Wildlife Volunteering in South Africa

Join our Wildlife and Research Conservation Project and immerse yourself in the captivating wilderness of South Africa’s Greater Kruger area. Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or an aspiring conservationist, this enriching volunteer experience will unveil the many wonders of the African bush. No matter your skill set or expertise, this wildlife conservation program in South Africa will immerse you in the African bush alongside a skilled and qualified team that includes Field Guides and Research professionals. Contribute to meaningful wildlife research and conservation projects by participating in animal tracking, monitoring, and data collection initiatives during daily game drives. Your contributions will directly support the protection of incredible South African wildlife and their habitats.

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

Take part in this volunteering program abroad, and work on an amazing research and conservation project in a private game reserve in the Greater Kruger area. Home to more than just the Big 5, the reserve also has more than 400 species of birds. The project aims to share data with conservation groups and authorities to protect species and natural habitats as well as to educate communities about human impact on wildlife. As a volunteer on the Big 5 Game Reserve, you’ll actively participate in research on wildlife populations and habitat maintenance. To join this project, you need: - Genuine love and concern for animals and the environment - Reasonable level of fitness due to the physical nature of the work - Enthusiasm, openness, flexibility, and cooperation - Awareness of research skills, knowledge, and experience in African wildlife (helpful, but not necessary) If you’re a student and wish to earn credit, speak to a Kaya Placement Advisor. Please bring a laptop to help with data and project activities.

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thailand on a comprehensive 6-month journey. Experience an exceptional blend of cultural immersion, wildlife conservation, and community involvement. You'll start your journey by contributing to wildlife conservation in South Africa amidst the Big 5 conservation area. Next, you'll hop on to France where you will immerse yourself in French culture and language during an unforgettable summer in Loire Valley, studying at one of the country's oldest universities. Finally, venture to your third country - Thailand - where you will volunteer as an English teacher in the scenic Hua Hin island. The entire experience offers invaluable cultural insights, skill development, and lifelong memories; igniting passions for social and environmental causes as you embark on a journey toward becoming a dedicated global citizen effecting positive change.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

A Raleigh South Africa Expedition is your chance for Adventure. In the stunning Kruger region, you have the chance to take action on some of the world's most pertinent issues through immersive Community projects, and impactful Environmental work. Through our life-changing Adventure Leadership Trek you will develop skills and experiences that will last a lifetime. What are you waiting for? The Greater Kruger area is located between Mozambique, Eswatini, and the world-famous Kruger National Park itself. In comparison to Cape Town, this area encapsulates Africa at its heart, not to mention boasting year-round sunshine. It is a wildlife haven with natural beauty unlike anywhere else in the world. You'll most likely spot plenty of wildlife while you're on our environmental project and trek. You'll be with experienced guides if you're in areas with any of the big 5. Whether you are taking a gap year or want to do something meaningful in your summer, join young volunteers from across the world and a community of thousands of Raleigh Alumni.

Our exciting Endurance Training Programme based at Moolmanshoek, with over 240 horses, is waiting for you! Ideal for those passionate to learn about the sport, whether you are a seasoned professional, or you’ve never experienced an endurance race – this is a great adventure for intermediate plus and advanced riders. You'll train intensively across breathtaking landscapes, testing both mind and body. Under the mentorship of Wiesman Nel, an internationally acclaimed endurance rider, you'll learn the intricacies of the sport and prepare for competitions. Whether you aim to compete internationally or simply wish to experience endurance riding in South Africa, this program offers an unparalleled opportunity for growth, adventure, and bonding with exceptional Arab Endurance horses. Intermediate plus and advanced riding abilities accepted.

A volunteering experience with bite! Relocate to the incredible setting of the South African bush for the animal encounter of a lifetime, working closely with the entire spectrum of safari wildlife on a working game reserve. This special program calls for animal lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to join the effort to protect Africa’s iconic big game species through park patrols, predator tracking, species surveys, and more. As part of its mission to study and conserve all that spectacular wildlife and support the ecosystem they habitat, the reserve operates a range of conservation projects in which the volunteer can actively participate.

Grab this exciting opportunity to gain practical work experience in Africa’s wildlife conservation. You'll join a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of the ground hornbill, an iconic African bird in danger of extinction. The organization, run by a team of biologists and expert conservationists, has a multifaceted and collaborative approach to its mission. They provide an excellent learning opportunity for anyone interested in wildlife sciences, conservation, or related areas. As a wildlife research and conservation intern, you'll take on a varied portfolio of tasks. These can include data collection in the field, data analysis, monitoring rescued chicks, and impact reporting. There's also an opportunity to join conservation education projects in nearby communities. You can expect to have an immersive, in-depth, and rewarding experience. And you'll be lucky enough to be based in a game reserve, surrounded by a wealth of wildlife. We look forward to receiving your application!

Help preserve the famous Big 5 safari reserve, seeing a side of Phinda that many tourists don’t get to experience. Become part of the main research team, helping to manage thriving populations of rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs, pangolins, and more. Observing these animals in their natural habitat, you will study their behavior and population dynamics and map their movements to build a database of territories. With the critical rhino population and growing cheetah population, you must source this information and share it with the specialists, so the perfect balance of species can be maintained. Working alongside experts in the field, you will be involved with Phinda’s wildlife relocation program moving species such as lions and antelopes, the contraceptive program that works to balance the population of elephants and predators, and assisting in humane rhino horn trimming—an effective anti-poaching strategy. This constant research and monitoring is a balancing game, and you will be directly involved in all aspects, playing a meaningful role in the wildlife conservation efforts and learning about the ecology, biology, and behavior of Phinda’s wildlife.

Do you have a passion for wildlife photography and a strong aspiration to make a meaningful difference? This volunteer opportunity is a perfect fit for you! This project in South Africa is an opportunity for you to elevate your photography to the next level while also actively participating in wildlife conservation efforts through various activities. You will have the chance to visit the Greater Kruger, where you will be surrounded by a multitude of wildlife waiting to be captured with your camera. This volunteer program provides valuable education in both ethical and practical photography techniques while also recognizing the importance of wildlife research. Not only will you make great memories with our volunteer project, but you’ll also gain skills that will last you a lifetime.

The Sibuya Wilderness Experience welcomes participants from all walks of life. Volunteers, adventure-seeking travelers, gap year students, adults taking work sabbaticals... Anyone with a passion for nature conservation. This is the perfect Eco Volunteer Program if you are looking for a meaningful travel opportunity abroad that puts your passion for nature, environment, and wildlife to good use, trying to make a difference. Our unique itinerary runs on a two-week program, wherein the content is only covered twice in a month, making a four-week stay the perfect getaway to experience everything at least twice. Nowhere else in South Africa is a volunteer itinerary this diverse.

We believe that everyone can contribute to conservation efforts, and therefore, our vision is to empower ordinary people to protect nature. The key is not "to do" but to "live it" actively. By creating this kind of lifestyle, we fulfill our purpose of helping humans and nature to live together in harmony. The foundation is a starting point; we empower you to live a conservation lifestyle for a better tomorrow. If you're looking to actively participate in African wildlife conservation in a fun, safe, stable, and stunning environment, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is the perfect place. Although this may sound similar to many other proudly South African volunteering projects, our dream for every person we encounter is to have a lifestyle change toward thinking and living conservation. We want your time at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge to be the experience of a lifetime, one that changes your life! We aim to empower ordinary people (people like you!) to protect nature by creating a conservation lifestyle upon your return home.

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Live on a private reserve in Limpopo, surrounded by wildlife in their natural habitat. Collaborate with GVI staff and other participants to contribute towards meaningful conservation and research efforts for wildlife protection and longevity. Learn about biodiversity and habitat monitoring, and how to track and identify each species using radio telemetry techniques. This is also an opportunity to work alongside Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) experts while seeing well-known South African predators, herbivores, and other species populations first-hand. You’ll contribute to the research efforts of the reservation’s natural resources. Your assistance provides reserve authorities and conservation organizations with the data they need to manage and preserve ecosystems. All GVI projects align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and have short, mid, and long-term objectives. In your free time, travel with other like-minded participants to the nearby Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

The Kruger to Coast Adventure Tour will take you through some of the best highlights in southern Africa in terms of wildlife, culture and beaches. Begin your journey in The Kingdom of Eswatini (fromerly called Swaziland) where you will receive an orientation to the country and programme overall, and a tour of a local village. During the second and third week of the programme you will get involved in grassroots community projects here and make an active contribution to the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children. But first, head off on a five-day camping safari through the world-renowned Kruger National Park to spot big game. On your return Eswatini, you will be spend time volunteering venture to tropical Mozambique where you will spend time on world-class Indian Ocean beaches. While here, you will see some of Africa’s most incredible wildlife, snorkel with whale sharks, paddle to tropical palm-fringed islands and, most of all, participate in important community development projects.

The Wildlife Volunteer in a Rescue Farm program offers a unique opportunity for individuals passionate about wildlife conservation to contribute actively to rehabilitating and caring for injured, orphaned, or abandoned animals. As a volunteer, you will work directly with various species and assist in animal care, habitat maintenance, wildlife rehabilitation, and educational outreach. This program is perfect if you're interested in environmental protection, animal care, and sustainable travel. It's a “family” project, meaning children as young as four can join. Our advisors will provide personalized recommendations based on your kids' ages and the project's mission.

Make a meaningful impact while gaining international experience with Connect-123’s Human Rights internship program. With placements available in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin, and Sydney, you’ll have the chance to contribute to organizations working on some of today’s most pressing human rights challenges. Our network includes watchdog groups, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, lobby groups, and think tanks. Depending on your placement, you may help develop educational workshops for immigrants, conduct peer education training, monitor and evaluate community-based initiatives, research political or gender rights issues, or contribute to reports on human trafficking, child labor, and other critical topics. Each internship is tailored to your background and interests, giving you the opportunity to build practical skills, expand your global network, and contribute to work that truly makes a difference. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing global internship begins on your schedule.