Volunteer Programs in Rural Areas, Cameroon

Help save gorillas and chimpanzees from extinction in a conservation project in Cameroon, coordinated by the African Conservation Foundation. This project runs for two or more weeks. There are only 250-300 Cross River gorillas left, and they face the risk of extinction within ten years if their habitat is not protected. The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee is also among the most endangered chimpanzee subspecies in Africa. Volunteers will work on the frontlines of conservation, participating in surveys of the montane rainforests and in awareness-raising and community education activities, which form a key part of the expedition. Changing the attitudes towards great apes and improving empathetic relationships between children and wildlife will help pave the way to sustainable co-existence and the protection of apes. This program has successfully run since 2008 and has attracted hundreds of volunteers from all over the world. It offers the most authentic great apes conservation and research experience. Expedition Members must be highly motivated and physically fit, as the environment can be demanding. Some trekking and climbing experience would be an advantage.