Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Programs in Africa

When it comes to wildlife volunteering, Africa is unbeatable. From the golden grasslands of the Greater Kruger Area in South Africa to Namibia’s impressive mountain ranges, Africa is home to some of the most stunning wildlife parks on the planet.

From the smallest bee to the largest giraffe, the diversity of species in these parks is genuinely extraordinary. We believe travelling to Africa as a wildlife conservation volunteer is one of the best ways to experience the stunning natural wonders the African continent has to offer.

We currently offer wildlife conservation projects in four countries: South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. In total, we run nine conservation projects.

Each of these unique programs offers exciting opportunities to volunteer abroad with animals and sustainably make a difference in their protection. From our Big 5 and Wildlife Conservation Project in South Africa to our Big Cat Wildlife Research Program in Kenya, all our volunteer projects focus on supporting long-term reserve management and wildlife conservation of Africa’s stunning creatures.

As an African-based organization, we live and breathe African volunteer travel. It’s in our blood, and we believe these four destinations offer volunteers the wildlife conservation experience of a lifetime. Whether you join us as a volunteer on one of our animal care projects or as a wildlife conservation volunteer for endangered species conservation, we are passionate about providing our volunteers with the best experience possible!

Conservation volunteer programs are an extraordinary opportunity to secure the future of at-risk wildlife. Many of the wildlife species we work with on projects, like the Black Rhinos of our Zimbabwe programs, are endangered or vulnerable. Here’s a brief overview of how you can volunteer abroad to support African wildlife, including endangered animals, on our projects!

Data Collection and Research

Our data collection programs take you on game drives into the heart of Africa’s landscapes, where you’ll have unforgettable encounters with African animals and wildlife. Here, you’ll record essential data on their health, migration patterns and behaviours. Working with our research team, you’ll add your observations to databases that are foundational to informing sustainable conservation efforts.

Physical Conservation Projects

Time to get your hands dirty in volunteer work! On our projects there are always plenty of rewarding volunteer opportunities to practice physical wildlife conservation techniques. These modest conservation tasks, such as removing invasive species, significantly improve wildlife habitats and support healthy populations.

Community Education

Our wildlife conservation programs often integrate volunteer opportunities to participate in community education campaigns. Through these programs, volunteers will collaborate with locals to raise awareness for the importance of wildlife conservation. Community education is an incredible way to share your passion for conservation with the next generation of environmentalists!

Animal Care

Calling all animal lovers! Volunteering in animal care is a life-changing experience that’ll make massive impacts on local wildlife’s health. On programs like our Wildlife Rehabilitation Project in South Africa, your volunteer work will consist of caring for impaired wildlife, with the ultimate goal of rehabilitating animals to release back into the wild.

Absolutely! We believe volunteering with animals is a bucket-list experience that should be accessible to all. If you have a passion for wildlife, are eager to make a difference in animal conservation, and want the ultimate African adventure – our animal conservation programs are right for you!

Generally, our wildlife volunteer opportunities don’t require any previous experience or education. Before you leave, our Destination Specialists will discuss program fees, share important info about your project, and make sure you are ready for your adventure.

All volunteers do intensive training before starting their conservation program to prepare them for their volunteer duties properly. We also discuss exciting info about your destination during training, including the community culture, history of the area, and volunteer opportunities available on-site!

Volunteering with animals is an extraordinary way to experience authentic African travel, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. An African Impact conservation program will take participants into the heart of sustainable conservation work, where wildlife volunteering can get a bit messy! To have the best experience, we encourage volunteers to come with an open mind, positive attitude, and enthusiasm to get their hands dirty!

We firmly believe that conservation wildlife volunteering can transform the lives of humans and wildlife alike – including you, the volunteer! Joining a wildlife conservation volunteer program is the experience of a lifetime. When you give your time as a conservation volunteer abroad, you receive so much in return.

Making an impact

Being a volunteer in wildlife conservation is a gift. Your time as a volunteer abroad will transform you as a person. Not only will your volunteer work during your project improve the lives of our animal friends, but you’ll leave more empathetic, knowledgable and experienced!

Life-long memories

Joining us as a wildlife volunteer for a conservation project will also be an action-packed adventure! Our wildlife programs leave plenty of time to participate in exciting activities between project work. White-water raft the Panorama Route of South Africa or relax with fellow volunteers on Kenya’s stunning beaches. On our volunteer projects, there are opportunities for everyone to have the ultimate African travel experience. When you volunteer abroad with us, you’ll create the memories and relationships that last a lifetime!

Protect Ecosystems

Right now, Africa’s ecosystems are under intense threat. As a result of human actions, almost half of Africa’s wildlife is at risk for extinction in the next century. Conservation volunteer projects are essential for protecting Africa’s beautiful wildlife against these risks.

Ecosystems thrive when there is high biodiversity. Essentially, the more species of wildlife found in a given area, the healthier that whole ecosystem is. When you join a program as a wildlife volunteer, you are integral in conservation efforts that ensure these species can thrive! Even the smallest tasks done by a volunteer can have a massive impact on protecting wildlife populations and entire ecosystems.

Support Local Economies

In Africa, wildlife conservation supports healthy economies. Over 7% of Africa’s total GDP comes from tourism, with much of this being wildlife tourism. Tourism increases job opportunities for locals and can ultimately make a difference in a community’s economic well-being.

Healthy wildlife populations mean more tourists visiting Africa’s parks. If countries began to experience a notable decrease in wildlife, tourism to national parks would drop significantly, causing many locals to lose precious income. Conservation volunteer abroad programs can support local economies by protecting the wildlife tourism that many locals rely on for income.

Ready to make an impact in wildlife conservation? Visit our volunteer program pages to find out everything you need to know to get started!