Who Volunteers?

Career Break, Holiday or Sabbatical:

A lot of our conservation volunteers are people who are looking to take some time out from their busy schedules – to leave behind the stress and strain of city life and immerse themselves in the quiet magic of the African bush. Many people feel the need to give something back and to dedicate their time and resources to a worthy cause. Wildlife ACT offers you the perfect opportunity to make a real difference to a reputable conservation organization in South Africa.

As a conservation volunteer, you’ll not only have a life-changing experience but you’ll also learn a lot more about yourself and many volunteers make life-long friends. Our projects don’t exist where there isn’t a genuine need for our monitoring services so you’ll be directly involved in ensuring the survival of some of Africa’s most treasured wildlife.

Fulfilling a Dream:

For many people, coming to Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a dream come true. The romance of Africa has attracted explorers and conservationists for decades past – there’s something about Africa that gets under your skin and you’ll find it hard to leave. Joining us as a conservation volunteer will allow you to experience the African bush-veld and view its renowned wildlife. While monitoring certain species such as the African Wild Dog, you’ll have the opportunity to view and photograph numerous other species located on the game reserves. You’ll experience the real and raw reality of conservation in Africa and help to preserve its wildlife.

Groups:

Wildlife ACT works with international tourism businesses including AVASTAMA who coordinate our German group bookings.

University Students:

Students and researchers make up an integral part of our monitoring projects. Students from all over the world have joined us and made valuable contributions on many levels. You can join Wildlife ACT as a student wanting to gain field research experience, complete dissertation papers, or collect data for Masters and PhD degrees. Our projects are located on national and private game reserves and if you are interested in joining us for research purposes or another specific purpose, please let us know on your application so that we can guide you through the application process.

Gap Year Students

Wildlife ACT offers gap year students a unique and affordable way to explore unique wildlife areas in South Africa. Spend your gap year volunteering in Africa and experience the magic of the African bush with a small group of like-minded individuals. As a conservation volunteer you’ll gain practical experience and valuable skills during your gap year, which is a great way to kick-start your career.

Benefits of Gap Year Volunteering:

  • Personal growth
  • Prepare for University
  • Make life-long friendships
  • Gain practical experience and skills
  • Job shadow a wildlife monitor/researcher

We accept gap year students for a minimum of two weeks and you can stay with us as long as you wish. This allows you to volunteer over a holiday or as part of your gap year in Africa. Wildlife ACT is an experienced, passionate, hands-on conservation team who are looking for gap year students who want to contribute to our wildlife monitoring projects. Set yourself apart in your application by obtaining hands-on skills while monitoring South Africa’s most endangered wildlife.

Benefits of Being a Wildlife Conservation Volunteer:
On-the-ground experience

As a conservation volunteer, you’ll work side-by-side with a competent wildlife monitor and gain valuable knowledge and great work experience. You’ll be actively involved in monitoring the animals, which includes using telemetry and recording data as well as assisting the wildlife monitor with his or her responsibilities on the reserve and in the camp.

Wildlife ACT is recognized as a reputable wildlife organisation in Africa by numerous international universities and tertiary institutions as well as world-renowned conservation organisations such as WWF and Panthera. Volunteering with us will set you apart when submitting your university or job application.

Experience a Different Way of Life

Experience what it’s like to live and work as a conservationist and wildlife researcher in the African bush. It’s not always easy and there are many challenges along the way, including long hours and tough work, but it’s one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences you’ll ever have. Involving yourself in genuine conservation efforts as a conservation volunteer and assisting in the conservation of Africa’s endangered species can be a life-changing experience.

Rise Up to the Challenge

We can’t guarantee that you’ll have fun ALL the time. We can’t say that you will have all the creature comforts that you’re used to at home; but what we can tell you is that you will make an impact on an organization that strives to ensure the survival of Africa’s endangered species. As a conservation volunteer, you’ll be thrown in the deep-end. You’ll spend long hours trying to locate and monitor animals and you’ll have completely new and exciting experiences, but you’ll never forget the first time you hear a lion roar or see an endangered African wild dog.

Crowd Funding:

We understand that not everyone is able to afford to contribute to our projects, but we are sincerely grateful to those that are able to come and join us, and in doing so, facilitate the essential conservation work being done by our teams.

We do however now have a solution / opportunity for those discouraged by a financial road block. We have teamed up with FundMyTravel, who provides us with an online platform where you can fundraise for your meaningful travel experience. How does it work? You create a campaign page, complete a brief profile to build trust, add a video and tell your story!

FundMyTravel has a team of dedicated staff who want to help Wildlife ACT participants reach their fundraising goals. They can provide tips and insights on the best ways to spread your word and offer sharing tools to get your campaign greater exposure through social media and email. Click the button below to learn more and get started!

 

Read Articles About the Volunteer Experience

View our Video Gallery for Past Volunteer Experiences