Hands-on Conservation Expeditions
Reynolds Travel
An exclusive life-changing adventure in wildlife conservation. Step off the beaten path and into the heart of true wildlife conservation. These expeditions are a meaningful way of bringing the traveler direct experiences in the center of major conservation activities. You’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder alongside seasoned wildlife professionals and specialists getting hands-on encounters, exploring Africa’s untamed wilderness, and assisting in all activities of conservation, and by doing so, you can transform and impact the lives of the African animals while having an extraordinary journey of a lifetime.
Elephant Contraception
(February)
There are few animals in the wild that elicit as visceral a connection to the natural world as the African elephant. Having been placed on the IUCN red list since 2004 as vulnerable, elephants continue to be threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation as well as poaching for the illegal ivory trade. As a keystone species, elephants play a crucial role in shaping the environments in which they occur; it is for this reason Mapesu Private Game Reserve found it imperative to introduce a founder herd onto the newly created reserve. As per government decree, the reserve is only allowed to conserve one elephant per thousand hectares, and as such, the breeding age females within the herd need to be contracepted from time to time to ensure the reserve does not become overpopulated.
For the February expedition, guests are allowed to get up-close and personal in vital conservation work with Africa’s largest land mammals. Working alongside the reserve team and veterinarian, you will be able to observe exactly what it takes to protect these magnificent giants both on the ground and from a helicopter.
During your week stay, you will be treated to sumptuous dining and luxurious living. This luxury tented camp offers stunning panoramic views above the endless sea of mopane trees and world-renown sunsets over the horizon. Each large safari tent is airconditioned with lounging space, closet space, large and comfortable bed and bedding, as well as a private en-suite bathroom with royally appointed bathtubs, and a shower offering stellar views of the starry night sky. To beat the heat, the camp has a swimming pool and lovely covered outdoor dining spaces and free WiFi.
Elephant Bull Introduction
(April)
During April, the reserve management team is planning on introducing an additional bull elephant onto the property. Currently, the herd that exists on Mapesu only has one large bull elephant, which is the progeny of the matriarch. As such, he is the main bull but can not cover the adult female as they are related. To bring back a cohesive social hierarchy, there needs to be an adult bull elephant to show the younger bull how to behave. The addition will hopefully further relax and habituate the existing herd.
During your stay, you will be treated to sumptuous dining and luxurious living. This luxury tented camp offers stunning panoramic views above the endless sea of mopane trees and world-renown sunsets over the horizon. Each large safari tent is airconditioned with lounging space, closet space, large and comfortable bed and bedding, as well as a private en-suite bathroom with royally appointed bathtubs, and a shower offering stellar views of the starry night sky. To beat the heat, the camp has a swimming pool and lovely covered outdoor dining spaces and free WiFi.
Tracking Collar Replacement
(July)
In conjunction with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Mapesu Private Game Reserve was able to release both wild dog and cheetah onto the reserve. As both species are accustomed to roaming in large home ranges, the telemetry equipment used to locate these animals is of vital importance to our understanding of their movement as well as their safety in the event of an escape. Collars do not have an infinite battery life, and as the animals grow, the collar may become tight or run out of battery. During this expedition, you will assist in the chemical capture of both species, which may be from the air or on the ground with the use of a bait. During which time, the collars will be replaced, and the animal released back into the reserve.
You will be staying at the luxury 4-star Mopane Bush Lodge in a secluded double/twin-bedded thatched chalet with ensuite bathroom. Each room has its own veranda, additional outdoor shower, and fantastic views of the surrounding bushveld that are unique and exclusive to each chalet. The spacious bedrooms provide a relaxing environment in luxurious comfort, with top quality mattresses and bedding, airconditioning, generous cupboard space, a safe in each room, hairdryer, good lighting over a large mirror at the dressing table, and mini-bar. Each room has a Nespresso machine and tea/coffee station in every room and free WiFi. Laundry service is also available on request.
The lodge pool, situated next to the full-service bar and wooden deck is the perfect place to enjoy a revitalizing swim or sundowner while watching the animals drink at the watering hole. The comfortable lounge provides the ideal retreat for those relaxing moments with a cozy fire for wintry nights. There is a small library with reference books and light reading material for your enjoyment. Delicious meals are delightfully prepared and can be served in our spacious dining room, on the lawn, in the boma around the fire under the brilliant southern night sky, in the lapa around the pool, or in the bush.
In addition to the Mopane Bush Lodge, you will be accommodated in a typical trails camp in the heart of the Mapesu mopane veld. The camp consists of 2.4m x 2.4m safari dome tents, fully equipped with extra length beds and linen.
Rhino Collar Replacement and
Introduction (August)
At the very core of this conservation organizations existence is the continued conservation of the two extant African rhino species. At the beginning of 2019, the first founder animals were introduced onto the reserve, one of which is due to give birth during the first quarter of 2020. Mapesu Private Game Reserve can sustain a population of 18 adult white rhinos (6 males and 12 females). By participating in this expedition, your participation will personally assist in the funds for the introduction of an additional rhino onto the reserve. You will be able to assist with the chemical capture of several white rhinos during this expedition, as well as assisting in replacing the rhinos telemetry collars and their horn transmitters. These transmitters are vital in our continued research into the movement of the rhinos on the property and are invaluable tools for our Anti-poaching unit to protect the current population on the reserve.
The cooler, drier months of August are ideal for tent-based safaris, and during this expedition, you will be treated to an authentic canvas and stars experience at the trails camp in the heart of the Mapesu mopane veld. The trails camp consists of 2.4m x 2.4m safari dome tents, fully equipped with extra length beds and linen. You will also be treated to sumptuous dining and luxurious living in the Mapesu Wilderness Camp. This luxury tented camp offers stunning panoramic views above the endless sea of mopane trees and world-renown sunsets over the horizon. Each large safari tent is airconditioned with lounging space, closet space, large and comfortable bed and bedding, as well as a private en-suite bathroom with royally appointed bathtubs, and a shower offering stellar views of the starry night sky. To beat the heat, the camp has a swimming pool and lovely covered outdoor dining spaces and free WiFi.
Mapesu Game Count (October)
Since 2014, the Mapesu Private Game Reserve has done a biannual game count to ensure the animals living on the reserve are thriving and within the parameters of the carrying capacity of the property as set out by the ecologists. The total number of zebra, waterbuck, blue wildebeest, oryx, impala, eland, kudu, and giraffe has grown from 483 to 1103 in the last four years. Between 2018 and 2020, the reserve, the shareholders, and guests have facilitated the introduction of additional species as well as several individuals through the means of live purchases. The 2020 game count will thus prove to be the year where most species are expected to reach their optimal stocking rate. By reaching this optimal rate, a surplus can be projected, and this will enable the reserve to introduce additional predators onto the reserve. As part of the game count, you will be in the helicopter helping the conservation team count all of the animals on the reserve from the air.
You will be staying at the luxury 4-star Mopane Bush Lodge in a secluded double/twin-bedded thatched chalet with ensuite bathroom. Each room has its own veranda , additional outdoor shower, and fantastic views of the surrounding bushveld that are unique and exclusive to each chalet. The spacious bedrooms provide a relaxing environment in luxurious comfort, with top quality mattresses and bedding, airconditioning, generous cupboard space, a safe in each room, hairdryer, good lighting over a large mirror at the dressing table, and mini-bar. Each room has a Nespresso machine and tea/coffee station in every room and free WiFi. Laundry service is also available on request.
The lodge pool, situated next to the full-service bar and wooden deck is the perfect place to enjoy a revitalizing swim or sundowner while watching the animals drink at the watering hole. The comfortable lounge provides the ideal retreat for those relaxing moments with a cozy fire for wintry nights. There is a small library with reference books and light reading material for your enjoyment. Delicious meals are delightfully prepared and can be served in our spacious dining room, on the lawn, in the boma around the fire under the brilliant southern night sky, in the lapa around the pool, or in the bush.
Mapesu Bird and Overnight Hide
Construction (December)
Since the upgrade of the Mapedu dam on Mapesu Private Game Reserve, there has been talk of constructing a sizeable overnight bird hide at the dam. The dam will allow guests to observe wildlife in peace and quiet, and relative safety. A plethora of animals visit the main dam daily, and many of them are unpredictable in their movements, by spending a lot of time at a hide, the odds of having a visual increase significantly. During this expedition, you will be able to help construct the bird hide.
You will be staying at the luxury 4-star Mopane Bush Lodge in a secluded double/twin-bedded thatched chalet with ensuite bathroom. Each room has its own veranda, additional outdoor shower, and fantastic views of the surrounding bushveld that are unique and exclusive to each chalet. The spacious bedrooms provide a relaxing environment in luxurious comfort with top quality mattresses and bedding, airconditioning, generous cupboard space, a safe in each room, hairdryer, good lighting over a large mirror at the dressing table, and mini-bar. Each room has a Nespresso machine and tea/coffee station in every room and free WiFi. Laundry service is also available on request.
The lodge pool, situated next to the full-service bar and wooden deck is the perfect place to enjoy a revitalizing swim or sundowner while watching the animals drink at the watering hole. The comfortable lounge provides the ideal retreat for those relaxing moments with a cozy fire for wintry nights. There is a small library with reference books and light reading material for your enjoyment. Delicious meals are delightfully prepared and can be served in our spacious dining room, on the lawn, in the boma around the fire under the brilliant southern night sky, in the lapa around the pool, or in the bush.
Mapesu Private Game Reserve pursues conservation efforts that are coupled with responsible tourism that helps to build the symbiosis between the people that work there, the land and its animals, and our guest.
The Mapesu Private Game Reserve is situated in northern Limpopo, South Africa and is spread across 7,200 hectares. The goals are to preserve and restore the environment and re-establish biological diversity while creating an up-close and personal experience that reaches into the heart and soul of every visitor. Mapesu has four of the Big 5 roaming with the remaining one species (lion) occurring inside Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site where we also do game drives.
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