Join Our Wildlife Volunteer Projects

It exceeded my overall expectations. All the members I came across were very helpful and prompt with answering any questions and it was overwhelming to assist and experience in the field the high quality and professional work done by Wildlife ACT for the conservation of endangered species. It's very comforting to know I was a tiny part of a real conservation project. Everything was very clear and the information you provided with pre-booking is very complete. My main difficulties were related with getting a Covid test for my return trip, but even that was sorted out with a couple of emails.Having in mind the true purpose of the project and the fact we are here to be volunteers and not on vacation, the accommodation was good. Our monitor (Jarryd) was very professional and fully dedicated to the conservation cause and his monitoring job. It was amazing to see such a young person, so worried about the animals, skipping meals, breaks, hours of sleep, just to make sure they were safe. He also keeps a good relationship with other park professionals, such as rangers, vets and park managers.

It was a very awesome time, which ended too fast. I have learned so much about the problems around conservation. I live in Germany and the problems are so far away and you don't know all about them, but now I know it's really time to do something. It's not a small thing to save all these different species and it needs a lot of time and many people to help. It was a very awesome and special experience which I will never forget.

I have had an amazing experience! The Parks are absolutely beautiful, the animals are awe-inspiring, and the people (volunteers and monitors) are fabulous. Everything way exceeded my expectations. I was only met with kindness and ease during the pre-arrival and arrival process. Seeing the Wild Dog puppies as well as the re-collaring of a Lion, but also so many more incredible animals, people, and experiences, have all been highlights. I don't think that I have smiled this much in a long time!

The overall experience was great fun; being able to see a variety of wildlife as well as being able to help with the tracking via telemetry as well as the complete surprise sightings (Black Rhino on our way back from tracking the Wild Dogs as one example). As well as being involved in the process of assisting the game wardens in locating and being present for the de-snaring of a Painted Dog. With the great company from both the other volunteers and the monitors through Wildlife ACT, also makes the experience a great plus. All the information supplied before arrival was clear and ensured that everything was correct and we knew what would happen in any instance.

Unreal. I have made new friends for life. This has literally given me a new lease on life and really helped me to visualize what I want to do with my life. I enjoyed that my work around the camp didn't go unnoticed. Maintenance around the camp was good as it kept me busy during the days. I will genuinely be coming back. Our monitors were welcoming and have a wealth of knowledge. They kept us on our toes and also kept us in tears of laughter throughout the two weeks with their stories from over the years.I will also definitely be suggesting the experience to family and friends. Everything way exceeded my expectations. Everything was very clear, organised and smooth sailing. The accommodation is everything you need. Field work was unreal. Taking daily turns allowed it to be shared around and didn't make it become boring. Was also good to learn more about genuine tracking and not just telemetry.

Excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed every day. We were given lots of opportunities and the fact that the Wild Dogs were being released from the boma whilst we were here, was just fantastic. Having previously volunteered in South Africa, I was hoping that this experience would be better, and it certainly was.The small group really helps and you really feel part of the team and that the monitoring work you do is valuable. The monitors are great and all the other staff that we met were very welcoming and thanked us for our support. It is quite apparent that the reserve staff rely on Wildlife ACT's work to help them run the reserve. They can be called on at anytime and are always happy to respond ASAP. They stick to the rules and give the lodge staff priority for their guests when necessary.

Fantastic! Amazing experience. I felt very much apart of the project, not just by viewing, but by being hands-on. I think we were very privileged to see the darting and release of Wild Dogs back into the wild. We got to see a variety of mammals and had a better understanding of how the projects are crucial to wildlife conservation. I feel I had the best experience even though the days were long.

I volunteered with Wildlife ACT in order to support their ongoing conservation efforts at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park after finding them through a number of travel website recommendations. Their primary species of focus, the African Wild Dog, holds a special place in my heart. It was the trip of a lifetime. If you’re interested in doing volunteer work abroad, working with animals, getting out of your comfort zone, truly experiencing other cultures, or taking some amazing photographs (yes they will be better than your food pictures) then this is the program for you. The booking process is simple and easy. They are there every step of the way to ensure you safely arrive at your destination, regardless of where you are coming from.

I had an amazing experience with professional men and women. I found what I was looking for: animals and a commitment to protecting them. The monitors are dynamic and happy to meet you. The other volunteers made up an excellent group and a good mix, which was a very good thing. Each person had found one place in the mission. A special thank for to the team and Marumo!

Amazing.I enjoyed everything, but we were also very fortunate to be part of and experience some very special things, including releasing the Wild Dogs and helping to track and find a Cheetah and his sister post darting. In addition to the events we experienced it was so good to feel that the work we were doing with Wildlife ACT had an important role to play in the running of the reserve,and also that the reserve management really appreciate it. Our monitor was also excellent - both very professional and also good fun.

My experience with Wildlife ACT exceeded expectations; and I was expecting (or at least hoping) for a lot. The monitors were personable, helpful, knowledgeable and professional. The opportunity to accompany the monitors on the vehicle each session, and to assist with locating the wildlife, was amazing. The experience was enhanced significantly by the generosity of each monitor in explaining what we were seeing or doing and by taking the time to allow us to absorb the countless magical encounters. Truly memories for a lifetime.The quality of the fieldwork experienced by the volunteers is determined by the expertise and energy of the monitors. Wildlife ACT seems to have assembled an all-star staff who appreciate the opportunity to share Africa with people from around the world. Because I was not familiar with Wildlife ACT, my initial contact was with the purpose of trying to develop confidence in the legitimacy of the organization. I found Bronwen very helpful in working me through the process. The Tembe Elephant Park research camp accommodations were also very comfortable, safe and easy to manage all daily living routines.Thanks go to the monitors who shaped the entire experience so positively.

I had an amazing experience with Wildlife ACT, which was different from my previous volunteering experiences. It was extremely interesting and enlightening to learn what daily monitoring is like. It is indeed not Disneyland, but looking for needles in a haystack every day is really exciting! The monitors obviously contribute to the fun with their passion for the bush and their commitment. Thanks guys!! My highlight was without a doubt the incredible chance to see the Nqholoti Pack and to participate in the darting and re-collaring of a dog. Totally unexpected and simply unforgettable!

I wouldn't change a thing and I'd go back in a heartbeat. This was the most awesome experience I've had and sharing time in the company of knowledgeable and dedicated professionals who go above and beyond to protect wildlife, will live with me forever. My pictures are a fantastic memory but do not give justice to the emotional roller-coaster; I've felt anger, relief, sadness and absolute joy during my 2 weeks and witnessed close-up the incredible work of the Wildlife ACT monitors, reserve management, staff and the vets. It's been an incredible adventure and I'll be back. (Can I book more sunshine?)

It was a magical experience. I learned a lot about the country and the work of monitoring and Zululand wildlife. Looking for the same animals regularly is perfect I think, because we get attached and learn to know them. This makes a huge difference compared to a safari where you only point at animals. The Wildlife ACT experience is just what I was looking for.

Outstanding!!! I am going to repeat it. Two weeks were definitely not enough! Living in the bush is like going back to your roots! Great experience! I can't give enough thanks to our extraordinary monitor Fi for making it even more exciting! Catching the sunrise at the best coffee spots was also so great.

In one word: Incredible! The team here are so amazing and knowledgeable about everything and they all care so much. It was truly a wonderful experience and seeing these amazing animals in their natural surroundings has really been a blessing. Keep doing what you are doing and we are really hope to come back one day. All the monitors we had in our time here were 100% exceptional. If I am honest, everything was a highlight, but being involved in the collaring of a Wild Dog on the second day was simply amazing!

I absolutely enjoyed my time here. I came for a learning experience and to improve on a few of my skills, which the monitors were happy to help with. Wildlife ACT are a great team, work so well together, and really are a great bunch of people! Nice to have everyone join in and feels like one big happy family. Seeing African Wild Dogs for the first time in their natural environment blew my mind. Learning their behaviour and learning tracking was the best thing ever. I have learnt more than I ever would have thought. It’s very different from what you read or documentaries you watch. Seeing the puppies and tracking them to the new den, was something I don’t think many people get to see first-hand.Again, our monitors were absolutely awesome! They went out of their way to make us feel welcome and shared so much knowledge and gave as much time for us as needed. They are true conservation rock stars dedicated to the max, which is inspiring. I would come back again as many times as I can based on the above, and knowing that we helped with making a difference and were part of something truly great. I would recommend this to everyone.

I had an absolutely wonderful time here. It was even better than expected. I learned a lot and am eager to know and learn more. Our monitors were both excellent - very knowledgeable and a pleasure to learn from. Their enthusiasm and willingness to go out every day to look after the magnificent animals they have out here, is amazing and a pleasure to see. I found our hours out in the field to be the best thing ever. I was also very pleased with the fact that I was able to do admin work to see what and how the data collected is used. This will come in very handy for my upcoming studies.

My experience was so, so good. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to observe so many incredible things – a Cheetah darting, a Wild Dog bonding, the Leopard Surveys, and of course all the wildlife you encounter along the way. The monitors were incredibly friendly and kind, and although some days were long and felt like a stretch, you always felt you were contributing to real and important work. Thank you, thank you, thank you for six incredible weeks which have helped assure me more than before that conservation is the field for me.

From day one I knew this would be one of the best experiences of my life. And after only one week of volunteering with Wildlife ACT, I found that it absolutely was! Learning about the beautiful animals and flora, viewing the stunning landscape, working as a team with my fellow volunteers and monitors, and knowing it all makes a difference for the animals, environment and our earth, were things I never imagined I was capable of.Every effort we made in every task we were given, was all so meaningful, and at the same time bonds were forming with each other and to the wildlife. We all grew more than we ever thought we would from this experience. Any trepidation or fear I may have had about joining Wildlife ACT disappeared on our very first monitoring session. I am in awe of the monitors and my fellow team members, and so very proud to have been a part of the work that is being done by Wildlife ACT in conservation, preservation and education of these gorgeous creatures that we cannot lose.

My time with Wildlife ACT was meaningful, educational, fun, and unique. I felt that our monitors made every effort to make our experience fulfilling and fun. They ensured that our group was safe while having the best time possible, and checked in with each of us individually to ensure that our needs were met and that we were having a meaningful experience. I was impressed with the care demonstrated towards me and my friends by each of our monitors.It is also clear that the monitors are very knowledgeable and passionate about the conservation work they do here. It is a separate skill-set, altogether, to look after and educate a group of 5 volunteers, who have little knowledge about life in the bush, and they each did this with a clear sense of care and genuine interest. I loved getting to know them both over the course of my two weeks.Wildlife ACT was flexible with our delayed arrival time, which was really helpful, and allowed us time to stop by the market before heading into camp, which exceeded our expectations and helped all of us feel more at ease about ensuring our individual food-needs were met. I have never visited a research camp before and upon reading the information provided, I expected very basic accommodations, somewhat like camping. Without having any comparison to base my ranking on, I would say that I was pleasantly surprised to find a well-stocked, functioning kitchen, a washing machine for our laundry, blankets to use during chilly morning rides, and strong-enough cellphone reception to allow for daily email checks, which was really helpful for the volunteers in my group.

I wish I could find the words to say how much I loved coming to volunteer with wildlife ACT. It really was amazing. Our monitors Marumo and Jarryd were super informative and welcoming right from day one. I feel like I learned so much in my two weeks. I totally fell in love with the Wild Dogs. I never knew about this animal before and getting to know them really ignited a passion. The experience overall was indescribable. I definitely plan to come back in the future.

My volunteering experience was amazing. I learned and experienced so much while there and was even part of a lioness darting and re-collaring. My group was also the first ever to witness the three one-month-old Cheetah cubs belonging to a mother who’s GPS collar unfortunately no longer works. It was an unforgettable experience, and I hope to volunteer with the organisation again in the future! Just being able to be a part of something that’s actually conserving endangered species. What’s rewarding is spending a long rainy day tracking an animal and finally finding it and seeing that it is okay. Getting up so early in the morning is a challenge, but it’s worth it! For me personally, Wildlife ACT stood out among all the other volunteering organisations!

Truly one of the greatest experiences of my life. Through the care, expertise and direction of our Wildlife ACT team, I learned so much about their conservation efforts, the precious creatures themselves, the challenges faced here in South Africa, and the passion and hard work it takes to research and actively protect the fragile ecosystem. Phenomenal staff, incredible opportunity and experience.From Day 1 our contact was incredibly communicative, all our questions answered, and made it super easy to book, plan, and then just show up and go. I was blown away and often humbled with the opportunities we were given throughout our field experience. It felt like we did it all and had an active hand in the conservation and care of the priority species in our reserve.It was obvious from the moment our team took us under their wing that these are some of the most passionate, knowledgeable and dedicated people that care deeply about this mission and the effort they expend is optimized for impact. Every day they are fighting to save these animals. It's very inspiring the work they are doing.

It was really something special. I will always remember and cherish my time spent in the bush and the moments I got to observe/share with the animals. I really enjoyed the time out in the field where different scenarios would happen in which I learned new things about the land or animals. Picking the brains of the staff was also intellectually satisfying as they know so much and are willing to share this knowledge. I also enjoyed the downtime in between sessions. The siesta life is the way to go! I met some really interesting people and was part of some great conversations. I am very happy with my time spent with Wildlife ACT.