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Expedition South Africa 2025

Home to the big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo), Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest wildlife reserves, spanning nearly 20,000 square kilometers in northeastern South Africa. This vast and ecologically diverse reserve extends from the Limpopo River in the north to the Crocodile River in the south, bordering Mozambique and Zimbabwe, creating a transfrontier conservation area with neighboring reserves. Kruger’s remarkable biodiversity is supported by a range of ecosystems, from open savannas and acacia woodlands to dense riverine forests and mopane scrublands. 

Because we're working on important research and conservation initiatives, our research permits extend to you, our participants and provide rare opportunity to step into the heart of Kruger National Park on foot, an experience typically reserved for scientists and park staff - Unlike a typical safari or tour where visitors remain confined to their vehicles.

Working alongside our lead researchers and game guards, you’ll be part of our new research project: Impacts of Megafauna Herbivory & Disturbance on the Functional Composition, Diversity, and Populations of Invertebrates in Kruger National Park. This research investigates how elephants and other large herbivores shape the landscape—not just for plants and other animals, but for the countless invertebrates that drive essential ecosystem functions like pollination, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. As we survey insects from towering trees to coarse woody debris, you’ll help uncover how these megafauna disturbances influence biodiversity, offering critical insights for conservation in one of the world’s most iconic savanna ecosystems.

Duration: 8 Nights / 7 Days
Dates: December 2nd, 2025 – December 14th, 2025
Country: South Africa
Expedition Language: English
Closest Airport: Skukuza Airport
Accommodation Options: Dorm, Shared, Single
Minimum Age: 18
Minimum participation: 4
Maximum participation: 8

ITINERARY

Important Disclaimers

We will be spending a majority of our time in dense and humid jungles in wildlife rich areas. We’ll be wading through rivers, climbing trees, and trekking through brush and mud.  You’ll get dirty… and that’s half the fun, however, please consider the disclaimers below.  And keep in mind, all activities are optional, so if you need a rest or don’t feel like participating one day, you’re more than welcome to relax on the property.

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COMFORTABILITY: We do have internet and electricity (the station is 100% solar), but this is a completely off-grid biological field station. You will be sleeping in tents on raised platforms for a majority of our expedition. It’s not a 5-star resort.  While we do provide you with air mattresses, tents, and sleeping bags, please bring whatever else you may need to ensure your comfort in this environment.
Personal space is limited. You will share tent platforms, bathhouses, and common spaces with the rest of the participants, researchers, and field guides.


THERE IS NO HOT WATER – We will have a shared bath-house with shower stalls (cold-water only) and composting toilets.
We’d be happy to try to accommodate any personal requests you have, but please note that resources are limited.

 

MEDICAL: Biting and painful stinging insects as well as venomous snakes and other predators are present. There has never been an incident or medical emergency at Cocobolo Nature Reserve, but please exercise caution and follow our safety instructions at all times.  We cannot control the wildlife, terrain or weather. If you have any allergies to hymenoptera venom (bees, ants, wasps) please reconsider participation or bring your doctor prescribed epinephrine. While we are Wilderness First Responder Certified, this really only means we’re certified to assess emergency situations and provide extremely basic emergency care… we are not medical doctors.

Our Expedition Includes:

Accommodation:

  • 2 nights accommodation in Panama City for the first and last nights, and all accommodation/station fees at Cocobolo

  • Sleeping bags, air mattresses, and tents

Transportation:

  • Pickup & dropoff from our hotel in Panama City to/from Cocobolo Nature Reserve

Food & Beverage:

    • 1x Dinner in Panama City

    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages throughout stay at Cocobolo. On final day, only breakfast and lunch are included

Equipment:

  • Muck boots

  • Use of entomological research equipment

Staff:

  • Wilderness First Response certified expedition leaders, Cocobolo guides and researchers, drivers, chefs

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Our Expedition DOES NOT include:

  • Flights

  • Transportation to our hotel on Day 1.

  • Breakfast or lunch on Day 1

  • Dinner on Day 9

  • Toiletries

Suggested packing list:

While we have a lot of experience packing for such field trips, it may be a bit confusing or intimidating if this is your first trip to the tropics. We’ve compiled a list of items you may want to consider below. If you need to purchase any of these items, you may want to consider doing this through Amazon Smile and choosing Conservation through Research Education and Action as your target charity.

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The following items are non-essential but may come handy:

  • Your favourite snacks (chocolate, cereal bars, trail mix, etc.)

  • Pajamas or night clothes

  • Light fingerless gloves for trekking in the forest (hand protection)

  • Solar camping shower (sorry, we only have cold showers at the field station!)

  • Electronics: camera, phone/tablet, e-reader and chargers

  • USB Power Bank for your phone/tablet/e-reader

  • Biodegradable laundry soap – we have sinks and clothes lines (no washer/dryer)

Meet Your Expedition Leaders

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