African Big 5 Wildlife Conservation in South Africa

VOLUNTEER

CONSERVATION

Big 5 Conservation Efforts That Matter

Join our Big 5 Conservation Project and discover the captivating wilderness of South Africa’s famous Greater Kruger area. No experience in conservation? No problem! Whether you’re an animal lover or a wildlife enthusiast, this enriching experience will unveil the many wonders of the African bush and enhance your understanding of wildlife conservation efforts. This Big 5 conservation project will offer you the chance to work alongside our skilled and qualified team, offering you the chance to learn, grow & fall in love with African wildlife.

Contribute to meaningful wildlife conservation initiatives by tracking, monitoring and collecting data on animals during daily game drives. You’ll also learn about managing and restoring ecosystems, and the threat that poaching poses on wildlife.

Project highlights

  • Wildlife Monitoring

Monitor threatened key species and gather behavioural data.

  • Data Processing

Assist with capturing data and processing camera trap images.

  • Game Drives

Monitor the Big Five & other key species on daily game drives.

  • Physical Conservation

Make your mark on invasive species removal and habitat restoration.

  • In The Kruger Area

Stay on the doorstep of one of South Africa’s most popular parks.

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa
Available: May – Oct
Duration:
2 Weeks+
Price From $2,450
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 African Big 5 Conservation project in South Africa.

CONSERVATION

Wildlife Monitoring

Enjoy game drives and witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of South Africa’s wildlife in their natural habitat. From the majestic lion’s roar to the gentle graze of zebras, each encounter promises to be unforgettable; but your role as a volunteer in South Africa extends beyond observation. Through data collection and monitoring of animal populations, behaviors and feeding preferences, you’ll contribute directly to vital wildlife conservation efforts, ensuring the future of these irreplaceable species for generations to come. Become an active participant in safeguarding the ecological balance of this extraordinary ecosystem, leaving a lasting impact on the land and its inhabitants.

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

1. Life on Land

2. Life Below Water

3. Climate Action

4. Responsible Consumption & Production

CONSERVATION

Physical Conservation

Engage in physical conservation work, where you’ll have the opportunity to get your hands dirty and make a tangible difference. Your conservation volunteer work will transform the landscape back into a healthy habitat where wildlife can flourish. As you remove snares, eradicate invasive plant species, and contribute to habitat restoration, you’ll witness the positive impact your efforts have on the environment and the creatures that call it home.

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

1. Life on Land

2. Life Below Water

3. Climate Action

4. Responsible Consumption & Production

CONSERVATION

Data Collection

Across the surrounding reserves, our team have deployed a number of camera traps that feed us vital information on elusive and/or nocturnal species. Volunteers play a crucial role in weekly servicing of the camera traps – changing SD cards & batteries and checking settings. On return to base, volunteers assist with tagging camera trap images and identifying individual animals against wildlife ID kits.

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

1. Life on Land

2. Life Below Water

3. Climate Action

4. Responsible Consumption & Production

Example Daily Schedule

Monday - Friday

Morning

07:45 – 11:00

Daily Game Drive and Data Collection

11:00 – 12.00

Free time

Lunch

12:00 – 12:30

Afternoon

12:30 – 13:00

Preparation for Afternoon Activities

13:30 – 16:00

Data Processing &  Research

Dinner

18:30 – 19:00

Evening

19:00 – 21:00

Free time, games night or movie night

Accommodation & Meals

Greater Kruger, South Africa

Your home away from home in the Greater Kruger area is a secure, lodge-style volunteer base with comfortable shared rooms and relaxed communal spaces in the bush.

From 2026 you’ll stay in the heart of the African wilderness in Mtimkulu Private Reserve. The accommodation will be a mix of tented rooms and shared dorms. This base camp is set up as a research camp on the reserve, and will provide a true and authentic bush experience. Your accommodation will feature spacious dorm and tented rooms with sweeping views of the reserve. There will be shared bathrooms, with toilets and showers. Amenities include a welcoming outdoor fire pit for braais (BBQs), relaxed social areas, and a lively common dining area.

Please note image is a rendering, camp is under construction.

You’ll be based 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 of threatened species – from the majestic lion to the powerful elephant, the humble giraffe to the endangered African wild dog.

Life at the Base

Greater Kruger, South Africa

A volunteer capturing a photo of a scenic river with mountains in the background.

The Great Kruger area comprises of almost 5.5 million acres of unfenced land where animals roam freely across wild savannah. This offers endless opportunities for wildlife encounters – the elephants might join you for dinner and just wait until you hear the hippos at night!

On the weekends, you can 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.

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 throughout the lodge.

Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) is your best bet, just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Kambaku II Camp. Arrive anytime on the Sunday that your placement begins and depart anytime on the Sunday it ends. We’ll be there to greet you! Look for the African Impact sign and a friendly face ready to welcome you.

If you are arriving from somewhere other than Hoedspruit, our partner shuttle company offers African Impact volunteers a discount when booking with a promo code. Please request this from your Destination Specialist.

Your Base Manager will be Jason Kipling. Jason is a dedicated conservationist and experienced leader in the eco-tourism and volunteer sectors, with a strong background in developing and managing impactful programs.

His work with African Impact has been central to his career, where he played a key role in establishing and revitalizing conservation and volunteer projects across Africa. From leading safari operations in Kruger to rebuilding a marine conservation initiative in Zanzibar, Jason has specialized in creating sustainable, ethical programs that contribute to conservation efforts and local communities.

Our qualified Field Guides are trained in wildlife encounters, have valid driver’s licenses and our vehicles are well-maintained. Our vehicles are all fitted with radios to ensure we always have contact with base camp. Our project is committed to safeguarding our volunteers, staff and the environment. Our team is trained in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) competencies. The base is equipped with fire safety equipment, evacuation plans and has access to an ambulance service. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is provided for physical conservation work. Upon arrival, our staff will induct you on our policies, procedures, and code of conduct to ensure your safety and awareness.

Project Destination

The Great Kruger area comprises of almost 5.5 million acres of unfenced land where animals roam freely across wild savannah. This offers endless opportunities for wildlife encounters – the elephants might join you for dinner and just wait until you hear the hippos at night!

On the weekends, you can 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.

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 throughout the lodge.

Flights & Arrivals

Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) is your best bet, just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Kambaku II Camp. Arrive anytime on the Sunday that your placement begins and depart anytime on the Sunday it ends. We’ll be there to greet you! Look for the African Impact sign and a friendly face ready to welcome you.

If you are arriving from somewhere other than Hoedspruit, our partner shuttle company offers African Impact volunteers a discount when booking with a promo code. Please request this from your Destination Specialist.

Staff

Your Base Manager will be Jason Kipling. Jason is a dedicated conservationist and experienced leader in the eco-tourism and volunteer sectors, with a strong background in developing and managing impactful programs.

His work with African Impact has been central to his career, where he played a key role in establishing and revitalizing conservation and volunteer projects across Africa. From leading safari operations in Kruger to rebuilding a marine conservation initiative in Zanzibar, Jason has specialized in creating sustainable, ethical programs that contribute to conservation efforts and local communities.

Safety

Our qualified Field Guides are trained in wildlife encounters, have valid driver’s licenses and our vehicles are well-maintained. Our vehicles are all fitted with radios to ensure we always have contact with base camp. Our project is committed to safeguarding our volunteers, staff and the environment. Our team is trained in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) competencies. The base is equipped with fire safety equipment, evacuation plans and has access to an ambulance service. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is provided for physical conservation work. Upon arrival, our staff will induct you on our policies, procedures, and code of conduct to ensure your safety and awareness.

...the joy of making a real impact...

“My time here has been nothing short of amazing. Outside of the impact I am fortunate enough to make, the wildlife is outstanding. I’ve seen so many elephants I’ve started to take them for granted. On top of that, the people that work here are truly inspirational. Everyone seems to love what they do and accepts everyone with open arms. All of the staff are eager to help without any judgement (they’re also a lot of fun too). This has been truly a memory I won’t forget and I hope to come back one day.”

Gavin Kuehl, 19, USA

Project gallery

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Time to Explore - Kruger Lookout
Time to Explore - Kruger Lookout
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Wildlife Research
Wildlife Research
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Gallery - Research
Gallery - Research
Gallery - Guide Team
Gallery - Guide Team
Data Processing
Data Processing
Data collection
Data collection
Camping
Camping
Camera Traps
Camera Traps
KRBB Highlight - Data Processing
KRBB Highlight - Data Processing
KRBB Highlight - Conservation
KRBB Highlight - Conservation
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Pricing

Rates

USDGBPEURAUD
DurationProgram Fee
2 weeks$2,450 ($1,225 per week)
3 weeks$3,200 ($1,067 per week)
4 weeks$3,950 ($988 per week)
5 weeks$4,700 ($940 per week)
6 weeks$5,450 ($909 per week)
8 weeks$6,950 ($869 per week)
10 weeks$8,450 ($845 per week)
12 weeks$9,950 ($830 per week)
2 weeks£1,960 (£980 per week)
3 weeks£2,560 (£854 per week)
4 weeks£3,160 (£790 per week)
5 weeks£3,760 (£752 per week)
6 weeks£4,360 (£727 per week)
8 weeks£5,560 (£695 per week)
10 weeks£6,760 (£676 per week)
12 weeks£7,960 (£664 per week)
2 weeks€2,254 (€1,127 per week)
3 weeks€2,944 (€982 per week)
4 weeks€3,634 (€909 per week)
5 weeks€4,324 (€865 per week)
6 weeks€5,014 (€836 per week)
8 weeks€6,394 (€800 per week)
10 weeks€7,774 (€778 per week)
12 weeks€9,154 (€763 per week)
2 weeks$3,626 ($1,813 per week)
3 weeks$4,736 ($1,579 per week)
4 weeks$5,846 ($1,462 per week)
5 weeks$6,956 ($1,392 per week)
6 weeks$8,066 ($1,345 per week)
8 weeks$10,286 ($1,286 per week)
10 weeks$12,506 ($1,251 per week)
12 weeks$14,726 ($1,228 per week)
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Inclusions

  • African Impact bush style accommodation
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner (Mon - Sun)
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • All project transport, equipment and resources
  • Support from experienced local and international African Impact 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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Award-winning Volunteer and Internship Projects Since 2004

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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

Do I Need Experience To Volunteer With Wildlife In South Africa?

No prior experience is required! What truly matters is your enthusiasm for African wildlife 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!

Will I Encounter The Big 5 At This Project?

Whilst there is evidence of the African Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo & elephant) all around us, we cannot guarantee that you will see them all. Our project is based in a wilderness area where animals roam freely and do as they please, however, the Olifants River in front of our base attracts plenty of elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a multitude of bird species.

How Do The Volunteer And Internship Programmes Differ?

Out internships are essentially an extension of our volunteer projects, offering Interns the opportunity to form part of our team from week 4. They will assist our team in leading projects, receive individual mentorship from our team and have the opportunity to work on their own projects under the guidance of our Research Coordinator.

Do I Need A Research Background To Make The Most Of This Project?

Absolutely not! Our qualified team of Field Guides will teach you everything you need to know about the area, it’s wildlife and associated conservation challenges. If you have a research background and are looking to complete your own project, you can view our Facilitated Wildlife Research Internship here.

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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!

Magoebaskloof Adventures

Enjoy ziplining, river tubing, cliff abseiling, hiking, biking, and exhilarating kloofing adventures.

Blyde River Canyon

Enjoy white-water rafting, a gorge swing, or a microlight flight over the canyon.

Explore Kruger

Explore this renowned game reserve’s stunning landscape, teeming with wildlife.

Down To The Wire

This organization transforms wire snares into jewellery. Attend an informative talk and create your own jewellery.

Rhino Revolution

This organization rescues, rehabilitates, and releases orphaned wild rhino calves, typically victims of poaching.

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