Rhino Conservation & Rehabilitation Volunteer
Volunteer & work with orphaned and protected rhino at a leading conservation centre.
Placement summary
Who should join this placement?
Anyone looking to spend time in privileged company, caring, rehabilitating and volunteering with endangered rhino at a leading facility in South Africa, helping to rescue and rehome animals coming from across the country.
Work with a variety of rhinos at several different life stages, meaning varying needs such as with orphaned youngsters dependent on regular care, to mature free-roaming adults living wild.
You'll likely be supporting animals with various medical or behavioural requirements, so having prior veterinarian or animal care skills are greatly appreciated, but you can still join this placement with any background, provided you are willing to learn and enthusiastic about wildlife conservation!
Be prepared to work with a team of experienced staff and leading conservationists, veterinarians and wildlife experts, gain from onsite training and guidance that will help you get to know and support each animal onsite, as well as understand the broader circumstances influencing the rhino poaching crisis.
Location: Lebombo Mountains, South Africa
Duration: 1 week to 3 months
Group sizes: 5 - 12 volunteers plus onsite staff
Please note: for site security relating to rhino poaching, details including location of the rhino sanctuary will only be shared to confirmed participants.
Arrivals can only enter via authorised & provided transport.
About the rhino rehabilitation centre and wildlife reserve
Based in the foothills of the idyllic Lebombo mountains, a remote location and 20,000 hectare reserve of vast open hills, grassland plains and valleys, ideal for giving rhino a fantastic habitat to live in.
The worlds largest orphaned rhino sanctuary, facilities are fully equipped and deliver treatment in a variety of veterinary functions both in response to emergencies, as well as providing long-term care, housing and a protected environment for rhino herds to live in the wild.
The Projects
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Rhino rehabilitation and care
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Food and meal preparation for young or housed rhinos
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Bottle feeding for young rhino
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Rhino stable and enclosure upkeep
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Released rhino behavioural monitoring
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Released rhino assisted feeding
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Safari drives on reserve
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Wildlife surveys & monitoring
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Support veterinary procedures
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Rhino releases or capture
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Lectures and presentations
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Other optional activities
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Habitat & reserve management
Visit the Projects page to find out how you'll be helping. For other useful information check out our FAQs.
Rhino carer and volunteer role and duties
Life at a rhino sanctuary and rehabilitation centre
This is a busy conservation and rehabilitation centre and volunteering with rhino involves hard work and physical activity as well as empathy and care towards the orphaned and endangered animals you’ll be helping protect.
Work under the guidance and supervision of the onsite experts and carers who will help support and empower you with all the rhino knowledge, behaviour and rehabilitation skills needed to ensure you give animals the best care possible.
As a group of staff, volunteers and researchers, each day you’ll complete various duties across the animal and rehabilitation centre facilities and rhino enclosures, as well as supporting ongoing conservation projects on the greater wildlife reserve itself.
Monday to Friday
The work week starts early at 6am each day until the evening, most mornings begin with a discussion and plan with onsite permanent staff to determine which animals, duties and tasks take priority.
As rhino and the other onsite animals have routine requirements, being such massive animals, most mornings you can expect to support with a lot of feeding, both via bottle with young and mature adults, you’ll also support with duties like cleaning and habitat maintenance needed to ensure their welfare.
After these typical duties are performed, you’ll go on to other, more ecologically or conservation-focused project work covering the wider reserve region itself.
The orphaned or rehabilitated rhino are rewilded gradually and depending on their age or medical circumstance, once release to the reserve you’ll monitor them, as well as recording other biomonitoring data on other species of African wildlife in the region.
Weekends and free time
During times off, volunteers can join various other projects or activities across the wider reserve, from exploring the environment on foot during guided nature walks, wildlife drives and safari’s or even K-9 patrols to grooming and caring for dogs or horses, educational presentations, camera trap and drone technological displays, video & photography opportunities, as well as loads of local sightseeing tours and trips.
This placement is located near the Kruger National Park, South Africa’s best wildlife and safari destination, as well as Eswatini and its highlands and waterfalls for tours and day trips.
Please note: Although we know you'll want to shout loud on social media about the incredible time you'll be having, social media & publishing photos of rhino, the facility or location is prohibited to support safety.
When do we operate?
Make a deposit
This placement is available year round, contact us with dates you're thinking of we'll get back to you.
With flexible payment plans, secure your place from as little as £50!
What's included?
We have taken care of all the details so you can focus on the adventure of a lifetime!
The placement includes:
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Airport transfers to and from the reserve
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Accommodation during your stay
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Food and drink when onsite (excludes any personal extras)
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Entry to sites during projects
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Project participation
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Participation with wildlfe research projects
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Meet and greet event in the UK (groups)
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Fellow volunteer contact list, to be sent out prior to departure
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24-hour emergency onsite support
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100% financial security with your booking
What's not included?
Please note, we do not book, manage or coordinate the following:
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Flights
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Travel insurance
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Visa and Immigration requirements
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Vaccinations and health screening/checks
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Personal travel insurance
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Optional activities (any that you book during your stay)
Requirements
In order to join us on one of our packages you'll need to:
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Be above 18
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Passionate about animal care
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Have valid travel insurance
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Have booked return flights
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Organise the relevant travel and immigration documents
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Undergo any relevant medical checks and vaccinations
These are your personal responsibility. Proof that all requirements are met must be sent ahead of your arrival.
Highlights you can expect
An Unknown African Landscape
Meet A Wide Array Of Wildlife
The Lebombo mountains are a lesser-known environment, taking the form of incredible vistas, vast open grassland valleys with temperate rainforest streams for picturesque viewpoints and a tranquil home for rhino needing safety.
In addition to the rhino sanctuary, there is a far larger reserve the rhino roam, explore this area and survey and support other species such as giraffe or antelope during game counts via vehicle or even on foot to sight smaller species or track elusive ones.
Rhino Care And Rehabilitation
Support Sustainable Communities
Working at a rehabilitation and rhino sanctuary means you’ll play an active and rewarding role in looking after and loving those that have experienced some the worst of mankind, helping return them to a happy and healthy life in this nurturing environment.
Work with location groups and organisations to make a real impact to help local ecosystems, habitat protection and rural communities. Leave a lasting impact protecting these biodiverse areas and investing in the people living along side it.
Critical Conservation Support
Optional Days & Explore The Area
Take pride in the direct difference you’ll make to wildlife conservation and protect this endangered species, working with key industry players, from government bodies to charitable initiatives, understand what the frontline of conservation looks like in this leading role.
You’ll be based near the Kruger National Park, ideal for day trips out to take part in safari drives in South Africa’s best big game national park, you can also take part in optional activities in the area, from horse riding to K-9 patrols.
