Calm water and acacia trees under a cloudy sky in a South African reserve

Herpetofauna research · South Africa

Field research that informs conservation.

African Biodiversity Research Expeditions gives volunteers and volunteer groups hands-on experience in reptile and amphibian surveys across protected areas of northern and eastern South Africa.

Apply for Manyeleti 2027 View 2027 projects

Manyeleti Game Reserve, 2027 1–21 February 3 volunteer places per week

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About ABRE

Practical biodiversity fieldwork in African protected areas

African Biodiversity Research Expeditions (ABRE), a subsidiary of African Ecological Conservation Projects, gives volunteers and small volunteer groups the opportunity to take part in practical field research and monitoring programs.

Participation directly funds our research and long-term monitoring. The data we collect builds biodiversity inventories, tracks change over time and informs the conservation management decisions of reserve authorities.

Our projects are currently centred on northern and eastern South Africa, with future work planned in southern Mozambique.

2reserves in 2027
3places per week
3max. volunteer group size

How our expeditions work

Researchers checking a drift fence trap line in grassland

Our approach

From the field to management decisions

Every expedition contributes to an ongoing scientific record. Participants work alongside our team at each stage of the survey process.

Survey

Pitfall and funnel trap arrays and active searches document cursorial organisms while nighttime spotlight and daytime counts are done for crocodile.
Record

Captured animals are identified, processed and released, building species inventories and long-term population data.
Inform

Results are shared with wildlife and protected area authorities to guide management actions and policy, and with academic partners for research.