Upmost Foundation - Rhino Experience

Reviews

Pete R

AMAZING! This was very a unique experience and something I would have never been able to do on my own. The food was so good, the lodge is beautiful and the staff all super friendly. This experience was more than I expected and is something I will remeber forever. Thank You Team Upmost.

Pete R

I loved every second of this experience. This is something I could never have experienced on my own and I am so appreciative for everything the team at Upmost are doing to help preserve the remaining rhino populations. If you are looking for an authentic African wildlife experience this is it.

Pete R

This was an experience I will never forget. Being able to help rhinos in the wild was a surreal experience and I am proud to have been part of the mission to help save this incredible species.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival day

11:00AM

We advise everyone to arrive into Johannesburg today as the check-in for your flight to Kwa-Zulu Natal tomorrow closes at 11am. If your international flight arrives before 7am then you should be fine but rather book your international flight to arrive today to be safe. We recommend booking with the Protea O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel by Marriott. We can get you a prefered rate and there is a complimentary shuttle available which is only a short 5-minute drive from the airport. If you wish to book this hotel tell them you are with Upmost and you will receive a discount off of your booking.

Day 2: Transfer day

10:00AM

Catch the hotel shuttle to the airport. Proceed to domestic departures and check-in for your 11.45am flight to Durban (the flight details will be sent to you a few days before the trip starts). One of our staff will be waiting to greet you at the airport upon your arrival into Durban. You will then road transfer ( 3 hours) to our lodge located close to where we do our rhino conservation work.

Day 3 - Rhino Dart & Orphanage

7:00AM

Briefing by our wildlife manager and vet

07:30AM - 11:00AM

Rhino rescue project Participants will join our Wildlife Management Team for a rhino dehorning, ear notching and medical check up operation. Rhino dehorning has proven to be an effective measure to deter rhino poaching. You will participate in a hands-on experience with rhinos in the wild. You will get up close to wild rhinos whilst assisting the team in collecting DNA samples (hair and blood samples) and taking measurements, all of this contributing to the protection of the species. The procedure is not harmful in any way and our veterinarians and wildlife management team are highly experienced ensuring the welfare of the rhinos during the procedure.

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Offload gear and washing vehicles

12:00PM - 01:00PM

Lunch break

01:00PM - 04:00PM

Introduction to the orphanage - assisting with rhino feeding

Day 4 - Rhino Orphange & Tracking

07:00AM - 08:00AM

Weighing and letting the rhinos into the exercise boma

08:00AM - 12:00PM

Assisting with rhino & hippo feeding and cleaning/maintenance work

12:00PM - 02:00PM

Lunch break

02:00PM - 05:00PM

Wildlife Tracking in the park (Cheetah, Wild dogs, Elephant etc)

Day 5 - Rhino Orphange & Tracking

07:00AM - 07:15AM

Wildlife tracking in the park

10:00AM- 01:00PM

Assist with bush clearing and maintenance of orphanage bomas/ tree nursery and planting

02:00PM

Head back to lodge for an afternoon of leisure

Day 5 - Checkout day

09:00AM

Checkout and transfer back to airport to catch your flight back to Johannesburg unless you are extending your trip to Namibia or the “Sleep under the stars luxury safari” experience.

What's included

Terms

In order to give our guests greater comfort, we will offer the following revised terms and conditions below until the World Health Organisation declares the COVID-19 pandemic over. When the pandemic is declared over, any reservations made under these terms and conditions will be replaced by our standard terms and conditions.

COVID-19 CANCELLATION POLICY

We will offer a refund or credit should your trip be cancelled based on the following reasons:

1) The South African Government imposes a travel ban making it impossible for you to travel.
2) The Government in the your country of origin (or transit country) imposes a travel ban making it impossible for you to travel to South Africa.
3) We have to close operations due to COVID-19 reasons making it impossible for us to fulfil our obligation to deliver your trip. The Upmost Foundation's standard cancellation terms and conditions apply for any reason for cancellation not listed above.

Between Confirmation and 48 hours prior to arrival

100% refund of monies paid less the 15% deposit you paid which will be held as a credit for you to use on a future trip... or you can opt to credit the value of monies paid for future reservations.

Between 48 hours and arrival

100% credit to the value of monies paid for future reservations IMPORTANT: We still recommend you take out travel insurance with specific Covid-19 cancellation and curtailment provisions which is now available from many reputable providers.

Booking terms:

To secure and confirm a reservation, a 15% deposit is required. Deposits are calculated for the full duration of the trip.
Full payment must be received 60 days prior to arrival date to secure the reservation, failing to remit your final payment may result in our lodge partner releasing and canceling your reservation without any refund of your deposit.
All extra costs are to be settled directly by the guests on departure.

6 day experience

Rhino Project Expedition

Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa

Overview

Accomodations

Reviews

Itinerary

What's included

Terms

Trip extension options