Wildside’s “Work with Nature” 5 and 8 Day Conservation Experiences on the Garden Route and near Kruger in South Africa

Wildside’s “Work with Nature” – is a newly created “Conservation Experience “ in Southern Africa to encourage people of most ages to get involved in Wildlife Conservation and Nature based projects which complement the Sense of Purpose Africa Philosophy and to find their own meaningful Sense of Purpose in a worldwide drive to ‘give back’ where possible.

The Sense of Purpose Africa philosophy is to support a variety of projects in Africa that work with local communities for the betterment of those communities, through the practice of preserving and conserving nature and wildlife, to generate tourism revenue for the benefit of the local people, by encouraging participation from those looking to fulfill their “Sense of Purpose.”

The various Wildside’s Work with Nature programs in Southern Africa are all based near parks and communities to facilitate projects that comply with the SOPA philosophy, and each program is structured differently to suit the environment and to provide clients with an Interactive Safari Experience. Current programs are available at Tenikwa in the Crags on the Garden Route and at Abelana Safari Camp in the Big 5 Selati reserve near Kruger, with plans to extend the Programs to areas like the Tuli block and Khwai Community areas in Botswana.

Each program varies in length from 5 to 8 days with different conservation/nature-based activities depending on what the reserve/area has to offer, and is facilitated by professional guides and instructors, with 3 to 4 star accommodation full inclusive of all meals, transfers etc., and are subject to a minimum group size of 6 persons committed to each program.

Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre are our hosts on the Garden Route, which is located in the rural suburb known as The Crags outside Plettenberg Bay. Through its wildlife rehabilitation expertise, Tenikwa plays a crucial role in providing rehabilitation and recuperation facilities where injured or abandoned wildlife can be rehabilitated according to strict rehabilitation protocols, so that they are given a second chance to be returned to the wild where they belong. The 7 Night / 8 Day stay at Tenikwa includes spending time on various “Key Projects” like Nature’s Valley Trust, based in the area covering 5 core thematic areas, namely: Forest, Fynbos, River, Estuary, Coastal, and Urban Environs including Wildlife research and interaction, the local Community food garden & Education Center, coastal and marine conservation and reforestation activities in nearby Forests.

Our host in the Selati Reserve near Kruger is Abelana Safari Camp – which is the base for the Big 5 & 5 day Working with Nature program. The Camp is located in an elevated position amid spectacular granite outcrops, with a viewing deck overlooking a large watering hole for watching wildlife and can accommodate eight guests in four Meru-style en suite luxury tents. Abelana Game Reserve is a 15,000ha (36,000 acre) Big Five game reserve, in close proximity to the renowned Kruger National Park and the Selati Game Reserve, close to the town of Phalaborwa in South Africa’s beautiful Lowveld – the country’s prime big game region.

The Abelana Working with Nature program includes various activities in the reserve such as working with anti -Poaching teams, setting, and monitoring camera Traps, interacting with the local community living adjacent to the Reserve, and wildlife research while on game drives or guided walks.

Each program represents an affordable way for clients wishing to fulfill their Sense of Purpose on a comfortable Interactive unconventional Safari or Conservation Experience with package rates from approx. R 16 500 for SADC clients or $1000 for International clients depending on the program duration and area involved. Detailed packages and Itineraries are available on request.

Programs start on a Saturday or Sunday every month beginning November 2023 and bookings are subject to availability / first-come-first-serve basis.

Email emma@wildside.co.za for more information