Become a wildlife volunteer

Travel on the frontline of conservation; protect nature and learn new skills

Placement summary

Who should join us?
Anyone wanting to volunteer, gain experience, make a difference for South Africa's iconic wildlife, or anyone looking for an unforgettable gap year or adventure tourism travel experience!

Location: Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Duration: 2 and 4 week placements are available.

Small group sizes
Groups typically consist of 5-9 volunteers, offering a more personal experience with your guides and team.

Volunteer and travel timetable

Part 1: Wildlife Focus Day 1 - 14
Live in the heart of the African bush. Volunteer and get involved in over 12 amazing conservation projects both on foot and from safari viewers.

Part 2: Travel week Day 14 -21 (Optional)

Week 3 is dedicated to travel and adventure. Stay in new locations and take part in activities such as micro light flights, white water tubing, panoramic tours and your own personal choices.

For those not taking part in travel week, you'll continue with your conservation work as normal.

Part 3: Wildlife Focus Day 21 – 28

Your final week is an opportunity to revisit the different volunteer projects you've been working on.

Location and base camp

North-east South Africa.
Stay in the heart of the African
bush on a "Big" 5 private game
reserve, adjacent to the
world renowned Kruger
National Park

Travel week

In week 3, you'll leave
your base on
the reserve and head
south towards Hazyview.
Take part in exciting
activities, and explore
the surrounding areas
best known and unknown

sights, such as Blyde River Canyon.

The Projects

Rhino behavioural research
Anti-Poaching patrols
Bird ringing and surveying
Invasive species management
Small mammal trap and release
Sustainable agriculture projects

Camera trap surveying
Community outreach
Tree surveying
Insect and moth surveying
Conservation and reserve management

Assisting rural vets
Wildlife rehabilitation
Handling and presenting animals to rural communities
Tracking
Your own projects

Visit the Projects page to find out how you'll be helping. For other useful information check out our FAQs.

When do we operate?

Make a deposit

All planned trips are available on our date and rates page, or contact us and we'll get back to you.

£1050

Week 1 - 2

Book now

£1995

Week 1 - 4

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:

Airport transfers to and from the reserve
Accommodation during your stay
Transportation and guides/tour leaders for all confirmed excursions and group activities
Food and drink (excludes any personal extras)
Entry to sites

All itinerary/activity equipment is provided
Wi-fi access
Over 12 projects and other activities
Meet and greet event in the UK
Fellow volunteer contact list, to be sent out prior to departure
24-hour emergency onsite support
100% financial security with your booking

What's not included?

Please note, we do not book, manage or coordinate the following:

Flights
Travel insurance
Visa and Immigration requirements
Vaccinations and health screening/checks
Personal travel insurance
Optional activities (any that you book during your stay)

Requirements

In order to join us on one of our packages you'll need to:

Be above 18
Have valid travel insurance
Have booked return flights
Organise the relevant travel and immigration documents
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.

wildlife volunteer in africa or gap year travel

Highlights you can expect

Conservation and Research

Anti-Poaching Patrols

Get to the frontline of conservation and really make a difference. There are over 12 exciting projects that you can volunteer with, and if you have your own ideas we'll help you plan and implement your own projects.

Get active! Under supervision and with trained field guides, help protect the reserve’s wildlife by searching the bush on foot, looking for signs of illegal poaching activity and removing illegal snares and traps.

Safari Drives/Walks

Travel Week

Get up close and personal with African wildlife. This will be a life changing experience where you will see magnificent wildlife via safari viewers and on foot, both at your base reserve and as you explore the iconic splendour of the Kruger National Park.

Get adventurous - as you travel you'll stay in new places, get to know South Africa and take part in activities such as mountain hikes, microlight flights, quad biking, river rafting, underground cave exploration, and much more.

Vets, Animals and Ecologists

Breathtaking Landscape

Help the experts with tasks including medical checks, emergency callouts, nursing, feeding and handling wildlife; interact and help rehabilitate orphaned and injured animals.

Rural Communities

Get involved and volunteer with rural communities. Work closely with local groups to help improve their livelihoods while protecting local wildlife habitats and creating a more sustainable future.

Prepare to be amazed by the beauty of the South African sunset, by its magical night sky, by its breathtaking natural landscapes, and the sights and sounds of this unique, wild, exotic continent.

Discover Nature

Boost your knowledge, and learn about animals from antelope to zebra, big and small; study the flora and fauna, learn about behaviour, biology and the intriguing relationships in the animal kingdom. Learn to track animals in the wild and take home a new understanding about their complex ecosystems through personal exploration and discovery.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Here is an example of what our usual volunteer itinerary could look like.
Please note that although this is an example it is not exact, as the order of activities can vary based on factors like seasonality, behaviour of the animals, as well as your preferences and those of other group members.

Day 1 of 28:

Arrival and Introduction

Day 2 of 28:
Reserve tour and camera trap set-up

You and your group members will be collected from Hoedspruit Airport, South Africa, to be transferred to the reserve. Enjoy a rest day, to recover from your flight and unpack.

Over dinner we'll give you the full welcome talk, introducing ourselves and covering a few do's and dont's, as well as updating you with the plan for the first week of your stay.

Have breakfast, followed by African bush walk and an introductory tour of the reserve. Internet connection will be available to connect with family and friends.

You will then start your volunteer work and conservation projects, setting up camera traps at key sites.

Optional activities

In addition to everything already included in your placement, during free days and weekends you can choose to take part in other activities on offer in the area.

Here is an idea of what else may be on offer in the area, along with approximate prices.

Expanded programme itinerary

For a more in-depth understanding of the volunteer programme and how it is structured, feel free to download the following PDF.

Full Programme PDF

Activity List