South Africa Wildlife & Conservation Safari 2026

South Africa Wildlife & Conservation Safari

Hosted by wildlife filmmaker Nina Defilla.

A small-group wildlife safari combining iconic wildlife, hands-on conservation work, and behind-the-scenes access to some of South Africa's most inspiring conservation initiatives. Photography guidance is available for those who want it, but no experience or specialized camera equipment is required.

September 10–19, 2026
Greater Kruger Region, South Africa
TRIP CONFIRMED • 3 Spots Remaining

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Travel With Me

I’m so excited to share this South African adventure with you! We’ll have the chance to photograph incredible wildlife and landscapes, but this trip is also about something deeper — going behind the scenes with passionate conservationists, learning about the work being done to protect endangered species, and experiencing parts of South Africa that are not normally open to the public.

This is a very special journey that combines wildlife photography with meaningful conservation experiences. From time in the African bush to visits with nonprofits in private areas, every part of the trip is designed to offer a deeper connection to the wildlife, landscapes, and people working to protect them.

What makes this safari different?

This isn’t just a safari, it’s an experience designed for people who want to go deeper.

You won’t just see animals, you’ll gain insight into the challenges of protecting them and the people working every day to ensure their survival.

This journey is immersive, purposeful, and experience-driven — not just a checklist of wildlife sightings.

Why Travel With Me?

I’ve spent years documenting remote ecosystems around the world. On this trip, I won’t just be hosting — I’ll be fully there in the field with you.

Throughout the trip, I’ll help guests:

• Understand animal behavior and anticipate moments
• Position for better photography opportunities
• Improve storytelling and composition in the field

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Spend 10 days with Nina in the African Bush on a photography safari.

Volunteer 3 days at a Rhino Sanctuary that is closed to the public.
Spend 3 nights in Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest wildlife reserve.
Photography guidance from Nina throughout the trip, including instruction in the field.
Spend 3 nights in the Greater Kruger enjoying on off-road safaris, bush walks and visiting The Timbavati Foundation.
Meet an All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit – The Black Mambas.

TRIP DETAILS

WHEN:

September 10-19, 2026

WHERE:

Greater Kruger Region, South Africa

GROUP SIZE:

Maximum 6 guests (plus Nina and a videographer)

EXPERIENCE:

Kruger National Park wildlife viewing · Rhino sanctuary conservation · Private reserve game drives

SKILL LEVEL:

All experience levels welcome

PRICE:

$5,495 USD per person.

A $1,000 deposit is required to secure your spot. The remaining balance will be due prior to the trip.

OVERVIEW

🦏 Conservation Immersion — Rhino Sanctuary Experience

We begin the journey with a behind-the-scenes conservation experience at a working rhino rescue sanctuary that is closed to the public. We will assist in milk preparation for the rhinos, bottle feeding, boma care, clearing stables, participate in behavioural observations and gain insight into the world of rhino care, rehabilitation and conservation.

Starting here gives the entire trip deeper context and meaning, offering a rare opportunity to understand the challenges facing rhinos and the dedicated teams working to protect them.

🐆 Classic Safari Foundations — Kruger National Park

Next, we move into Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest and most iconic wildlife reserve. Here we settle into the rhythm of safari life with guided game drives and wildlife tracking in classic Big Five territory.

This portion of the trip builds field awareness and observation skills, with photographer-friendly pacing and time to understand animal behavior, positioning, and storytelling opportunities in the wild.

Throughout the journey, Nina will provide photography guidance and in-field instruction to help guests strengthen their wildlife photography and visual storytelling.

🦁 Private Reserve Finale — Greater Kruger

The journey finishes in the Greater Kruger region, staying in a private reserve known for strong sightings and expert guiding. With fewer vehicles and more flexible tracking, this part of the trip allows for deeper wildlife encounters and high-quality photography opportunities.

Guests will experience off-road safaris, bush walks, and conservation-focused visits, including time with the Timbavati Foundation and the opportunity to meet the Black Mambas, an inspiring all-women anti-poaching unit working to protect wildlife in the Greater Kruger ecosystem.

This final stretch is designed to bring everything together: wildlife, conservation, and storytelling — creating meaningful moments in the African bush.

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Our Local Safari Partner

This safari is operated in partnership with Volunteer and Explore, a conservation-focused travel company founded in 2006.

Based in Cape Town, Volunteer and Explore is a small, family-run business that has spent nearly two decades connecting travelers with meaningful wildlife and conservation experiences across southern Africa.

The company was founded by Alison Paulus, inspired by her own experiences volunteering with wildlife and working alongside wildlife filmmaker Kim Wolhuter in Etosha and MalaMala. Since then, Volunteer and Explore has developed strong relationships with conservation organizations and local partners throughout the region.

Their team handles the on-the-ground logistics, accommodations, and conservation partnerships, ensuring that the experience runs smoothly while supporting responsible wildlife initiatives.

Together, we’ve designed this safari to combine immersive wildlife encounters, conservation access, and a thoughtfully curated small-group experience.

What’s Included

• 9 nights’ accommodation (twin-share basis)
• Behind-the-scenes volunteer experience at a rhino sanctuary closed to the public
• Most meals, as indicated in the itinerary
• All game drives at Care for Wild, Kruger National Park, and Pridelands Game Reserve
• Airport pickup at Nelspruit (KMIA) Airport
• Airport drop-off at Hoedspruit Airport
• Private transfers throughout the trip
• Guiding and hosting services throughout the safari
• Entrance and conservation fees for reserves and activities where applicable

Not Included

• International and domestic flights
• Travel and medical insurance (required)
• Visa fees if applicable
• Meals and beverages not listed in the itinerary
• Gratuities and tipping
• Personal purchases and items of a personal nature

Photography & In-Field Guidance

This safari is designed to be photography-friendly from the ground up. With a small group size and flexible pacing, we’ll have time to observe wildlife behavior, work angles, and shoot intentionally rather than rushing from sighting to sighting.

Throughout the trip, I’ll be available to help with camera settings, positioning, composition, and reading animal behavior — the same field approach I use in my own wildlife filmmaking and photography work.

Whether you’re experienced or just getting started, you’re welcome. You don’t need professional gear, just an interest in wildlife and a desire to learn and improve.

This safari is ideal for:

• Wildlife photographers and filmmakers
• Travelers interested in conservation and behind-the-scenes wildlife work
• Nature lovers who want a deeper understanding of animal behavior
• Creators who want to improve storytelling and composition in the field
• Adventurous travelers who want a small, immersive safari experience

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Itinerary

September 10
Guests will meet Nina at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Nelspruit before departing together for the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary.
We aim to depart at 12 PM straight to Care For Wild Sanctuary, so if you are unable to arrive before this time we recommend you fly in a day earlier and overnight at an airport hotel in either Johannesburg or Mbombela.
Transfer time will take roughly just over an hour.
Care for Wild was founded in 2001 in response to the devastating rise of rhino poaching in South Africa. Today it is the largest rhino sanctuary in the world, providing specialized care and rehabilitation to orphaned white and black rhinos, many rescued as victims of poaching.
Our time here offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at rhino conservation. We’ll meet the dedicated rehabilitators and conservation staff whose work gives these animals a second chance in the wild.
Our home for the next 3 nights will be shared volunteer cabins, simple but comfy, each equipped with beds , en-suite bathrooms, and electrical outlets.
Dinner included
September 11–12
Over the next two days we’ll take part in the daily work of the sanctuary alongside the Care for Wild team.
Activities may include:
• Preparing milk formula for orphaned rhinos
• Assisting with bottle feeding
• Helping with boma and stable care
• Participating in behavioural observations
• Learning about rhino rehabilitation and release programs
Expect early mornings and hands-on work. Every task contributes directly to the care and survival of the rhinos.
This is a rare opportunity to experience conservation from the inside, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and dedication involved in protecting one of Africa’s most threatened species.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
September 13
After bidding farewell to the rhinos and team at Care For Wild, we will venture to Kruger National Park, home to Africa’s iconic Big 5: Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Rhino, and Leopard.
The park covers an area of 2 million hectares of African wilderness and has a greater variety of wildlife than any other African national park, earning it the classification as one of the world’s super parks.
We will travel by shuttle roughly 2 hours to the Kruger National Park and start our photographic safari as soon as we enter the park gates, enjoying a 2-hour game drive in an open game drive vehicle.
On arrival into camp, we settle in and relax around the campfire under the African night sky.
The camp is fully fenced and it is safe to walk around and explore the different viewpoints and attractions. We will camp in 2 person canvas safari tents equipped with a comfortable mattress and pillows. There are hot showers and clean toilets, camp chairs, a gazebo kitchen complete with fridge, cooker, and storage boxes, as well as charge points in camp. USB charger in canvas safari tent as well.
Tonight we will fall asleep under the African stars.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Lunch on route - own account.
September 14–15
These two days are dedicated to exploring Kruger’s vast wilderness.
Our mornings begin early with coffee and rusks before heading out for sunrise game drives, one of the most active times for wildlife.
With the guidance of expert trackers and rangers, we’ll search for the Big Five while learning how to read animal behaviour and interpret the ecosystem around us.
Spring in Kruger is an exciting time for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources before the seasonal rains begin.
The park hosts an incredible diversity of life including:
• 147 species of mammals
• Over 500 species of birds
• 114 species of reptiles
In addition to the Big Five, sightings may include cheetah, hyena, wild dogs, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and a wide range of antelope species.
Picnic breakfasts and lunches will be enjoyed at remote viewpoints within the park, followed by sunset game drives and evenings around the campfire.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
September 16
After our final sunrise in Kruger National Park, we travel to Hoedspruit, gateway to the Greater Kruger ecosystem.
Our home for the next three nights will be a safari lodge surrounded by wilderness.
During our time here we’ll explore the region through a mix of experiences including:
• Guided bush walks
• Visits to conservation organizations
• Sunset game drives in private reserves
The afternoon will be free to relax at the lodge, enjoy the pool, or review photos from the journey so far.
Breakfast and dinner included
Lunch on route - own account
This morning we venture into Pridelands Game Reserve for a guided bush walk led by professional trails guides.
Walking in the African bush is one of the most immersive ways to experience the landscape. We’ll track wildlife on foot, observe birds and smaller species often missed on drives, and experience the environment through all of our senses.
Later in the day we visit The Black Mambas, an all-women anti-poaching unit operating in the Greater Kruger ecosystem.
At their operations base we’ll learn about their mission, training, and daily work protecting wildlife and supporting conservation in the region.
Their story is one of courage, leadership, and community empowerment.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
September 18
Today we visit the Timbavati Foundation, an organization working to support communities living alongside the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
The foundation focuses on environmental education, community development, and sustainable livelihood programs.
During our visit we’ll take part in a hands-on community activity such as:
• Tree planting
• Assembling period packs
• Make a beaded bracelet each to take home with the Gogo’s.
In the evening we return to the bush for a sunset game drive, followed by a farewell dinner under the African sky.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
September 19
After breakfast, we will start shuttles directly to Hoedspruit International Airport
Please only book flights from 12h00 onwards.
Breakfast included

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Frequently Asked Questions

No — all experience levels are welcome. Whether you’re a professional photographer or simply enjoy taking photos while you travel, you’ll get a lot out of the experience.
Modern smartphones can capture incredible images, and you’re welcome to bring whatever camera gear you’re comfortable using.
The trip involves light to moderate activity. Most of the experience takes place on safari vehicles, but there will also be some walking activities such as bush walks and time spent assisting at the rhino sanctuary.
Guests should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain and participating in hands-on conservation activities.
Yes. Travel and medical insurance are required for all guests. Must be purchased when trip deposit is paid.
The safari is intentionally limited to just 6 guests to keep the experience intimate, flexible, and photography-focused.
Arrival is at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Nelspruit.
Guests should plan to arrive before 12:00 PM on September 10 to join the group transfer to the sanctuary.
Departure flights should be booked from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS) on September 19.
Booking your spot is simple.
Click the Reserve Your Spot button on this page to reserve your place on the safari. You will be directed to the Volunteer & Explore WeTravel page to complete your booking.
Once your booking is received, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the next steps, including payment details, travel information, and a preparation guide to help you get ready for the adventure.
Spaces are very limited to keep the experience intimate and focused on wildlife photography, so early booking is recommended.
If you have any questions before booking, feel free to reach out — I’m happy to help.
A $1,000 USD deposit is required to secure your place on the trip.
Yes. Many guests join these trips solo, and the small group environment makes it easy to connect with other travelers.

Interested in Joining the Safari?

If you’re interested in joining the trip or have any questions, send a message below and I’ll get back to you with more details.