Why Volunteer with Wildlife ACT?
When it comes to volunteering opportunities, Wildlife ACT stands out as an unmatched experience in the field of conservation. Unlike organisations offering a broad range of projects, Wildlife ACT is singularly focused on endangered and keystone African wildlife species conservation.
Wildlife ACT is a multiple award-winning conservation organisation that enlists the help of volunteers to support our important work. Most volunteer organisations develop a wide range of projects, from orphan care to teaching, healthcare, sports, and building initiatives with partners on the ground. In contrast, Wildlife ACT is dedicated solely to endangered and keystone wildlife species conservation. Our unwavering focus is on ensuring the safety of these species, driven by a deep passion for safeguarding and preserving our natural heritage.
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
Marine Conservation Volunteering
- Conserving tropical paradise.
- Marine and terrestrial conservation work.
- Turtle monitoring, endangered Turtle conservation, data collection, species protection and more
- Maximum 4 volunteers, working alongside experts
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
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African Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Management Course
A four week course offering practical, hands-on training, underpinned by course material carefully developed by experts.
Provides a unique understanding of the most up to date, in-field conservation techniques and practices, for nature enthusiasts or those considering a career in conservation.
Become an integral part of Wildlife ACT’s ongoing conservation programs.
What to Consider When Choosing a Volunteer Program
Volunteering abroad has grown into a significant industry, and Africa, known for its complex challenges surrounding wildlife, poaching, and poverty, is a popular destination for volunteers. Many organisations may readily accept your money, but it’s crucial to do your own research and not just rely on word-of-mouth. Be wary of pseudo-conservation volunteer organisations that operate with questionable ethics, particularly regarding human-wildlife interactions. Shedding light on such organisations are the independent platforms ‘Volunteers in Africa Beware’ on Facebook, Wild Choices and Blood Lions. They help to expose unethical practices and serve as a guide to avoid being misled by such organisations.
Keep in mind the following criteria when choosing a volunteer program
Investigate whether the organisation is supported by credible and well-known conservation organisations, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Look at how long the organisation has been in existence, and consider its track record in ethical wildlife conservation, which might include national or international recognition.
Look for an organisation that adheres to strict ethical guidelines, avoiding harmful practices like cub petting or lion walks, and ensuring that all wildlife interactions are essential, responsible and conservation-focused.
Small groups are always best, as participants are able to be hands-on and receive personalised guidance and training, enhancing the learning experience and overall impact of the program.
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Check whether the program is led by qualified professionals with real experience in conservation and wildlife management.
Ensure the organisation is transparent about its goals and the use of volunteer contributions, allowing participants to see the direct impact of their involvement. Avoid projects where financial allocation is unclear.
Look for projects that focus on meaningful conservation efforts, such as anti-poaching initiatives, biodiversity monitoring, or habitat restoration, rather than those prioritising tourist experiences.
Authentic programs will respect and involve local communities, promoting collaboration and mutual benefit rather than imposing external agendas.
Assess whether the project contributes to long-term conservation efforts and benefits local communities and ecosystems beyond the duration of your stay.
Behind the Scenes at Wildlife ACT
Wildlife ACT is, above all, a conservation organisation led by experienced and dedicated conservationists. Our volunteers actively join us in the field, working alongside our team on critical conservation efforts.
Rhino Africa Safaris
In 2010 Wildlife ACT formed a strategic partnership with Rhino Africa Safaris – Africa’s leading inbound tour operator who wants to create impact, uplift communities and protect wildlife through their business approach. Rhino Africa Safari’s is the largest single corporate contributor to Wildlife ACT’s endangered species conservation work in Southern Africa. Wildlife ACT’s success is, in a large part, due to the fantastic financial, logistical and infrastructure support that Rhino Africa has provided since Wildlife ACT’s fledgling days. Rhino Africa’s founder and CEO David Ryan is also a long-standing Trustee of Wildlife ACT Fund Trust.
Project Vulture
Project Vulture was developed as an platform to unite the efforts of various dedicated individuals and organisations to ensure the long-term survival of the various Vulture species across KZN and South Africa. With our partners we provide support to following projects that are guided by Project Vulture: The Zululand Vulture Project, the Maloti-Drakensberg Vulture Project and the Bearded Vulture Task Force. Wildlife ACT is an active member of The Bearded Vulture Task Force (BVTF) which was established in 2006 with the purpose of implementing the Conservation Action Plan for the species. The BVTF is made of up of representatives from conservation bodies, NGOs and the scientific community from Lesotho and three provinces (KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Eastern Cape) of South Africa. Dr Sonja Krüger from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has spearheaded the BVTF since its inception.
North Island Seychelles
Wildlife ACT has been supporting North Island in the Seychelles on their Noah’s Ark Project, which aims to restore the island and provide habitats for endemic fauna and flora to thrive. Wildlife ACT ecotourists have been visiting North Island since 2014, allowing them to make a direct contribution by helping to monitor all aspects of the island’s ecology, including the endangered Green Turtle and critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle.
Manyoni Private Game Reserve
Manyoni Private Game Reserve was founded in 2005 after the release of a population of Black Rhino through the WWF-BRREP. In 2009, the reserve was formally proclaimed a Nature Reserve, and is recognised as a site of biodiversity importance for the conservation of species and habitats. Manyoni’s vision is to develop a pristine protected area for the conservation of indigenous and endangered species in northern KwaZulu-Natal, and in particular, actively promote the conservation of Black Rhino. Wildlife ACT has been working closely with Manyoni since its inception and has been providing monitoring services since 2014.
Endangered Wildlife Trust
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is one of South Africa’s oldest conservation NGOs and we are proud to work in partnership with them on a number of projects across the province and South Africa. These projects include various endangered species focused work including African Wild Dog, Cheetah and Vultures.
WWF
We have worked with WWF on a number of initiatives, with our biggest support to them orientated around our work with the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project since its inception in 2004. We also launched a successful collaboration with WWF and Woolworths focused on raising awareness and providing much needed funds for our and WWF’s work in South Africa.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW)
We are long standing partners with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) and are committed to supporting their mandate of protecting biodiversity across the KwaZulu-Natal province. We provide them with various priority species support through; long-term monitoring and research, management intervention support, community conservation and protected boundary support.
Celebrating Our Achievements
