Not your
TYPICAL
SAFARI
BUSHWISE
WILDERNESS CONSERVATION EXPEDITION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Experience the bush like never before. Get hands-on with conservation activities and learn from wildlife professionals as you take your safari experience to the next level on a Bushwise Expedition.
DURATIONS: 8 DAYS*
NEXT START DATE: 10 AUG 2024
FORMAT: ON-RESERVE
AGE: 12+
EXPEDITION OVERVIEW
The Bushwise Wilderness Conservation Expedition is a life-changing experience in Big Five territory, led by expert field guides and conservationists. The length of this expedition is typically 8 days, but we can also create a custom-length itinerary just for you.
Join us at a lodge in the Greater Makalali Game Reserve, in Limpopo, South Africa, where you’ll spend each day doing hands-on conservation work that most tourists never experience.
Go on educational game drives and bush walks, and learn about bird and animal identification, ecosystem function, wildlife photography, rifle handling, and so much more. And of course, have incredible wildlife sightings! All activities are run by our expedition leaders, who are qualified field guides and experts in the industry.
A WILDER
EXPERIENCE
When it’s time to take your safari experience to the next level – it’s time to join a Bushwise Expedition.
You’re on a game drive and suddenly hear the bark of an impala. Something spooked it and you’re on high alert to find the source. Scanning the landscape you spot a leopard in the grass. The hunt is on! But instead of witnessing the interaction and driving away, you engage in a fascinating discussion with your guide about animal behaviour and interactions.
Tomorrow, you might collar an elephant or track lions through the bush. Each day brings something incredible and new, taking your appreciation for the bush to a new level. You now understand how and why species work together in this ecosystem.
This isn’t your typical safari – this is a Bushwise Wilderness Conservation Expedition.
EXPEDITION ITINERARY
The following provides a detailed example itinerary for your Bushwise Expedition. Length of stay is customisable depending on your group, and activities may change slightly depending on weather and other factors (this is the wild after all!). Each day begins with a coffee or tea and snacks at the lodge.
Ubungane is located on an elevated vantage point overlooking the Makhutswi River in the Greater Makalali. It is enclosed within an electrified game fence, making it safe from predators and the perfect place to kick back and relax after a day of conservation activities.
Ubungane has five ensuite rooms, two are part of the main homestead and three are free-standing chalets. All units have views of either the pool or riverbed, complemented by lush bush surroundings. Communal facilities include a splash pool, open braai boma, laundry, kitchen, dining area, lounge, and walking paths.
UBUNGANE LODGE
Check-in at the lodge in the early afternoon, where you’ll meet your expedition leader and lodge staff. After a brief lodge orientation, head to your room to freshen up before the afternoon activity. Participants will then embark on an afternoon game drive through the reserve, focused on introducing you to the ecosystem and understanding the dynamics of the environment. Enjoy an evening meal around the fire, with a discussion on safety in the bush, how to identify alarm calls, reading situations within the bush and how to avoid them.
DAY 1
ARRIVE AT THE LODGE
Begin your day with a hot beverage before embarking on a morning game drive, which is focused on bird calls, identification, and nesting behaviours. After a warm breakfast buffet back at camp, there will be time to relax. The afternoon will then feature wildlife photography lessons, emphasising golden hour lighting, video capture, and ethical social media sharing. Evening activities include enjoying drinks at a bird hide, nocturnal bird watching, and ending the day with a traditional South African stew by an open boma fire.
DAY 2
BIRD IDENTIFICATION
Head out into the bush on a guided walk, where you’ll focus on tracking animals and understanding nature's signals. Being on foot gives you a rare opportunity to notice the little things that are often missed on a drive. After brunch and relaxing by the pool, the afternoon game drive will focus on using telemetry and GPS to locate wildlife. Enjoy sundowners while overlooking a waterhole, followed by an African braai (boma barbecue) at camp. The evening concludes with stargazing and an introduction to the southern sky.
DAY 3
TRACKING & TRAILING
Visit the rifle range to learn rifle safety, practice lion charge tests, and understand its use for wilderness safety. After a light brunch and some rest, you'll embark on a guided bush walk focused on insects and reptiles often overlooked from a game drive vehicle. The day continues with sundowners overlooking a waterhole, followed by dinner on an open deck under the southern African skies. Your evening will include discussions on conservation, human-animal conflict, and the benefits of community education on conservation.
DAY 4
SAFETY IN THE BUSH
Your morning begins with a guided bush walk focused on tree identification and their uses for everyday and medicinal purposes. After brunch and a bit of down time, you'll prepare everything you need for the evening activities. Before sunset, embark on another walk to explore the smaller aspects of nature, culminating in an authentic experience of sleeping in the bushveld. At the sleepout location, we'll set up camp, prepare an evening meal, and enjoy stargazing and traditional Shangaan storytelling under the African skies.
DAY 5
TREE ID & SLEEP OUT
With the energy of the bush coursing through your veins, you’ll wake up a bit earlier than normal to enjoy a quiet sunrise with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Once camp is packed up, we’ll embark on a guided bush walk back to camp for a warm brunch and some relaxation. The afternoon will feature a group-tailored activity based on your interests, followed by a stop at the bird hide for a sundowner on the way back. Returning to camp, you'll enjoy a traditional meal and have time to relax and discuss the day's sightings.
DAY 6
TAILORED EXPERIENCE
The morning begins with a conservation project in the reserve, focused on removing invasive plants and tracking and removing snares to protect wildlife. The afternoon will be a customised conservation experience based on your group’s interests, such as elephant collaring, cheetah tracking, or rhino dehorning. Please note these experiences cost extra and will need to be booked well in advance. On the drive back to camp, enjoy a sundowner at the bird hide, surrounded by the wilderness for your final evening. Before dinner, participate in a media content show-and-tell to share memories from your stay. Dinner will be a spit roast under the stars, marking the end of your experience.
DAY 7
CONSERVATION DAY OUT
It's farewell, but not goodbye. Join us for a final morning activity in the reserve, focused on conservation and guiding ethics. One last chance to witness this beautiful environment – until your next visit! Head back to the lodge for a hearty breakfast before packing up for the journey home.
DAY 8
WRAP UP AND DEPART
This is just one example of an itinerary we can build for you, to meet your group's interests and timeline for a Bushwise Expedition. Contact us using the form at the bottom of this page to arrange a discussion, where we can plan an itinerary just for you!
CUSTOMISABLE
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
