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Volunteer Programs in Kruger Park, South Africa

22 Volunteer Programs in Kruger Park, South Africa

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Featured Provider of the Month

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

8.79

14

Best South Africa Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Program

Go off the beaten track and make an impact with this one-of-a-kind Wildlife Conservation project in South Africa. This fully-hosted volunteer program is provided by International Volunteer HQ - the world's leading volunteer travel organization, trusted by more than 124,000 volunteer travelers. Based on one of Africa’s largest game reserves, Kruger National Park, volunteers on the Wildlife Conservation program get to live amongst the African ‘Big 5’ animals and help protect their natural habitat for periods ranging from 2 to 12 weeks. Your fully hosted includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support. You’ll be accommodated in a volunteer Your fully hosted program starts from only $975 for 2 weeks, which includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 support. You’ll be accommodated in a beachside bungalow or a forest camp with like-minded volunteers while being immersed in the local culture and community. Thanks to IVHQ's affordable fees, flexible booking and free changes, you can register for your volunteer program in South Africa with confidence.

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

10

1

South Africa - Big Cats Research and Conservation

Come take part in exciting research taking place at this game reserve in South Africa, aimed at understanding the reproductive, territorial, hunting, and social behaviors of the lions and leopard populations. This game reserve aims to provide a safe and natural environment for lions and leopards, among other numerous endangered species. You will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with researchers to assist them in data collection and observations of the animals. Your daily duties will include field work in the bush collating and collecting data on lions and leopards, night drives to monitor the movements of the predators, finding and removing snares, removing alien plants and more.

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African Impact

9.28

188

Wildlife Photography Volunteering in South Africa

The African bush is full of unforgettable moments — a lion stretching at sunrise, elephants cooling off at the river, or the quiet stillness before a storm. This Wildlife Photography Volunteering program in South Africa with African Impact gives you the chance to capture these moments while also contributing to important conservation work in the Greater Kruger Area. Over a minimum stay of 4 weeks, you’ll sharpen your camera skills, live in the wild, and play a role in protecting endangered species. With the guidance of a professional photographer, you’ll learn not just how to take powerful images, but how to use your photography to make a real difference. Your work will support research and conservation by helping to identify individual animals, raise awareness, and document efforts on the ground. Beyond the lens, you’ll also get involved in hands-on conservation tasks that protect this unique ecosystem. This project is designed for those who want to combine creativity with impact, leaving with a portfolio of images and the knowledge that their work contributed to something lasting.

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Kaya Responsible Travel

10

1

Rhino, Elephant and Big Cat Research and Conservation

Take part in this volunteering program abroad, and work on an amazing research and conservation project in a private game reserve in the Greater Kruger area. Home to more than just the Big 5, the reserve also has more than 400 species of birds. The project aims to share data with conservation groups and authorities to protect species and natural habitats as well as to educate communities about human impact on wildlife. As a volunteer on the Big 5 Game Reserve, you’ll actively participate in research on wildlife populations and habitat maintenance. To join this project, you need: - Genuine love and concern for animals and the environment - Reasonable level of fitness due to the physical nature of the work - Enthusiasm, openness, flexibility, and cooperation - Awareness of research skills, knowledge, and experience in African wildlife (helpful, but not necessary) If you’re a student and wish to earn credit, speak to a Kaya Placement Advisor. Please bring a laptop to help with data and project activities.

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Roots Interns

0

0

Project Coordinator in South Africa or Costa Rica

Build your leadership, youth development, and project management skills as you lead young volunteers on the trip of a lifetime. This versatile internship could benefit a career in adventure tourism, education, or project management. You’ll work with an organization that organizes service-orientated expeditions to exotic destinations where young people can develop life skills, confidence, and global awareness. These trips include volunteer projects for causes related to community development and sustainability. They’re designed to inspire and empower young people to become global leaders on a mission towards a fairer, greener world. Your role as an intern will be to guide and support volunteers on their expedition. You’ll be responsible for ensuring volunteers deliver the project aims as well as monitoring and coaching them to help with their personal development.

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Raleigh International

9

1

Volunteer in South Africa - Expeditions With Purpose

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.

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African Conservation Experience

9.93

40

Personalized Veterinary Experience in South Africa

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.

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All Out Africa

0

0

Safari and Volunteering Adventure Tour

The Kruger and Volunteering Adventure Tour will take you through some of the best that southern Africa has to offer in terms of wildlife and culture. Begin in the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) for a comprehensive and informative orientation to the country and the overall programme on your first day, followed by a walking tour of a local village in the afternoon, which includes a visit to the National Museum. Next, embark on a five-day camping safari through the world-famous Kruger National Park to spot big game. Not only will you have a fantastic opportunity to see some of Africa’s most incredible wildlife, but you will also build friendships as you spend your days together in the bush and evenings around the campfire telling stories. On your return to Eswatini, you will participate in meaningful community development projects. You will choose from projects focused on childcare, building, or sports. Stay and volunteer for as many weeks as you like; you will enjoy meeting people in the local communities and seeing how your efforts make a difference to the lives of those less fortunate. While volunteering, you will be accommodated at a comfortable lodge.

Impact Gap Year

9

3

South Africa, France and Thailand Gap Year Exploration

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.

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Volunteer International Adventures

0

0

Wildlife Caretaker at a Park

Volunteer as a Wildlife Caretaker at a sanctuary that provides lifelong refuge to rescued indigenous and exotic wild cats, as well as a variety of other animals. This hands-on program offers a unique opportunity to care for animals that can’t return to the wild due to past trauma or captivity. Get to know the animals' unique personalities and stories while working alongside a passionate team dedicated to their wellbeing. As a volunteer, you’ll gain access to restricted areas where some animals—typically off-limits to the public—live in peace and safety. You’ll help care for: ● Big cats like lions, leopards, tigers, cheetahs, and pumas ● Smaller wild cats including servals, caracals, bobcats, ocelots, and more ● Birds such as owls, hawks, vultures, cranes, and emus ● Other species like baboons, wolves, ferrets, honey badgers, crocodiles, meerkats, and monkeys This experience is both rewarding and impactful, offering a deeper understanding of animal care and wildlife conservation. Visit our website and get involved!

Latest Program Reviews

Loads of hands-on experience working with wildlife. It was better than I could have ever imagined!

February 24, 2026by: Caleb Poulsen - United Kingdom

Program: Personalized Veterinary Experience in South Africa

9

The personalised veterinary experience offered me loads of hands-on experience working with wildlife, and it was better than I could have ever imagined. Right from the start, I was straight into the action. Our first job was to help relocate six kudu antelopes from one farm to another. It was an early start, as we had to wake up at 3am to travel to the farm! When we arrived, we helped with drawing blood and administering vitamins before we assisted the vet in transporting them and releasing them into the new property. Over the next few days, I got to work with more antelope species, including waterbucks and my favourite, sable antelopes. At the end of my first week, I also got to help an injured rhino. First, I helped to draw some blood, and then we helped clean its wound. It was an awesome experience. I got to ride up in a helicopter with the vet, which was awesome. We also helped relocate not one but two prides of lions into larger spaces, which was incredible. Apart from riding in a helicopter, a highlight for me was working with six Buffalo, where I got to administer vitamins and tick spray. It’s too hard to choose the best moment, because every day was so amazing and different. I was actually initially supposed to travel with African Conservation Experience (ACE) in 2024. However, two weeks before I was due to leave home, I broke my ankle playing rugby. We were a bit worried about whether it would be possible to change my trip at such short notice, but the ACE team were really supportive and managed to transfer my trip to the following year. I’m so glad that it worked out. I would 100% recommend this experience to anyone who is going into the veterinary field and wants to build up their practical experience. I’ve done work experience in a clinic before, but I wanted a more hands-on experience, which is why I got in touch with ACE. I had such a great time working with the vets. The work could be stressful at times, as it’s fast-paced and you’re working with these amazing, big animals. But once the work was over, you just had this sense of gratitude wash over you. I’ve always known that I want to work with wildlife, and this experience definitely confirmed that for me.

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