Wildlife 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.

Join our Wildlife and Research Conservation Project and immerse yourself in the captivating wilderness of South Africa’s Greater Kruger area. Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or an aspiring conservationist, this enriching volunteer experience will unveil the many wonders of the African bush. No matter your skill set or expertise, this wildlife conservation program in South Africa will immerse you in the African bush alongside a skilled and qualified team that includes Field Guides and Research professionals. Contribute to meaningful wildlife research and conservation projects by participating in animal tracking, monitoring, and data collection initiatives during daily game drives. Your contributions will directly support the protection of incredible South African wildlife and their habitats.

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.

Volunteer with Kaya at this wildlife sanctuary in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and get involved in all aspects of the center. Volunteers may feed the animals, clean and carry out maintenance tasks on the enclosures, care for sick/injured animals and assist with the release, relocation and tracking, and behavioral research of animals. There is also an educational aspect to the project, including attending staff on outreach programs and visiting local schools. For those who are more interested in conducting research for their academic work, this can be incorporated into the program. This is a great project with a friendly and personal team who values the contribution of volunteers as there is always a lot of work to be done. There are no specific skills required for this program. You should be in good health and fitness and have a love for animals, of course! Vets and veterinary students are highly valued as well as those involved or studying animal sciences. Six-month placements are available but are subject to the successful completion of the first three-month period.

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thailand on a comprehensive 6-month journey. Experience an exceptional blend of cultural immersion, wildlife conservation, and community involvement. You'll start your journey by contributing to wildlife conservation in South Africa amidst the Big 5 conservation area. Next, you'll hop on to France where you will immerse yourself in French culture and language during an unforgettable summer in Loire Valley, studying at one of the country's oldest universities. Finally, venture to your third country - Thailand - where you will volunteer as an English teacher in the scenic Hua Hin island. The entire experience offers invaluable cultural insights, skill development, and lifelong memories; igniting passions for social and environmental causes as you embark on a journey toward becoming a dedicated global citizen effecting positive change.

A Raleigh South Africa Expedition is your chance for Adventure. In the stunning Kruger region, you have the chance to take action on some of the world's most pertinent issues through immersive Community projects, and impactful Environmental work. Through our life-changing Adventure Leadership Trek you will develop skills and experiences that will last a lifetime. What are you waiting for? The Greater Kruger area is located between Mozambique, Eswatini, and the world-famous Kruger National Park itself. In comparison to Cape Town, this area encapsulates Africa at its heart, not to mention boasting year-round sunshine. It is a wildlife haven with natural beauty unlike anywhere else in the world. You'll most likely spot plenty of wildlife while you're on our environmental project and trek. You'll be with experienced guides if you're in areas with any of the big 5. Whether you are taking a gap year or want to do something meaningful in your summer, join young volunteers from across the world and a community of thousands of Raleigh Alumni.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Namibia, surrounded by stunning Appaloosa horses. Enhance your natural horsemanship skills whilst assisting with looking after over 40 stud horses, miniature ponies, alpacas, and rehabilitated equine rescues. This programme is designed to develop your communication with horses using methods such as liberty, trust exercises, clicker training, and bodywork to build a deep connection. Experience the freedom of riding with just a halter or neckrein, using your seat, legs and balance to guide your horse. You will have an 8 module Natural Horsemanship Programme run by an incredible team. You will be assisting with the training and backing of horses, working with members of the Namibian San tribe, as well as helping the children of the local community develop a connection with these beautiful equines. You'll also have time to relax, enjoy guided safari rides, and appreciate Namibia's stunning nature and wildlife. All riding abilities accepted.

Visit two of South America’s most iconic countries—Peru and Ecuador—and discover the lost lands of the Incas! Start your adventure in South America with intensive Spanish lessons, then step up the adventure with an epic trek across the Andes to Machu Picchu on the remote Salkantay route—over icy mountain passes and through mysterious cloud forests to the remains of a fallen civilization. Then, it's time to explore Ecuador's natural beauty. From surfing and whitewater rafting to hiking and exploring volcanoes, Ecuador has it all! For your second project, you will spend three weeks deep in the Ecuadorian rainforest and complete vital conservation work. Get face-to-face and hand-to-paw with rainforest inhabitants while volunteering at a rescue center for wild animals. And learn the secrets of life in the rainforest directly from an Indigenous community while staying at an eco-lodge. Finish your epic journey with a visit to one of the most famous national parks on Earth, the Galapagos Islands! Hike, sail, and snorkel your way around the islands made famous by Charles Darwin. You will then return to Quito for the final trek to the center of the world!

Embark on an immersive wildlife veterinary internship in Malawi, offering a unique opportunity to acquire invaluable practical experience at a renowned wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center. Collaborate closely with a dedicated team of seasoned veterinarians, playing an important role in the treatment of a diverse range of animals, from cats and baboons to porcupines and other species brought to the center. Situated in Lilongwe, this established wildlife conservation nonprofit is committed to safeguarding local wildlife. Their initiatives include the rescue of injured animals, preservation of natural habitats, provision of sanctuary, and impactful conservation education programs. As a veterinary intern, you’ll be tasked with conducting exams, health checks, and routine diagnostics, contributing to the overall well-being of the animals. While emergency surgeries are not a daily occurrence, there may be opportunities for you to assist when needed. You’ll engage in various aspects of animal care and enrichment activities, fostering a holistic understanding of wildlife welfare. Furthermore, a potential opportunity for hands-on fieldwork alongside the local veterinary team.

Help preserve the famous Big 5 safari reserve, seeing a side of Phinda that many tourists don’t get to experience. Become part of the main research team, helping to manage thriving populations of rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs, pangolins, and more. Observing these animals in their natural habitat, you will study their behavior and population dynamics and map their movements to build a database of territories. With the critical rhino population and growing cheetah population, you must source this information and share it with the qualified researchers, so the perfect balance of species can be maintained. Working alongside experts in the field, you will be involved with Phinda’s wildlife relocation program moving species such as lions and antelopes, the contraceptive program that works to balance the population of elephants and predators, and assisting in humane rhino horn trimming—an effective anti-poaching strategy. This constant research and monitoring is a balancing game, and you will be directly involved in all aspects, playing a meaningful role in the wildlife conservation efforts and learning about the ecology, biology, and behavior of Phinda’s wildlife.

Do you have a passion for wildlife photography and a strong aspiration to make a meaningful difference? This volunteer opportunity is a perfect fit for you! This project in South Africa is an opportunity for you to elevate your photography to the next level while also actively participating in wildlife conservation efforts through various activities. You will have the chance to visit the Greater Kruger, where you will be surrounded by a multitude of wildlife waiting to be captured with your camera. This volunteer program provides valuable education in both ethical and practical photography techniques while also recognizing the importance of wildlife research. Not only will you make great memories with our volunteer project, but you’ll also gain skills that will last you a lifetime.

The Sibuya Wilderness Experience welcomes participants from all walks of life. Volunteers, adventure-seeking travelers, gap year students, adults taking work sabbaticals... Anyone with a passion for nature conservation. This is the perfect Eco Volunteer Program if you are looking for a meaningful travel opportunity abroad that puts your passion for nature, environment, and wildlife to good use, trying to make a difference. Our unique itinerary runs on a two-week program, wherein the content is only covered twice in a month, making a four-week stay the perfect getaway to experience everything at least twice. Nowhere else in South Africa is a volunteer itinerary this diverse.

We believe that everyone can contribute to conservation efforts, and therefore, our vision is to empower ordinary people to protect nature. The key is not "to do" but to "live it" actively. By creating this kind of lifestyle, we fulfill our purpose of helping humans and nature to live together in harmony. The foundation is a starting point; we empower you to live a conservation lifestyle for a better tomorrow. If you're looking to actively participate in African wildlife conservation in a fun, safe, stable, and stunning environment, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is the perfect place. Although this may sound similar to many other proudly South African volunteering projects, our dream for every person we encounter is to have a lifestyle change toward thinking and living conservation. We want your time at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge to be the experience of a lifetime, one that changes your life! We aim to empower ordinary people (people like you!) to protect nature by creating a conservation lifestyle upon your return home.

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

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.

Join a life-changing volunteer program in Namibia, where you'll play a crucial role in African wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. This wildlife sanctuary provides a haven for injured and orphaned animals, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, baboons, and more. As a volunteer, you will assist with feeding, monitoring, and caring for these species while contributing to vital research and habitat maintenance. With hands-on tasks like spoor tracking, game counts on horseback, and anti-poaching efforts, this immersive program offers an opportunity to connect to nature and impact wildlife conservation.

Tanzania stands out not just for its stunning natural beauty but for the strength and warmth of its people. From the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to the plains of the Serengeti, it’s a country with vibrant cultures and real community needs—where volunteers can help make a difference. Whether you’re passionate about education, healthcare, environmental conservation, or women's empowerment, volunteering in Tanzania connects you with purpose-driven work that supports long-term community growth. World Endeavors offers flexible volunteer placements in Tanzania, ranging from 1 to 12 weeks, allowing you to choose a timeframe that fits your schedule. Volunteers live in the Arusha region, near the village of Monduli, where projects are focused and impactful. Support is provided every step of the way, from pre-departure planning to local coordination on-site. This is more than a volunteer trip—it’s a chance to grow, give back, and build genuine relationships that leave a lasting impression.

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.

Pulling the best of all our programming, Latitudes is a sequential, growth-oriented experience for students looking to see the landscape before diving deeper. It is an immersive gap year experience combining a group travel semester and an individual volunteer placement. As a Latitudes student, you’ll spend your first semester traveling on one of our group semesters. During your second semester, you’ll have the opportunity to deepen your educational experience with an independent Focused Volunteer Placement (FVP). For your second semester, you'll work with our team to identify a specific organization and community that reflects your unique interests and develop meaningful relationships with your host community. Along the way, you’ll develop confidence and independence, and enrich your worldview. Previous placements have included SCUBA certification and protecting coral reefs in Southern Thailand, working with wildlife in Belize, participating in conservation efforts in Guatemala, or doing farm work in Italy. College credit is included, as well as international health and evacuation insurance, and a virtual pre-departure orientation.