The Hutter Conservation Safari - Part 1
How do you not only enjoy an incredible Safari - but give back with hands on conservation experiences ?
Beth Hutter, a multiple repeat safari client, and friend talks about her experience giving back to conservation, through one of our dedicated Conservation Safaris.
“So- how would you feel about helping to collar a lion?” This was the message from Antje about two weeks before we were heading to Africa for their first “Conservation-Based” safari. My response? Oh, heck yeah!
A bit of a back story- this would be our 4th safari with Martin Meyer Safaris. Our first, a 3-week trip in 2106 to South Africa and Zambia was so magical I’d been planning for a long time to come back. And we did- in February of 2022 to spend time in Kenya, and in 2023, visiting Botswana and Zimbabwe. This time it was Martin and Antje reaching out to us to see if we’d be interested in being guinea pigs for a new type of safari they were going to be offering. And we said absolutely…yes! This safari would be conservation based- meaning instead of spending all our time riding around in vehicles just looking at animals- we would spend time on the ground with vets, researchers and conservation organizations and have much more of a hands-on role.
Now- back to the lion. This lion- PLM-3 a 4 ½ half year-old male, had been wandering a bit too close to the local community and it had been decided that he needed to be monitored and if the need arose, moved to another part of the reserve for the safety of the village- and the lion! The timing was perfectly aligned with our time there- all we had to do was find him. However- in a 15,000-hectare reserve that’s NOT an easy task! It took us 3 days to locate him, with many vehicles and rangers on foot. Working with the wonderful people at LEO Africa-we found him just before sunset on the third day, and then the adventure began!
First- we had to reach the vet who would tranquillize the lion and make sure he was completely out to perform the necessary tasks at hand. Once he was sure the lion was completely out, we were able to get off the vehicle and examine him closely. And what a magnificent animal he is! Dr. Boshoff showed us his teeth, claws and even the remains of what used to be a tail claw (now just a nub at the base of his tail) We were able to pet and stroke his fur, took pictures while Koos and Sabrina from LEO Africa went about the business of attaching the collar. Other members of LEO as well as the camp manager and guide from where we were staying at Abelana Game Reserve kept an eye on PLM-3’s brother, who was with him when he was tranquillized and was in the area keeping watch over what was happening to his brother.
When we finished with our images the vet asked if we minded if the volunteers from LEO got off their vehicle (they were watching from the back of another vehicle) to get up close as well. Of course! We took several pictures of them as well with the lion- a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us!
It is an event that has stayed prevalent in my mind every day since and I’m always happy when I get updates on how PLM-3 is doing.
Gallery images courtesy of Beth Hutter
Bill and Beth Hutter, took part in a hands on conservation experience with Martin Meyer Safaris in March 2025. They were part of the pilot program in giving back to conservation, but not from a distance. We encourage our guests to get involved - safely and experience first hand what it means to be at the forefront of conservation efforts.
You can see her full gallery on her website here : https://www.bb-photography.com
Each and every conservation safari is tailor made - not from a guest wish list, but from real life needs and requests from real people on the ground.
If you are interested in joining a conservation safari - get in touch with a journey specialist now, these conservation safaris can be booked on a private basis, or on a hop-on group departure.
