Exploring the Wild: My Volunteer Experience at Manyoni Private Game Reserve with Wildlife ACT
“No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
Africa has always held a special place in my imagination—a land where the vast savannahs stretch endlessly beneath the sun, teeming with life found nowhere else on earth. As a child, I dreamed of hearing the distant roar of a lion, watching herds of elephants cross the plains, and seeing the stealthy grace of a leopard moving through the bush. The allure of Africa’s wilderness has been with me for as long as I can remember, and recently, I had the chance to turn that dream into reality.
I followed the call of Africa to South Africa’s Manyoni Private Game Reserve, where I volunteered for two unforgettable weeks with Wildlife ACT, an organization dedicated to the conservation of endangered species. Nestled in the heart of Zululand, Manyoni is a sanctuary for some of the world’s most iconic wildlife, offering an unparalleled opportunity not only to experience these incredible creatures up close but also to contribute to their preservation. For me, this journey was about more than just witnessing Africa’s untamed beauty—it was about playing a small part in the vital work of protecting it.
Manyoni is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife. From majestic lions to elusive leopards, towering elephants, and both black and white rhinos—whose very existence is threatened by poaching—this reserve is a microcosm of Africa’s natural wonders. I was particularly drawn to the chance to see the rare and enigmatic pangolin, a species that remains critically endangered due to illegal wildlife trafficking. The reserve is also home to cheetahs, whose speed and grace across the landscape is a breathtaking sight to behold.
Over the next two weeks, I would encounter these remarkable animals in their natural habitat, learn their stories, and better understand the challenges they face for survival. My time with Wildlife ACT would take me deep into the heart of conservation efforts, from tracking cheetahs with telemetry equipment to helping monitor endangered species that rely on the protection this reserve offers.
This blog series is more than just a collection of stories from my time at Manyoni. It’s a reflection of my growing connection to the wild, a connection that has profoundly changed the way I see the world and its natural wonders. Through these posts, I hope to share the beauty, wonder, and fragility of Africa’s wildlife, with the hope that, as Attenborough so wisely said, others may come to care about what they, too, have yet to experience.
So, join me as I take you through my experiences volunteering at Manyoni, where the wild beauty of South Africa and the tireless work of conservationists come together in a powerful and unforgettable way. Stay tuned for stories of tracking cheetahs, the challenges of rhino conservation, close encounters with lions, and so much more. This is my journey into the heart of Africa’s wilderness—and I’m excited to share it with you.
