- Game Capture Expedition (14 Days with set departures & cost)
- San Missionary Expedition (14 Days with set departures & cost)
- African Cultures Expedition (13 Days)
- Family Tracks (13 Days)
- Birding Expedition (13 Days)

These expeditions are aimed at groups and individuals with a specialised field of interest. Our focus is on personal interaction with specialists and researchers in the various fields, and exposing guests to current projects and events. Expert guides in the relevant fields host the expeditions. In addition to these programs, expeditions in various other fields such as botany, archaeology, marine biology and species-specific ecology can be tailor-made on request.

The African Cultures, Family Tracks & Birding Expeditions are available for groups with a minimum of 8 persons. Rates and fly-in options are available on request.


Game Capture Expedition (14 Days)
If you are looking for a more hands-on approach to wildlife and conservation in Africa than simply game viewing, this is the adventure for you. Aimed at wildlife enthusiasts, this expedition offers guests the opportunity to encounter wildlife on foot in their natural habitat and participate in actual game capture operations. This expedition also includes the cultural heritage of Swaziland and a visit to the Kruger National Park. Accommodation varies from tented camps with shared facilities to three-star en-suite hotel accommodation.

Day 1-2: Loskopdam Reserve
Departing from Johannesburg we travel to Loskopdam Reserve, spending the first two nights in an exclusive setting surrounded by the African bush. Our remote bushcamp is reached by boat and we view wildlife from the water en route. Track wildlife on foot and enjoy gameviewing by boat while observing wildlife behaviour in the spectacular surrounding wilderness. A welcoming dinner is held under the stars in our private boma.
Accommodation: Safari camp

Day 3-5: Swaziland
Heading east into Swaziland we immerse ourselves in the wonderful culture and hospitality of the Swazi people. The Swazi’s are master craftsmen and we visit the artists at work. A day of leisure provides guests with a number of optional activities, such as a round of golf at the Royal Swazi Sun, a visit to the local market or an adrenaline-filled adventure white-water rafting the Great Usuthu River (own cost).
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 6-7: Kruger National Park
The biodiversity of this jewel of wilderness areas is spectacular, and the ideal area for observing and studying many of the wildlife species Southern Africa has to offer. Join an optional night drive to view nocturnal species including the possibility of predators in action.
Accommodation: Chalets

Day 8-13: Game Capture Safari
From our base camp in a private game reserve the next 6 days are spent learning about and participating in game capture operations. Wildlife management has become an accepted and necessary part of wildlife conservation. Successful management includes monitoring and moving animals to re-establish the checks and balances of nature. Preparation for our capture safari will include an introduction to principles of conservation, chemical capture, and mass capture of wildlife. Participation in captures will be as extensive as possible, limited only by field conditions, the species being handled and safety issues. Target practice with dart guns will be available for interested guests.
Accommodation: Bush lodge

Day 14: Departure
The expedition ends in Johannesburg.

San Missionary Expedition (14 Days)
Join us for the experience of a lifetime as we visit the beautiful country of Namibia and the extraordinary San people of the Caprivi and Okavango Swamps. This expedition will visit and support several Christian mission stations in the Caprivi, Okavango and Bushman land in North-west Namibia. We also travel to some of the most spectacular areas in Southern Africa, such as the Victoria Falls, the Chobe National Park in Botswana and the Okavango Delta to the south, where an abundance of wildlife is to be found. Accommodation varies from camping to guesthouses with en-suite facilities.

Day 1: Victoria Falls
Fly-in option: Arrive at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe from Johannesburg International Airport. (Flights not included)
Drive-in option: Depart the previous day by safaribus from Johannesburg, spending the night at Pandametenga.
We spend the afternoon viewing the magnificent Victoria Falls.
Accommodation: Lodge

Day 2 : Kasane, Botswana
After breakfast we head for Kasane, setting up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. The area offers abundant wildlife and we enjoy gameviewing on drives and walks. Dinner is served under the stars round the campfire.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 3: Chobe National Park
Travelling through the famous Chobe National Park we cross into the Caprivi region at Ngoma Bridge, and head for Katima Mulilo on the banks of the Zambezi River. En route we visit a cultural village and an orphanage providing a home for many AIDS orphans of the Kwe Bushman tribe. Time is spent at the Catholic Mission Station where we meet with the local community. Optional extra: Day of Tiger-Fishing on the Zambezi River.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 4-5: Caprivi
We head off the beaten track for Masambo in the Caprivi Game Reserve where we stay with the Kwe San tribe, sharing fellowship and their understanding of our Creator. In the company of our missionary-interpreter we interact with the community and learn about their fascinating culture, attending a church meeting organized by the local church leaders in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 6: Chetto
Travelling on to Chetto we meet with the local San community and join a worship service under the Big Tree serving as church for the Bushmen of the region. We interact with the locals for the remainder of the day, learning about their customs and religion and spend the night camping under the stars.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 7: Popa Water Falls
We head towards Popa Water Falls, en route visiting a Catholic mission station of the Bushman at the old Omega base.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 8: Okavango
In the morning we visit the Bagani Church building and meet with the local Kwe people. We visit the Kippie George School, the Clinic and the Nadara Hospital at the site of the first Catholic mission in the Okavango, while spending time in fellowship with the special people at these posts. In the afternoon we visit and reach out to the Vasikelas Bushman tribe at Bagani, enjoying their company as we set up camp in the village for the night.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 9: Okavango Delta
The day is set-aside for leisure and we enjoy river-rafting to see hippos and crocodiles near the Okavango Delta and soak up the scenic splendour of the land. Returning to our camp we spend another evening of fellowship with the Vasikelas tribe under the magnificent starry sky of the Okavango.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 10: Rundu
Leaving the Caprivi behind we move into the Rundu region, visiting interesting church buildings along the way. Settling into our lodge on the banks of the Kayango River, we wash away the remainders of the Caprivi in a lovely swimming pool, watch the sunset over the Okavango from the restaurant and bar and enjoy traditional dancing in the evening.
Accommodation: Lodge

Day 11: Omatako Valley, Bushmanland
We head south this morning for a day in the company of the !Kung Bushmen at the Omatako Valley Mission, facilitated by local missionaries. We spend our last night in Bushmanland round a campfire with the nocturnal sounds of the region providing the background music.
Accommodation: Camping

Day 12: Otjiwarongo
En route to Otjiwarongo we visit the site of a big meteorite impact and learn more about the area. The town of Otjiwarongo is well worth exploring and we settle into a comfortable guesthouse for the night.
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 13: Windhoek
Departing for Windhoek, we stop at a local food market in Okahandja for delicious traditional fare. In the evening a farewell dinner party brings this wonderful expedition to a close.
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day 14: Departure
Fly-out option: Depart from Windhoek International Airport (Flights not included).
Driving option: Depart early for Johannesburg, staying overnight en route, arriving the following day.



African Cultures Expedition (13 Days)
The African continent is rich in wildlife as well as cultural heritage. This expedition explores various southern African cultures, provides guests the opportunity to meet with local communities and gain a unique perspective on the interaction between man and nature. This expedition is offered on a group basis for a minimum of 8 persons and can be tailor-made to suit.

Day 1: Welcoming and orientation
Departing from Johannesburg we visit Lesedi Cultural village for an exciting introduction to Southern Africa cultures. During the evening welcoming dinner our specialist guide provides an overview of the expedition.

Day 2: Soweto
Experience the diversity of the people and cultures in the heart of Soweto. Visit Mandela House, Desmond Tutu’s house and the Hector Peterson Memorial. Meet with the locals at a shebeen and visit an open-air market.

Day 3: KwaZulu Natal
Woven into the exhilarating fabric of nature-at-large are fascinating opportunities to be immersed in vibrant, living culture and gain insights into the turbulent past of the Zulu nation. We visit battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu war as well as the Boer conflicts, such as Amajuba, Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift.

Day 4: Zulu Royal Kraals
The unique culture of the Zulu people opens up with visits to the royal kraals of Ondini and Mgungunglovu. We overnight in a Zulu village and enjoy traditional dancing round the campfire.

Day 5-6: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
One of the oldest game reserves in Africa and famous for its population of rhinoceros, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Reserve provides exciting gameviewing from open-air vehicles. We track game on foot and spend a day relaxing in the pristine beauty of this wilderness area.

Day 7-8: Kosi Bay Estuary
The Kosi Bay Nature Reserve lies on the coast in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal and surrounds the unique and beautiful Kosi Bay lake system that is part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site. This system consists of four lakes and a series of inter connecting channels that eventually drain via a sandy estuary into the Indian Ocean. We learn about the sustainable use of resources in the reserve and a fishing system used by local communities that has been in operation for over 300 years.

Day 9-10: Swaziland
Departing from the Ezulwini “Valley of Heaven” the expedition climbs up to Mbabane, Swaziland’s capital city. We study the history and culture of the legendary Swazi Nation, founded by the 1st Dlamini King, hundreds of years ago and today bound together by the Ngwenyama, His Majesty King Mswati III. Visit a Swazi cultural village and craft centres as well as a local community involved in establishing a community reserve in the north of Swaziland.

Day 11-12: Kruger National Park
Travelling north we enter the Kruger National Park, where magnificent biodiversity offers prime encounters with wildlife. Night drives offer the opportunity to view nocturnal wildlife and predators in action. The park also contains interesting and historical cultural sites; we visit a Late Iron Age site and explore the early trade routes. We end our expedition with a farewell dinner under the stars in a traditional boma.

Day 13: Departure



Family Tracks (13 Days)
Bring the whole family along for an African experience you will all enjoy. The expedition explores two of South Africa’s famous game reserves, the Kruger National Park and the Timbavati, and visits a reptile centre and a rehabilitation centre, ending with a tour through the Blyde River Canyon. Children can explore the African bush in a safe environment under expert guidance. This expedition is offered on a group basis for a minimum of 8 persons (including children) and can be tailor-made to suit.

Day 1-3: Kruger National Park
The bio-diversity of this reserve is spectacular, making it ideal for observing and studying the wildlife that Southern Africa has to offer. View wildlife on gamedrives and enjoy short walks exploring the area.

Day 4 -8: Timbavati Game Reserve
The Timbavati is a privately managed reserve bordering the Kruger National Park and was once famous for the rare “white lion”. Days will be spent learning practical bush skills, tracking wildlife on foot, navigation, and studying wildlife behaviour. This area is also perfect for learning how animals and man utilize plants. Nocturnal animals and their activities are observed on night drives, also an ideal time to view predators in action. The last night is spent sleeping out under the stars.

Day 9-11: Blyde Canyon Reserve
From our base at the foot of the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains the conservation and care of reptiles is observed at a reptile centre and a visit to a rehabilitation centre gives guests the opportunity for close encounters with various endangered species. A boat cruise on the spectacular Blyde dam, fun-filled rafting and mountain biking are some of the activities on offer in these breathtaking surroundings. On the final evening a farewell dinner is held round the campfire and children are presented with an EcoLife Family Tracks certificate.

Day 12: Departure
We wind through the magnificent and historical Blyde River canyon before heading back to Johannesburg.



Birding Expedition (13 Days)
This expedition is led by a specialist birding guide, and can be tailor-made to suit for groups with a minimum of 8 persons. The provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga on South Africa’s eastern seaboard boast some of the country’s finest birding, with a combined bird list of well over 750 species. This impressive total is a reflection of the incredible natural diversity present within the region, a factor that makes birding in the area a delight. Habitats change quickly here and this comprehensive birding tour will cover all the important areas. From the classic African savannah of the world-renowned Kruger National Park, to the teeming Zululand game reserves, the endemic-rich mist-belt forests of the Natal Midlands, the mangroves and mudflats along the coast to the lofty peaks of the magnificent Drakensberg, this tour of Eastern South Africa offers the very best of African birding and game watching.

Day 1-2: Kruger National Park
Departing from Johannesburg International Airport we travel to the Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s last great wildernesses. The biodiversity of this jewel of wilderness areas is spectacular, and the ideal area for observing and studying all the wildlife species Southern Africa has to offer, including the “Big Five”. Kruger National Park also provides us with the opportunity to find several birds that we are unlikely to encounter elsewhere on our expedition, such as Ostrich, Kori Bustard, the world’s heaviest flying bird, the incomparable Southern Ground-Hornbill, Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Marabou Stork and up to five species of vultures.

Day 3-4: Wakkerstroom
We move inland to the country village of Wakkerstroom for a two-night stay. This quaint village is surrounded by pristine upland grasslands rich in endemic birds, many of which are currently threatened by the ongoing destruction of their grassland habitat.

Day 5-6: Northern Zululand, Ndumo Game Reserve
The birds of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are probably the best known in Africa. Many of the early birders worked here, the reason that more than a few African birds have natalensis as the second half of their scientific name. KZN has a long bird list, about 470 species being regularly recorded, and another 200 less regularly. This diversity reflects the number of habitats in KZN.
Ndumo Game Reserve is perhaps best known for its magnificent bird life with the highest bird count in South Africa, some 430 species. Situated near the Tembe Elephant Park on the Mozambique border, the Usuthu River forms its northern boundary and the Pongola River flows through to its confluence with Usuthu. Ndumo boasts many beautiful pans set about with yellow fever trees and extensive wetlands and reed beds as well as acacia savannah and sandforest. With game species such as nyala, bushbuck, impala, red duiker, suni, black and white rhino, hippopotamus and a very large population of crocodiles, Ndumo is a most rewarding area to view wildlife.

Day 7: Mkhuze Game Reserve
We drive south to the Mkhuze Game Reserve, arriving in the afternoon for a two-night stay at Park chalets. Mkhuze Game Reserve is arguably the most productive birding hotspot in Southern Africa, protecting a wide variety of savannah, forest and wetland habitats. Large numbers of bird and other wildlife species can be seen during our stay here but we will concentrate on finding the localised specials of this area. A night drive provides us with the opportunity to view the 11 species of owl to be found in the reserve, as well as nocturnal mammals such as leopard and hyena.

Day 8: Greater St Lucia Wetland Reserve
The forested dunes in St Lucia Wetland Park, reputedly the tallest of their kind on earth, support a variety of scarce “specials” such as Fasciated Snake Eagle, Livingstone’s Turaco, Brown Scrub-Robin, Woodward’s Batis, Black-tailed Waxbill and Green-backed Twinspot, and these form the focus of our birding in this area. Samango Monkey and Red Forest Squirrel are other rare species that we may encounter.

Day 9-10: KwaZulu Natal Midlands
We commence our birding for the next two days in the Karkloof, a range of forested hills near Howick, home to a number of uncommon and local birds restricted to Afro-montane forests, such as Mountain Buzzard, Knysna Turaco, the highly endangered brown-headed form of the Cape Parrot, the elusive Bush Blackcap - one of South Africa’s most sought-after endemics.

Day 11-12: Drakensberg, Lesotho
Creighton supports some special birds hard to find elsewhere, these include the elusive Black-rumped Buttonquail, Fan-tailed Grassbird and the rare Cape Parrot, a critically endangered species with a total population of less than six hundred. The following day we travel up into the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho, in search of a handful of highly localised, highland endemics.

Day 13: Departure
We depart after breakfast for Durban International Airport.