FAQs

South Africa mains power sockets are Type M and have rounded pins and look like this: Adaptors (such as the one shown above) are freely available from various websites, such as Amazon or eBay. The example above enables connection from the South Africa Type M mains plug to UK, EU and US plugs. The UK uses a Type G plug The EU uses a Type C plug The US uses a Type A (2-pin) and Type B (3-pin) plugs. A small number of UK and EU adaptors and plug boards are available at the camp.

There is some reasonable 4G reception, but only with the South African provider MTN (not Vodacom or Cell-C) and there are a number of options you can consider.

If you have an international roaming option with your home provider, that covers South Africa, this can be a good option. But make sure that your home provider will allow you to select MTN while you are in South Africa and also check how much data you are allowed to use. This can sometimes not be the most cost effective option, but can be the most convenient, depending on how flexible your home provider is.

An alternative is buying a physical SIM card on your arrival at O.R. Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, there is an MTN shop as you come out of the baggage collection area on the right, just around the corner from the statue of O.R. Tambo in the centre of the arrivals area.

You will only be able to use a physical SIM card if you have a SIM FREE phone, ie one that is not exclusive to a mobile (cell) provider in your home country.

Alternatively, you can use an app, such as Ubigi, which enables you to install an e-SIM on your phone and buy a voucher that will give you access to data in South Africa. But because make sure that you are able to select MTN as your provider in SA.

Here is some information on this topic: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118227

We highly recommend visitors bring their own binoculars. Investing in a good pair of binoculars will certainly pay off.

Field supplies

  Binoculars

  Water bottle (at least 1 litre)

  Penknife

  Insect repellent

  Sunscreen

  Sunglasses

   Lip Salve

  Flashlight, torch or headlamp with extra batteries and bulb

   Antihistamine tablets

   Rehydration sachets

  Daypack/backpack to fit water, camera, binoculars, extra layer, headlamp  and sunscreen

  Workbook and pens

   Camera (Optional)

   Plasters

   Paracetamol or other pain medication

In the interest of supporting the camp could we ask that you avoid, where possible, bringing and leaving single-use plastics and material that can’t be easily and readily disposed of. The camp does have recycling facilities, but where you can pack light, please do so. 

The AC Mains power in South Africa is 230 Volts and 50 Hz, so the same as the EU and compatible with the UK too.

Clothing and footwear for fieldwork*

Please note that all clothing should be earthy or dark colours such as browns, blacks, dark greens, beige, khaki etc.  White, Yellow and Red are not suitable for the bush.

  Long-sleeved shirts and combat trousers for fieldwork

  Lightweight waterproof jacket

  Lightweight waterproof trousers (optional)

  Warm Coat (Between May and September)

  Warm clothing for early mornings and nights i.e. windproof jacket and jumpers

  Wide-brimmed hat for face, neck and head sun protection

  Warm hat, gloves, and a scarf (between May and September)

  Hiking boots (preferably worn in) and hiking socks

   Short sleeved t-shirts in appropriate colour

*Please note that thermal clothing is advised between the months of June to September as night-time temperatures can drop to below 0ºC.

Clothing and footwear for Leisure

  Loose clothing for hot summer days

  Long-sleeved lightweight top for sun protection

  Shorts and T-shirts

  Underwear and socks

  Comfortable shoes for wearing around the camp

  Swimwear (optional)

You will learn during your visit about the committed anti-poaching teams that patrol the reserve protecting the mammals. These teams carry out invaluable work including deterring rhino poachers, for whom rhino horn represents significant value.

If you have any unwanted items of warm clothing e.g. hats, fleeces, coats, socks etc that are destined for charity in your home country we’d love you to consider bringing some out to Mankwe, these items are then shared with reserve staff who gratefully take on these extra layers when patrolling during the cold nights of South African winters.

Animal Saviours are unable to provide any advice on which vaccines or medicines you require for your trip, you will need to ascertain this information as part of travelling abroad and to this region of South Africa. We would advise that you ensure that any medical information received is timely and that you share details of the likely activities you will undertake during your visit (activities list to be provided).

Mankwe is situated in the North West Province of South Africa, approximately five kilometres east of the Pilansberg National Park. Most visitors are likely to fly into Johannesburg’smain airport (O.R.Tambo) after which it’s around a three-hour scenic drive to the reserve.

The weather during your stay will of course depend on the time of year you visit. You will be provided with a recommended kit list in advance of your trip. Try to pack relatively light but take note that when it is predicted to be warm and sunny the dry heat can be unforgiving and so suitable clothes, a hat and neck covering is sensible. Equally, during winter times, when there is little cloud cover and temperatures drop rapidly towards the late afternoon, please consider some warm clothes, possibly a down jacket and hat. 

All group members must arrive at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport. There will only be one group transfer available to take you from Johannesburg to Mankwe Research Center.

Normally it is planned to leave around 12 noon, so it is imperative that you are able to clear passport control and collect your luggage and be ready to be transferred before then.

Yes, it is the responsibility of all guests to ensure they have the appropriate level of travel and medical insurance in place to cover their trip. Guests will be asked to provide evidence of their insurance before departing.

Yes, it is the responsibility of all guests to ensure they have the appropriate level of travel and medical insurance in place to cover their trip. Guests will be asked to provide evidence of their insurance before departing.

We also strongly recommend that you bring a credit card with you, even if you have comprehensive travel and medical insurance. The nearest medical centre will need a see a credit card before they will admit you.

Yes! In fact, we would highly recommend that you do so, especially if you have not been to South Africa before. The group transfer from Mankwe camp will take you back to Johannesburg, and you will be able to plan your onward journey from there.

Some useful local phrases

Hello: Howzit!

Goodbye: Cheers! Koebaai!

Yes: Eh

No: Auwa! 

Thanks: Dankie

BBQ: Braai

Go: Hamba!

All good: Sharp! 

Nice: Lekker

Bugs: Goggas 

Animal Saviours, and the staff at Mankwe are passionate that you really invest in your experience at the reserve, gaining the opportunity to both educate yourself and find time to relax. Activities are planned with the ambition of striking a healthy balance, if, however, there are certain activities e.g.night drives that you wish to sit out, please let the reserve staff know. In addition to those staff members delivering talks and taking you out on wildlife tours you’ll also meet kitchen and camp staff. Many of the staff will be from local communities who will have worked at Mankwe for many years. 

English is widely spoken in camp; other languages include Afrikaans and Tswana.

Yes, all your meals are included.

Tea, coffee and squash (concentrated fruit juice) drinks are available 24 hours.

Alcohol and other fizzy soda drinks are not included, but are available to buy from the camp shop.

The team at Mankwe’s primary aim is to enthuse adult guests, young people and researchers alike, by invoking a passion and determination to better understand everyone’s responsibility towards conservation. All visitors are invited during their stay to immerse themselves in the education afforded by Mankwe?

Guests will gain an understanding of how to manage a healthy African ecosystem, to understand the influence of humans on wildlife and the workable mitigations and actions required to reduce the impacts and ensure the longevity of places like Mankwe.

Mankwe, in comparison to other private game reserves around Southern Africa, is smaller, yet at 4700 hectares it is still a sizeable plot. Its size is an advantage, allowing guests close proximity to abundant wildlife, sleeping within earshot and walking distance of African nature that makes this part of Southern Africa so compelling to visitors. 

We think Mankwe is a special place, it is founded on family values and unity and everyone involved, and previous visiting guests, have bought into this philosophy.

Animal Saviours and all at Mankwe look forward to meeting you and sharing their infectious passion for conservation.

The conservation experiences we offer have a slightly different emphasis or focus for each one. We recommend you read through the webpages for each one to orientate yourself and understand the differences.

For those joining a Rhino Conservation Experience, the activities and tasks and the running order for days in camp will largely be the same. Uniquely, you will also likely take part in a rhino horn-trimming event. Guests will be assigned specific tasks, that do not require previous experience or training, which will contribute to the overall activity. More detailed instructions and the assigning of roles will take place whilst in camp. Guests will also receive extensive background on rhino conservation work whilst in camp. Whilst rhinohorn-trimming will be planned during these specific weeks there are a number of unavoidable reasons why such an event might not occur.

The principal accommodation at Mankwe for guests is at the aptly named ‘Waterbuck Camp’. The camp sleeps up to thirty-six guests and sits on the banks of the Motolobo dam. A rustic bush camp with all the amenities required toensure your stay is a comfortable one. Sleeping arrangements include, three fixed safari tents that guests can stand up in, each with up to four comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms. There are four cabins, again with en-suite bathrooms. There is also a larger brick chalet with two four-sleeper rooms and two bathrooms and a bunkhouse that can accommodate twelve guests with communal bathroom facilities. 

Bed linen and blankets are provided, but you are welcome to bring your sleeping bag if you prefer.

If you feel the cold at night, a sleeping back can be useful in the winter months (May-September)

There is light in all the accommodation and plugs are available, not in the tents, to allow safe charging of electronic devices such as mobile (cell) phones and camera batteries.

But the camp uses solar power only, so some devices cannot be used while in the camp. These include anything with a heating element, such as hair dryers or straighteners, or anything else that will pull large amounts of power.

There are mosquitoes in the camp at certain times of the year, and Mankwe is in a low risk malaria zone, so there is always some risk and it is your choice as to how you deal with that risk.

You should wear long trousers and long sleeve tops, and use bug spray in the evenings, either for dinner or any of the other night time activities.

And if you have concerns about mosquitoes you can bring your own net to put over your bed to get a more comfortable nights sleep.

 

Yes, bed sheets, pillows and blankets are provided, as well as bath towels.

If you feel the cold you should also consider bringing a sleeping bag during the winter months (May-September)

You are welcome to bring your own towels if you prefer.

There will be three meals a day served in the long cabin at the centre of Waterbuck camp. Meals vary, but centre on meat dishes and sides, but always with a vegetarian option. The meats used include poultry and game, and are often included in regional dishes, but all are very suitable for most palates and many will be variations on meals that most guests will be familiar with. All meat used is ethically sourced from the reserve.

Guests will have continual access to clean water and tea and coffee will be made available whilst staff are in the kitchen.

The camp also operates a small shop, which opens in response to demand. The shop sells some alcohol (wine and beer), limited snack sand a variety of gifts, including clothes, bracelets, toys and even hides.

Mankwe boasts up to fifty-three species of large mammals, over three hundred and eighty species of birds, thirty species of reptiles, fifteen species of small mammals and an amazing sixty-eight species of dung beetle! Whilst there is suitable camouflage for the extensive fauna at the reserve some animals inevitably just stand out at times, from one of the many giraffes, rhino, wildebeest and zebras, you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to photograph and observe the vast array of herbivores grazing and browsing their way around the reserve.

There are no lions at Mankwe, but there are species of cats that visit Mankwe to prey on certain mammals.

Leopards do hunt at the reserve and camera trap evidence and sighting sof smaller cats have been seen. 

Mankwe is also rich in bird life and you’ll soon become familiar, during your stay, with the array of whistles, trills, croaks and calls of the common birds.

Yes, there is birdlife in abundance and there are several quiet vantage points to set up a tripod or take out the sketchbook.

You are in South Africa and you will be living amongst African nature and so being sensible and adhering to the camp’s rules and recommendations is fundamental to ensure you remain safe and enjoy your stay.

The reserve itself is relatively well hidden, it is not open to the paying public and visitors will be expected and known. As such, the only people in camp, and generally on the reserve, will be those people Mankwe staff will be aware of. There are no safes in the tents or cabins, however, purely as a precautionary measure, visitors will be asked to hand in their valuables (incl passports) at the start of their stay. Valuables will be locked away on camp and handed back as required.

Many animals will be deterred from entering camp by humans and the accompanying noises, but not all. As you would expect with the camp’s location: its proximity to the dam and the availability of food sources, there is the possibility of occasional snakes, spider and scorpion sightings. There are times when the possibility of sightings might increase, such as snakes looking for frogs after a recent downpour. 

You will receive a safety briefing when you arrive at camp and staff will enact established protocols in the unlikely event of an emergency. 

Animal Saviours are unable to provide any advice on which vaccines or medicines you require for your trip, you will need to ascertain this information as part of travelling abroad and to this region of South Africa. We would advise that you ensure that anymedical information received is timely and that you share details of the likely activities you will undertake during your visit (activities list to be provided).

It is the responsibility of all guests to ensure they have the appropriate level of travel and medical insurance in place to cover their trip. Guests will be asked to provide evidence of their insurance before departing. 

You will receive a safety briefing when you arrive at camp and staff will enact established protocols in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Many animals will be deterred from entering camp by humans and the accompanying noises, but not all. As you would expect with the camp’s location: its proximity to the dam and the availability of food sources, there is the possibility of occasional snakes, spider and scorpion sightings.

There are times when the possibility of sightings might increase, such as snakes looking for frogs after a recent downpour.

There are countless opportunities to see game in southern Africa. Some visitors choose horseback riding, some walking safaris with some simply seeking the luxuries afforded by large commercial game reserves with clients transported around in adapted viewing vehicles. All options have their place with advantages and disadvantages. Visiting Mankwe, as part of an Animal Saviours experience, will allow guests to see African game close up and thankfully not have to queue or have their views obstructed. 

Visitors will also be invited on walking safaris, providing crucial opportunities to gain insightful knowledge on animal tracking and view close up the flora and fauna readily missed whilst sat in vehicles. You will be provided with a list of activities, by day, before your arrival, these tasks and events at the reserve will provide you with first-hand insight of the extensive work needed in managing such a delicate ecosystem. 

All the activities, including walking safaris, requiring only a moderate level of exercise on mostly flatground.

Here is an example itinerary for a Rhino Experience

Here is an example for a Wildlife Experience