GoAbroad

Volunteer Programs in Kruger Park, South Africa

22 Volunteer Programs in Kruger Park, South Africa

Maximo Nivel volunteers

Featured Provider of the Month

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

8.77

13

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.

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.

See All 2 Programs

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.

See All 2 Programs

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.

See All 4 Programs

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.

See All 2 Programs

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.

See All 2 Programs

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.

See All 4 Programs

African Conservation Experience

9.95

39

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.

See All 3 Programs

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.

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

I’m really happy I went! The Veterinary EMS experience felt like such a great team where we did everything together.

February 06, 2026by: Maëlis Labatut - Canada

Program: Personalized Veterinary Experience in South Africa

10

I did most of this experience with my friend Madeline who I met on the project! We travelled separately for this experience and had never met each other before, but bonded quickly during our time on the Shimongwe Veterinary EMS placement when I spent three weeks on the project and Madeline joined for the final two weeks. On Madeline’s first day, we were taken to a reptile centre with 150 different species of venomous snakes. Wow. That was incredible. These snakes and lizards were from all over the world, and the staff there collect venom from them every week! This was purely observational for us because they do have some dangerous snake species there, so we were kept safe at all times. We learned about how there is an antivenom shortage in South Africa, which is what made this so interesting, because there is a real need for this work. Instead of working directly with the snakes, we drew blood from different lizards for DNA testing. We split into teams of two and ended up being much faster than we expected. We got to work with geckos, Sungazers and lots of other types of lizards. We called this ‘Lizard day’, and it was so cool to work with so many different species. The vet placement was amazing, and we ended up working on over 140 buffalo in one week! The project staff were constantly on the move to help us, as there was a lot of work to do. There was darting, loading the buffalo into trailers and moving them to different farms. Every time the vet darted them, we did injections of dewormer, medication, or vitamins. Some of them needed to be microchipped, some of them needed to be checked for pregnancy, some needed tuberculosis testing and brucellosis testing, so we drew blood for analysis too. We even found some pregnancies and could see them through the ultrasounds. My main hope before going was to see a lion, and during my time on the project, I got to work with one! I even had the rare opportunity to give a lion an injection, which was my favourite part of the whole experience! Madeline hadn’t worked on big animals very much before going on this experience, so she thought the darting, anaesthesia, and learning how to handle these big, dangerous animals was really worthwhile. During the weekend, we went to Leshiba Wilderness, which is a private game reserve that has lots of rhinos. We got to go for a hike through this incredible environment, and it was so fun. We had a good view of the valley, went on a night drive, and saw a bunch of rhinos. We really appreciated the project helping to organise this excursion for us. The farm day with one of the vets was really fun. We had more of a quiet day in terms of the workload on Friday, so the vet found some work for us to do on his farm involving working with different animals, then helping to move them to the stables. After a long day of work, the vet organised a braai (traditional South African barbecue) for us and we got to eat it in the bush, which was pretty cool. We never knew what we were going to get, but we loved everything we did. Madeline says that after this experience, she definitely wants to pursue a career in wildlife. This experience helped her understand which areas she’s less experienced and less knowledgeable in, so she knows what to work on if she moves forward with this career path. I felt this experience was really valuable, and I really enjoyed it. I definitely want to do more of it in the future! Madeline felt management of wildlife is pretty different than in the U.S. It was really eye-opening to learn about the farms that people have in South Africa and the conservation work that’s done. Before I organised my placement, I didn't know what to expect, but when I booked a call with ACE, we spoke a lot about how conservation and vet work is done in South Africa. It’s hard to understand until you see and experience it for yourself. When we went out to do the vet work, we were in huge areas that aren’t just enclosures with animals, so I really understood how the whole ecosystem functions once we saw it and got to work in it too. I am really happy that I have more knowledge on the reality of vet work now, because when I was looking on the internet at the different options, I just did not understand how vet teams and procedures worked. Now I know why the unique work we did was so important! It’s similar to back home in Canada, except more exciting as we swapped deer and moose for buffalo, impala and sable!

Deals Banner Image
Apply for Scholarships & Deals on GoAbroad

to get exclusive discounts on meaningful travel programs!

Apply Now

Recent Volunteer Abroad Articles

Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard
Sub-Saharan Africa
tips for wildlife volunteering in south africa
Before You Go
reasons to volunteer in south africa
Travel Inspiration
Simon’s Town, South Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa