Raw Wildlife Encounters

15/05/2026

🌿 Madagascar 2027 - A Personal Invitation for up to 14 people 🌍

Discover some of the world’s most critically endangered primates and explore one of the most extraordinary evolutionary landscapes on Earth.

Jessica McKelson will be hosting a Madagascan Evolution Adventure with RAW Africa Ecotours in 2027, and she would love to share it with the right people. Even though Raw Wildlife Encounters has concluded its operations, we know will be interested to know that all is not lost, with new adventures and the founder Jess, now partnering with RAW Africa Ecotours.

In September 2027, Jess will be hosting a small, deeply personal 3-week journey to Madagascar. On her previous visits with Raw Wildlife Encounters, she had the privilege of hosting small groups of travellers who encountered incredibly rare primate species with populations of fewer than 100 individuals remaining. Experiences like this are what drive her to host this journey under a new partnership, because it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not only to witness something so rare, but to be part of a meaningful, positive experience that stays with you long after you return home.

This travel opportunity is designed for a small group of people who are curious, conscious and wanting more than just a holiday, plus a whole lot of fun.

Over 3 weeks, you will slow down and fully immerse yourself in the story of evolution and the ancient systems that make Madagascar so unique, and you won’t just observe.
You will:

🌱 Spend meaningful time with rare and remarkable wildlife, including LEMURS, AYE AYE and FOSSA
🤝 Gain behind-the-scenes access to conservation experts and local communities making a real difference on the ground
🦎 Step away from the noise of everyday life and reconnect, taking home lifelong memories, perspective and friendships

Details:
👥 12 -14 people only with 6 spots remaining
📅 September 2027 over 18 days
💳 💰Secure your place now and pay it off over time, making it manageable and stress-free.
Itinerary 🌳:
https://rawtourstravel.wetravel.com/i/69fc33e1a6977bdaba04ee3d -of-lemurs

💜 If this speaks to you, send a message. Jess would love to chat, see if it’s the right fit and share the full program.

Note: Raw Wildlife Encounters originally partnered with RAW Africa Ecotours when it was operational, so we are now cementing this relationship by providing experiences directly in Africa for any like-minded audience. Please join the RAW Africa Ecotours network and learn more.

Lemurs - A Story Of Evolution, Human Impact and ConservationMadagascar is not just a wildlife destination.It is a living system shaped by evolution in isolation.80 million years of separation from mainland Africa has resulted in unique wildlife that evolved in its own direction. When humans arrived....

25/04/2026

Thanks to all the March 2026 RAW Africa Ecotours adventurers for your wonderful summary and recommendation from the Saving Great Adventure on TripAdvisor. It was a blast and a very unique way to connect everyone to Ugandas most beautiful wildlife, environment and culture.

🦍 Find our more for #2027 bucket list adventure here:
March 2027- step into the land of our gentle giants where we will support your adventure with an incredible unique experience with our closest relatives.

https://rawtourstravel.wetravel.com/i/69cd5f722f18450718c45025

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

‘The best experience of a lifetime!
I've taken a lot of trips to see wildlife. This was by far the best, without a doubt! We spent about two and a half weeks in Uganda and Rwanda--staying only in locally-run lodges, seeing chimpanzees and gorillas, and experiencing village life. The group became our family. Brooke and Jess, our leaders, are both so knowledgeable and fun. Every experience, every meal, every adventure was beyond compare.’ - S. Callery

Walking Among Our Closest RelativesJoin primate specialist Jess McKelson and RAW Africa Eco-Tours for a remarkable journey into the forests of east Africa to encounter chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.As we travel through this complex landscape, we will meet the conservatio...

18/04/2026

March 2026 Saving Great Ape adventure into Uganda & Rwanda with RAW Africa Ecotours

18/04/2026

Amazing feedback on our last Saving Geeat Adventure in March 2026 with RAW Africa Ecotours. Both Founder Brooke Squires and Host Jessica McKelson teamed up to deliver this exciting new program which enables travelers to deep dive into Great Ape behaviour whilst also experiencing the beauty of Uganda and Rwanda local community, environment and wildlife.
Interested for March 2027? Find this unique program here: https://rawtourstravel.wetravel.com/i/69cd5f722f18450718c45025

12/04/2026

🌿 Madagascar 2027 - A Personal Invitation 🌍

Discover some of the world’s most critically endangered primates and explore one of the most extraordinary evolutionary landscapes on Earth.

Jessica McKelson will be hosting a Madagascan Evolution Adventure with RAW Africa Ecotours in 2027, and she would love to share it with the right people. Even though Raw Wildlife Encounters has concluded its operations, we know will be interested to know that all is not lost, with new adventures and the founder Jess, now partnering with RAW Africa Ecotours.

In September 2027, Jess will be hosting a small, deeply personal 3-week journey to Madagascar. On her previous visits with Raw Wildlife Encounters, she had the privilege of hosting small groups of travellers who encountered incredibly rare primate species with populations of fewer than 100 individuals remaining. Experiences like this are what drive her to host this journey under a new partnership, because it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not only to witness something so rare, but to be part of a meaningful, positive experience that stays with you long after you return home.

This travel opportunity is designed for a small group of people who are curious, conscious and wanting more than just a holiday, plus a whole lot of fun.

Over 3 weeks, you will slow down and fully immerse yourself in the story of evolution and the ancient systems that make Madagascar so unique, and you won’t just observe.
You will:

🌱 Spend meaningful time with rare and remarkable wildlife, including LEMURS, AYE AYE and FOSSA
🤝 Gain behind-the-scenes access to conservation experts and local communities making a real difference on the ground
🦎 Step away from the noise of everyday life and reconnect, taking home lifelong memories, perspective and friendships

Details:
👥 12 people only with 4 spots remaining
📅 September 2027 (3 weeks) with final dates to be confirmed
💳 💰Secure your place now and pay it off over time, making it manageable and stress-free.

💜 If this speaks to you, send a message. Jess would love to chat, see if it’s the right fit and share the full program.

Photos Jessica McKelson

Note: Raw Wildlife Encounters originally partnered with RAW Africa Ecotours when it was operational, so we are now cementing this relationship by providing experiences directly in Africa for any like-minded audience. Please join the RAW Africa Ecotours network and learn more.

05/04/2026

Would you be curious to learn more about the March #2027 Saving Great Ape Adventure Africa?

What we will discuss:

✅ Safety- Uganda and Rwanda are our key destinations and you can fly via Johannesburg, Ethiopia. Safe and you will never be alone. We work as a team, travel as a team.

✅ Payments 💰- You can make part payments and give yourself something to look forward too!

✅ Wildlife- so much to see! 📷 is a must. Life changing and packed full of adventures where you can choose to also explore, relax or join in on the safari options.

✅ Expertise- Behind the scenes access to some of the best of the best.

Curious to learn more? Let us know below 👇 We will then set up a special call to answer all your questions. Make 2027 a year to look forward too… 🦍

Photo: Jessica McKelson your Tour Host with RAW Africa Ecotours

17/10/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

Isobelle Harris, Paws Rescue

28/09/2024

HAPPY SUNDAY! Thank you to everyone who has supported me in raising money for Orangutan Haven. I was able to raise a little bit extra, which is helping support the rabies and dog vaccination program around the Orangutan Haven and Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) Quarantine facility with Yenny Saraswati, the Head Vet.
I have also been able to support the Bukit Lawang Trust dental hygiene program for 42 kindergarten kids living on the border of the Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser.
Today is my last campaign day, so any further funds will help strengthen these programs.
Donate: https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera-sumatran-ranger-program

I return with Raw Conservation Adventure in October with Peter Fogarty Photography, hosting an epic adventure into North Sumatra, a place very close to my heart. If you want to go away and join in 2025, then check out the programs here: https://www.rawconservation.com/

A big thank you to all my supporters, friends and family. It means the world to me to be able to represent your donation in a positive and meaningful way.
A shout-out to Paul Bailey and his network for supporting the dog programs with supplies and donations.
I will return with an update on how your efforts have made a meaningful difference.

Reach out if you want to get directly involved.

Photos - Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari, Ian Singleton, Jessica McKelson

20/09/2024

https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

Leuser the orangutan in his Orangutan Haven. A massive thank you to everyone who has donated to the camera and the cause. Leuser and the other orangutans will benefit from this tool.
I am about to close this campaign soon and any additional funds above the goal for the Haven and Staff will be greatly appreciated.

I am excited to get over and also support the on-ground work from Sumatran Ranger Project. Tents and bags are majorly needed for their buffer-zone border patrols. Approximately $1,200 extra is needed to reboot with large backpacks and 4 x tents.
Any additional funds will be allocated to this important project.
Once again, everyone will witness the amazing efforts when you follow the page.
Final donations: Every cent matters and builds capacity for local community livelihoods, conservation of wilderness bufferzone areas and orangutans of course!
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

08/09/2024

Thank you to everyone who has donated and helped me reach my target $3,500 for the Orangutan Haven. I am overwhelmed with the level of support to make a positive difference. I will return in October and then can share the sanctuary and the camera donation with everyone who has helped me reach this target. More importantly, its these orangutans who can never be released back to the wild due to injury or illness, that benefit the most.
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

If you still want to make a small contribution, I will be donating any further funds to the Bukit Lawang Trust for some facepaint and scissors at the local education centre.

Happy Sunday and THANK YOU. Bring on October ...🦧🦧🦧

Photos- Jessica McKelson & Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari