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Attendee Survey
Wild Creative × Kukama: Our Rewilding Mission
Project Notes
Team,
Our journey to Kukama Wildlife College and Olienhout Game Reserve in South Africa has a clear purpose: this is a rewilding mission. We are going to participate in the work, document the life this landscape supports, and help Nikki and Christiaan share a vision that people can understand, connect with, and support.
The biggest contribution we can make is to show what they have already accomplished, reveal the biodiversity of the reserve today, and help people imagine what it could become in one, five, and ten years. Through our collective work, we have an opportunity to turn that story into lasting support.
Why rewilding matters
Rewilding is the restoration of ecosystems and the natural relationships that allow them to thrive. That can include restoring habitat, addressing invasive species, bringing back native wildlife, and helping processes such as grazing, pollination, seed dispersal, and nutrient cycling function again. Its success depends on the health of the whole ecosystem and the relationships within it.
This is especially meaningful in Africa, where many landscapes still support extraordinary communities of large mammals. Ungulates—hoofed animals such as antelope—and other large herbivores help shape vegetation and influence how ecosystems function. Many species also depend on seasonal movement to reach food and water, making the protection of habitat and connections between habitats essential.
As human populations grow and demands for land, agriculture, and infrastructure increase, conservation must make room for both wildlife and people. Rewilding requires local knowledge, scientific guidance, and long-term care. Across the continent, restoring landscapes and reconnecting habitats are complementary parts of that work; each reserve has its own role, possibilities, and limitations.
At Kukama, we have the opportunity to make these ideas tangible: to show what restoration looks like on the ground, who makes it happen, and what it takes to keep moving forward.
What we are helping Kukama build
One of Nikki and Christiaan’s major goals is to welcome a white rhino onto the reserve by this time next year. Reaching that goal will require substantial fundraising, preparation, and the capacity to support and protect the animal over the long term. We want to help communicate both the excitement of that ambition and the work behind it.
They are also preparing to launch a paid volunteer program, giving people the opportunity to stay at the reserve, contribute to practical tasks, and gain hands-on experience. The program is intended to generate income for the reserve while bringing additional help to its daily conservation work.
We will participate in rewilding and reserve-management activities under their guidance, contributing where we can while documenting the experience. Our content should help future volunteers understand what they would actually do, what they could learn, and how their participation would support the reserve.
We want to give Nikki and Christiaan material they can continue using long after we leave—to reach volunteers, engage donors, explain their goals, and show the progress their supporters make possible.
Every species is part of the story
Our attention will extend from insects and grass species to the reserve’s ungulates, giraffes, and the elusive wildlife associated with the “Secret Seven.” We will look closely at the small, overlooked lives that make this landscape function, alongside the animals that immediately capture people’s attention.
Our ambition is to document every species we possibly can. This will be a collective effort in observation, photography, filmmaking, and citizen science. Clear photographs, field notes, dates, and habitat observations can help build a useful record of what we encounter. Where an identification is uncertain, we will preserve that uncertainty and seek help verifying it.
Together, we will create:
Written articles, science-informed accounts, creative essays, and personal journal entries.
Podcasts and conversations with our team, Nikki, and Christiaan.
Social media stories that introduce the reserve, its biodiversity, and its mission.
Photographic archives that support species documentation and future storytelling.
A feature documentary connecting the rewilding work with the people taking part in it.
Across these formats, we will explore the same questions: What has changed here already? What lives here now? What do Nikki and Christiaan hope to achieve in one, five, and ten years—and what will they need to get there?
The documentary: the land and the people choosing to act
The heart of our film will be the parallel between two journeys.
One is Nikki and Christiaan’s decision to build a reserve and commit themselves to rewilding it. We want to understand what moved them to begin, what they have learned, what has been difficult, and what keeps them going.
The other is ours: a group of people, many of whom barely know one another, choosing to travel across the world to work with an organization they have never met in person. We are bringing different skills and perspectives, united by a willingness to contribute to conservation.
That human connection matters. The audience should experience the anticipation, uncertainty, effort, humor, discovery, and relationships that develop along the way. We want to show what happens when people make giving back a deliberate part of travel.
There is a belief that meaningful conservation belongs only to people with advanced degrees, decades of experience, or access to significant resources. Expertise is essential, and we are going there ready to listen and learn. But there is also a place for the photographer, filmmaker, writer, curious observer, and person willing to show up and do the work.
You do not need to arrive knowing everything to make a useful contribution. You do need curiosity, humility, care, and a willingness to follow through. That is something we can demonstrate through our own experience.
Visually, the film will combine the immersive wildlife imagery of blue-chip natural history documentaries with intimate interviews and spontaneous, run-and-gun footage. Beautiful cinema will draw viewers into the landscape; honest moments will help them connect with the people.
Start documenting before we leave
Our story begins days leading up to the trip. Please begin documenting your own preparation.
Record yourself packing, researching, practicing with equipment, or talking through why you chose to join. Share what excites you, what feels unfamiliar, what you hope to contribute, and what you are wondering about. Small moments at home and conversations about leaving can become meaningful parts of the story.
Cell phone footage is perfectly fine. When possible:
Shoot in 4K at 24 frames per second.
Film horizontally for the documentary.
Make sure your voice can be heard clearly when speaking.
Keep the original footage at its full quality.
Capture moments as they happen. You do not need a polished speech or a perfect setup. If you would like camera or equipment recommendations for this project, please reach out.
What we want people to carry away
By the end of the film, viewers should understand what rewilding means, why it matters, and what it takes to turn an idea into a living, recovering landscape.
We want them to care about Nikki and Christiaan, follow Kukama’s progress, and feel motivated to support its future—through donating, volunteering, sharing its story, or staying engaged with its mission.
We also want them to recognize something of themselves in us and think: I could do something like this. I have something to contribute.
We are going to help with the work, learn from the people doing it, and tell a story that invites others to take part. What we create together should continue working for Kukama long after we return home.
**** As we prepare for Kukama, I want everyone to approach this mission with the curiosity, humility, and respect of a naturalist. We will encounter species and environments that are unfamiliar to us, and the way we speak about them matters—both on camera and in our conversations with one another. Personal fears are understandable, but we should recognize them as our own reactions rather than judgments about an animal’s value or right to be there. From spiders and insects to antelope and giraffes, each animal is an individual with its own needs, behaviors, and place in this ecosystem. We are entering their habitat as guests. Our role is to observe, ask questions, learn, and document with care, avoiding dismissive comments or language that portrays wildlife as disgusting, unwanted, or threatening simply because we do not understand it. As storytellers, our attitudes influence the stories we capture and how audiences come to see these animals. Let’s bring an open mind to every encounter and give the smallest, least familiar species the same consideration we give the animals we are most excited to film. ****
Re-Wilding Itineary
Dear Jay and the Stay Wild Stay Creative Team,
We are incredibly excited to welcome you to South Africa and to host you at Olienhout this December.
Before we get into the itinerary, there is one important thing to understand: this is the bush. Some days everything runs beautifully according to plan. On other days, all hell breaks loose—a fence is damaged, an animal needs to be located, equipment stops working or the weather changes everything—and we simply work together and keep things moving.
For this visit, we are hoping for the perfect balance: we want everything to run smoothly, but perhaps not too smoothly! We want you to experience what day-to-day life on a working reserve genuinely looks like—the unexpected moments, physical work, problem-solving and teamwork that happen behind the beautiful wildlife footage.
Our aim is not to offer you a staged conservation tour. We want you to take part in the real work involved in restoring and managing a former cattle farm as a wildlife reserve, while documenting the people, projects and purpose behind it.
The itinerary will therefore remain slightly flexible. Wildlife, weather and the immediate needs of the reserve may influence the programme, and sometimes those unplanned moments make the best stories.
DECEMBER 8 — ARRIVAL IN JOHANNESBURG
Your flight is scheduled to arrive at OR Tambo International Airport at approximately 19:00.
Christiaan will personally welcome the group at the airport and accompany you to Lamorie Guest House for the night.
The overnight package includes:
· Transfer from OR Tambo International Airport to Lamorie
· Dinner
· Selected refreshments
· Shared accommodation
· Breakfast packs for the following morning
The discounted rate is R2,000 per person sharing for the night. To receive this rate, payment will need to be made through our account.
Considering that the transfer, accommodation, dinner, refreshments and breakfast packs are included, we believe this offers very good value.
DECEMBER 9 — JOURNEY TO OLIENHOUT AND WELCOME EVENING
After an early breakfast, the group will depart Johannesburg for Olienhout in the Northern Cape.
Once you arrive, the afternoon will be kept relaxed after the long journey:
· Settle into your accommodation
· Unpack and familiarise yourselves with the facilities
· Take a gentle walk around the camp and surrounding reserve
· Capture your first footage of the landscape, facilities and atmosphere
· Enjoy some quiet time before dinner
Between 19:00 and 20:00, we will gather in the boma for a welcome dinner around the fire. The sun sets late at this time of year, so the exact dinner time will depend on the day and the light.
The evening will include introductions, the story of Olienhout and an induku session.
An induku is a traditional African talking stick. It is passed around the circle, and whoever holds it has the opportunity to speak while everyone else listens without interruption. At Kukama, we use it to encourage honest conversation, reflection and respect. It gives every person a voice and allows a group of strangers to begin becoming a team.
Everyone will be invited to share who they are, what brought them to South Africa and what they hope to take away from the experience. We will then share the story of Olienhout—its history as a cattle farm, the work completed since 2024 and our long-term vision for rewilding the property.
It will be the first opportunity for all of us to connect properly and set the intention for the week ahead.
DECEMBER 10 — FENCE MANAGEMENT AND A SUNSET SAFARI
Morning:
The day will begin with one of the most important parts of managing a wildlife reserve: checking the boundary fence.
Activities will include:
· Driving and walking selected sections of the fence line
· Identifying damage, weak points and maintenance needs
· Completing practical fence repairs where required
· Removing old fencing material where necessary
· Comparing the original fencing with sections that have already been upgraded
· Discussing the fencing required for the future introduction of rhino
· Capturing footage of the work and the different stages of the fence’s development
Christiaan will explain what the fencing looked like when we purchased the property, what has already been upgraded and what still needs to be completed.
We will enjoy a bush picnic while moving through the reserve and checking the fence line.
Early afternoon:
After returning to camp, the group will have time to rest, freshen up, charge equipment and back up footage.
Late afternoon:
We will head out for a sunset safari drive. This will be a more relaxed opportunity to experience the reserve, photograph and film wildlife, and enjoy the landscape during the best afternoon light.
We will stop at a scenic location for sundowner refreshments and snacks before returning to camp.
Dinner will be served between 19:00 and 20:00.
DECEMBER 11 — ALIEN INVASIVE SPECIES AND RESERVE CLEAN-UP
Morning:
The morning will focus on alien invasive species and the effect they have on the reserve.
Activities will include:
· Identifying selected alien invasive plants
· Removing invasive plants from priority areas
· Discussing their effect on indigenous vegetation, water availability and habitat quality
· Capturing before, during and after footage of the work
· Discussing the long-term management needed to prevent regrowth
Late morning:
The group will then assist with cleaning selected areas of the reserve by:
· Collecting old fencing wire
· Removing plastic and other rubbish
· Clearing material left from the property’s cattle-farming years
· Checking for potentially dangerous wire or material that could injure wildlife
· Documenting how removing the physical remains of previous land use forms part of the rewilding process
We will return to camp for lunch, followed by a break during the hottest part of the day.
Late afternoon:
We will return to the project areas to complete outstanding work, film the progress made and capture comparison footage showing the difference made during the day.
Dinner will be served between 19:00 and 20:00.
DECEMBER 12 — BUSH ENCROACHMENT, MATTRESS PACKING AND ROAD MAINTENANCE
Morning:
The morning will focus on selected areas affected by black-thorn encroachment.
Activities will include:
· Identifying areas where encroachment is affecting veld condition
· Clearing selected sections
· Discussing the difference between responsible veld management and unnecessary clearing
· Processing suitable cleared material into firewood
· Capturing practical and before-and-after footage
We will also demonstrate how suitable cleared material can be reused for mattress packing in damaged or eroded areas.
The mattress packing will show how vegetation removed during responsible bush management can be used to slow water movement, trap soil and support the rehabilitation of affected areas.
After lunch, the group will have a break during the hottest part of the day.
Late afternoon:
The afternoon may include practical road and erosion-control work such as:
· Inspecting sections of the reserve roads
· Repairing damaged areas
· Building or repairing erosion-control bolsters
· Clearing and repairing mitre drains
· Improving the movement of rainwater away from roads
· Discussing how road maintenance helps prevent erosion and protects the surrounding veld
Dinner will be served between 19:00 and 20:00.
DECEMBER 13 — WITSAND AND THE KALAHARI WILDLIFE PROJECT
This will be a full-day excursion and will include:
· A visit to Witsand Nature Reserve to experience its unique white dunes, landscapes, birdlife and vegetation
· Exploring the 4x4 route
· Discussing responsible tourism and the importance of remaining on designated tracks
· A visit to the Kalahari Wildlife Project to learn more about the rehabilitation of endangered and other wildlife species
· Filming the people and conservation work behind both projects
For the journey to Witsand, we would love the group to travel in our open safari vehicle. It is always part of the adventure and a memorable way to experience the area.
A second vehicle will follow so that cameras, bags and other equipment can be transported safely and protected from dust and weather.
The exact order and timing of the two visits will be confirmed closer to the date.
DECEMBER 14 — WILDLIFE MONITORING, FINAL PROJECTS AND THE WALL OF PURPOSE
Morning:
The final working day will begin with wildlife monitoring and may include:
· Conducting wildlife counts along selected routes
· Recording species, numbers and locations
· Observing wildlife distribution across the reserve
· Discussing how this information supports management decisions
· Photographing and filming the wildlife-monitoring process
Depending on the work completed during the week, the morning may also include:
· Completion of outstanding conservation projects; there is actually so much that can be done- we still need to build specialised cages for birds (Christiaan can explain more about this)
· Returning to project areas to record the finished results
· Filming final comparison footage
· Capturing any wildlife, reserve or conservation footage still needed
When we refer to “capturing” the reserve and its wildlife, we mean capturing it through photography and filming.
Late afternoon:
The group will have dedicated time for:
· Final interviews
· Reflections on the week
· Scenic footage during the late-afternoon light
· Any remaining photographs or video needed to complete the story
· A final drive through the reserve
We will also add Stay Wild Stay Creative to our Wall of Purpose.
The wall represents the people, groups and partners who have become part of the Olienhout journey and contributed to its story. Adding your name will leave a permanent reminder that your team was here, worked alongside us and helped share the story of the reserve with a wider audience.
The visit will conclude with a farewell dinner around the fire between 19:00 and 20:00.
DECEMBER 15 — RETURN TO JOHANNESBURG
We will personally drive the group back to OR Tambo International Airport.
We propose departing Olienhout at approximately 07:00, which should allow us to reach the airport by 15:00 at the latest. This provides a comfortable buffer before the Delta flight departs at 21:55.
Please let us know whether this timing suits the group or whether you would prefer to arrive at the airport earlier.
The flight is scheduled to arrive in Atlanta at approximately 13:00 on December 16. Anyone wishing to remain in South Africa longer may also arrange an optional extension.
GENERAL DAILY RHYTHM
Although some days will differ, our general daily rhythm will be:
· 06:00–06:30 — Begin the morning’s activities
· Late morning — Brunch, lunch or a bush picnic
· Approximately three-hour break during the hottest part of the day
· 16:00–16:30 — Return to the field
· 19:00–20:00 — Dinner, depending on the day’s activities and available light
The programme will be active and practical, but there will be time to rest, charge equipment, back up footage and prepare for the next filming session.
All fieldwork will be guided and supervised by our team.
ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
The Lamorie package on December 8 includes the airport transfer, dinner, selected refreshments, shared accommodation and breakfast packs.
Accommodation and meals at Olienhout for the remainder of the visit are covered according to our arrangement.
Closer to the visit, we will confirm dietary requirements, allergies and final room-sharing arrangements.
TRANSPORT
The airport transfer from OR Tambo to Lamorie on December 8 is included in the Lamorie package.
Transport from Johannesburg to Olienhout on December 9 and from Olienhout back to OR Tambo on December 15 is still to be confirmed.
We have approached several companies and organisations for assistance and are hopeful that one of these opportunities will materialise.
The worst-case option would be hiring an 11-seater minibus at approximately R16,000 per trip, bringing the estimated round-trip cost to R32,000. We will keep you updated and will confirm the arrangement before committing to the cost.
SHARING THE STORY
More than anything, we want your group to experience the honest reality of conservation—the work, uncertainty, teamwork, setbacks, progress and purpose behind rebuilding a functioning wildlife reserve.
After the visit, we would love to update our Study With Impact page with the story of your time at Olienhout and the work completed during the week.
It would be a meaningful way to show how conservation, education, tourism and creative storytelling can support one another.
We hope this visit will be the beginning of a long-term relationship and that, by the time you leave, you will already be thinking about what we can do together when you return.
FINAL PLANNING CHECKLIST
To help both of us keep track of what has been confirmed and what is still outstanding, we can work through the checklist below:
Travel and transport
· Final passenger numbers confirmed
· Arrival flight details reconfirmed
· December 8 airport collection confirmed
· Johannesburg-to-Olienhout transport confirmed
· Olienhout-to-OR Tambo return transport confirmed
· December 15 airport arrival time approved by the group
Accommodation
· Lamorie accommodation confirmed
· Lamorie room-sharing arrangements confirmed
· Lamorie payment made through our account
· Olienhout room-sharing arrangements confirmed
Meals and guest information
· Dietary requirements received
· Food allergies received
· Relevant medical or practical information received
· Final meal arrangements confirmed
Filming and equipment
· Priority stories and filming objectives received
· Interview list agreed
· Camera and production-equipment requirements received
· Charging requirements confirmed
· Safe equipment-storage arrangements confirmed
· Drone requirements and permissions discussed, if applicable
· Footage-sharing arrangements discussed
Programme
· Witsand visit confirmed
· Kalahari Wildlife Project visit confirmed
· Open safari vehicle confirmed
· Second support vehicle confirmed
· Conservation projects prepared
· Stay Wild Stay Creative Wall of Purpose feature prepared
· Final itinerary approved by both parties