Greetings from the Bush: Six Weeks in Southern Africa with Wildlife ACT

Meet Teri Baumgartner, one of Covington Travel’s seasoned personal travel consultants and a passionate wildlife conservation volunteer. With six years of hands-on experience volunteering in Africa with a variety of conservation organizations, Teri has developed deep expertise in wildlife monitoring, habitat observation, and conservation education. This is her first year volunteering specifically with Wildlife ACT.

Her adventurous spirit and commitment to protecting the natural world make her a unique bridge between meaningful travel and real-world conservation.

Through her journeys, Teri not only guides travelers to extraordinary destinations, she also brings back stories and lessons from the field, helping Covington Travel clients see the world more deeply.

Volunteering in Africa: A Personal Perspective

Hello Adventurers! I am writing from South Africa, where I am volunteering with Wildlife ACT as a wildlife monitor. I’ve spent six weeks in Africa so far, and I have six more to go before I return to the United States.

I have volunteered in Africa for six years. I’m not a professional photographer or a wildlife expert. I simply want to share my love of the bush and my passion for conservation. Some days are so incredible, I run out of adjectives to describe what I see.

Starting in Zimbabwe

I began this trip in Zimbabwe with a group of travelers who care deeply about wildlife. We visited the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. The team there rescues and rehabilitates injured animals and runs the only facility in the region that performs genetic testing.

They do not use volunteers, but learning about their work inspired me. During our visit, the only rescued resident was a camera-shy striped mongoose.

Into Botswana and the Delta

Next, we crossed into Botswana for a bush walk. We did not have sightings on that walk, but the camp more than made up for it. Elephants roamed freely around our cabins. The elephant always has the right of way. Always!

We dipped into Namibia’s Caprivi region, then returned to Botswana to explore Chobe National Park. The sightings were spectacular. We spent two days paddling mokoros through the Okavango Delta.

Our poler loved the Delta and taught us its history and ecology. He often said, “Let nature teach you about nature.” I learned more than I can repeat here. I hope you get the chance to experience this place for yourself.

A Pause at Victoria Falls

Back in Zimbabwe, I enjoyed a few days of civilization and Wi-Fi and visited the magnificent Victoria Falls. Even with the rains slowing, the water still poured over the cliffs and created a constant mist.

Hippos and crocodiles surfaced along the river. Elephants are my favorite, so every encounter felt like a gift.

On Assignment in South Africa

I then traveled to South Africa to start my volunteer work with Wildlife ACT. My first assignment took me to iMfolozi Park, a reserve with sweeping hills and abundant wildlife.

On the drive into camp, we saw cheetahs, nyalas, wildebeest, white rhinos, zebras, giraffes, and many impalas. All were in their natural habitat, and all reminded me why this work matters.

What Monitoring Looks Like

Our team focuses on priority species that face pressure or risk of extinction. We monitor wild dogs, elephants, vultures, white and black rhinos, spotted hyenas, and lions.

We use telemetry to locate collared animals and then work to gain a visual confirmation as we head out at 5 a.m. and again at 3:30 p.m., and log every priority sighting.

Some days, the conservation officer shares a recent satellite point or a camera trap clocking, and we go. If cheetahs ping a signal in a sector, we race across the reserve to confirm and record.

Other mornings, we would round a bend and find lions sleeping on the warm tar road after a cold night. They did not move for us. We waited and watched.

Joy and Hard Truths

The bush gives joy, and it often gives hard truths. One day, we watched a small group of rhinos graze. As we came closer, we saw one animal resting strangely. He had been shot in the hip and the face, even though he had already been dehorned. He stood and moved slowly. We contacted the anti-poaching unit at once. They arrived quickly and later confirmed it was a poaching incident.

On a Saturday, we watched a mother rhino with a young calf grazing peacefully in the foothills. By Wednesday, we found them again, and the mother had a wound on her shoulder. She had not been dehorned because of the calf. We sent the video to the park ecologist and vet.

She did not appear to limp, and the ecologist believed she would recover. Rangers and anti-poaching teams stayed in the area through the night because of that sighting. Their dedication and compassion humble me.

At another camp, we were asked to locate a lioness and her three cubs after a poacher had been spotted and caught nearby. We searched all day and finally found the lioness resting in tall grass.

The next day, we returned to a popular waterhole and saw one cub on the sand, then the lioness and the other two cubs emerged from behind the trees. A herd of thirsty elephants arrived and moved every animal off the water. If you look closely, you can spot a calf only a few weeks old. Elephants are majestic and, at times, very assertive.

Two hippos near one of our sites also stole my heart. Poachers killed their mothers when the calves were young. Rescuers moved the calves to a rhino orphanage until they were strong enough to live on their own. Today, they share a waterhole and often travel together. People call them the rhino brothers. It is a story that lifts everyone’s spirits.

Why I Keep Coming Back

I love early mornings that start with tracks on the road and end with a clean entry in the logbook. I love the quiet moments when the bush goes still and you feel part of something ancient, and I love working with people who protect wildlife with skill and heart. This work asks for patience and grit. It rewards with meaning.

I could share many more stories. Impalas, the McDonald’s of the bush. Nyala dances that look like a choreographed stand. Water buffalo that act like playground bullies. The Ugly Five with the warthog in a starring role. A dazzle of zebras living up to their collective noun. A giraffe kindergarten that made everyone smile.

It is time for the afternoon monitoring session, and I cannot wait to see what the bush reveals. Thank you for reading and for caring about conservation.

Ready to Travel With Purpose?

Join Teri on a future Journeys With Purpose adventure and experience the beauty of our world in 2026 through trips to Patagonia and the Northwest Passage while supporting vital conservation work. If you’re inspired by her stories and would like to learn more about traveling with Teri, contact Covington Travel today.