Volunteer at a Rhino Orphanage in UNESCO World Heritage Site

I first came across African Conservation Experience (ACE) when I read a testimonial on their website that said, “just do it, you won’t regret it”, and that’s exactly what I did. I knew I was with the right organisation when that first phone call was made, the staff took time to make sure I found the project that was right for me! My passion for rhinos made the Golola Rhino Orphanage And Rehabilitation Centre the obvious pick. Travelling alone seemed daunting, but the staff in the UK and South Africa put all my worries aside, making sure I was safe and always a phone call away. Arriving at the project was amazing. The team at Golola are 100% committed to taking care of the precious rhinos, and I felt privileged to be part of that. I learned so much working alongside them and appreciated their patience and sharing their invaluable knowledge with me. Because of this project, these amazing, beautiful rhinos who were brought in as babies are now thriving and given the best level of care and even going on to reproduce, which is wonderful, especially at a time when rhino populations are declining. I have booked my fourth trip with ACE, so I think that says it all!

I grew up in a family that loved animals, and I’ve always felt a deep connection to the natural world. I’ve always found rhinos adorable, but to actually see them up close, to work with them and play a part in their recovery… it was beyond anything I had ever imagined. One of my fondest memories was bottle-feeding milk to a younger rhino at the orphanage. To know that I was making a difference to her life was incredibly moving. What I loved the most was how I was made to feel like such a valuable member of the team. Before arriving, I worried that we would be treated like tourists, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. The staff were warm, welcoming, and treated us as part of the team. Whatever they did, we helped too. It was totally different from visiting a zoo or going on a safari. As a volunteer, you get really involved, not only in the fun stuff like feeding rhinos, but in all of the real, behind-the-scenes work that is necessary to care for orphaned rhinos. There was a lot of hard work, from cleaning up after the rhinos to unloading gigantic grass bales. There was only one day when I was physically unable to help with lifting the grass bales as they were too heavy for me, and I have had some back problems in the past, but the staff were extremely understanding and accommodating; they really could not have been any kinder. We learned so much during our stay, and even had some fascinating talks from the orphanage’s founder. It was great learning about every aspect of rhino rehabilitation, from how precise you have to be when preparing milk formula for the babies, to all of the extensive measures taken to reduce the risk of poaching. One day, the staff took us for a three-hour hike through the reserve surrounding the orphanage. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. We spotted incredible wildlife, including a baby giraffe and, my favourite sighting, a baby rhino calf, only one month old, with its mum! This experience changed me. Working alongside such dedicated staff and being so close to the rhinos reinforced my connection to nature and deepened my respect for the remarkable people fighting to protect it. I really can’t thank the staff at the orphanage enough for everything that they do!

When I signed up with African Conservation Experience (ACE), I didn’t realise how profoundly my time spent volunteering would affect me. Leaving behind the scorching summer of the Midwest and a heatwave in France, I arrived in South Africa’s winter, dry, yellowed, and harsh. It’s exactly during this season that wildlife is most vulnerable, and that’s when I truly understood how important the work of the orphanage is. ACE placed me at the Golola Rhino Orphanage, a discreet but vital haven for orphaned rhinos. My days quickly filled with meaningful tasks: preparing food, feeding orphaned rhinos, and helping with their daily care. One of the most unforgettable moments was bottle-feeding a baby rhino for the first time! The bottle itself was nearly the length of my forearm, and it required patience, gentleness, and precision. That simple act carried a profound sense of connection and responsibility. I also witnessed the rescue of a baby rhino who arrived dehydrated and with a fractured leg. Watching the veterinary team, led by Dr. Pierre Webster, act so swiftly and skillfully was both humbling and inspiring. It showed me the dedication and expertise required to give these animals a second chance. What struck me most was how much rhinos matter to the entire ecosystem. They’re not just majestic creatures - they’re gardeners of the savanna, dispersing seeds, creating paths, and shaping habitats for countless other species. Protecting them means protecting biodiversity itself. Volunteering through ACE gave me the opportunity to not only care for these incredible animals but also to understand the bigger picture of conservation. The experience was challenging, moving, and deeply rewarding. I returned home with a renewed sense of purpose and admiration for everyone who works tirelessly to ensure rhinos have a future. I would wholeheartedly recommend ACE to anyone considering conservation volunteering. It is life-changing to know that, in some small way, you’ve been part of protecting a species and preserving an ecosystem.