Conservation travel in South Africa: stays that protect the places you visit

Look at where the money goes and what the land is used for. A private reserve that rewilded old farmland, a community-owned lodge, a farm that keeps its wetland and its indigenous bush: each turns visitors into the reason the land stays wild.

Be wary of anything that puts you in contact with wild animals for the photograph. Cub petting, walking with lions and close encounters with captive predators are tied to the captive-breeding industry, which conservation organisations in South Africa campaign against. Seeing an animal in the wild, at its own distance, is the experience worth paying for.

BirdLife South Africa protects birds and the habitats they need, and accredits Birder Friendly stays. Stays linked to BirdLife fund its conservation programmes.

Spekboom does not run volunteer programmes. If you want to volunteer, go to the organisations themselves: many of the causes named on our stays run their own programmes or know who does, and that is the surest way to know your time and money reach the work.

Choose programmes run by registered conservation or research organisations, ask what a volunteer actually does and what the fee pays for, and avoid any programme that offers hands-on contact with wild animals or short stays at children’s homes. A good programme will be glad you asked.