My Transformative Journey with SFW Conservation
- Michael Terrell
- Jun 18, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 1, 2025
My name is Michael Terrell, and I’m a board member and volunteer with SFW Conservation. This March, I had the incredible opportunity to help lead students from Trinity Pauling High School through the rigorous and exciting 10-day SFW Conservation Experience. I had no idea how it would completely shift my perspective on the dire poaching crisis affecting many African species and what conservation truly means.
The First Few Days
The first few days of the SFW Conservation Experience are nothing short of transformational. You arrive thinking you’re going on a trip, only to quickly realize you’re stepping into something much bigger. I won’t forget how it felt when we first arrived. A few of us came in early to set up camp—unpacking gear, prepping sleeping quarters, and ensuring everything was ready. The bush has this quiet energy before guests arrive, almost as if it knows something special is coming. We had the place to ourselves for just a moment before the real adventure began.
On Day 1, we hit the ground running with our first game drive out on Shinzela Reserve. You always hear about the big animals like eland, zebras, and giraffes. But seeing them for the first time, living freely, is something entirely different. The giraffes moved like old souls across the land while hornbills called overhead. The air felt thick with something sacred. The next morning, we shifted gears.
Our team spent the day working with SFW Conservation’s tracking K9s: Shadow, Kora, and Jack. Watching those dogs lock onto a scent was incredible. Their focus and drive are honestly awe-inspiring. You read about how effective they are in anti-poaching, but witnessing it firsthand gives you a whole new respect for what they do. These tracking and working dogs have improved anti-poaching and poacher capture efforts by over 84% in national parks and private game reserves in recent years. This is true transformation as man's best friend becomes a breakthrough in conservation technology.
Game Drives
That night, we made our way into Hoedspruit, a town that’s becoming the growing center of conservation in the region, deeply connected to the community. Over drinks and a casual game of paddle, we met Kendra, a wildlife photographer who has spent years capturing these frontline stories. She spoke openly about what she’s witnessed: the victories, the heartbreak, and the unfiltered reality of this work.
Whether it was seeing elephants walk just feet from our vehicle or hearing experienced wildlife photographers describe years spent following veterinarians and rangers, every moment carried a weight we didn’t expect and won’t forget.
Exploring Kruger National Park
By Day 3, we were headed into Kruger National Park. No matter how many documentaries you’ve watched, nothing compares to being there. Lilac-breasted rollers flashed their colors in the sky, baboons groomed by the roadside, and wildebeest thundered across the horizon. It’s like nature is constantly putting on a show, but one you realize is far more complex and fragile than you expect.
The early days planted seeds for everything that came after. What started as sightseeing became something far more personal: a responsibility, a privilege, and a window into a world very few ever get to experience. None of this would have been possible without the long-standing expertise and partnerships of Shinzela Reserve, the amazing SFW team, and the warm welcome from the people of Hoedspruit who opened their world to us.
Take a deeper look into the sights and stories from the opening days of our Conservation Experience in the video below.
Upcoming Events: SFW's 4th Annual Golf Outing, 'Swinging Against Extinction' on July 21st
We’re headed back to the USA for our fourth annual golf outing and fundraiser at Blue Hill Golf Course in Rockland County, New York. Last year was a huge success, with significant funds raised and more opportunities to connect with our hometown about the importance of our cause. This year’s outing will be held on Monday, July 21st. If you are interested in learning more or taking a swing at extinction, we still have a few playing slots left!
Thank you for tuning in! More than anything, thank you for your unwavering generosity and ongoing support. Your dedication fuels our passion and drives us forward on this journey of wildlife conservation.
