Being chased by elephants, and having to climb trees to get away from rhino, were just some of the adventures experienced by 16 young professional people from Germany, who have just spent three weeks in the Mkhuze Game Reserve, tracking wild animals and helping with game counts under the auspices of Wildlands Conservation Trust.
All 16 visitors are employees of DaimlerChrysler and Lufthansa in Germany. They paid their own way and also contributed extra to help sponsor the research work that they were doing.
For Michael Pflugfelder, an engine technician from outside Stuttgart, the most remarkable experience was being a few feet away from wild animals in their own environment. Dominic Fiess, a development engineer, can’t wait to come back and bring his family with him.
‘This has changed my life,’ he said. ‘It was quite rough and the food was unusual, but I have had an experience that not even many South Africans get to have.’
These ‘summer camps’ – which is an ironical name as they take place in our winter – have several great benefits,’ says Wildlands’ co-ordinator, Sam Terblanche. ‘The volunteers help field staff in the game reserve with important research. They also interact with local people, building international relationships.’
‘They will go back to Germany enthusing about South African conservation, which helps us with international assistance for conservation in future. And of course, there’s the spin-off for tourism. Every single one of these visitors say they want to come back!’