LEO Africa

  Verified
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rating

4.58

Fantastic


49

Reviews


21

Years in business

LEO Africa is a wildlife monitoring, conservation & sustainable living volunteer project based in Limpopo, South Africa. Come join us and live a truly African experience!

Limpopo Eco Operations (LEO) Africa, is based in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. 

LEO Africa project began in 2005, to assist the reserve in monitoring the lions that were re-introduced. With the years, the project expanded its range of operations, and currently, we are responsible for the ...

Review Description

Limpopo Eco Operations (LEO) Africa, is based in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. 

LEO Africa project began in 2005, to assist the reserve in monitoring the lions that were re-introduced. With the years, the project expanded its range of operations, and currently, we are responsible for the monitoring of the key species (Big 5, cheetahs, hyenas) and a great part of conservation work for the reserve where we operate. Alongside with this, we are very active in sustainable living and green energy. We educate our volunteers and people on the importance of putting the environment first, as without a healthy environment, wildlife (and humans) would not thrive.

Leo Africa's rangers and conservationists have years of field experience; we are very dedicated and passionate about real conservation and we strive to make a difference and educate people so that also the future generations can admire the beauties of nature and live on a healthy planet. The work we do links ecology with the practical aspects of running of a nature reserve, providing a rewarding and educational wildlife volunteer experience. Further, Leo Africa's conservation efforts are not only based on animals, but also on their environment, promoting and using green energy and material recycling. LEO Africa is a non-smoking program, vapes included, to further our conservation efforts.

LEO Africa offers a free service to the reserve in which we operate, and the solely way of funding our project is through the volunteers contribution. Without volunteers, we would not be able to do our work and the park would not have a dedicated team to monitor wildlife and assist with valuable conservation work.


Volunteer Program

LEO Africa conservation volunteer program provide vital monitoring services for this reserve.  The information is obtained through an intensive predator and wildlife monitoring program, which offers you, the volunteer, an opportunity to learn about and contribute to conservation in one of the most diverse wildlife reserves in South Africa.The data collected on the field and through camera traps is processed by our staff members to compile monthly reports for the park managers. The information gained is used to be able to evaluate the impact of the animals and to maintain balanced, stable, and sustainable ecosystems.

Reserve management in South Africa is a complex and evolving subject. It involves everything from ecology to road maintenance, from species reintroduction to alien plant removal. One of LEO's goals is to expose volunteers to the complicated subject of conservation in the 21st century.

The aim of the LEO Africa research project is to provide park wardens and ecologists with detailed information about wildlife within the reserve as well as contributing with some active conservation work to keep a balanced eco-system. 

LEO Africa's volunteer wildlife monitoring and conservation programme records and monitors the movements, behaviour, numbers, kills, and interactions of the Big 5 and hyenas. This research will play a vital role in the management of park section and possibly the data analysed could be used to compare these eco-systems with other conservation areas throughout South Africa.


Contact Person

Hanèl de Wet

Spoken languages: Afrikaans, English
  Good response rate

LEO Africa reviews

The rangers and the staff members at this game reserve are super dedicated in their wild animal conservation efforts. The dormitory facility has issues, but if you don't mind roughing it, this program offers unforgettable experience. I thoroughly appreciated the knowledgeable rangers & staff ...
I had a really amazing experience at Leo! The staff/rangers are very experienced, really lovely people, and very knowledgeable. There were a few things that I found a little difficult: There is very little free time. During the 11 weeks I was there, there wasn’t a single day when I didn’t ...
After heavy floodings only a small part of the reserve was accessible. Roads were terrible. Anyway we had some wonderful sightings of cheetahs and lions. We also had 2 great days in Krüger National Park. Otherwise we had to really work hard on repairing roads and even build a new one. No one ...
Sylvia Heere-Waterland rating5.0

2025 at Big 5 Monitoring, Conservation, Sustainable Living

LEO Africa I had an amazing experience! If you really love animals and love to have long game drives and bush walks and want to see from nearby wild animals, this is the place to be! But don’t expect some luxury here, everything is really basic! The managers and rangers have all so much passion ...
Juliëtte van Oostrum rating4.0

2025 at Big 5 Monitoring, Conservation, Sustainable Living

Absolutely loved it, the staff is very kind and open, don’t be scared to ask questions! You’ll be “working” almost the whole day but it more feels like an adventure!! There is rhythm in the day but it won’t get boring; from snare sweeping to animal tracking every day is a little different. ..

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UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Life On Land