Conservation in Botswana with Projects Abroad

I felt very privileged to have been part of this experience. From meeting the local team to the rest of the volunteers it was everything I had hoped for in a trip but so much more. The "over 50" title was a little misleading as 50% of our group were under 50 but that wasn't a problem. I was looking for something where I wouldnt be surrounded solely by gap year students and the other volunteers were professional people with certain life experiences which I found valuable and I hope I have made some life long friends from this trip. It was a wonderfully rewarding and very different trip, the memory of which I will treasure.

The summer of 2022 that I traveled to Botswana as a volunteer was one of the best experiences I ever had. I met such nice people from other parts of the world as local people that stayed with us in the camp. I learned plenty of new things about animals, the illegal hunting, we talked about the social consciousness that involves the environment today… When I came back, I became more conscious about our environment and to be grateful of what I have.

Some of the previous questions are not fully relevant to this experience. Wild at Tuli is remote, very basic and isolated from any services, towns etc. It was a privilege to have experienced that part of Africa and for me to renew my love of the African bush and animals. The project is definitely worthwhile and is showing good signs of progress but it is a bit overwhelming for the owners. The logistics, staffing and funding are difficult. Staff, food, poaching patrols, game viewing, bird spotting etc were great. The rangers had a extraordinary understanding of the animals and general environment. I thoroughly enjoyed the limited physical work. Out of 14 volunteers, I was with just two other adults who, very fortunately, were great company. There needs to be a lot of care in Projects Abroad choosing the right mix of people. A big part of the experience should be meeting a group of like minded people of similar age.