I’m Daniel Joubert, a practical year student at Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. I grew up in Krugersdorp, where my family still resides. Coming from a family with no prior ties to the conservation field, I saw Timbavati as the perfect place to gain hands-on experience.

The reserve’s student programme offered an incredible opportunity in reserve management, ecological research, and technical aspects.

During my time at Timbavati, I was privileged to work on several key projects, including:

• Veld condition assessments,
• Elephant impact assessment study,
• Alien plant control initiatives,
• The annual aerial census; and
• Animal demographic studies.

Each of these projects has been a valuable learning experience, especially given my keen interest in science and vegetation. They provided me with a solid foundation in conducting fieldwork and understanding how these initiatives contribute to conservation efforts

Among these, my favourite was undoubtedly the veld condition assessments. While the days were long and challenging, they were incredibly rewarding and deepened my passion for ecological research.

Reflecting on the year, the lessons I’ve learned are almost too many to count. If I had to name a few, I’d highlight: Conducting proper scientific research with precision and care, practicing patience, a skill essential in both the field and life and staying true to my values, even in the face of challenges.

This year wasn’t without its obstacles. Many of the challenges I faced were personal, pushing me to grow as an individual. It’s a tough year, but every challenge brought with it immense rewards. Workplace challenges, on the other hand, were manageable thanks to the support of the incredible team at Timbavati.

Looking back, my year at Timbavati was extremely positive. I was often thrown into situations where I didn’t know what to do at first, but the guidance of the Timbavati family helped me find my footing and succeed.

I’m deeply grateful to the entire Timbavati team for making this year so meaningful and for helping me grow both personally and professionally.