How to Volunteer with Elephants in Africa

There’s no denying the magnetic pull elephants have on folks drawn to wildlife. Massive and majestic, the world’s largest living land mammals are more than gentle giants. They’re intelligent, caring, and curious, and they fascinate people with the deep social bonds they develop.

But elephants also face deep existential threats. If you’re looking for opportunities to get involved with wildlife conservation volunteering, learning how to volunteer with elephants in Africa is a first step to making a meaningful difference for vulnerable elephant populations. You can do it by finding a project that prioritizes the best interests of elephants and making sure you have any skills the project you want to support requires.

Is it a good idea to volunteer with elephants in Africa?

You’ll never forget your time volunteering with elephants.

Africa is home to the African forest elephant and the African savanna elephant. These two species are now both endangered.

Key to their ecosystems, elephants in Africa face threats due to poaching, habitats lost to human activities, and human-wildlife conflict. Elephant conservation efforts look to stabilize or increase elephant populations in habitats protected from human disruption while also taking the wellbeing of the local human population into account.

It’s a great idea to help with elephant conversation as a volunteer—as long as you know how to spot ethical volunteer projects that prioritize the elephants they claim to support. Finding a place to volunteer ethically with elephants starts with researching a volunteer organization’s practices and making sure you meet a program’s requirements so you can make a meaningful contribution to elephant conservation.

Are there requirements to volunteer with elephants in Africa?

Most programs will have basic requirements, such as English or other language proficiency and a minimum age requirement. Programs may also ask you to undergo a background check before signing up or to provide a doctor’s certificate that demonstrates you can meet a project’s health and fitness demands.

Depending on the work you’ll do, you may need to come in with specific skills (think: academic background or physical abilities) so you can actively contribute. And depending on your destination and length of time abroad, you may need to get required vaccinations and a visa before you travel, too.

Your best bet is to carefully read the project description for requirements, and when in doubt, ask the organization! You want to be sure you have what it takes to volunteer on a specific project, and pick a program that fits with your skills and abilities so you can make a positive difference while remaining culturally aware. No matter the work you’re doing, soft skills like patience, tolerance, and flexibility will go a long way.

How to volunteer with elephants in Africa

Volunteering with elephants in Africa means making a real contribution to wildlife conservation. You’ll get to actively support these magnificent creatures while learning about another culture and building an international network with like-minded volunteers. Throw in some outdoor adventure and you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Here’s how to make it happen:

1. Choose where and when to go

Namibia is one of the most incredible places to volunteer with elephants.

Ethical organizations often do their work with elephants outside of big cities, minimizing contact with humans while allowing the gentle giants to freely roam in their habitats. You’ll find projects that let you volunteer with elephants in Africa in places like Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

You can volunteer for just a few weeks or go for a longer volunteering experience (like a sabbatical!). Consider the climate of the area and physical demands of a project when you’re deciding where and for how long you’ll volunteer.

2. Make sure you meet program requirements and have necessary skills

Volunteer work with elephants in Africa can be physically demanding, so make sure you have the skills required for any program that interests you. Research a project’s living arrangements and facilities to adequately prepare for your time abroad.

You may not have the bathroom facilities, internet connection, or other comforts of home you’re used to, and your volunteer work may require long days in extreme weather and unfamiliar terrain.

Self-awareness is one of the most important qualities of a volunteer—honestly assess whether you’re a good fit for a project before applying. You don’t want to do more harm than good by placing an unnecessary burden on the project staff and local community if you’re not comfortable sticking with what a project needs.

3. Pick a program

The ideal volunteer program will be reputable, ethical, and willing to answer questions.

It’s time to choose your volunteer program now that you know where and when you want to head to Africa. Look for an organization and project that aligns with your values and goals while prioritizing the best interests of the elephants—not a social-media-ready volunteer experience. You’re in it for the conservation, research, and rehabilitation, not the photo ops. The organization should be, too.

Our best recommendation is Natucate, who are recognized as an ethical volunteer agency by the Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH).

Pro-tip: If you’re currently a student, ask a study abroad advisor for advice! Your university may already have partnerships with organizations in Africa that do volunteer work with elephants.

4. Apply for programs

After you’ve narrowed down a list of projects that fit your goals and skills, it’s time to start putting your dream into reality. Check that you meet all the requirements and gather any documents you need. Then, submit your application, and get ready to get some good news from the organization!

5. Budget

Making a financial plan will help your volunteering dreams come true!

Working out your budget before you touch down can help ensure you have a good experience abroad. Include costs like your program fee, accommodations, and flights when building your budget. Understanding what’s included (and not included) in your program fee is essential, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

6. Take care of pre-departure requirements like visas and vaccinations

Where you choose to go (and how long you’ll stay) will impact whether you need a visa to travel. You’ll also need to look into vaccination requirements for your destination. Do your research early so you’re not scrambling ahead of your flight, and check with your doctor and host organization for advice about any recommended and required vaccinations or medications for where you’re going.

7. Book your flight

You have your documents in order and your place and dates on a project confirmed, and it’s time to reserve your flight. Check with your volunteer organization—they may provide assistance with things like travel arrangements and booking flights that will help streamline your preparations. Now, get packing!

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How much does it cost to volunteer with elephants in Africa?

Don’t be put off by cost—there are scholarship and grant opportunities available.

Though your total budget will depend a lot on the program you choose and the amount of time you spend volunteering abroad, program fees for one-month programs range from around $2,500 to $5,000. However, you can definitely find programs more affordable than that! For example, Natucate’s program starts at 1250€ per month.

Make sure you know what your volunteer program fee includes so you can account for costs you’ll need to cover yourself.

When budgeting for the time you’ll spend volunteering with elephants in Africa, consider factors such as:

• Program fee: Program fees, and what they include, vary by organization and project. Your program fee will also depend on the length of time you sign up to volunteer. Do your research! Volunteer organizations should be transparent with costs, and this information will help you plan ahead.
• Accommodation: You’ll likely pay for accommodation on site as part of your program fee. If there are parts of your stay that aren’t included, you’ll need to pay for (and sometimes arrange) that housing.
• Meals: Your program fee may include some (or all!) meals while you’re working on a project, but you’ll want some extra spending money for snacks and drinks.
• Transportation: Volunteers typically pay for their own flights. Research what other transportation you’ll need to cover, such as transfers to and from the airport.
• Medical/travel insurance and other medical costs: You may be required to have medical or travel insurance for your trip. You may also need to pay for any medications or vaccinations if those are required.
• Visa costs: If you need a visa for your volunteer destination, remember to account for visa fees in your budget.
• Personal expenses: Figure out how much you want to spend on tours, excursions, and any travel you do on your own. And don’t forget about gifts, souvenirs, and other personal expenses.

Compare wildlife volunteer programs side-by-side with MyGoAbroad

Volunteer work with elephants in Africa will change your life!

Africa offers some of the best places to volunteer with wildlife, and that’s especially true of opportunities to support elephant conservation work. You’ll quickly see the benefits of volunteering abroad when you work with endangered elephant populations and witness firsthand how thoughtful conservation initiatives can make a real difference.

This article was written with help from Natucate. Natucate’s mission is to promote sustainable tourism and responsible volunteering while supporting conservation worldwide. Their programs currently run in countries across Africa, South America, and Europe.