South Africa: Take 2

For those of you who don't know, I'm going to South Africa! I know, I was supposed to go during the summer of 2013 but those plans fell through and quite frankly I'm glad. This trip is much longer and I'll be doing so much more than what I had planned for my previous trip.(Everything really does happen for a reason!) I'm going through a company called Wildtrax Explorations. Wildtrax just happens to be owned by the same lady that ran the company I was supposed to go with last time.

Wildtrax offers tons of different opportunities for every different situation. People still in school, those that just want to go for vacation/sightseeing or people (like me) who are looking for experience, hands-on activities and further education. Check 'em out! Here's the link to their website: http://www.wildtraxexplorations.com/ (If you click on "Volunteer Programs" at the top.. I will be doing both of the options it gives you!)

This is the wonderful Jordana Meyer; founder of Wildtrax Explorations and my goto for everything South African. She is so easy to work with and I can't thank her enough for everything she has done for me over the past couple of years. It's because of her that one of my lifelong dreams is finally coming true.

The first reserve I'll be on is Kariega Game Reserve. It's just outside Kenton-On-Sea. I'll be there for 3 weeks, then I'll be doing a 2 week community development program where I will live in Kenton-On-Sea and help out the community and a school there. You can also get more information about that on the Wildtrax website. After I finish that, I will return to Kariega for one more week and then transfer to Shamwari Game Reserve where I will stay for my last 6 weeks.

The Wildtrax website goes into details about everything I'll be doing. Basically, I'll work along side the rangers doing whatever is needed to help mainly with conservation: anti-poaching, behavioral studies, vegetation control... those kinds of things.

My main goal from all of this is to gain the kind of experience I need to work with African animals so when I get back, I can work as a keeper at a zoo or wild animal sanctuary. As most of you know, my one true love is the giraffe. I fell IN LOVE with them at the zoo and haven't been able to get enough since! It's going to be UNREAL when I'm on my first game drive and there's a huge giraffe bull standing right next to our open car.

Because of everything that happened last time, it still seems very surreal that this is all happening but I have never been more excited about anything in my life. This is such a huge leap of faith for me as I'll be travelling alone for the first time and going to somewhere completely unknown with no one I will have ever met before. There is nothing more exhilarating than the thought of that last sentence. I've been told by so many people that this is going to absolutely change my life and I welcome that thought with open arms!

If you want to see pictures of the places I'll be, here are the links to the 2 reserves I'll be on.
Kariega (Just outside of Kenton-On-Sea) - http://www.kariega.co.za/
Shamwari (Just outside of Port Elizabeth) - http://shamwari.com/

I fly out this Saturday and I'll be blogging as much as possible so y'all can keep up with my whole adventure!

Until next time!!