zulu’s original hunting grounds. 

Our 28-day program offers hands-on monitoring of endangered species like Wild Dog, Cheetah, Lion, and Vulture, along with data collection, management, research and incidental monitoring of other species like Hyaena, Black and White Rhino, Leopard and Elephant. You'll also support habitat and reserve management while learning wildlife management and ecological principles as part of Wildlife ACT's conservation efforts.

Download Our Wildlife Conservation Training Brochure

In collaboration with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, our combined expertise provides a unique bush-learning experience. You’ll actively participate in daily operations on a Big 5 reserve, engage in monitoring and research projects, and experience our monitor training program firsthand.

The Conservation Training Course combines instructor-led learning and hands-on fieldwork, featuring Wildlife ACT's 267-page conservation handbook, refined over 16 years. The course includes theoretical modules paired with practical conservation activities, whenever possible. Participants will attend weekly lectures, complete assignments and exercises, receive a final evaluation, and earn a certificate of completion. The field-to-classroom learning ratio is roughly 60:40, depending on field conditions.

By the end of the course, participants will have gained proficiency in the following skills:

Wildlife Monitoring

• Review of Monitoring Development: Modern monitoring techniques, technology and equipment, effective data collection and management, and monitoring ethics.
• Endangered Species Monitoring: Wild Dog, Cheetah, Lion, and Vulture
• Incidental Species Monitoring: Hyaena, Ground Hornbill, Black Rhino, White Rhino, Leopard and Elephant. 
• Ethology: Social systems, communication, protective behaviour, home ranges and territories, anticipating animal behaviour.
  ‍

Camera Trapping

• Pre-field work: survey type and setup preparation
• In the field: considerations, security and details
• Post setup: identification, analysis and photo tagging
  ‍

Tracking and Spoor

• Observing and interpreting
• Identifying different types of animal tracks and signs: arboreal, terrestrial and aerial
  
  

Conservation and Habitat Management

• Game Count Survey methodologies: Road strip counts, walking transects as well as data entry thereof
• Fire: learning the theory of fire as a management tool
• Soil erosion: types, causes, and preventative methods, road rock packing (practical techniques)
• Bush encroachment and alien plant control: causes, control methods and techniques (practical techniques)
• Vegetation Survey methodologies: Tree wire wrapping for elephant deterrent, fixed point photography sampling techniques (practical)
  
  

Game Capture and Relocation

• Purpose and necessity: genetic populations, injuries or carrying capacity
• Capture method theory: Mass capture, passive capture, immobilisation
• Boma management: Structure and type, monitoring and protocols (theory and practical)
  ‍

Wildlife Crime and Illegal Trade

• Causes & drivers of Illegal Wildlife Trade
• Impacts of Wildlife Crime & Illegal trade on wildlife populations
• Potential solutions and problem solvers

Community Conservation 

• Community Conservation Programmes around HiP
• How Wildlife ACT is working with communities
• CCP engagement: Meet Community Conservation Program members (practical)
• Human Wildlife Coexistence strategies and discussions

This African Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Management course is open to individuals aged 18 and older. Individuals eager to expand their knowledge of wildlife monitoring and management are encouraged to apply.

Conservation Course Prerequisites

• In good physical condition, with the ability to walk in the field for at least 2 hours and tolerate peak-day heat if required for an event.
• Proficient in understanding, speaking, and writing in English.
• Open-minded, enthusiastic, and passionate about making a difference.
• Have a basic background in ecology or conservation, through prior courses, diplomas, degrees, or previous experience in wildlife conservation and habitat management. This will make it easier to grasp both theoretical and practical concepts related to the project requirements.

During the first few days of your camp orientation, we will cover all Health and Safety aspects in detail. Please bear with us as we go over the guidelines – they are essential for your protection and to ensure you are fully aware of any risks. This is a key part of the orientation.

Medical Information

WILDLIFE ACT STAFF ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. 

• Malaria: Zululand is considered a low-to-medium-risk area for Malaria. It is advisable to consult your doctor about recommendations for preventative medication. To further reduce your risk, protect yourself from insect bites by using repellents, sleeping under a mosquito net, and wearing lightweight, long-sleeved clothing in the evenings. If you develop a fever within one week to three months of visiting a risk area, seek medical attention and get tested for malaria (or tick bite fever).
  
  
• Physical Fitness: While the physical demands are not overly strenuous, a reasonable level of fitness is recommended as the weather can be extremely humid, and you will be working outside for a large portion of the time.

Health & Safety

• Field Base Safety: All students will be informed of the risks, health and safety procedures for the field base on arrival. It is imperative that everyone both understands and respects them.
  
  

Personal Safety: Look after your important documents and take a separate photocopy with you. Do not wear excessive jewellery or walk around areas outside camp with valuable items on display e.g. cameras. Do not carry large amounts of cash.

Conservation course students are based at the Hluhluwe Research Camp, situated atop a hill in a coastal scarp forest. The camp is shared with other scientists and researchers conducting studies in the Park, though their rooms are separate from those of our Wildlife ACT participants.

Upon arrival at the Wildlife ACT Hilltop campus, you'll have time to settle in and unpack. During the first few days, Wildlife ACT course instructors will guide you through an orientation program to familiarise you with all aspects of the conservation course. The following information will help with this orientation process, giving you an overview of the camp's structure, facilities, and rules and regulations.

Accommodation & Facilities

Our Wildlife ACT students are accommodated in twin rooms, each equipped with a desk and shelving/cupboard space for personal belongings. Accommodation is shared with other researchers, so students will use communal toilets and shower facilities. There is also a shared kitchen and barbecue area.

The camp is located within walking distance of the main tourist camp, "Hilltop Camp," which is open to the public and features a restaurant and a small shop.

Internet & Communication

Please note that mobile reception on and around the campus is limited due to its remote location, and signal or connectivity issues may occasionally occur. We recommend using Vodacom SIM cards for the best network coverage in the area.

Meals and Food

Meals are prepared on a help-yourself basis, with basic food supplies provided. However, if you require any additional "luxury" items, these will be at your own expense. There is a designated trip into town once a week, so please ensure your food lasts for the entire week.

Vegetarian Meals: Wildlife ACT strives to provide healthy, balanced meals for our vegetarian students. However, due to the camp's location, local cultures, customs, and food budgets, it may not always be possible to offer a wide variety of vegetarian substitutes. Expensive items, like tofu and soy milk, will need to be purchased by the student. Please ensure you inform us of any dietary requirements before joining the course, as the Wildlife ACT kitchen may not be equipped for unexpected dietary needs upon arrival.

Wildlife ACT aims to accommodate any dietary requirements that have been disclosed in advance. However, please note that only dietary needs for medical reasons will be catered for. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate specific weight-loss or fitness diets unless they are medically necessary.

‍

Essential Equipment/Clothing

• Hiking or trail boots are essential for everyday use.
• SPF Sunblock. You will be spending a considerable amount of time in the sun, so please bring sufficient sun protection. It is recommended to use a higher SPF (30-45) than usual, as the African sun is intense, and you may burn quickly if you're not accustomed to it.
• Water Bottle (essential). Ideally 1.5 – 2 litre capacity.
• Long trousers and long-sleeve shirts are recommended, as insects can be a nuisance in all subtropical areas, particularly in the evening.
• Fleece and/or warm sweaters, along with a hat and gloves (for the African winter months, from May to August).
• Sun Hat. The sun is intense, so a wide-brimmed hat is essential for protection.
• Sunglasses: A high-quality pair of sunglasses with 100% UV protection is recommended. If you don't typically wear sunglasses, consider bringing plastic lenses or safety glasses, as they help protect your eyes from dust, insects, and branches—particularly during evening drives back to camp.
• Medical Kit: It's always useful to carry a small personal medical kit. Recommended items include: plasters, wound dressings and bandages, personal medication for the duration of your stay, antihistamine cream/tablets, antifungal foot powder/cream, antiseptic cream/solution, Imodium tablets (x30), rehydration sachets (e.g., Dioralyte) (x20), mild painkillers (e.g., paracetamol), tweezers, scissors, and anti-nausea or anti-diarrheal tablets. Emergency travel kits are available at most pharmacies and outdoor supply stores.
• A waterproof/windproof poncho or waterproof top and trousers are recommended during the summer months (September to April). A windproof jacket is essential year-round, especially between July and September when windy conditions are common.
• A good pair of binoculars will enhance your experience. We recommend a magnification of 8x, 10x, or 12x.
• Reference or field guidebooks
• Torch/Flashlight: A head torch is required for night research and is preferred over a standard hand-held torch. LED lamps are recommended, as they help extend battery life.

Helpful but not essential

• Please bring pens, pencils, a pocket-sized notepad, and an A4 notebook, as they are essential for taking notes during classes and practical sessions. All other learning materials will be provided
• If you have a laptop, feel free to bring it along; it will be helpful for taking notes after class, as well as for study sessions and assignments. (To access additional research articles and submit assignments, lecture PDFs, and manuals) 

Recommended Equipment List

Please note that the following list is a guideline only.

• A daypack/rucksack is recommended for daily use.
• Malaria Tablets: Please consult your doctor, pharmacy, or travel clinic for recommended prophylactics.
• Insect Repellent: If you are allergic to repellents, please seek advice from your GP. Consider bringing tick repellent (Bayticol or Mylol) as well.
• Swimming Costume.
• Camera: A camera can be useful for capturing photos for animal/bird identification, as well as for tracking and sign identification.

Other Personal Items (non-essential)

• Batteries for any electrical devices (e.g., head torch).
• Snacks or other essentials, as there are no nearby shops or only those with limited supplies.
• It is advisable to bring enough toiletries, as the local shops have a limited selection of products.

‍

BOOKING FLIGHTS :

We collect ALL arriving participants from RICHARDS BAY (our closest big town).

After you have confirmed your placement with us, you may proceed with booking your flight tickets.

You will need to book your International flight to land at Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport), and then book a short domestic (internal) flight, from Johannesburg (JNB) to Richards Bay (RCB).

For your ARRIVAL flight on Monday, you will need to book a flight arriving to RICHARDS BAY AIRPORT at 12:00 PM, or earlier.
Any flight arriving LATER than 12:00 will NOT be suitable, since we will not be able to get all participants to the various project locations, in time before the Reserve Gates close.

For your DEPARTURE flight on the Monday, you will need to book a flight departing from RICHARDS BAY AIRPORT at 12:25 PM, or later.
Any flight departing EARLIER than 12:25 will NOT be suitable, since we will not be able to get all participants from the various project locations, to the Airport in time for check-in.

If participants cannot find flights to fit in with the timing guidelines for Arrival Monday, participants will need to fly to Richards Bay on the SUNDAY, and overnight near the Airport and then MAKE THEIR OWN WAY BACK to the Richards Bay AIRPORT by latest 11:45 AM on the Monday, to meet the Driver.

If you do have the ability to CHOOSE to arrive on the Sunday, many of our volunteers have commented that booking a flight arriving to Richards Bay on the Sunday has been PREFERABLE, since it allows a chance to get a good night’s sleep after the long flight, and before joining our teams to begin the conservation work!

RICHARDS BAY OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION :

Participants should please book Accommodation options situated CLOSE TO the Richards Bay Airport (i.e. within the leafy suburb of the “BIRDSWOOD” area of Richards Bay). The “Fish Eagle Inn”, “Serendipity Guesthouse” , “Woodpecker Inn” and “Gecko Inn” options (all located within 5 kilometres of the Airport), have all been used by our previous participants, since you can ASK these venue options whether they would be willing or able to collect you from the Airport, given their close proximity.

The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park:

‍
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) was established in 1895 and is the oldest Nature Reserve in Africa. The park is 96,000 hectares in total and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora including the “Big 5” (Lion, Leopard, Black and White Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant), as well as Endangered species including African Wild Dogs and Cheetah.

Due to the size of the protected area, logistically it is divided into two Management Sections: namely the Hluhluwe Section and iMfolozi Section, but the two sections are not separated by fences and are managed together as “one natural system.”

The HLUHLUWE Section of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park:

‍
The Hluhluwe Section comprises 33,000 hectares of the total 96,000 hectares.

View our HLUHLUWE Research Camp photos here:  https://www.wildlifeact.com/galleries/hluhluwe-project-camp-photos

The iMFOLOZI Section of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park:

‍
The iMfolozi Section comprises 66,000 hectares of the total 96,000 hectares.

View our iMFOLOZI Research Camp photos herehttps://www.wildlifeact.com/galleries/imfolozi-project-camp-photos

‍