Do you offer any legal or financial protection?

Yes. We are members of ABTA and we comply with the UK Package Travel Regulations, which means your trip will be financially protected through ABTA and ATOL. We are full members of the Year Out Group, specialists in gap year travel programs.

Do I need any specific skills or qualifications?

No. It’s all about your love of wildlife and your desire to learn and make a positive difference, but we can tailor your trip to match your specific skills or career aspirations if you would like!

What will I take away the most from this program?

You’ll see how powerful it is when conservation projects work together with local communities, learning and supporting one another, across different types of wildlife initiatives in South Africa.

How will I get to each project?

All of our projects include your transfers to and from the project, as well as between if doing multiple ones. We also provide internal flights if required.

How will I be supported throughout my experience?

We have a team based in South Africa and they will meet you at the airport, take you to your transfers, and are available 24/7 if you have any queries or just want a chat. They’ll also meet you at the end to hear about your adventure!

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African Conservation Experience
The Ultimate Personalized Gap Year Experience

The Ultimate Personalized Gap Year Experience

by: African Conservation Experience

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Are you looking for an epic adventure that will change your life forever? Then look no further! This Ultimate Gap Year Experience is unique; you will be transported to four different projects across southern Africa, working on the front lines of conservation and connecting with local and expert professionals who are just as passionate about conservation work as you are. One day, you could be releasing pangolins rescued from poachers back into the wild, and then learning bush skills from a master tracker and tracking a herd of elephants the next. You will be part of the conservation community, listening to stories of the land from the locals. Completely immersed, you will see what it’s like to live and breathe meaningful African conservation. It’s not always easy to nurse injured animals b...

Program Highlights

Go on a multi-project adventure and visit four conservation projects across southern Africa!

Gain hands-on experience in real working environments, including rehabilitation centers and exclusive safari reserves, and learn from local professionals.

Make a real impact with projects at the forefront of conservation and see how powerful it is when conservation projects work together with local communities.

Gain bush skills while immersed in the smells and sounds of the African bush, learn to identify and monitor iconic and elusive animals, and track on foot with a master tracker.

Acquire industry knowledge and see what it’s like partnering with international organizations such as WWF, Endangered Wildlife Trust, and Panthera.

Media Gallery

ACE volunteers carrying sedated leopard into a small plane

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Quick Details

Locations

Kruger Park, South Africa

Availability

Year(s) OfferedYear RoundDuration:

1-2 Weeks
2-4 Weeks

Cost Per WeekContact Provider for Cost Details

Age Requirement:Varies

Types & Subjects:

Animal Welfare
Biological Research
Conservation
Wildlife

Guidelines:

All Nationalities

See all program details

Recognitions

Innovative Volunteer Abroad Program 2023 Finalist

GoAbroad Innovative Volunteer Abroad Program, 2023 Finalist

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Review this Program

Overall Rating

9.78

Total Reviews

Review this Program

Thank you ACE! This was a life changing experience, I loved every second of my 6 week trip - could not recommend enough :)

by: Payton McGarva - United StatesProgram: The Ultimate Personalized Gap Year Experience

I was fortunate enough to travel through African Conservation Experience for six weeks at four amazing projects: Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, The Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience, Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary, and Phinda Wildlife Research Project. Being an 18-year-old who had just graduated from high school, I was slightly intimidated to travel on my own for as long as I did. As soon as I reached Johannesburg airport any nerves I had instantly vanished because of how ...

Bottle-feeding a baby rhino at Care For Wild, they drank the milk so quickly!

Here I am helping Dr. Lindy measure and tag the vultures we were about to release at Moholoholo.

This is one of the rhinos we had to sedate to trim its horn at Phinda. I learnt so much about the rhino poaching crisis in South Africa, so seeing this technique in person was amazing.

The 2 months I spent in South Africa via ACE was probably the BEST time I had in my whole life so far

by: Nadine Scheck - GermanyProgram: The Ultimate Personalized Gap Year Experience

Oh my, how do I start? First of all, the 2 months I spent in South Africa via ACE was probably the BEST time I had in my whole life so far. I am so thankful for the opportunity and all the more than amazing experiences I got to make every single day. The application and contact with the bureau of the organisation was very nice, fast and flexible. They helped me with booking everything, gave me multiple choices and all the mails and calls made me more excited for the long trip. The time at the Mo...

Phinda had incredible bio-diversity

by: Madeleine GrocottProgram: The Ultimate Personalized Gap Year Experience

I spent 2 months in South Africa under the care of ACE and I couldn't have been happier with my experience. From arranging very reliable and friendly transfers to ensuring an excellent visit during your stay, ACE will do it all for you and will only ask that you gain from the experience what you can. I did the intensive rhino course, Care For Wild and the Phinda project and they all blew me away. From my trip I can tell how important conservation is to the people who run ACE and the passion that...

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

Kruger Park, South Africa

Types and Subjects

Causes
Animal Welfare
Biological Research
Conservation

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Gap Year Timing:

1-2 Weeks
2-4 Weeks
After College

Age Requirement

Age Requirement Varies

Guidelines

All Nationalities
This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Group

Cost per week

Contact Provider for Cost Details

Program Cost Includes

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
All Program Activity Costs
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Accommodation Options

Dormitory
Group living
Guest House
Other

Qualifications & Experience

Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Application Procedures

Online Application

Frequently Asked Questions

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