Physical Requirements
Most Earthwatch Expeditions take place in destinations that are wild and remote, with varying physical demands and limited medical facilities. All field research trips may not be suitable for every traveler. In order to participate on this expedition, you must comfortably and reliably be able to execute all physical requirements as noted below.
Level of Difficulty
- Easy to Moderate
Trip Pace
Full, structured days with early mornings in the field and time to rest midday. Some research days will be full days
Some days include evening activities such as wildlife monitoring drives.
Walk up to 3–4 miles (5–7 km) on research days at a pace of roughly 1 mile per hour
Terrain is uneven and may be muddy, grassy or rugged
Participants are expected to carry their own equipment while hiking,
Activities may require stepping over obstacles such as animal holes or dense vegetation
Frequent bending, kneeling and standing for extended periods
Ability to get down to ground level for measurements and stand back up without assistance
Travel by 4x4 safari vehicles on very rough and remote roads for up to 2 hours at a time
Occasional longer drives (up to several hours, with breaks)
Ability to get in and out of vehicles without assistance
Travel between camps by small bush planes
This expedition is not suitable for participants who require the use of mobility aids or who have mobility limitations, back injuries or conditions that affect balance, bending or extended time on one's feet.
See clearly (with or without corrective lenses) to roughly 500 meters, or 1600 feet, and up close in order to read research instruments
Be alert and ready to take evasive action from wildlife—moving quickly, returning to the project vehicle, or lying flat on the ground—if necessary
July: This is usually the coldest month in Kruger. Pre-dawn game drives are freezing, with morning temperatures dropping to around 6°C to 10°C (43°F to 50°F). However, it warms up beautifully by midday to a comfortable 22°C to 25°C (72°F to 77°F) under clear, sunny skies.
August: The landscape remains completely dry, but temperatures begin to climb back up. Mornings stay crisp at around 10°C (50°F), while afternoon highs regularly hit 27°C to 28°C (81°F to 82°F).
September: This is a transitional spring month where the heat returns rapidly. Afternoon temperatures frequently soar to 29°C to 33°C (84°F to 91°F), and the air can start to feel quite hot. Mornings become milder, averaging around 14°C to 15°C (57°F to 59°F). You might also see the very first scattered, brief afternoon showers of the year toward the end of the month.