Full Immersion with Africa’s First All-Female Anti-Poaching Team - The Black Mambas.
It’s a rare privilege to meet The Black Mambas on their home turf, so we are beyond excited to be the first tour operator to offer a fully immersive week-long experience with these incredible women. This trip will be led by experienced adventurer and conservationist Holly Budge, who has worked closely with The Black Mambas for the past decade. The Black Mambas are based in Olifants West Nature Reserve in South Africa and since their inception in 2013, elephant and rhino poaching has reduced by an impressive 76%.
| SOUTH AFRICA | CONSERVATION
Meet The Black Mambas
The Black Mambas will welcome you with an insightful talk about their direct-action conservation efforts, which protect wildlife and wild spaces while educating local communities on conservation. Did you know that less than 11% of the global ranger workforce is female? They are prove that gender equality in conservation leads to significant benefits, including greater community engagement. This introduction offers a valuable look into the impactful work of these inspiring women.
Join The Black Mambas for morning patrol
| SOUTH AFRICA | CONSERVATION
Join The Black Mambas for a rare opportunity to patrol with these pioneering women. Rising early for a morning patrol, you'll accompany The Black Mambas and Holly Budge as they monitor wildlife, seize snares, and check fence lines for incursions.
This unique experience offers a firsthand look at the vital work of The Black Mambas in protecting elephants, rhinos, and other wildlife from poaching. You'll gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of conservation efforts, contributing to the preservation of South Africa's natural heritage while witnessing the incredible dedication of these inspiring women in action.
Experience a night patrol with The Black Mambas
| SOUTH AFRICA | CONSERVATION
Experience the magic of the African bush in the Greater Kruger National Park, home to the Big 5: elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino, and lion. In the early evening, join The Black Mambas for a very special experience - a night patrol. Experience the bush's tranquility at night, when many animals become active, and you might be treated to some incredible wildlife sightings.
Visit the ‘Bush Babies’ schools in the local communities
| SOUTH AFRICA | EDUCATION
We will drive to the local community to visit schools that are part of the Black Mambas' hugely successful educational programme, ‘The Bush Babies.’ With over 2000 rural children enrolled, the Black Mambas educate the children on conserving and nurturing nature through community vegetable gardens, tree planting, social sciences, and sustainable environmental management.
On return, we will embark on an exciting afternoon game drive, expertly guided by an experienced guide, well-versed in this Big 5 conservation area. As you revel in this natural beauty, remember that the challenges of encroachment on wildlife areas and the heartbreaking increase in poaching for profit and unwarranted medicinal beliefs are pressing issues. Rhinos, elephants, pangolins, and lions need our protection more than ever, making global awareness and support for ranger teams like The Black Mambas an urgent call to action.
Marvel at Blyde Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world
| SOUTH AFRICA | WILD SPACES
We will visit Blyde Canyon, one of the most recognizable and beautiful natural landmarks South Africa has to offer. Relax on a guided boat trip, taking in the impressive mountain scenery. You will have the opportunity to buy traditional handcrafted African souvenirs from local makers.
You will be treated to delicious food cooked on the fire right before you in the evening. There will be lots of chat and laughter, and you will feel truly alive, soaking in the magic of an authentic African bush camp.
Enjoy world-class wildlife sightings in the Kruger National Park
| SOUTH AFRICA | WILDLIFE
The Kruger National Park is one of Africa's grandest wildlife havens. Within its vast boundaries, you'll encounter an impressive array of Africa's famed Big 5: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. But that's not all! The park is teeming with hundreds of other fascinating mammals, and the skies overhead come alive with the calls of diverse bird species, from soaring vultures and majestic eagles to graceful storks. With its diverse landscapes featuring mountains, bush plains, and tropical forests, every corner of the park promises an adventure that’s as diverse as it is captivating.
While exploring the park, we will visit the Letaba Elephant Museum. It is a treasure trove of knowledge about elephants, offering insights into their evolution, biology, behavior, ecology, and ongoing research. You'll also find a unique display of ivory from eight of Kruger's most impressive tuskers.
Wrap up your day around the campfire with the Black Mambas, the perfect setting to unwind, share stories, and reflect on all you've seen and learned while enjoying a delicious meal cooked on the fire.
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The Details
November 20-27th 2024
Small group size
Location: Greater Kruger National Park
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The Highlights
Patrol with The Black Mambas
Indigenous community visit
Game drives in the Kruger
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What's Included
Full-board accommodation
Expert guiding & hosting
All listed activities
Want to find out more?
This trip will be led by Holly Budge, a world-class adventurer and conservationist. As the founder of the UK charity ‘How Many Elephants’ and World Female Ranger Week, Holly has built strong relationships based on mutual respect and trust with many rangers and conservation organisations around the world. Her impactful work has been highly praised, including by Sir David Attenborough.
Holly launched Wildlife Positive Travel to create unique and impactful journeys that have a lasting impact long after you’ve gone home.
"Having supported and patrolled with The Black Mambas many times over the last decade, I've seen first-hand how these bold women are impacting lives; Protecting wildlife, educating communities and empowering other women."
Holly Budge | Leader