"I went to Shamwari twice in 2005 cos I loved it so much. The mix of work and play is great at Shamwari. The staff are friendly and helpful and the bond you share with other students makes it even better. I would highly recomend it because staff are willing and want you to get involved in anything on the reserve. The wekends are free for you to see the area and what an area it is. Activities include bungy-jumping, shark cage diving and visiting local animal sancturies. Overall an experience I cannot believe anyone would be disappointed with."

"When i thought about travelling back in 2005 typed in 'Working abroad' to google. I had no idea what it would lead to.

After browsing the Worldwide experience website and getting in touch with them I attended an open event in Birmingham where people from the company spoke to us and provided information about the packages they offer. Throw in a DVD presentation and I didn't have to think twice.

I spent 3 months on Shamwari Game reserve and It was without a doubt the best 3 months of my life. I saw and did things that none of my friends who travelled to bum around on Australian beaches will ever do. The level of involvement you get from the experience is something that will live with you forever. From assisting in operations on Lions and Cheetahs, to getting up at 4am to do game capture - it was an experience that you have no idea what it is really like until you are there.

But the people you meet are a huge part of it too! Over the 3 months there I met 16 amazing chaps and chappettes who were all there for the same thing. We gelled like family and had a ball of a time. We spent weekends away from the reserve, had fancy dress down at the local pub, played sport with the local community and made friends with the locals. It's hard work at times but the more you put in, the greater the experience becomes. All the staff from the UK to the team out in South Africa were great on every level. They give all the help you need and will be there whenever you want them.

This testemonial could go on forever but to get a true feeling of what I have said you have to do it yourself. The memories of Shamwari and my time in South Africa are and will probably remain my fondest ever!

My only regret... Not staying there! Talking of which if anyone in the right places is reading this I'd gladly take a job out there if one is going!"

"Touching a anesthetised rhino and sitting around a campfire in the Wilderness with a pride of lion walking past only 5 metres away."

"Today was the most amazing day so far. We went with the vet and about 10 rangers to dart 2 lions. The vet darted the lions, then we had to pick them up and put them into a truck and take then to the Conservation Centre. I sat in the back of a truck with a huge male lion, while we drove like the wind."

"Walking in the Wilderness was a reverential experience and helped us to all to realise that conservation is not about shutting people out, but about coexistence."