Wildlife Adventure Camps
We have got you covered!
An incredible 4-night safari-style wildlife adventure camp with world-class facilitation.
AGE GROUP:
Teens 13 – 17 years
Camp Dates
Wildlife & Conservation Field Trip
- Camp 1
- 11 - 16 August 2025
- Pongola Game Reserve
Full Cost: R 9,315
- Camp 2
- 5 - January 2026
- Pongola Game Reserve
Full Cost: R 9,315
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
Our wildlife camps offer a great experience for your teen in a safe environment. They will have the opportunity to not only learn and experience nature first hand from professionals but make new friends along the way. We would love the opportunity to host your teen on one of our Wildlife Camps that will leave them with life-long memories and a passion for conservation.
Camp Details
- What's Included
- Transport
- Accommodation
- Meals
- All Activities
- Qualified facilitators
- Qualified medic on site
- Emergency Medical Evacuation
- Kit list
- Transport
Pongola Camps: Transport cost included from central pickup point in Hilton (KZN), Durban and King Shaka Airport.
- Communication during the camp
- Join the dedicated WhatsApp group per camp and invite family.
- Facilitators will post daily highlights from the camp.
- 24 hr emergency number will be provided.
Camp Venues & Accommodation
- PONGOLA GAME RESERVE
- Camp 1: 11-16 August 2025
- Camp 2: 5 -9 January 2026
Located in Zululand:
5 hours from Durban King Shaka International Airport.
Participants will stay in the reserve’s White Elephant Camp:
Our safari-style tented camp is purpose built for educational camps. Tents sleep 2 per tent in single beds. An amazing setting at the base Lebombo Mountains and Lake Jozini.
Itinerary
This is a great opportunity for your teen to experience a range of exciting activities in a safe environment, such as:
Educational Bushwalks
Learning from nature about geology, geography, biology, ecology, and the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Bush Skills and Bushcraft
Covering safety, survival, tracking, medicinal and traditional uses of plants, etc.
Wildlife Monitoring
The use of radio tracking and trail cameras in monitoring wildlife. Game Drives – both during the day and at night to observe and learn about animal behaviour.
Game Drives
Both during the day and at night to observe and learn about animal behaviour.
Conservation Service
Getting practical with some physical hands-on projects that will assist the conservation or wildlife management of the reserve.
Hike and Sleep Out
Experience nature close-up and personal with a sleepout at our dedicated safe sleep-out location. Students take turns in keeping watch throughout the night.
Fun group activities
Designed to develop life skills.
Testimonials
"Heartfelt thanks to everyone involved, what a wonderful experience for all. All the efforts are much appreciated, thank you so much, Caitlin loved it. "
"This experience helped me to rediscover my love for wildlife. The tour guides were so friendly and enthusiastic which made me even more excited about going into the bush every day. The food was genuinely better than any restaurant I’ve been to and I’m already missing the delicious desserts every night. The accommodation was always extremely comfortable with everything one could need. My favourite activity was the bush walks we went on every day; it was such a peaceful change from the hustle and bustle of school. It was an experience that made me feel so connected with nature and I felt so carefree and at peace the entire time."
"This was an amazing experience.. I loved the walks where we got to see animals up close and how the guides made learning so much fun. It was especially great that the guides took time to interact with us, telling us interesting stories and making us feel welcome. I saw so many animals that I hadn’t seen in the wild before … aardvark, honey badgers, mongoose, zebra – and I loved the scorpions "
"Rebecca and Klara loved their experience. Action-packed and special time to bond with each other in nature. Grateful they had this opportunity. Thank you to all involved. "
"Hannah has not stopped telling stories of the trip. Thank you all so much for giving the girls such a memorable experience, for all the adventure and lessons learned."
Who are we
African Insight Academy has 26 years of experience in hosting wildlife and nature camps that inspire, educate and empower our youth. To date more than 12,000 youth have experienced our incredible natural heritage through our programmes.
White Elephant Research Camp is situated on Pongola Game Reserve which is home to four of the Big 5 (no lions) and is the home base of African Insight Academy. Including both terrestrial lake habitats the reserve offers a diverse range of opportunities to discover the abundance of nature.
Health and safety is our first priority and African Insight Academy holds a British Standards Institute BS8848 health and safety accreditation. Parents and guardians are welcome to request a copy of our comprehensive health and safety risk assessment for the camp.
FAQs
With 25 years of experience and over 12,000 children through our programs we have never had a significant medical incident. Every aspect of the camp is subject to the rigorous BS8848 health and safety risk assessment process before it is included in the programme.
Yes one of our team is a qualified advanced level medic and will be onsite and available 24/7.
During the day the safety of the participants is part of the resposnibility of the camp facilitators. At night there are two camp security staff on duty.
Yes our catering team is very experienced and happy to accommodate all dietary requirements. These will be detailed in the signup form.
Yes, however there is limited signal in the camp and therefore you will have to understand that “no news is good news”.
It is advisable that these devices are letf at home. No child may participate on any activity whilst using any device that will distract them from paying attention and fully engaging in the activity.
Absolutely not.
A parent and guardian WhatsApp group will be set up and a link sent out to all desiganted next of kin. The team leaders will post daily updates and highlights to keep you informed.
Parents and guardians will have one emergency contact number only to be used in the case of an emergency.
Yes, the BS8848 is very specific about this and the full document is available on request.
We will contact you and if you agree you will have to make arrangements to collect your child. Unfortunately there will be no refund given.
Due to the type of experience and the environment in which the camp is taking place a high level of discipline and respect is not only required but essential to the safety of everyone. Therefore, each child and parent/guardian will sign a Code of Conduct for the camp. Should the facilitators feel that any child’s behaviour is inappropriate, disruptive or a threat the their own safety or anyone else on the camp they will be required to leave the camp. In this case it will be the parents/guardians responsibility to arrange collection.
Not an indemnity but parents and guardians will have to sign an Acknowledgement of Risk on behalf of the teens. There is always an element of risk when participating in any adventure activity and therefore parents and participants need to be aware of and acknowledge the risks. This also a requirement of our insurance underwriter who provide our Public Liability Insurance and provide emergency medical evacuation cover and access 24/7/365 to a professional medical doctor.
Secure your teen’s spot today
– limited space available
Fill in the inquiry form and we’ll contact you to make arrangements.
