Biological Research Volunteer Programs in Africa

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Looking to make a difference in the lives of others and to help foster change worldwide? Volunteer with African Impact, chosen by volunteers as the World’s Top Volunteer Abroad Organization! Join us in Zanzibar, where you will contribute to a project in your area of interest or study. We offer the following opportunities, so pick a project you’re most passionate about! - Tropical Marine Conservation & Dolphin Research - Teaching and Community Support - TEFL Teaching Internship If you’re specifically seeking volunteer programs for your high school or university group, please let us know, and we’ll organize a bespoke itinerary. These placements will combine learning, giving back to local communities, and exploration. Our High School programs are specifically designed for participants aged 14-18 years old, while our University programs are suitable for those at their college or university level. Our volunteer placements are in the stunning Indian Ocean "spice island" Zanzibar. The Zanzibar Archipelago is a truly stunning destination to take a break and relax to the rustling sound of the palm leaves & tropical scent of spices. Available from 1 May 2026 - 31 October 2026

GoEco offers more than 60 wildlife and animal conservation volunteer opportunities and internships worldwide! Our programs focus on the welfare and conservation of various species, both wildlife and domestic animals. We offer volunteer opportunities and internships at wildlife rescue centers, wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife reserves and animal shelters. All of our programs are vetted and are in line with our ethical values - only ethical and supervised interactions are allowed. A few examples of our offers include working with rescued sloths in Costa Rica, rehabilitating vervet monkeys in Malawi, observing and collecting data on Africa's Big Five species and doing survey dives with whale sharks in Mozambique, just to name a few.

Let your children learn about and participate in conservation work to protect wildlife species and habitats in this incredible program abroad. The Family Volunteering: Wildlife Research in a Game Reserve in South Africa project takes place in Kruger National Park, home to diverse animal and plant species as well as more than 400 bird species. The data gathered is shared with authorities, conservation agencies, and large-scale projects geared toward species and habitat protection efforts. The project also aims to lessen the impact of human activities through education. For two weeks or longer, your family can get involved with various activities—species identification, game drives, data recording, tagging, and even game monitoring at night. You are guaranteed the adventure of a lifetime while contributing to projects that focus specifically on rhinos, elephants, buffalos, and big cats in Kruger National Park. This family volunteering project runs every other Sunday and is open to families with children 12 years and older as well as individual volunteers 16 years and older.

Join the ranks of forward-thinking healthcare professionals through International Medical Aid's (IMA) Physician Assistant and Pre-PA Internships. Our program, rooted in the educational standards of Johns Hopkins University, is designed to propel undergraduate students, PA school attendees, certified PAs, and high school students into the heart of global health care. IMA, a non-profit entity, extends beyond traditional borders to bring essential medical aid and education to underserved regions in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. The internship, underscored by an ethics-based approach to care, enhances clinical skills and lets you explore the cultural and societal nuances of healthcare, facilitated by our seasoned mentors. IMA's commitment to improving global health while also enriching the educational journey of each intern is evident in our comprehensive support system. From day one, interns receive personalized guidance, from field-specific orientation to admissions consulting for PA school, ensuring a seamless transition into international medical settings.

Grab this exciting opportunity to gain practical work experience in Africa’s wildlife conservation. You'll join a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of the ground hornbill, an iconic African bird in danger of extinction. The organization, run by a team of biologists and expert conservationists, has a multifaceted and collaborative approach to its mission. They provide an excellent learning opportunity for anyone interested in wildlife sciences, conservation, or related areas. As a wildlife research and conservation intern, you'll take on a varied portfolio of tasks. These can include data collection in the field, data analysis, monitoring rescued chicks, and impact reporting. There's also an opportunity to join conservation education projects in nearby communities. You can expect to have an immersive, in-depth, and rewarding experience. And you'll be lucky enough to be based in a game reserve, surrounded by a wealth of wildlife. We look forward to receiving your application!

Dive into ethical, meaningful, and practical veterinary work tailored to your goals, interests, and abilities! This program meets the requirements for Extra Mural Studies (EMS) and Animal Husbandry Extra Mural Studies (AHEMS). Depending on the skills you’d like to gain, get paired with either an individual or a team of qualified vets for the best possible exposure and experience. Work with some of Africa’s most respected vets in their everyday work wherein you don’t just treat injured and sick animals, but you also play a key role in conservation. You could be assisting with wildlife relocation, immobilizing and moving animals to help manage their population, testing for diseases, and even performing necropsies. From fieldwork to clinical work, become engaged in responsible veterinary activities across several diverse species and gain hands-on experience. Plus, develop a unique understanding of the biology, behavior, and conservation of Africa’s wildlife. Whether you are an undergraduate searching for a valuable internship, a seasoned veterinarian or nurse looking for a new challenge, or are simply interested in studying veterinary science, this is the experience for you.

Experience hands-on conservation in Madagascar’s coastal forests through SEED Madagascar’s Conservation Research Programme. Based in the biodiverse region of Sainte Luce, Southeast Madagascar, this initiative has offered volunteers the opportunity to work alongside expert researchers and Malagasy field guides for over 20 years. Volunteers have participated in critical projects, including lemur monitoring, endangered species surveys, reforestation, and environmental education. Participants gain practical field experience while contributing to vital scientific research and community-driven conservation efforts. From tracking rare amphibians to supporting sustainable development, this immersive programme allows you to make a meaningful impact in one of the world’s most threatened biodiversity hotspots. Programme Details: 📍 Location: Sainte Luce, Southeast Madagascar 🗓️ Duration: 2–8 weeks 📆 Sessions: January, April, July, and October 🏕️ Accommodation: On-site forest research camp Whether you’re an aspiring conservationist or passionate nature lover, make a lasting impact in one of the most ecologically significant regions on Earth.

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Travel to a country known for its equatorial climate and enter a year-round summer in Seychelles. Spend your days diving in the supreme clear waters of Mahe visiting different dive sites and islands. On your expeditions, you could see an array of marine life, such as dolphins, manta rays, octopus, whale sharks, varying fish species, coral reefs, and the endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles. In collaboration with local partners and GVI staff, you’ll collect data, develop marine and environmental education programs, and survey for critical local governmental marine efforts. This is an opportunity to contribute to sustainable conservation efforts and level up your marine conservation knowledge and practical skills. GVI works alongside local partner organizations to ensure the successful outcome and longevity of all our programs. Use weekend trips to visit other islands and cities, explore botanical gardens and add recreational diving to your list. Start to better understand local traditional culture and meet fellow volunteers with varying national backgrounds.

Looking for an international internship that will set you apart—and give you the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in your career? Connect-123 designs fully customized programs that match your background and goals, offering hands-on experience in some of the world’s most exciting cities: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin, and Sydney. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, our programs span dozens of fields including business, finance, medicine, public health, journalism, marketing, human rights, law, sustainability, education, and more. You’ll gain meaningful, career-related experience while also exploring life in a new culture. We take care of the details so you can focus on making the most of your time abroad. From the moment you apply, our team helps guide you through the process, secure your placement, and prepare you for your new adventure. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing internship begins on your schedule.

Volunteers on the Conservation & Environment project in Kenya work in the Rift Valley, a 3,500-acre reserve surrounded by wild animals. The scientific research on this project contributes to the conservation and preservation of the country's biodiversity. Responsibilities may include invasive plant removal, fence removal, animal tracking, bird census, and habitat restoration. As a Conservation volunteer in Kenya, you'll work at the Soysambu Conservancy. Located on Lake Elmenteita, northwest of Nairobi, it is situated in an area of incredible biodiversity. This forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar Convention Westlands Site. Most notably, Soysambu is home to 10% of the world’s population of the endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe, which is the focus of our Conservation Project work. This is an amazing location where you can experience Africa’s great outdoors while volunteering in Kenya.

Experience hands-on field research related to the conservation of savannah ecosystems in the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly called Swaziland). Although savannahs are well-represented in African conservation areas, they are subjected to increasing degradation as a result of human influences, including land use and climate change. Well known for large charismatic game such as elephants, rhinos, and lions, there are a variety of smaller species that are threatened and are arguably more critical to the functioning of savannahs. Depending on priorities and active studies at the time of participation, volunteers may study vegetation, bats, hyenas, small predators (like mongoose, genets, and jackal), rodents, ungulates (such as giraffe and antelope), reptiles, birds, and other plant and animal life in Eswatini’s Lubombo Conservancy. They will examine the interface among commercial agriculture, rural communities, and protected areas in this Southern African region and learn from our experienced conservationists. They will be based at our Savannah Research Centre and camp in the private Mbuluzi Game Reserve, working at the Mlawula Nature Reserve and Hlane Royal National Park located nearby.

Help protect the local marine ecosystem, turtles and other marine life, and the coral reef off the coast of the stunning island of Nosy Komba. Training Volunteers undergo thorough training to equip them for research and data collection activities in our marine program. This training includes the identification of marine wildlife and plants, such as turtles, fish, corals, invertebrates, and macroalgae surveys. You’ll learn various transect surveying methodologies, a crucial skill in marine conservation used globally to monitor coral reefs and better understand our marine environment. All marine program volunteers must be at least PADI AOW certified (or equivalent). Project Tasks: Underwater surveys Data entry Beach cleans Community education Coral watch

Everyone has heard of the Big 5—Africa's “must-see” animals! But are you ready for your disappointing fact of the day? They are called that because they were the most difficult to hunt. Because of this, “claim to fame” hunters have gone overboard, making each of these animals endangered and needing your help! This volunteer trip will put you in the heart of South Africa’s gorgeous Eastern Cape. It’ll be your job to track the movements of wild herds across a 6,000-hectare private game reserve on an open-top safari! You’ll make a meaningful impact by ensuring that the Big 5 will be around to hunt—with cameras, of course—for many generations! Make lifelong friends and memories while doing meaningful work. Get up close and personal with some amazing animals in a program that includes everything you can think of!

The South Africa projects are dotted around several different reserves within the country, each focused on assessing the environmental impact of the game and large mammal species, especially elephants, within the reserves. The projects are two to six weeks in length, with some of them involving an additional week at our marine site in Sodwana Bay, where you can learn to dive. Operation Wallacea is a research and environmental organization working alongside university and college academics to build long-term data sets to put toward various conservation management goals. We recruit volunteers to help out with data collection, training them in the skills and background needed to help effectively. There's also the option to complete dissertations or senior theses at our sites.

Volunteer in South Africa and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Unlike other programs, your experience is based on actual conservation work. You are expected to participate in activities ranging from perimeter patrols and reserve maintenance to game counts, wildlife relocations, and more. Along with other participants, you stay in luxury shared accommodation with all the amenities you might need. The program takes place on a proclaimed private nature reserve close to the bushveld town of Thabazimbi. Various plains game, including giraffe and zebra, call the reserve home. Though dangerous game isn’t present, you can spot a healthy predator population, including leopards and spotted and brown hyenas. Spend at least two weeks on the reserve, with the option of extending for up to six weeks. We welcome volunteers 18 years and older who are reasonably fit and healthy.

The great white shark - the notorious villain of the sea - is often the world’s favorite misunderstood animal. Join the program to spend your time monitoring these magnificent creatures and do your bit to help with their conservation. Cage diving with sharks is an amazing experience. It gives you the opportunity to see sharks in their natural habitat. They are graceful and powerful animals; unfortunately, their survival is under threat like a lot of marine life. This program will also give you an insight into marine conservation and, if you join from June to December, you will get the opportunity to see whales. You can even help at a penguin rescue center! Each day, volunteers will go out on boat trips with a team of expert researchers and help to identify and track sharks. Plenty of training and development opportunities are provided, so an ideal volunteer will get stuck in and learn what life as a shark researcher is all about. Volunteers live together in a lodge, which is a 10-minute to 15-minute walk from the boat launch station. With plenty of braais (South African BBQ), a swimming pool, and a large garden area, there are lots of things to do on volunteers’ time off.

You don’t have to break the bank to learn a new language, explore a new culture, or acquire compulsory work experience in another country. Whether you seek an internship or a volunteering opportunity, Magister will help you realize that dream trip to South Africa. At Magister South Africa, we have matched and placed participants in various programs – from internships in companies to volunteer projects with local communities – since 2000. Besides offering a wonderful experience, we guarantee safety and security as well as immersion through regular events and activities. If you are seeking a challenging internship or simply wishing to experience a cosmopolitan lifestyle while contributing to a good cause, we can definitely lead you in the right direction!