Become a wildlife volunteer

Placement summary

Who should join us
Perfect for anyone wanting to volunteer and make a real difference with Africa's animals and wildlife or just looking for an unforgettable gap year or adventure tourism travel experience!

Duration

Ideally we recommend volunteering with us for 4-week to fully immerse yourself in the adventure, but 2 week placements are also available.

The Group
The group size will range between 5 – 9 volunteers and be led by your guides and ecologists.

Volunteer and travel timetable

Part 1: Wildlife Focus Day 1 - 14
Live in the heart of the African bush. Volunteer and get involved with 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 both included activities like Microlight 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 and get your fill of animals and wildlife again.

Location and base camp

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

Travel week

Week 3: you'll leave
your home base on
the reserve, heading
south towards Hazyview,
take part in exciting
activities, explore
the surrounding areas
best known and unknown

sights like 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 Project page to find out how you'll be helping. For other useful information check out our FAQ's.

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

£2050

Week 1 - 4

With flexible payment plans secure your place from as little as £50!

Whats 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 are included 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 will be sent out prior to departure
24-hour emergency onsite support
100% Financial security with your booking

Whats 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 (these booked 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
Booked return flights
The relevant travel and Immigration documents
The relevant medical checks and vaccinations

These are your personal responsibility and proof that all requirements are met must be sent ahead of your arrival to take part.

wildlife volunteer in africa or gap year travel

Highlights you can expect

Conservation and Research

Get to the frontline of conservation - make a difference! theres over 12 exciting projects you'll volunteer with and if you've got your own ideas we'll help you plan and implement your own projects.

Anti-Poaching Patrols

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

Get up close and personal – this will be a life changing experience; you will see Africa’s magnificent wildlife via safari viewers and on foot, at your base reserve and as you explore the iconic splendor of the Kruger National Park.

Travel Week

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

Get helping the experts - medical checks, emergency call outs, nursing, feeding and handling wildlife; interact and help rehabilitate orphaned and injured animals.

Breathtaking Landscape

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

Rural Communities

Get involved – 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.

Discover Nature

Get knowledge – learn about animals from antelope to zebra, big and small; study the flora and fauna, learn about the science, 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

Heres an example of what our usual volunteer itinerary could look like, day to day.

Please note that although this is an example it is not exact, as the order of activities can vary based on factors like seasonality, behavior of the animals as well as your wishes.

Day 1 of 28:

Arrival and Introduction

Day 2 of 28:
Reserve tour and Camera Traps

Airport pick-up, you’ll be collected at the meeting time and location from Hoedspruit airport, South Africa and transfer to the reserve. Rest day, recover and unpack.

Over dinner we'll give you the full welcome talk, introducing our-selves and cover a few does and donts as well as updating you to the plan for the next week.

Breakfast followed by African bush walk and introductory tour of the reserve - Internet connection available to connect with family and friends.

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

Optional Activities

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

Heres an idea of whats on offer in the area and rough prices.

Expanded program itinerary

For a more in depth understand of the volunteer program, how its structured, activities as well as a description feel free to download a more in-depth PDF.

Full Program PDF

Activity List