LEO Africa - Volunteers for Wildlife and Conservation

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LEO Africa - Volunteers for Wildlife and Conservation

Wildlife monitoring, conservation, sustainable living volunteer project based in South Africa. Since The Limpopo Eco Operations (LEO Africa) Wildlife Monitoring.

Conservation, Sustainable Living Volunteer Programme offers an exciting combination of lion, white and black rhino, leopard, elephant, cheetah, hyena monitoring as well as conservation work, data collection & processing, ID kits creation for reserve management. Join our volunteer project to get involved in real conservation, learn about wildlife, reserve management, animal behavior, sustainable living and get to know people from all around the world.

18/08/2026

Flap Necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis

📍 Leo Africa, Abelana Game Reserve

04/08/2026

Due to January flooding, our lions resorted to using manmade infrastructure to avoid getting their feet wet! Watch til the end and volume up for some lion cub vocalisation 🤍🦁

📍Abelana Game Reserve, Leo Africa

🦁

03/07/2026

One of the small birds that brings a flash of colour to the bush: The White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala) 🐦✨

Usually found in woodland and similar habitats, this little bird feeds mainly on nectar, but also on small insects. Like many sunbirds, it plays an important role in the ecosystem while moving quickly between flowers and vegetation.

Small, active, and easy to miss, it is exactly the kind of sighting that reminds you to slow down and notice the finer details of the bush. 🌿

Would you have recognised it in the wild?

24/06/2026

🏆 PHOTO CONTEST WINNER 🏆

Congratulations to for winning this week’s Photo Contest! 📸🐆✨

Once again, cheetahs have claimed the spotlight. They are undoubtedly among the stars of Abelana Game Reserve, and every sighting reminds us how fortunate we are to share this landscape with these remarkable cats.

This beautiful image of two cheetah siblings captured the hearts of our followers this week. Here’s what Ana had to say about the moment:

“Earlier, these two sibling cheetahs were chasing each other around, wrestling, and having what looked like a great time. A little while later, they settled down and started grooming each other, which is when I took this photo.

Seeing them look after one another was a nice reminder that having a sibling means dealing with the same thing everywhere. One minute you’re annoying each other, the next you’re helping each other out.” ☺️

Thank you, Ana, for sharing this special moment with us. 🧡🌿

For many of our volunteers and guests, seeing cheetahs in the wild becomes one of the highlights of their time at LEO Africa. As one of Africa’s most threatened large predators, every sighting is a privilege and a reminder of why conservation matters.

22/06/2026

POV you are in South Africa on an average monday…🙃🦁🧡

30/05/2026

Some experiences stay with you long after you leave the bush. 🐾🌿🦁

For Nathan, joining LEO Africa at only 18 years old was more than a first solo journey abroad. It was a step into the world of wildlife conservation, learning, purpose and personal growth.

Here is his testimony 🌟 :

“I am Nathan, an 18-year-old young man who had never travelled alone abroad before. I challenged myself to go to the other side of the world to discover what truly inspires me: wildlife conservation.

Surrounded by an exceptional staff and kind-hearted people, I lived six unforgettable weeks. They shared with me their passion for protecting nature and animals, especially those threatened with extinction. Always ready to answer even the smallest question with kindness, patience and humour, they created a truly unique atmosphere. We felt like a real family united under the same flag: conservation.

Through this experience, I had the chance to get close to some of the most beautiful species in the animal kingdom, such as cheetahs, lions and rhinos. I also became more aware of the many threats facing our planet and the living beings with whom we coexist.

From anti-poaching to dartings, as well as ecology, wildlife monitoring and reserve management, I gained valuable knowledge that will help me pursue my dream of becoming involved in conservation. More than just a trip, this adventure confirmed my calling: to dedicate my life to protecting the living world.”

Thank you, Nathan, for being part of LEO Africa and for bringing your curiosity, dedication and passion to the reserve. Experiences like this are exactly why conservation education matters. 💚
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20/05/2026

One of the most striking waterbirds to spot in the bush? The Saddle-billed Stork
(Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) 🐦✨

With its red-and-black bill, bright yellow saddle, long legs, and black-and-white plumage, this is a bird that is hard to miss!

Usually found around wetlands and shallow water, it hunts patiently for fish and other aquatic prey, and is most often seen alone or in pairs.

A useful detail to know: the female has a bright yellow eye, while the male has a dark brown eye 👀

Can you tell the male and female apart in these pictures?

13/05/2026

📸 LEO Africa Photo Contest Winner 🏆✨

A little late, but here she is: last week’s winning photo, selected by you through our story vote! 🗳️

Here is what our winner shared about the moment behind the photo:

“Leopards are very elusive animals so being able to spot one in a tree on our drive through Kruger national park was such a special moment. Definitely a moment that will stay with me forever.”

Congratulations to our winner, and thank you to everyone who submitted a photo and voted 🙌🐾

06/05/2026

Spotted on the way back to camp 🐾🌙

Hyenas are very shy animals, so crossing paths with one on Abelana Game Reserve is always a special moment, for us and for our volunteers. 🤍

Often misunderstood, hyenas play a very important role in the ecosystem. As scavengers and skilled hunters, they help keep the bush clean by consuming carcasses and limiting the risks linked to disease spread. In doing so, they help maintain the natural balance between species. 🌿

At LEO, we really love hyenas… Quiet, intelligent, and essential to the wild… every hyena sighting feels like a privilege. ✨

Have you ever seen a hyena in the wild? 👀🦴
👇 Tell us below!

Address

Phalaborwa

Telephone

+27 (0) 79 877 27 17

Website

http://www.leoafrica.org/

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