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
- Challenging
Trip Pace
Guests will spend approximately 5–7 hours in the field, hiking 6–9 miles (10–15 km) over uneven terrain while conducting wildlife surveys most days.
This expedition follows a very active schedule, with most days beginning very early to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures and peak wildlife activity.
Afternoons are dedicated to project discussions, data entry, game drives, and time to relax before dinner.
The itinerary is structured but flexible, allowing the research team's priorities, weather, and wildlife sightings to shape each day's activities.
Hike up to 15 km (9 miles) per day for 3-6 hours over hilly, mountainous, and uneven terrain on 8 field days, while continuously scanning for wildlife.
Comfortably navigate steep slopes, deep ravines, rocky ground, dense thorny vegetation, and shallow river crossings on foot. The transects are roughly cut through wild vegetation; they are not well-trodden paths.
Carry a daypack containing 2–3 liters of water and essential field equipment, such as a GPS unit, compass, rangefinder, binoculars, and clipboard.
Walk single file within 2 meters (6 feet) of the guide, over rough terrain, remaining alert to obstacles, animal holes, and wildlife while following instructions.
Remain quiet, focused, and aware while working in wildlife habitat and comfortably work alongside armed park rangers, understanding that firearms are carried solely for participant safety and may never be handled by guests.
Guests should be comfortable getting up into and down out of project vehicles unassisted.
Guests should be comfortable sitting and riding in project vehicles (open back pickup trucks equipped with bench seats), while traveling over rough and bumpy roads for approximately 2-3 hours per day.
Guests must be able to enter and exit a dugout canoe to occasionally cross deeper rivers.
Guests must be able to take immediate evasive action in the event of an animal encounter. Depending on the situation, this could be moving very quickly and/or climbing a tree, following the field ranger’s instructions.
Those who are unable to complete the transects without difficulty or take evasive action can endanger themselves, their teammates, the field rangers, and the animals.
Guests must be able to independently hear, see, understand, and immediately follow all verbal and visual instructions from project staff, park staff, and field guides, especially during emergencies.
Guests will need to see clearly at both long and close ranges to effectively observe wildlife up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) away and to read instruments close-up; corrective lenses are fine to use.
Guests should be comfortable communicating promptly and effectively with staff if they are experiencing distress, difficulty, or a need for assistance.
Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park (HiP park) experiences mild, dry winter weather in July and August, transitioning into warmer spring conditions in September.
Daytime temperatures: 72°-79° F / 22°-26° C
Nighttime temperatures: 45°-57° F / 7°-14° C
Precipitation: September is the transition to spring in the region and can see the occasional thundershower, but rain is rare in June-August.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve spans a range of elevations, from approximately 90 meters (295 feet) above sea level in the eastern lowlands to about 528 meters (1,732 feet) in the western hills.