Kelp Forest Ecology & Biodiversity Monitoring (Cape RADD only)

I had an amazing experience at the AMES Foundation. It was wonderful to see the animals up close and to be surrounded by the beautiful plants and nature of South Africa. What made the time even better were the people working there—they were all incredibly kind and helpful. Their warmth and support really made the experience special. Furthermore, the task that we did from day-to-day varied a lot, which made it quite exciting everyday to see whats coming

During my fellowship with the Ames Foundation in South Africa, I gained invaluable insights into wildlife reserve management for some of Africa's most endangered species. The experience was made even better by the warm, helpful community surrounding me. The organization was exceptional, and the security measures in place ensured I felt safe at all times. Alongside learning about the animals and their specific needs, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment, making it a fun and enriching experience overall.

The Ames Foundation is a nature reserve that is passionate about protecting wildlife and promoting biodiversity. During my time on site, I had the unique opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the day-to-day management of the reserve. This ranged from caring for the animals and maintaining the reserve to working on strategic projects to ensure the long-term conservation and development of the reserve. This experience was particularly rewarding and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and working with people to make a positive contribution to conservation.

Together with 5 friends, we worked at AMES Dabchick Reserve for 4 fulfilling weeks. We learned a lot about the bush and got to know a lot of new skills. It was truly amazing.

I spent the most wonderful 6 weeks on the reserve, learning about nature and developing exciting projects with the team. Even though, I travelled alone and was the only fellow on the reserve, I never felt lonely. The people are incedibly welcoming and eager to teach you all about wildlife and how we can protect it. I would recommend this experience to anyone, who is excited about animals, and wants to make a real impact for their protection.

The Fellowship program not only gave me the opportunity to get out of my usual environment, to leave my comfort zone, but also to have experiences beyond my expectations that I will remember forever. I met many people with whom I am still in contact today, people I can call my friends.

My experience at Dabchick was life changing. The passion that everyone on-site expresses for conservation is contagious, and I look forward to returning.

My time with the AMES Fellowship was truly transformative. Being immersed in wildlife conservation gave me a deep understanding of how ecosystems function while collaborating with a super fun team of fellows and guides. This Fellowship is not just about learning - it’s about actively contributing to conservation efforts and making a lasting impact.

Waking up in this tranquillity, surrounded by nature and hearing nothing but the animals, is something I can't get enough of.

A memory of a lifetime! This place is so special. I have had the chance to be on quite a lot of safaris in my life. However, this experience is beyond everything I knew before. The beauty of nature being so close, the heartwarming people, the solitude - a place where I got back with myself, could re-focus.