We looked for an ethical and respectful reserve and Askari manages wildlife in that sense. Every day was a discovery, every day could be a surprise, you never know what can be seen while out on the reserve. It’s such an adventure!
Katie, Bronwyn, Stuart and Andrew are an amazing team. Passionate and passing on that passion to all the volunteers. I learnt a lot from them about mammals, birds, plants, trees but also about poaching etc. These four weeks at Askari will be unforgettable!
My wife and I attended the program for 4 weeks and had a great time. My highlights were seeing many animals in their natural setting and the opportunity to educate myself along the lines of a better understanding of conservation challenges in SA but also throughout the world. Greater learning gives me more knowledge to make better decisions about what I can do to help. Highly recommended and doing it with a group from New Zealand was an added bonus!
Askari is an amazing place! All the staff have an immense knowledge and are passionate about wilderness conservation. You can’t help but be ignited by it and it makes you feel good that you have contributed in some small way. The staff couldn’t have been more helpful and will do anything they can to assist in anything you may need or want to know. Katie, the manager of the Askari Programme is sensational and the cornerstone of creating a family culture that you know you will always belong to. If you have a passion for wilderness and a thirst for knowledge, I can’t recommend this place enough. I can’t wait to come back!
Well, what can I say? Having experienced Askari vicariously through my husband’s stay four years ago (2018 – almost to the day), nothing could have prepared me for the fantastic month I have just completed. While I had some idea of what to expect, actually being here and having the opportunity to witness the beauty and brutality that life at Askari offers is hard to put into words. Honoured to see Rae, the cheetah, on our first drive around the reserve. We were brought to earth sharply within a few days later when she was laid to rest following an encounter with Zamula (lion), the circle of life I guess.
Katie is an absolute gem! Her natural and engaging manner puts everyone at ease and the way she imparts knowledge on a wide range of topics is truly a gift. Our time at Askari has been precious and thanks to Katie’s efforts, thoroughly educational and informative. It is hard to believe how much information in such a short time and we are certainly more comfortable and confident in this environment than when we started.
Being able to soak in the full experience of life on a reserve is a privilege and one I am grateful for. To wake at dawn to see the sunrise, to contribute to the conservation activities at Askari while enjoying the beauty of these surroundings, the shining colour of the African sunset as well as an overnight camp out under the stars has been life changing.
Escaping the New Zealand winter, a trip to Pidwa is an absolute must. If you are on the fence about coming to South Africa, take it from me you will LOVE it! Make yourself, and the environment a priority. Take that leap of faith and volunteer at Askari Wilderness Conservation Programme, you won’t regret it!
An amazing experience for a whole host of reasons. Well set up, well thought out, and amazing organisation of all activities. The manager is exemplary in her role, sets a perfect culture and reads her audience perfectly in terms of the level of detail they’re seeking. The work is interesting and fun, much is learned about African wildlife and reserve management, and there is huge variety in the experiences. Can’t recommend it highly enough.
