If you’re interested in conservation, animal welfare, and world travel, volunteering with wildlife may be a great opportunity for you to learn more while making a difference. Volunteer work involves working with many different animals in South Africa that are threatened or endangered, including elephants, cheetahs, lions, rhinoceros, and African wild dogs, which is especially impactful and in need of protection.
Volunteers of all types are needed to combat the many threats to these animals and others. If you’re able to contribute your skills, time, or money to this worthwhile cause, consider these tips for being a wildlife volunteer in South Africa—many of which can be applied to other international destinations!
Why are wildlife volunteers needed in South Africa?
There’s much more than meets the eye when volunteering with wildlife in South Africa.
Wildlife volunteer work in South Africa is critical to the protection of its native fauna. Volunteers are needed to:
- Help take censuses of the animals
- Observe the wildlife and record their observations
- Assist with entering data into a database
- Lend their unique skills to the research being done
- Take care of the animals as directed
- Teach others about the importance of conservation work
- Organize activities and educational events for other volunteers, staff, and the local community
- Maintain the volunteer base of operations and ensure the project is sustainable
- Bring their new knowledge back home to spread the word, recruit new volunteers, and fundraise
Without volunteers, much of this work would remain incomplete. That being said, it’s important to travel and volunteer responsibly, leaving a positive impact on your host community and the land you are a visitor in. Do your research and volunteer for an organization you can trust.
Organizations like Natucate offer responsible and sustainable volunteer opportunities in South Africa and have the experience and partnerships to prove it. Those participating in one of their wildlife protection programs, like their project in South Africa (which is a collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund), can rest assured they are truly making a difference as an international volunteer. (Plus, their staff is always on hand to offer help and advice, ensuring that your volunteer trip runs smoothly and that you feel well looked after!)
15 best tips for wildlife volunteer work in South Africa
Travel conscientiously and sustainably provide your help with these tips for wildlife volunteering in South Africa.
1. Do your research
If you want to pursue volunteer work in South Africa with animals, read and learn as much as you can about the opportunities available and how to best utilize your skills. Take into account how long you intend to travel for and what you hope to gain from the experience.
Make sure you know what a typical day looks like for a volunteer in South Africa and what types of interaction you’ll have with the animals.
Before you go, learn more about the wildlife you’ll be helping to protect, best practices for working with them, and the people and customs you can also expect to encounter. The more you know the better prepared you’ll be for your time abroad.
2. Invest the necessary time to make an impact
Make plans to enjoy your time beyond volunteering with South African wildlife!
Depending on where you're located, South Africa could be a significant way away, so you’ll want to add travel time to your itinerary. You’ll want to stay at least a couple of weeks to get acclimated, learn through orientation and shadowing, and apply that knowledge to actually assisting in the project.
Program providers like Natucate allow flexible volunteering durations from two to twelve weeks, depending on your availability. Obviously, the more time you can give the better, but even a short volunteer trip can make a positive impact; you may be inspired to volunteer again or do what you can remotely to further animal welfare in South Africa.
3. Brush up on South African history
In addition to doing your research about the programs available and the animals you intend to volunteer to protect, do your due diligence in learning about South African history and culture. South Africa was one of the first inhabited locations in the world and was once home to australopithecines, the earliest hominid.
From hunter-gatherers to ancient cities, through to colonization, apartheid, and the South Africa we know today, you’ll be fascinated by the unique and interesting history of this southernmost African country. It’s important to know the history of South Africa when learning about its culture, traditions, and people.
4. Learn the language
Part of knowing South Africa and its people, and being able to live and volunteer there, is understanding the local lingo. While English is the language of commerce and business in South Africa, it is only one of eleven official languages. Afrikaans and nine ethnic languages, like Zulu and Xhosa, are also widely spoken.
Many South Africans speak multiple languages and code-switching is common—it may be difficult to grasp at first, but you’ll soon enjoy the beautiful swirl of different words and sounds! Even learning a bit of the local language will help with your volunteer work and show respect to your host community.
5. Curate skills that would be helpful to the cause
Bring your talents to the table—any special skills can help care for South African wildlife.
Do you have great attention to detail? Experience in education or scientific research? What about data analysis, veterinary care, or conservation work? The skills you already have should be considered when selecting a program and can be leveraged during your time volunteering.
Make sure to let your program provider know what skills you already have and consider expanding your skill set in preparation for your trip. Perhaps there is a class you can take that would be helpful before your time abroad.
Also, consider reaching out to volunteers who have already completed the program to see what would be helpful things to learn prior to your arrival.
6. Prepare to be immersed in the local culture
Being exposed to a new language, lifestyle, food, holidays, and other aspects of culture can be overwhelming but is oh-so rewarding. Be prepared to soak in everything you can and prepare to be a more well-rounded culturally aware citizen of the world.
7. Take a global competency course
One class or skill you can take prior to your volunteer program that will both prepare and encourage you is a global competency course. Learn more about what culture is, how to see the world from different perspectives, what to expect when encountering a new place very different from your own, and how to adjust to daily life there.
Global competency is a skill that will greatly contribute to your success as a volunteer and world traveler.
8. Recognize how to be a good volunteer
Anybody can volunteer, but not everyone is a good volunteer. Beyond traveling and volunteering sustainably and responsibly, consider your interactions with your fellow volunteers, the local community, and those running your chosen project.
Respect, kindness, empathy, flexibility, creativity, commitment, and compassion are traits of a good volunteer. This is especially true when working with animals outside of your home environment.
9. Budget for your time abroad
Having a budget prepared for your travels is always a good idea.
Wildlife volunteer work in South Africa is possible through the organizations, non-profits, and NGOs whose mission is to aid and protect animals in the region. These organizations would not be able to do this work without volunteers, donors, passionate staff, and partners.
As a volunteer, there will be costs involved to participate since these programs need money to continue operating. Make sure to budget for your trip, taking into account program fees, travel and transportation costs, souvenirs, additional time in the country, etc.
10. Network
You’ll meet other international travelers, local South Africans, and others during your time as a volunteer in South Africa. Talk with those around you, share experiences, swap stories, and stay connected after your time abroad. You never know where your global network will lead you! Plus, you’ll make friendships that will last a lifetime.
11. Do your shopping
Create a packing list well in advance so you have time and savings to purchase what you’ll need. When creating your packing list, make sure to go by your volunteer program’s recommendations.
They may also be able to put you in touch with a former volunteer who could suggest appropriate clothing, toiletries, and extras. Packing appropriately is key to having a good experience!
12. Plan your time responsibly
Remember that you are in South Africa to volunteer and make a difference. If you want to sightsee or participate in activities outside of your volunteer work, consider staying longer or arriving earlier.
While volunteering, take care of yourself - make sure you’re getting enough sleep, taking time to enjoy your surroundings, and participating in any team activities or meals offered.
13. Explore your surroundings
There are endless sights to see while in South Africa!
Even as a full-time volunteer, you’ll have downtime to explore your new environment. Whether you’re on a preserve or based at a research facility nearby, there will be new things to investigate. Ask questions and take suggestions - program staff and locals will be able to recommend the best things to see and do.
14. Participate in community activities
In addition to taking advantage of communal activities and meals with your fellow volunteers and program staff, if there are opportunities to immerse yourself in the local South African community by participating in community activities, seek them out and take advantage.
You may even be able to coordinate activities for the community you’re volunteering in! Getting to know a place is easier when you become a good neighbor.
15. Go the extra mile
Prior to your trip, there may be an opportunity for you to go the extra mile and provide needed resources to your volunteer program. Think about fundraising not only for your own costs to travel and volunteer, but to give direct support to the organization or cause you are volunteering for.
Before you go, ask your provider if there’s anything you can bring with you that would be helpful to them. You could even continue providing these services after your in-person volunteer work has ended!
Get matched with 5 wildlife volunteer programs in Africa right now
Next steps to secure volunteer work in South Africa with animals
Choosing what’s right for you is the most important step.
If you’re sold on a future trip to volunteer with wildlife in South Africa, take these steps to get started. You’ll be on your way before you know it!
Identify the timeframe you’d like to volunteer in. In addition to the amount of time you plan to travel, consider seasonality (both in your home country and South Africa).
Confirm the budget you have available. If you don’t have savings to contribute, start a fundraiser! Volunteering abroad is a great experience, one that your friends and family will surely be in support of.
Select an organization and/or program. This may be the most important step! Take enough time to thoroughly research and read reviews.
Prepare your travel and documents. Your chosen program may help you identify which travel documents you need but you’ll want to get a head start. Ensure your passport is valid, any visa you need is secured, that you have any vaccinations required or recommended, and you’ve arranged all travel.
Explore ALL Wildlife Volunteer Programs In South Africa
Are you ready for your volunteering adventure in South Africa?
When you volunteer with wildlife in South Africa you’re becoming a part of something bigger than yourself. There are over 1,300 endangered species in Africa, with some only found in South Africa.
You’re giving much more than your time when you volunteer to protect these animals, you’re helping to educate others, discover solutions to root problems that face conservation efforts, and further scientific studies. By protecting wildlife in South Africa, you’re contributing to protecting wildlife the world over.
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.
Look for the Perfect Volunteer Abroad Program Now
Start Your Search