Embracing the Wild in South Africa

9/18/20245 min read

For 3 transformative months, I volunteered at DIY Wild, a wildlife rehabilitation center founded in 2012 by Sarah and Greg Mitchell. The center is dedicated to the welfare, treatment, and release of injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife.
Among the residents were vervet monkeys, baboons, servals, various raptors, a python, wild dwarf mongooses, young jackals, a nyala, and genets. The goal of the center is always rehabilitation, aiming to return these animals to the wild whenever possible.

Becoming a Mother

My main responsibility was caring for 17 baby vervet monkeys and 2 baby baboons, acting as an adoptive mother for them. These babies require constant contact, reassurance, and care, making this role both incredibly demanding and rewarding.

To be honest, when I first arrived, all the babies seemed identical and it seemed impossible to differentiate them from one another. But by the end of the first week already, I could recognize each one by their unique faces, expressions, and temperaments. Even in the dark, I could recognize them by the way they clung to me or where they positioned themselves on my body. Being so close to them taught me a lot, especially about the deep similarities we share. Their resemblance to humans is so striking that it can be quite disorienting at times.

One of the most profound experiences of my life occurred with Astrix, a vervet baby with whom I shared a special bond. One day, during nap time, he came to sit on my lap while the others were sleeping, facing me. Astrix started to gently touch my face—my cheeks, my mouth, my eyelashes—while looking at me deep into the eyes. In that moment, for the first time in my life, I felt a powerful, wordless connection to another specie. It was a moment of pure love and unity. A realization that through this love, we were truly and inexplicably, viscerally connected. Astrix changed my life, and made my heart explode... I still think of him often. He taught me so much through his infinite love... .

Non-Duality & Unconditional Love

Another important lesson I learned from monkeys was about their strict social hierarchy, which would often seem violent and unfair. Over time, I came to understand how necessary this structure is for them, and it instilled in me a sense of understanding. I realized that what we humans judge as "bad" is not necessarily so, if only we allow ourselves to be open to other perspectives.

Caring for these babies also taught me a lot about what patience and unconditional love truly means. Every day from 7 a.m., I had them all clinging to me, needing to be fed, loved, and tended to (and remember there was almost 20 of them!). I had to tolerate their mischievous behaviors (especially when cleaning their enclosure when all they want to do is play with everything!), find a tail full of poop brushing under my nose first thing in the morning :') and endure being scratched and licked without my consent. This experience was truly initiatory, shaping who I am today. I did things I never thought I was capable of—like grabbing maggots barehands to feed the owls, carve up dead chickens to feed the felines, carrying wheelbarrows on long distances with 60 kilograms of fruits, staying calm when attacked by a wild monkey, and entering the adult monkeys' enclosure with steady nerves, avoiding any sudden movements to prevent attacks, managing to communicate only my peaceful intentions.

A Humbling Encounter at the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Another unforgettable experience during my time in the region was visiting the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Founded in 2006 and located near Nelspruit, South Africa, the sanctuary is part of the larger Jane Goodall Institute, dedicated to the conservation of chimpanzees and their habitats. The sanctuary takes care of chimpanzees that have been in horrific conditions—captivity, abuse, and the illegal pet trade—offering them a safe haven where they can live out the rest of their lives in peace.

During my visit, I had a powerful encounter that left a lasting impression on me. As I walked through the sanctuary, I found myself face to face with a chimpanzee sitting quietly. He was staring at me with an intensity that stopped me in my tracks. I instinctively reached out my hand toward him, but his gaze made me pause immediately. I felt how, through that simple gesture, I was diminishing him, treating him in a way as just another animal. He sat there with the dignity of a wise elder, observing me in a way far deeper than I could comprehend. I felt almost ashamed of how I approached him... .It was as if, behind the barrier that separated us, I was the one who was ignorant—my species being the one that had forgotten, the one that was causing destruction. This moment left me feeling incredibly small and humbled... and powerfully reminded me of the intelligence and depth of these remarkable beings.

a chimpan sitting on the ground in the grass

Freedom in Kruger National Park

One of the highlights of my time at DIY Wild was participating in the release of two young jackals into Kruger National Park after the center received permission for their release—a significant victory. Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest game reserves, is renowned for its incredible biodiversity and stunning landscapes. Spanning nearly 20,000 square kilometers, the park is home to an array of wildlife, including the famous Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo.

Releasing the jackals back into such a vast and protected wilderness felt like a moment of triumph, not just for the animals but for the entire rehabilitation team. I took the opportunity to spend five days in the park, going on several safaris and encountering a variety of animals: rhinos, hippos, zebras, elephants, giraffes, kudu, and a leopard—but no lions! The experience of seeing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat was breathtaking and deepened my appreciation for wildlife conservation.

wildlife photography of hippo in body of water during daytime

A Journey of Love, Connection & Growth

My time at DIY Wild was more than just volunteer work; it was a journey of personal growth, profound connections, and transformative experiences. The lessons I learned from the animals, the bonds I formed, and the encounters I had will stay with me always, shaping the person I am and how I see the world around me.

If you'd like to support or contribute to the project, the center is always in need of volunteers and donations to help them continue their work. Every contribution truly makes a difference, especially since the South African currency is quite low, meaning what may seem little to you is a lot there. You can visit their Instagram page or website for more information.

Isewula afrika, forever ♡