Askari Wilderness Conservation Programme — Attraction in Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality

ASKARI YOU’VE LOST YOUR MOJO. It used to be a definite 11 out of 10 experience. Our recent trips (mid 2025) were 4 out of 10 in comparison. Askari used to stand out as a benchmark volunteer programme, it was the very best of the best. I attribute this to the professional way it was run by the previous long-term manager Katie Rooke, along with the intrinsic link that her husband Andrew created to the reserve management side. Their extraordinary attention to detail in developing multiple lessons & activities on wildlife conservation education (covering 28 topics), coupled with thorough and seamless organisation, were a winning formula. This education plus the hands-on involvement with reserve management activities, created an unrivalled experience. Sadly, the level of education has diminished and the reserve management interactions have disappeared since their departure. I have been taking a team to Askari annually since 2016 (bar Covid), and oversaw 2 teams in 2025. I’m well-versed with Wildlife volunteer projects, having worked on multiple programmes internationally since 2002, but I kept returning to this one. Changes happened so abruptly that I suspect (historically) some good staff were either not valued or treated fairly, and now there are no female staff at all on a programme that typically has more female than male participants. The recent new staff appointments have been ‘hit and miss', and some were thrown in the deep-end with no appropriate hand-over or support. They were literally left flying blind. I’m unsure if this occurred due to foolhardy decision-making, ignorance, or just heads being buried in the sand. Either way, it resulted in organisational chaos for the first 2025 Kiwi team. Both New Zealand teams experienced disorganisation and the 6 returnees found the programme a mere shadow of what it had been. Stock numbers on the reserve were the lowest I’d seen since 2016. The reserve seemed an empty shell and hours were spent driving around seeing very little wildlife. There were a few good sightings, but the overall experience was tainted with the staffing issues, a lack of in-depth reserve and operational knowledge, plus bad activity scheduling (ie: we didn’t travel all the way from NZ to be shown docos on TV in the afternoons as a fill-in). The fun, interactive reserve management activities were absent, and the day to day logistics in the Askari house had slipped. Some of the equipment was missing or run-down, and at times our team felt that this, plus the lack of adequate briefings, compromised safety. It was evident that bad ‘umbrella’ decisions had been made and ground staff weren’t being provided with the required support on many levels. I suspect that the owners of the Volunteer programme had little appreciation of what is involved in running a comprehensive project of this (historical) calibre. Given that Askari had received accolades & TripAdvisor Awards year after year, I’m surprised that the owners didn’t move heaven and earth to retain that successful and proven management regime. The whole point of educating and connecting people to wildlife conservation has largely been lost, it's no-longer an experience of "The real deal". Despite my list of 40+ people that want to come to Askari, I won’t be bringing them all that way for the current experience. The old Askari will be a hard act to follow, and the (latest) manager has a huge hurdle in front of him. I hope he gets the support he needs, for...

You are in for the time of your lives! Time spent at Askari cannot be accurately summed up in just a few words but I'll try and give you an idea. Be prepared for a long trip that is well worth your while. From the moment you land you'll be amazed at this beautiful country. The people are wonderful, the landscape is breathtaking and of course, the wildlife is like nothing you've ever experienced! While at Askari you're surrounded by new and exciting vegetation unlike any of our trees back home, encircled by the incredible Drakensberg mountains. Around each corner is the potential for a new animal sighting or an adventure waiting to happen. Our first week we were treated to leopards, cheetahs, lions, giraffes, an elephant and so much more! We explored the reserve, started our South African birding, tracked jackals and hyenas and even fought a bushfire! Be ready for anything at any time. There's no room for second-guessing, you must be committed and willing to follow to any instruction you are given. Robbie and Katie will prepare you but you are in the wild, these are not zoo animals. Pidwa is unique even to the reserves around it so take advantage of this opportunity and appreciate all the work that has gone into making this amazing wildlife sanctuary. You will be challenged, you will be moved, and you will be changed by your time here. In today's world, it is so easy to be overwhelmed by the destruction and devastation of the natural world, but here at Askari you will find calm among the chaos and come home inspired and feeling like you've truly made...

My experience at Askari was unforgettable. From cutting invasive plants to learning about erosion control, vegetation management, tracks and birds, it is an understatement to say I learnt a lot. As well as all the amazing and well-organised trips we did including Kruger and the Blyde Canyon, I got to experience South Africa in an incredible way. These are memories I will never forget. On my first day at Askari, having travelled alone and being away from home, I was very nervous. However, the team was so welcoming and caring, I felt at home right away. l have learned so much from my trip with Bronwyn, Katie, Stewart and Andrew in only 1 month. I am so thankful for this because I can take all I have learnt home and teach others about wildlife conservation as I have been taught by these hard-working and very knowledgeable wilderness conservation experts :) I can definitely consider the people I have met at Askari my good friends, including the Askari team who I will miss greatly and never lose contact with!! I would highly recommend this experience to everyone, even those who have never had any experience with wildlife conservation as it is truly a special...