Beyond the Big 5: A Conservation Safari

This twelve-day journey goes beyond great sightings, bringing you closer to the people and projects protecting Africa’s wildlife and wild places. Start in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest and oldest reserve, where you can join researchers on the ground protecting African wild dog populations, seeing firsthand what it takes to pull a species back from the brink.

From there, swap the savannah for Cape Town's coastline: watch African penguins go about their business at Boulders Beach, then head into the quieter hills of the Cape Peninsula to track leopards. The final chapter of the journey takes place at Phinda Private Game Reserve, where rhino and pangolin conservation work plays out across seven distinct habitats, including one of Africa's last remaining dry sand forests. By the end, you'll have had a hand in three very different impact stories, and not just as a spectator.

Quick Overview

Countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa

Highlights: Hwange National Park's African wild dog conservation, Boulders Beach penguins, Cape leopard research, as well as rhino and pangolin protection at Phinda Private Game Reserve

Best For: Wildlife lovers who wish to go beyond sightings and get closer to the conservation work keeping endangered species on the map.