Big Cat & Elephant Conservation in South Africa

VOLUNTEER

CONSERVATION

Protecting Africa’s Icons: Elephants And Big Cats

This project places elephants and big cats at the heart of all activities, offering volunteers the opportunity to work alongside experienced conservation professionals while gaining practical insight into animal behaviour, research techniques, and ethical wildlife management. Through close observation and field-based learning, you will develop a deeper understanding of the ecological importance of these keystone and umbrella species.

Volunteers contribute directly to ongoing elephant and big cat research by monitoring movements, recording behaviour, and collecting vital data during daily game drives. You will also explore habitat use, predator–prey dynamics, and the human–wildlife challenges facing these species, including habitat fragmentation and poaching pressures. This work supports long-term conservation strategies aimed at protecting both individual animals and the ecosystems they depend on.

Project highlights

  • Wildlife Monitoring

Monitor big cat and elephant activity and gather behavioural data.

  • Data Processing

Assist with capturing data and processing camera trap images.

  • Game Drives

Record big cat & elephant activity 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

Project impact areas

Here’s how you will create significant impact through the Big Cat & Elephant Conservation project in South Africa.

CONSERVATION

Wildlife Monitoring

Take part in daily game drives and experience the remarkable presence of Africa’s elephants and big cats in their natural habitat. From observing elephant social behaviour to tracking the movements of lions and other apex predators, each encounter offers meaningful insight; but your role extends far beyond observation. Through structured data collection and species monitoring, you will contribute directly to ongoing research focused on elephant and big cat populations.

By recording behaviour, movements, habitat use, and predator–prey interactions, you will support conservation efforts aimed at protecting these iconic species and the ecosystems they sustain. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the pressures they face, including habitat loss and human–wildlife conflict. Become an active participant in safeguarding Africa’s most influential wildlife species, helping to ensure their long-term survival while contributing to the ecological balance of this extraordinary landscape.

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 reserve, the team deploys a network of camera traps that provide vital insights into elephant movements and big cat activity, including elusive and nocturnal species. Volunteers play an important role in the regular servicing of these camera traps, including changing SD cards and batteries and checking settings. Back at base, volunteers assist with reviewing and tagging camera trap images, identifying individual elephants and big cats using established wildlife identification guides and research databases.

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...

“I had an amazing time at this place! The guides all had so much knowledge about different things and the other staff was great and very helpful. The project itself was a great combination between doing volunteer work such as counting animals, camera tagging and conservation work, and having free time to work on projects yourself or to just hang out with other volunteers. I could 1000% recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about and experience the beautiful South African nature and animals!”

Kayleigh Eek, 17, Netherlands

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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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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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