Conservation Volunteer Programs in Africa

Are you looking for a wildlife conservation project abroad? We invite you to venture to South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe or Zanzibar for a wildlife volunteering experience of a lifetime. Because let’s face it – when it comes to wildlife, it doesn’t get much better than Africa. You can observe lions and leopards for research purposes, assist expert field guides in hands-on conservation work, study elephants and rhinos, or work hands-on with wildlife at a sanctuary. You can even contribute to conservation on horseback – or through wildlife photography. Whichever wildlife conservation volunteer program you choose, you’re in for a true wilderness adventure with an impact.

Highlights of our conservation volunteer projects in Africa:

  • Contribute to the protection of African wildlife through research, ecosystem restoration, or rescue and rehabilitation projects
  • Have the unique opportunity of living in the African bush, surrounded by animals such as lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos, leopards
  • Pick a project that allows you to use your skills, and learn a great deal about wildlife conservation at the same time
  • Enjoy the support of expert field teams of guides, researchers, conservationists, and project manager
  • Get up close with incredible animals on a daily basis, and call this a work day

Conservation Volunteer Projects Gallery

African Impact's Top Rated Conservation Projects in Africa

Monitor the Big 5

African Big 5 And Wildlife Conservation Volunteer In South Africa

$2695 – $7695
Join African Impact's most popular volunteer project, the African Big 5 Wildlife Conservation project, in the Greater Kruger Area, and assist our expert field guides and research team in various tasks contributing to wildlife research and conservation.

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa

Every second Sunday

Impact: Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife Rehabilitation: Rescue And Release in South Africa

$2195 – $6195
Join our passionate team at a wildlife rehabilitation, rescue and release centre in the Greater Kruger Area of South Africa. Here you will help care for rescued, injured, and lost wildlife and rehabilitate these animals, with the goal of releasing them back where they belong.

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa

Every Second Sunday

Impact: Animal Care

Frequently asked questions about our Conservation Projects in Africa

Joining a conservation volunteer project in Africa is the experience of a lifetime. From stunning landscapes to unparalleled wildlife, Africa is a truly magical destination for any travelers passionate about the environment.

The Need for Conservation in Africa’s Parks

Right now, Africa’s environments are facing severe threats. Above land, wildlife is being devastated by human activities like poaching and deforestation. Underwater, rising global temperatures, combined with increased CO2 in our atmosphere, are causing oceans to warm and become far more acidic. African wildlife is hurting in unprecedented ways, making sustainable conservation work necessary to ensure our stunning animals’ future.

Benefits of Conservation Volunteering

Joining an African wildlife volunteer program is one of the best ways to get involved in protecting Africa’s precious ecosystems. All wildlife conservation projects at African Impact are committed to making sustainable and long-term impacts on local communities and wildlife. No matter how long you join us, your volunteer work on a project will benefit conservation efforts in powerful ways.

The benefits of African wildlife volunteering go far beyond animals, though. This impact-driven adventure will also transform you, the volunteer! When you give your time in Africa, you receive so much in return. Don’t believe us? Read this blog on how volunteering can change your life!

All of our projects collaborate with local communities, where life-changing cultural exchanges take place. Volunteering with fellow conservation volunteers, community members, and our local staff is a beautiful experience. Here, you can grow in an incredibly inclusive environment and make relationships that will last a lifetime.

Did we mention all the action-packed adventures you’ll have as well? On conservation projects, you’ll explore some of Africa’s most beautiful national parks, where exciting travel experiences are around every corner. Conservation volunteer programs offer the travel experiences of a lifetime, from night drives through the Greater Kruger Area to scuba dives in Zanzibar’s stunning blue waters!

Africa is home to some of the most stunning wildlife and natural landscapes on the planet. We believe that an African conservation experience is one of the best ways to experience everything our continent offers.

Africa is a diverse continent filled with a beautiful array of natural wonders and wildlife. From Kenya’s big cats to Mozambique’s stunning marine life, there are no shortages of incredible wildlife encounters to be had in Africa’s unmatched parks.

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa

Adventure to the Greater Kruger Area and be fully immersed in South Africa’s stunning grasslands. Here, we offer volunteer projects and internships focused on wildlife conservationwildlife photography and animal care.

The Greater Kruger Area is stunning. Located on Kruger National Park’s edge, it is home to some of Africa’s most iconic animals, including the Big Five – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo! Whichever wildlife conservation project you join us on in Kruger, you will have opportunities to go on incredible game drives where unforgettable wildlife encounters are everywhere. Combining exciting adventures with sustainable conservation efforts, a conservation project in Kruger is the experience of a lifetime.

Zanzibar

Or, dive into marine conservation with us in Zanzibar! If you are a marine life lover, Zanzibar is the location for you. Here, we run our Dolphin Research and Marine Conservation project. As a volunteer on this project, you will go on research dives to collect important information that supports sustainable conservation around dolphin eco-tourism. Participating in marine conservation work while living on the beautiful Zanzibar coast is an unmissable aquatic adventure.

Masaai Mara, Kenya

Keen to volunteer with animals in one of the most beautiful settings on the planet? Join us on the Masaai Mara Game Reserve edge in Kenya for the ultimate African wildlife experience. Mara is simply stunning. With its rich cultural history, incredible local tribes and diverse wildlife, it is truly a wildlife conservation traveller’s dream. Here, you can participate in our Big Cat Wildlife Research and Conservation program at the Naboisho Conservancy. In the heart of a beautiful African bush, you’ll spend your days completing vital conservation work to secure the futures of Kenya’s iconic cats – lions, cheetahs, and leopards.

Joining an African Impact conservation program is the best way to volunteer in Africa with animals. We fill our projects with exciting opportunities for volunteers to get their hands dirty in animal conservation. Here’s a little information on our conservation project focuses.

Wildlife Conservation Volunteering

Wildlife conservation volunteering is a fantastic impact-driven adventure. Spend your days on game drives in the heart of Africa’s bush, recording data on some of Africa’s most iconic animals in their natural habitat. These wilderness adventures are an incredible way to make a sustainable impact in wildlife conservation for Africa’s unique species.

Marine Conservation Volunteering

Love the ocean? Jump into one of our marine conservation volunteer programs! As a marine conservation volunteer in Africa, you’ll contribute to important conservation projects that aim to protect Africa’s coastlines. Through research dives and marine life encounters, your work will focus on collecting essential data on sea life in a given area. Marine conservation volunteering is an exciting opportunity to protect beautiful marine environments.

Wildlife Photography

Are you an eager photographer looking to use your craft to make an impact? Wildlife photography is an incredible way to use your photography for good! As a wildlife photography volunteer, your work will focus on photographing Africa’s stunning animals. You will add your photographs to critical conservation databases along with data collected by our research teams. Working alongside a professional wildlife photographer, this is an unmissable opportunity for photographers to volunteer in Africa.

Animal Care and Rehabilitation

Volunteering in Africa with animals is the ultimate animal lover experience. As an animal care volunteer, you’ll spend your days caring for injured, vulnerable and lost wildlife at an ethical rehabilitation center. Your work as a volunteer will focus on attending to these animals with the ultimate goal of rehabilitating them to release back into the wild.

Africa is home to some of the most magnificent wildlife on the planet. Unfortunately, many of these animals are vulnerable, endangered, or even critically endangered in the wild. To ensure the future of Africa’s wildlife and landscapes, we must take action now to protect species threatened with extinction.

Vulnerable and Endangered Species

Vulnerable species in Africa are at high risk of extinction in the wild. They include wildlife such as the African Elephant, Dugong and Great White Shark. You can support these animals’ protection by joining projects like our Big Five and Wildlife Conservation project in the Greater Kruger Area or our Great White Shark Conservation program in Cape Town. Endangered species are facing an even greater risk. These species are at a very high risk of extinction in the wild, with populations rapidly dwindling. They sadly include iconic African animals like African Wild Dogs, Chimpanzees and Sea Turtles.

Critically Endangered Species

Unfortunately, some of the world’s most critically endangered animals are native to Africa. Of these is the Black Rhino. Between 1960 and 1995, Black Rhino populations faced a devastating and rapid decline due to harmful human activity. During this period, Black Rhinos populations dropped over 98%, leaving less than 2,500 alive.

However, because of conservation efforts across Africa, their population has been on a steady incline ever since. Black Rhinos are still critically endangered and at extreme risk for extinction but have experienced their population nearly double in the last 20 years. If you are keen to support their conservation and protection, join our Black Rhino Conservation Project in Zimbabwe!

Since our beginnings 16 years ago, African Impact has been committed to running volunteer projects that create sustainable and long-term impacts in the communities we visit. Here are some of the achievements our volunteers accomplished in conservation in recent years:

In 2018 we:

  • Removed 87 snares in the Greater Kruger Area
  • Took 9,636 photographs for ID kits to track and monitor animals
  • Spent 21,187 hours on projects in the Greater Kruger Area with volunteers
  • Monitored 1,377 dolphins behaviour
  • Ethically trained 15 new boat drivers.
All African Impact Conservation Volunteer Projects
Monitor the Big 5

African Big 5 And Wildlife Conservation Volunteer In South Africa

$2695 – $7695
Join African Impact's most popular volunteer project, the African Big 5 Wildlife Conservation project, in the Greater Kruger Area, and assist our expert field guides and research team in various tasks contributing to wildlife research and conservation.

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa

Every second Sunday

Impact: Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife Photography & Conservation in South Africa

$3895 – $7895
Guided and tutored by a professional photographer, gain practical experience in wildlife photography while contributing to the conservation of South Africa’s wildlife. Using your new skills, you will support NGO’s and help raise awareness of environmental and conservation issues in the Greater Kruger Area.

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa

Specific Start Dates

Impact: Wildlife Conservation

BOOK TODAY

Tropical Marine Conservation & Dolphin Research

$2495 – $6795
Participate in our marine conservation volunteer program on the tropical island paradise of Zanzibar! As a volunteer, you will contribute to the sustainability of dolphin tourism by monitoring human-dolphin interactions and promoting ethical dolphin tours to ensure these intelligent creatures are not stressed or harmed during encounters with people and boats.

Zanzibar

Every second Monday

Impact: Marine Conservation

Endangered Black Rhino & Elephant Conservation | African Impact

$1900 – $11400
As a volunteer at the Endangered Black Rhino & Elephant Conservation Volunteer Project, in Zimbabwe, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work hands-on with Africa's incredible wildlife, side-by-side with conservation experts, and within the local community. 

Zimbabwe

Every Monday

Impact: Wildlife Conservation

Horse Riding & Rhino & Elephant Conservation in Zimbabwe

$2610
Passionate about horses and the conservation of Africa’s most iconic endangered species? This is the project for you! Imire is a family-run conservancy, offering a unique way for volunteers to partake in the conservation of endangered rhinos and elephant in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe

Specific Start Dates

Impact: Wildlife Conservation

NOW OPEN

SHARK CONSERVATION AND MARINE ECOTOURISM

R12225 – R92610
Assist with Shark Conservation in Gansbaai, South Africa, and meet one of the ocean’s greatest predators up close. Play your part in stopping the needless slaughter of over 100 million sharks annually, by conducting research and collecting data that contributes to decisions around shark conservation methods.

Cape Town, South Africa

Every Monday

Impact: Marine Conservation

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Wildlife Veterinary Assistance Program

R64500
Join our Wildlife Veterinary Assistance volunteer project in South Africa, and get hands-on, incomparable experience in all facets of wildlife capture and wildlife veterinary procedures, situated on the beautiful Garden Route in South Africa.

Garden Route, South Africa

Specific Start Dates

Impact: Animal Care

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION & ECOBRICKING

$1495 – $4695
This environmental conservation volunteer program is a world-first and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Volunteers assist with sustainable building using EcoBricks, upcycling initiatives, direct clean-up action, and awareness workshops in the Livingstone community.

Livingstone, Zambia

Every Monday

Impact: Environmental Sustainability

NOW OPEN

Marine Conservation: Volunteer in Mozambique

£2199 – £7499
Scuba dive in Mozambique and get hands-on experience in world-class field research on a marine volunteer project designed and created by leading whale shark and manta ray scientists. With one of the highest populations of whale sharks in the world, year-round sightings of manta rays and home to other species such as whales, sharks and turtles, this project aims to conduct research to find out vital information about these threatened species and directly contribute towards the conservation efforts taking place in the area.

Tofo, Mozambique

Any date

Impact: Marine Conservation

NOW OPEN

Humpback Whale Research & Marine Protection in Mozambique

£1899 – £4799
Volunteer in one of the most beautiful coastal locations in Africa, getting involved in industry-leading, globally-recognised whale research. As a volunteer, you’ll explore this underwater paradise, learn about marine conservation, and work on real solutions. 

Tofo, Mozambique

June - September

Impact: Marine Conservation

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICA

$5995 – $7995
Join us in the Greater Kruger Area in South Africa, and be guided by a professional wildlife photographer and other budding photographers on this internship to gain practical experience in wildlife and other genre-specific photography.

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa

Specific Start Dates

Impact: Wildlife Photography

NOW OPEN

MARINE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

$1650 – $5400
Are you a marine science graduate? Why not join our Marine Science and Environmental Conservation volunteer programme in Africa. The Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies offers volunteers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to explore and observe this incredible setting with world-leading scientists and environmentalists.

Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Any date

Impact: Marine Conservation

MAX 18 PLACES

Into The Wild Gap Year Program in South Africa

$9000
Our Into the Wild Gap Year program in the Greater Kruger Area in Africa is an experience like no other. The Greater Kruger Area provides the perfect environment for you to explore your purpose in life whilst broadening your horizons through cultural and impactful experiences.

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa

3 September 2023

Impact: Wildlife Conservation

Reforestation & Environmental Education in Kenya

$1695 – $4695
Volunteer in Kenya and share your passion for reforestation and environmental sustainability with the people of Limuru, a rural town in Kenya’s highlands. Visit primary and secondary schools to encourage environmental awareness among local youths and help conserve the community’s indigenous forests.

Limuru, Kenya

Every Monday

Impact: Environmental Sustainability

Wildlife Rehabilitation: Rescue And Release in South Africa

$2195 – $6195
Join our passionate team at a wildlife rehabilitation, rescue and release centre in the Greater Kruger Area of South Africa. Here you will help care for rescued, injured, and lost wildlife and rehabilitate these animals, with the goal of releasing them back where they belong.

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa

Every Second Sunday

Impact: Animal Care

NON PROFIT PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE

$1995 – $3155
If you’re a keen photographer with a passion for making an impact, we’d love to have you join this photography volunteer program in Africa! It’s a great opportunity to sharpen your skills, learn about the role photography can play to nonprofits, and document the work by inspiring social and environmental impact work.

Various

16th October 2022

Impact: NGO & Charity

LAUNCHING IN 2023

Research and Conservation: Big Cat & Elephant

$3295 – $8795
Join the African Impact team on our newest volunteer program with big cat monitoring and elephant research and conservation in the heart of the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Monitor the big cats, elephants and gather crucial data to help with conservation efforts.

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Every second Monday

Impact: Wildlife Conservation

Volunteer Reviews of our Conservation Volunteer Projects

I was blown away by the diversity of marine life in Tofo and really enjoyed the amount of time out on the water – especially the diving. I got to complete my advanced open water diving certification too! I learned so much and would definitely recommend it.”

Georgina Whittome

Whale Research & Marine Protection

“The rides out over the Imire property were just breath-taking, and we got to see many areas and sights that you just would not see by vehicle. We could get right up close to the wildebeest herds, and walk quietly past as the sable grazed in the distance. I remember cantering through a beautiful patch of land after a long ride with the others, zebras in the foreground and impala watching on from afar and just thinking ‘this is exactly what I had hoped for when I had signed up to Imire.”

Rachel Miller, Australia

Horse Riding & Hands-on Rhino & Elephant Conservation

“I really loved my time here. It was amazing to meet so many new volunteers and to experience so many new things. It was a great adventure to get to know a new culture and to get to interact with the community. Seeing the dolphins on a daily basis was incredible and I really felt very safe. It exceeded my best expectations for sure!”

Marine Mevius, Holland

Dolphin Research & Marine Conservation

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