Wildlife Rehabilitation Project in South Africa
VOLUNTEER
CONSERVATION
Care for Rescued and Rehabilitated Animals in South Africa
Join a passionate team of experienced staff at Umoya Khulula Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and become a champion for animal recovery. Witness firsthand the impact of human-wildlife conflict, pushing animals into situations requiring expert intervention.
Here, you’ll play a vital role in the rescue, care, and rehabilitation of injured, lost, and displaced wildlife. From providing medical attention to creating enriching environments, your dedication will contribute directly to the well-being of these magnificent creatures. But your journey doesn’t end there. The ultimate goal is to see these animals return to their rightful place in the wild, stronger and more resilient.
Project highlights
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Rescue Efforts
Get involved in call-outs to rescue compromised or orphaned wildlife.
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Rehabilitate
Take a hands-on role approach as you provide care and rehabilitation to rescued animals.
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Pangolin Work
Umoya Khulula are famed for their work in rescuing Temminck’s pangolins and you may have the opportunity to work with them.
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Release
Gain experience in various release techniques to ensure animals thrive.
Available: Year Round
Duration: 2 Weeks+
Price From €2,155 This cost covers your accommodation, meals, project fees, transfers, 24/7 support and in-country orientation.
Project impact areas
Here’s how you will create significant impact through the Wildlife Rehabilitation project in South Africa.
CONSERVATION
Wildlife Rehabilitation
You will play an integral part in carrying out daily activities for the care of the animals at the center. This could include caring for bush babies, warthogs, antelopes, caracals, porcupines, or other wildlife. Some of the activities include preparing food, feeding the animals, cleaning enclosures, harvesting vegetation, monitoring behavior, as well as other chores needed for the daily well-being of the residents.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. Life on Land
2. Life Below Water
3. Climate Action
4. Responsible Consumption & Production
CONSERVATION
Young Animals
As part of our rehabilitation efforts you will be providing intensive care for juvenile wildlife. Sometimes we have nocturnal, sick or baby animals that need nighttime feeding and care. There will be a rotation put in place so everyone gets a night off. You’ll also be a vital part of hand raising orphans that get bought in to help bring them up to strength.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. Life on Land
2. Life Below Water
3. Climate Action
4. Responsible Consumption & Production
CONSERVATION
Enclosure Enrichment
One of the keys to being able to successfully release animals knowing they have a positive chance of surviving is enclosure enrichment. Wildlife rehabilitation volunteers will actively work to find ways to keep animals stimulated and living in clean, healthy environments during their rehabilitation process.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Quality education
4. Gender equality
Accommodation & Meals
Tzaneen, South Africa
Your home away from home at Umoya Khulula is a simple, comfortable bush base with shared rooms, communal spaces for relaxing together, and peaceful ravine views.
The accommodation at Umoya Khulula is simple and comfortable, with standalone rooms overlooking a beautiful ravine. The center currently hosts up to 10 volunteers at a time, with 4-6 people sharing same-sex rooms and bathroom facilities. After a hard day of animal care and rehabilitation there is also a jacuzzi for you to relax in!
Two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) are provided during the week and we usually go to town on Fridays to collect any food, snacks and drinks you wish to enjoy over the weekends. Volunteers are able to help themselves to dinner leftovers, bread, fruit etc. for lunches but most choose to buy their own food.
Meals are served in a communal kitchen and dining area. It’s a great space to relax in some shade and get to know the team and fellow volunteers.
Life at the Base
Tzaneen, South Africa
Immerse yourself in the untamed majesty of the Greater Kruger area, a sprawling tapestry of over 20 private reserves seamlessly woven together. Bordering the iconic Kruger National Park, this vast landscape pulsates with life, serving as a sanctuary for an extraordinary array species.
Umoya Khulula Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is situated close to the Greater Kruger area, just 15 minutes outside of Tzaneen. The proximity of the centre to the Greater Kruger area allows for an array of orphaned, abandoned or injured wildlife to be rescued and brought into the centre.
Cellular signals can be variable. If you are purchasing a local, South African SIM Card, we would recommend using MTN as the service provider. WiFi is available in the central dining area.
Fly in to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS), just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Umoya Khulula. Arrive anytime on the Sunday that your volunteering begins and depart anytime on the Sunday it ends. The team from Umoya Khulula will be there to greet you!
Umoya Khulula is owned by Emma, Adriaan and Wynand De Jager. During your time as a wildlife rehabilitation volunteer, you will be primarily working with Emma alongside Katharine, the Centre Manager.
At African Impact, our long-term success depends on working to ensure the safety of our volunteers, staff and local communities. With this in mind, we are continually committed to providing high-quality volunteer opportunities in South Africa. We follow the philosophy that a safe and healthy work environment is a fundamental and top responsibility of ours. From the moment you arrive in South Africa to the end of your adventure, we take the utmost care in ensuring your comfort and safety as you carry out volunteer work.
Project Destination
Immerse yourself in the untamed majesty of the Greater Kruger area, a sprawling tapestry of over 20 private reserves seamlessly woven together. Bordering the iconic Kruger National Park, this vast landscape pulsates with life, serving as a sanctuary for an extraordinary array species.
On the weekends, you can try your hand at kitesurfing, scuba diving and snorkelling on the coral reefs that are teeming with marine life, sea fishing or just a leisurely boat trip on one of the local Dhow boats which dot the horizon each evening.
Communication
Cellular signals can be variable. If you are purchasing a local, South African SIM Card, we would recommend using MTN as the service provider. WiFi is available in the central dining area.
Flights & Arrivals
Fly in to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS), just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Umoya Khulula. Arrive anytime on the Sunday that your volunteering begins and depart anytime on the Sunday it ends. The team from Umoya Khulula will be there to greet you!
Staff
Umoya Khulula is owned by Emma, Adriaan and Wynand De Jager. During your time as a wildlife rehabilitation volunteer, you will be primarily working with Emma alongside Katharine, the Centre Manager.
Safety
At African Impact, our long-term success depends on working to ensure the safety of our volunteers, staff and local communities. With this in mind, we are continually committed to providing high-quality volunteer opportunities in South Africa. We follow the philosophy that a safe and healthy work environment is a fundamental and top responsibility of ours. From the moment you arrive in South Africa to the end of your adventure, we take the utmost care in ensuring your comfort and safety as you carry out volunteer work.
...the joy of making a real impact...
“I spent a month volunteering at the centre and I could have easily stayed for a couple more. Emma, Katharine and the rest of the team there were so nice and friendly. I hadn’t travelled along before but they really made it feel like home. The range of different animals that they had there was amazing and I got hands-on experience that you wouldn’t find anywhere else, for example, taking Mars the aardvark on his evening walks, darting and transporting animals and camping at the release site. I would definitely recommend this to anyone and I am hoping to go back one day.”
Max Coult
Inclusions
- Cottage style accommodation with jacuzzi
- Breakfast, lunch ingredients and dinner (Mon - Sun)
- Laundry service
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- All project transport, equipment and resources
- Support from experienced local and international staff
- Full orientation for responsible project contribution
Exclusions
- Flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Weekend tours
- Personal expenses
Requirements
- The minimum age to join this project is 18 years old
- The minimum stay for this project is 2 weeks
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Volunteering in Africa means travelling with purpose- joining meaningful community or conservation projects, where you pay to cover your stay and project costs, turning your trip into an immersive, impactful experience rather than a traditional holiday.
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Project faqs
What Kind Of Work Will I Be Doing?
Volunteers at the wildlife centre will be immersed in a variety of essential tasks and learning opportunities. Daily responsibilities include cleaning enclosures and feeding the animals, as well as assisting with the hand-rearing of orphaned wildlife. You’ll gain valuable knowledge about South African wildlife and conservation practices. When appropriate, volunteers may help with medical procedures and participate in anti-poaching efforts by removing snares from local farms. Other tasks involve collecting enrichment materials for the animals, constructing new enclosures, and maintaining existing ones. You’ll also monitor animals being prepared for release, help integrate social animals into groups, and assist with wildlife releases. For nocturnal, ill, or young animals requiring nighttime care, a rotating schedule ensures that all volunteers share these responsibilities while also getting regular nights off. This hands-on experience offers a comprehensive view of wildlife rehabilitation and conservation efforts.
What Animals Will I Be Working With?
At the centre we hold permits for over 70 different species of animals. It is always hard to say what is going to be at the centre. Some of the main animals that come into the centre are bushbabies, squirrels, warthogs, antelope, hippos, jackals, mongoose, zebras, owls, and tortoises.
Do I Need Experience To Volunteer At The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre?
No prior experience is required! What truly matters is your enthusiasm for animals and a willingness to learn. So, if you’re eager to immerse yourself in the world of wildlife conservation, don’t let a lack of experience hold you back!
What Vaccinations Are Required To Be A Volunteer
The main vaccinations you will need to have are tetanus, hepatitis A and rabies. Others consider typhoid, hepatitis B and cholera, but we do not specifically require them. We do require proof of vaccination for the 3 mentioned above. Malaria medication is optional. We are not in a high-risk zone but if you are planning to go to Kruger National Park then your doctor might advise you to have them. If in doubt consult your doctor.
Our favourite weekend activities in the Kruger Area
Head out on a Kruger safari, explore the epic viewpoints of the Panorama Route at Blyde River Canyon, visit conservation initiatives like Down To The Wire or Rhino Revolution, or add a thrill with quad biking and adventure activities at Magoebaskloof!
