Wildlife Volunteering in South Africa

Throughout my placement in Croatia, IVHQ provided me with the relevant help and support needed to make my stay as stress free as possible. I would highly recommend this company and encourage anyone contemplating a placement.

I was, probably like some of you, a bit sceptical when initially applying due to the low price compared to other organisations. However, the experience I had was absolutely amazing and I have learnt so much about not only myself, but about different cultures and etiquettes. My program manager, Marissa, was absolutely fantastic at answer all of my questions and adjusting any mistakes I submitted onto my application such as flight number and pick-up time. Despite the huge time difference between Marissa and myself, she was able to reply to my email promptly and with extreme care - I was really at ease throughout the whole process and that made the experience a bunch better. Everything on my volunteering was as described on the program guide and there were no surprises when I landed, everything that happened during my week I was prepared for. I would really recommend this company and I want to thank them once more for the fantastic and truly life-changing experience they provided for me.

I had such a wonderful experience in Split! I met so many amazing people from different countries and made memories that I will definitely never forget. The Youth Support program gave me the opportunity to connect with the local community, experience a different culture and grow personally at the same time. The local team was very welcoming and supportive and I always felt comfortable asking questions or getting help when needed. I especially loved the international atmosphere and meeting people with completely different backgrounds and stories.besides volunteering, I had enough time to explore Split, enjoy the beautiful beaches and nature and experience Croatian culture. This experience helped me step outside my comfort zone, become more independent and see things from new perspectives. I’m really grateful for all the people I met and everything I experienced during my time here. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants to travel, volunteer, meet new people and create unforgettable memories abroad. ❤️

The support and organization of IVHQ was strong and great. Traveling and volunteering with a family of five, with 3 Jr High School kids but was amazing. Very comfortable and things were laid out well, we all felt extremely safe and comfortable the entire experience.

The experience of volunteering at Daktari was incredible. The discipline of sticking to a schedule, caring for the animals, and supporting the children during lessons is something truly special. Although my time here was short, those days were excellent. The environment is comfortable, the food is delicious, the other volunteers are welcoming, the educational system is highly efficient, and the animals are very well cared for. I thank the company Exchange do Bem for providing this experience with full support and guidance, and I also thank the Daktari family for welcoming me and teaching me so much during these seven days of volunteering.

The preparation before trip was so detailed that I don’t have anything to worry about. It got everything listed and made it so much easier to tick off what I’ve done and what they need. The communication with the manager for the volunteer was so smooth and fast, and I was able to get a reply current evening or next morning (due to different timing in different countries). I wanted to change my volunteer from rural teaching to turtle reservation, it was so fast that there wasn’t any problems with the money nor arrangements, everything just went so smoothly, really impressed. The local team there really helped a lot, the driver, the leader, everyone was just so nice, even the cook and the receptionist. This volunteer as itself also helped me a lot on raising awareness for the sea turtles, learnt a lot and really hope to help them consistently. This is such a memorable trip and I hope to do these volunteers with IVHQ next summer with my friends.

I have been home for a couple of weeks now and I still can't stop thinking about my time at Daktari. Despite only a 2 week stay it has had a profound affect on me - amazing team, inspirational animals and unforgetable children. This is a mature organisation that knows what it is doing and enables volunteers to have impact at numerous levels; caring for orphaned animals, teaching and inspiring local children whilst contributing to wildlife conservation and the future of South Africa. Added bonus - Daktari is located in a stunning part of the world with an abundance of wildlife and some of the friendliest people you could meet. I would fully recommend to anyone considering volunteering or contributing in other ways. Might see you there next time!

Volunteering was an incredible experience! I was able to learn a lot about conservation and what it takes to keep everything running smoothly. I learned a lot about the local species and got to see them quite often. Everyone on the project is super friendly and welcoming,I felt right at home, and they were always looking out for our well-being! I definitely recommend this project to anyone who’s interested.

My volunteering experience with African Conservation Experience involved spending a month at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre as an intern on the Wildlife Rehabilitation Placement. As soon as I arrived, it was clear that Moholoholo is an amazing place filled with passionate staff who are all dedicated to helping wildlife. During my time on the project, I was able to learn new skills and techniques for animal care and husbandry. I had such a variety of experiences, not only through conversations with the staff, but also in the hands-on experience I was able to do as well. Whether it was how to hold an owl during routine medical examinations, proper procedures for quarantine and animal releases, or new and interesting enrichment activities for animals. Beyond the volunteering, I was lucky enough to have amazing experiences like watching a giraffe be released, vulture feedings, as well as making great memories with the staff and my fellow volunteers. The sanctuary is also located beneath a beautiful mountain that is never tiring to wake up to, in addition to being near a small town with plenty of shops. The time I spent volunteering at Moholoholo is one of the most fulfilling and enriching experiences of my life. The work can be tiring, but for anyone and everyone who is interested in learning the correct and modern methods for wildlife conservation and care (or simply wishes to do work that directly helps wildlife), Moholoholo, with its knowledgeable and dedicated staff, is absolutely the best place to visit and volunteer.

Daktari is unforgettable in so many ways. It has been an absolute joy and pleasure to work with the team, children and animals. This is a unique volunteer project because it combines teaching local children about life skills, environment and conservation with hands on animal care. Everything is well planned with supportive project coordinators. The best part is seeing the learning and developing confidence in the children. I would fully reccomend. 5 stars!

My Jamaica experience was great because it allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone, connect with new people, and make meaningful memories while serving others. I loved being able to learn about the culture, build relationships with the local community, and see the impact that small acts of kindness can have. The experience challenged me to grow in my faith, gratitude, and appreciation for the opportunities I have. It was rewarding to work alongside others who shared the same passion for helping people and creating a positive difference. IVHQ does a great job of creating opportunities for volunteers to make a meaningful impact while also providing support and guidance throughout the experience. They help connect volunteers with local communities, organize programs, and make it possible for people to serve in a way that is safe and structured. I appreciated how they allowed us to experience the culture of Jamaica while still focusing on helping the community. Their organization made the trip feel purposeful and helped create an environment where volunteers could learn, serve, and grow.

My experience with IVHQ absolutely exceeded my expectations and was so amazing, the staff were so friendly and really created a positive and welcoming environment, i felt safe and included by all the other volunteers, my only regret is not staying longer! I will definitely be back in the future!

An incredible and deeply enriching experience. I learned so much about South Africa as a whole and about Buffelsdrift’s commitment and work. I felt useful every single moment. This experience has changed me for the better. I am leaving with countless memories and a new perspective on the world. I spent three weeks here, and the time flew by. I am sad to have to leave. A special thank you to Tiaan for his kindness, care, patience, teaching, and for taking the time to ensure that our stay was as enjoyable as possible. Thank you to the entire Buffelsdrift team for their warm welcome and kindness. I will never forget this incredible experience.

I had the opportunity to spend a week volunteering at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, and I absolutely loved the experience. It was simply incredible! Everyone on the team was extremely kind, welcoming, and always willing to help. They made sure that we had a great time by varying the tasks and activities, which kept the experience interesting and rewarding throughout the week. As a huge animal lover, this volunteer program was truly a dream come true. I got to see all the animals I had hoped to see, including cheetahs, lions, elephants, and many more. Being able to get so close to these magnificent animals and experience nature in such an authentic way was unforgettable. A special mention goes to Tiaan, the coordinator, who is an amazing person. He is always approachable, attentive, and genuinely cares about making sure everyone has the best possible experience. He is happy to answer any questions and shares his knowledge with great enthusiasm. His dedication and positive attitude played a huge part in making this experience so memorable. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who loves nature and animals. It is an experience I will never forget and a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Volunteering at the Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience was easily one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment I arrived, the team made me feel welcome and supported, and I was well looked after throughout the entire program. Everything ran smoothly, from airport transfers to daily activities, which made it easy to settle in and fully enjoy the conservation experience. The project is extremely well organised, and it’s clear that volunteer safety and wellbeing are a genuine priority for the team. The experience itself offered far more than just wildlife encounters, although those were certainly incredible. It provided meaningful, hands-on involvement in conservation work, opportunities to learn from knowledgeable and passionate staff, and exposure to experiences that are difficult to find elsewhere. Every day offered something different and unique. Some of the activities can be physically demanding at times, for example we helped the project with some bush clearing, and the days often begin early in the morning. However, the environment is highly supportive and the experience is immensely rewarding. If you come with an open mind and a willingness to get involved, you’ll get so much out of the experience. My only regret is that I only stayed for one week, I could easily have stayed longer. I left with a deeper appreciation for wildlife conservation, as well as memories and friendships to last a lifetime. I would highly recommend the Vikela Kruger project to anyone looking for a unique, meaningful, and genuinely worthwhile volunteer experience.

Overall I had an amazing experience with Ivhq. I volunteered in Cape Town South Africa and I have never been so in love with a place. The culture and the people are truly amazing. I volunteered in a town ship with grade three and loved every minute of it! The kids are so kind and you can tell they truly love the help you have to offer. This experience will forever have such a big impact on me and changed me as a person. I would definitely recommend this to anyone:)

★★★★★ My experience with Daktari was truly unforgettable. I learned so much, gained valuable hands-on experience, and had the opportunity to meet amazing people from different backgrounds. The environment was welcoming, supportive, and encouraged both personal and professional growth. Every day brought new challenges and learning opportunities, making the experience both rewarding and enjoyable. I left with great memories, new skills, and a deeper appreciation for the work being done. I would highly recommend Daktari to anyone looking for a meaningful and enriching experience abroad.

The drive to Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience set the tone for everything that followed. Winding through the mountains, taking in that landscape, it was stunning! It was the kind of arrival that tells you straight away you're somewhere special. At the project, the tracking was something I'll never forget. Our guide at the project was a master tracker and expert in bushcraft. They were so patient and generous with their knowledge. They really were a brilliant teacher! Having the opportunity to follow fresh rhino footprints through the bush was stunning. At times, I genuinely couldn't see what they were seeing at first. It was incredible to see how they worked. They could tell you that a rhino has passed through just by pointing out the broken twigs on the tree! The moment the tracker got excited about something, everyone around them got excited too. That passion is contagious. By the end, I was starting to understand the landscape in a completely different way, not just looking at it, but reading it. When at the project, we also got to enjoy the excursions. Visiting Moholoholo, a fantastic Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, and then also the Blyde River Canyon, where we got to see hippos and crocodiles. The landscape there is so special, no photograph does it justice. One of the most valuable things I took away from the experience was a conversation about ethics in wildlife tourism with the African Conservation Experience (ACE) team when I arrived at the airport. It was refreshing and honest, the kind of conversation you don't often have. It really gave me a great perspective right before joining the project, as it was so fascinating to hear about the scale of unethical volunteering across Southern Africa. It made me very grateful to have chosen ACE, as from everything I witnessed, it was clear to see their ethical approach towards conservation volunteering. Just learning about how many people think they're helping when, in reality, they are in fact causing harm is eye-opening. I had never really considered how so many wildlife areas are artificially managed for tourist purposes, created so that sightings of iconic species can be pretty much guaranteed. Whereas ACE only works in large intact ecosystems and reserves that still have a conservation value due to their size, as they can maintain healthy wildlife populations! This made me appreciate the real value of volunteering within large, open ecosystems where nature has the space to act naturally. For some people, sightings are very important, but one idea that stuck with me was that not seeing an animal is never a failure; the tracks in the ground are real, the animal was there. That is enough. Being in that environment, present and aware of everything around you, is extraordinary in itself. If you get to see that animal, that is a wonderful bonus! Looking back, before the trip, I was a little nervous about travelling alone and whether I'd find my people. That worry didn't last long. The booking process was seamless, and from the moment I arrived, everything felt taken care of. Thank you very much to the ACE team for making this trip possible!

Surely the experience of a lifetime. Traveling to the other side of the world, meeting people from all over the world, having the opportunity to teach underprivileged children and take care of animals I had never seen in real life before… this experience will stay with me forever. The only negative point I will remember is that I came for a marketing internship, and I feel that people mainly focused on my difficulties expressing myself in English, despite my willingness to do well and the fact that I always tried to do my best, knowing that I came here precisely to improve on that point. Despite that, I will keep wonderful memories of this experience. I also had the chance to meet amazing people throughout this journey. Everyone was very open-minded, welcoming, and genuinely kind, which made the whole experience even more special.

I spent 2 incredible months at Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage. I met amazing people and made so many great memories. Time went by so fast because the experience was truly unforgettable. There’s also a really good atmosphere in the camp, and you quickly feel at home there. An adventure I will never forget!