Wildlife ACT’s Volunteer Travel Guide to South Africa
The Essentials of Wildlife Conservation and Voluntourism.
Wildlife ACT is a wildlife conservation organisation led by dedicated conservationists. Our volunteers join us in the field to support essential conservation work across various Zululand protected areas and World Heritage sites.
read more...
We are legally contracted by wildlife reserve management authorities of privately, community-owned, and government-managed reserves. Join our award-winning, conservation programs to make a real impact.
Volunteer With Endangered Species
- Experience “Big 5” reserves situated in Africa’s biodiversity hotspot
- Work with Black Rhinos, Cheetahs, Wild Dogs, Lions, Elephants and more.
- Join our multiple award-winning conservationists
- Maximum 6 people
- Real Africa, real conservation guaranteed
Protect Endangered Vultures
- Volunteer in a spectacular World Heritage Site.
- Work with Bearded and Cape Vultures.
- Nest monitoring, maintaining Vulture-safe feeding sites, and emergency response.
- Maximum 3 people working alongside experts
A Day in the Life of an Endangered Wildlife Volunteer.
.jpg)
Voluntourism in South Africa
African Wildlife Voluntourism is an industry, and South Africa, with its unique challenges in wildlife and poaching, is a top destination. Choosing the right conservation program is essential for your volunteer travel plans. A good resource for assessing program credibility, especially in wildlife, is the Volunteers in Africa Beware Facebook page. This platform highlights the pitfalls of unethical programs, particularly those with questionable human/wildlife interactions.
Why Join Wildlife ACT as a Volunteer?
.jpg)
“Wow! What a live changing experience. I spent 2 weeks in the bush with the Wildlife ACT team and it will be something I remember and treasure for the rest of my life. A must do once in a lifetime experience!”
I had an amazing time with Wildlife ACT. The monitors were amazing, and I loved that the other volunteers were the same ages as us. I really enjoyed monitoring and following the various species we were tracking. I would definitely like to come back one day. I learned a lot about conservation during this trip. It definitely opened my eyes to some factors and issues that I hadn’t thought about before, and demonstrated how a truly ethical and conservation-focused organisation should be run: animals first. The highlight of my stay was definitely the call-up habituation we did with the new pack of Wild Dogs. It took us a few tries to get it done, but getting to watch the dogs interact with one another was super cool. The monitors also gave me plenty of time to take pictures during the monitoring drives, which I really appreciated, because I got some amazing photographs.
Beyond my expectations. I wasn’t aware of the amount of wildlife I would see and live just next to while doing this project. I learned a lot about the work you can and have to do in a reserve, and that’s what I came for. To be with the monitors for 2 weeks was really enjoyable. Both are lovely people who know a lot and share their experience and knowledge. A real highlight was the collaring of a Wild Dog after 9 days of trying, where we saw the sunrise and a rainbow perfectly at the same time. And the first drive from the gates to the camp. These are both memories I’ll keep for years.
It was a fantastic experience that I thoroughly enjoyed and one that I would definitely recommend to others. I can honestly say it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done, and definitely something that will stick with me forever. The field work and booking process way exceeded my expectations, and you will meet the most amazing people along the way. The monitors are amazing and incredibly knowledgeable, and really bring the whole experience together. When it comes to highlights, I have to say everything!
The Wildlife ACT Volunteer experience
As a founding partner of Project Rhino KZN and a member of the Wild Dog Advisory Group of South Africa (WAG-SA), we’re committed to ethical conservation. Wildlife ACT is also a proud member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), collaborating with organisations like WWF, Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), iSimangaliso World Heritage Park Authority, and Panthera on various critical programs, including a comprehensive leopard monitoring survey in South Africa.
Wildlife ACT has been the recipient of Awards from the following esteemed organisations – the Rhino Conservation Awards, in the category “Endangered Species Conservation”; the Disney Conservation Fund, in the category “Conservation Heroes”; the African Responsible Tourism Awards in the category “Best for Habitat and Species Conservation”; and was most recently the 2023 winner of the prestigious World Responsible Tourism Awards, in the category “Best for Nature-Positive Tourism”.
Conservation Highlights in South Africa
Zululand
Zululand, in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, is known for its rich Zulu heritage, scenic landscapes, and critical wildlife conservation efforts. Home to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, famed for rhino protection, Zululand’s reserves support diverse ecosystems and endangered species. The area combines cultural vibrancy with natural beauty, attracting visitors eager to experience its unique wildlife and traditional communities.
Southern Drakensberg
The Southern Drakensberg is a breathtaking region in South Africa known for its rugged peaks, rich biodiversity, and vital role in vulture conservation. Home to endangered Cape and Bearded vultures, the area’s cliffs and vast landscapes offer safe nesting and feeding grounds for these birds. Conservation efforts here focus on protecting vulture habitats and educating local communities about their ecological importance.
Useful Travel Tips for South Africa
South Africa operates on South Africa Standard Time (SAST), which is GMT+2. This time zone doesn’t change with daylight saving, so the country has the same time year-round. South Africa is generally 1-2 hours ahead of Europe.
The currency is the South African Rand (ZAR), symbolised by the letter R. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most establishments, but it’s useful to have cash on hand, especially in rural areas and for tipping/gratuity. It’s easy to find an ATM in cities and tourist areas, and you’ll be able to exchange currency and draw cash at the airport.
South Africa uses the metric system, so distances are in kilometres, temperature is in degrees Celsius, and weight is in kilograms. You might need to be mindful of this if you’re used to imperial measurements.
Public transport in South Africa is limited, and while there are taxi and ride-hailing services, our recommendation is to rent a car if you’d like to travel and explore the countryside. Just remember that South Africans drive on the left side of the road, so take caution if you’re used to driving on the right!
South Africa’s population currently sits at just over 60 million people and is made up of a vibrant mix of ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds. Population density varies, with high densities in big cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, while rural areas are sparsely populated.
People speak a variety of languages in our multilingual country, including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, and isiXhosa. English is widely spoken, but why not challenge yourself to learn a few phrases in a local language? If you’re heading to Zululand or to our Drakensberg Conservation Project, a large number of the population will be isiZulu speakers. Some useful isiZulu words to know are sawubona (hello), unjani? (how are you?), and ngiyabonga (thank you). South Africans also love to use the Afrikaans word lekker, meaning great or awesome.
With a mixed economy and emerging market, South Africa’s important industries include mining, agriculture, and tourism. While parts of the country are highly developed, visitors to South Africa might be surprised by the vast levels of economic inequality. While the economy is growing, the country faces challenges such as high unemployment and widespread poverty.
Safety is a concern for tourists, especially in urban areas where crime rates can be high. However, many accommodations and tourist sites have private security, and tourist areas are generally very safe. Some common-sense advice is to avoid walking alone at night, stick to well-known, populated areas, and avoid displaying valuables or large amounts of cash. Opt for a cross-body bag rather than a handbag or backpack that can be pickpocketed or grabbed. Most tourists won’t encounter any problems, but it is important to stay vigilant, avoid dangerous areas, and follow local advice.
South Africa is a religiously diverse country, with Christianity being the predominant faith. There are also significant Muslim, Hindu, and indigenous spiritual communities. Religious freedom is constitutionally protected, and you will find many places of worship in cities and towns, including churches, mosques, and temples.
South Africa has a complex history which we hope you will explore in more detail while you are visiting. The country’s history is marked by colonisation, the discovery of gold and diamonds, and the Apartheid era, a system of institutionalised racial segregation that lasted from 1948 to the early 1990s. South Africa became a democracy in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela as the first black president. The legacy of Apartheid still shapes many aspects of society today. You can explore South Africa’s history by visiting museums and monuments, such as the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, Robben Island near Cape Town, where Mandela was imprisoned for many years, and the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa is a developing democracy, still contending with its past while also looking toward a more positive future.
South Africa’s climate is diverse, shaped by its varied geography and location in the southern hemisphere. Generally sunny with moderate seasonal shifts, it experiences hot, humid summers along the eastern coast, while the interior remains drier with summer rainfall. Winters bring cooler temperatures, especially in the high-altitude regions, with occasional snow on mountainous areas.
South Africa is known for its incredible wildlife diversity, ranging from iconic species like elephants, lions, and rhinos to unique flora found nowhere else. The diverse ecosystems, from savannas and deserts to lush forests and coastlines, support an abundant diversity of animals and plants and are home to critically endangered species. Conservation efforts are vital as South Africa faces challenges like habitat loss and poaching. Join Wildlife ACT as a volunteer to experience South Africa’s diverse wildlife while helping to protect and restore natural ecosystems, including: