Academy safaris are luxury safaris. They deliver at the top end of the spectrum of safari experiences and are out of reach of some budgets. Pete and Camilla's daughter, Kelcey, places self-funding volunteers into many different conservations projects across Southern Africa at a fraction of the cost of a high-end safari.
Several of these projects offer the opportunity for the more adventurous to get a big five safari experience for far, far less than a traditional safari. Volunteers cook and clean for themselves and perform meaningful work for the projects while paying for their room and board.
Camilla and I have experienced several of these and enjoyed them all. For pricing and much more project by project detail please click on this link: Enkosini Eco Experience
Enkosini Eco Experience is Featured in National Geographic's World's Best Travel Experiences,
Kelcey writes:
Volunteering at a wildlife conservation program is the ultimate life changing and rewarding experience. Volunteer programs range from 1-12 weeks, giving volunteers the opportunity to become involved in a wide variety of wildlife conservation activities in Africa; including anti-poaching, wildlife research, animal rehabilitation and reintroduction, hands on animal care, game tracking and capture, bush rehabilitation and everyday reserve maintenance and management.
Volunteers can choose to focus exclusively on one program, or alternatively experience a number of different programs. All of Enkosini's conservation projects have a strong element of continuity. The work of one volunteer is carried on by subsequent volunteers and, collectively, the Enkosini Eco Experience network makes a lasting impact.
Founded in 2001, Enkosini Eco Experience allows you to volunteer in a way that fills your heart, mind and spirit and maximizes your financial contribution to the projects you choose. Enkosini’s carefully selected projects are our colleagues, our mentors, our partners. A tight-knit community in South Africa and Namibia, we work together to achieve higher standards in conservation and to fight unethical wildlife activities through advocacy, media exposure and legislative change.
By volunteering, you help Enkosini Eco Experience support our partner wildlife projects with the financial and assistance necessary to achieve our goals in conservation and community development in Africa. The staff of Enkosini Eco Experience has traveled extensively through South Africa and Namibia - teaching, working, volunteering, studying, backpacking, and managing tour groups. Our knowledge and understanding of where to go, when to go, what to do and how to do it will prepare you for traveling abroad to Southern Africa.
