Balancing ecological preservation with tourism development is vital for the future of South Africa’s protected areas. This is one of the lessons North-West University (NWU) honours students learnt during an educational visit to one of Africa’s most iconic nature reserves, the Kruger National Park.

The visit deepened the seven tourism management students’ understanding of nature-based tourism, which brings together conservation and tourism management.

South African National Parks (SANParks) hosted the programme, held from 2 to 6 February 2026 at the Skukuza Scientific Services Campus in the Kruger National Park.

The trip offered the students an opportunity for work-integrated learning, which is part of their curriculum and blends academic theory with real-world applications.

From elephant and fire management to water and plant strategies

The students attended a series of expert-led sessions on various aspects of conservation management that are central to the park's operations.

Cathy Creaver, general manager of the Savanna Research Unit, shed light on the critical role of scientific services in the park. Dr Sam Ferreira provided a detailed presentation on elephant management strategies, while Dr Llewellyn Foxcroft tackled the challenge of managing invasive alien plant species.

Nikisha Singh led a guided tour of the Kruger National Park's scientific collections, and Tercia Strydom shared insights into fire management practices. Additionally, Dumisani Khosa discussed the complex dynamics of river systems and water management within the park.

In line with the teachings of Baba Dioum, a Senegalese forestry engineer, Prof. Peet van der Merwe from the School of Tourism Management said: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”

The educational programme exemplifies how this philosophy is not just a theory, but a guiding principle in the education of tomorrow’s conservation leaders, all driven by a shared passion for the natural world.

These NWU honours students attended an educational programme at the Kruger National Park to learn more about nature-based tourism.