International Travel
Volunteer Travel
Do you have a sense of adventure? Do you want to see how conservation is practiced in other parts of the world? International Volunteer Travel may just be your ticket. This is a new FWS Retirees Association activity which we hope to grow. Working with a number of partners and contacts we develop opportunities for FWS retirees to travel together to volunteer in other countries. Trips consist of volunteer work and opportunities to go see the wildlife and the habitat of other countries.
And for future information on volunteer travel, check out the newsletters and "Like" the FWS Retirees Association page on Facebook.
Adventure Travel with FWS Retirees
As we emerge from our COVID cocoons and get back out into the world, we would like to tell you of a couple of FWS Retirees travel opportunities. Many of us have wanted to journey on a safari to Africa. Today’s safaris are not of the Out of Africa mold – but are still filled with adventure and fantastic wildlife viewing. Both trips are booked with Africa Through Your Lens, a company that has been hosting FWS Retirees in South Africa for over 10 years. We have two such adventures to share with you scheduled for 2023 and 2024.
KwaZulu Natal, St. Lucia Wetlands, Indian Ocean, and ChaZen Game Reserve
Dates: Depart US October 2 and return October 14, 2023
Price: $4,100 plus round-trip airfare to Johannesburg
Includes: all lodging, in-country transportation, meals, wine/beer with lunch and dinner, entry fees, and tips
Itinerary: Upon arrival we will venture to ChaZen Game Reserve (a private game reserve owned by our hosts the Viljoens) for the first half of our safari. This 40,000-acre reserve is home to a breeding program for the African lion and endangered Africa painted dog. Also, there is an amazing array of South African ungulates: impala, kudu, eland, cape buffalo, black and blue wildebeest, sable and many more. We will return to Johannesburg to catch a short flight to Durban (included in cost) to the east coast of South Africa and the KwaZulu Natal region. Potential activities include plenty of wildlife viewing with daily game drives to nearby wildlife reserves (Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Park, swim/picnic at the Indian Ocean, St. Lucia Wetlands, night game viewing in Isimanagaliso, and Hippo cruise.
ChaZen Volunteer Safari/Pilanesburg National Park
Dates: Depart US January 22 and return February 2, 2024
Price: $2,750 plus airfare to Johannesburg
Includes: all lodging, in-country transportation, meals, wine/beer with lunch and dinner, entry fees and tips
Itinerary: If you want to do some good with your travel time and dollars, plus enjoy a wonderful safari experience, this is the trip for you! Since 2011, FWS retirees have participated in this do-good adventure. Volunteer work is at ChaZen Game Reserve (a private reserve owned by our hosts the Viljoens). Past projects have included habitat restoration, relocating wildlife, assisting in the breeding programs, trail maintenance, and general repairs. The workday is usually in the mornings with the afternoons spent in free time before a late afternoon game drive and sundowner. The last few days of this volunteer experience is spent in the Pilanesburg National Park area north of Johannesburg. Here we should see elephants, hippos, and possibly a leopard!
If you are interested in either of these trips, contact Donna Stanek at dstanek0418@hotmail.com or give her a call at: 505-917-2023. Contributed by Donna Stanek.
North America Travel
Some of the Retirees Association members are interested in combining travel with volunteer work that benefits the FWS mission and might not get done otherwise. Again, make sure to check the travel interest box when you renew your membership to be on the list to receive notices about these efforts.