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Endangered Wildlife Conservation

4.8(37 reviews)
Experience
Volunteer
Destination
South Africa
Duration
3 weeks
Ages
18 to 45

Limited spots. Earliest available arrival is currently Dec 2024, and closing very soon.

Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

Imagine yourself in the heart of South Africa, where vast landscapes teem with wildlife, and every moment brings a new adventure. 

Now, picture yourself gaining hands-on experience working with some of the region’s most endangered species. 

The majestic cheetah, known for its remarkable speed, faces endangerment, with only about 7,000 remaining in Africa due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade.

Similarly, the mighty rhinoceros is at risk of extinction, driven dangerously close by poachers seeking to profit from its valuable horns.

On this volunteer trip, you’ll have the chance to be at the forefront of animal rehabilitation and protection, working alongside experts dedicated to preserving Africa's incredible biodiversity and protecting these mighty yet vulnerable creatures. 

On this done-for-you volunteer trip, you’ll get everything you need to help play a vital role in caring for some of the world’s most endangered animals, including:  

  • Volunteer project placement – You’ll be set up with a screened and vetted endangered species centre in Hoedspruit, South Africa before you leave home. 
  • Comfortable accommodation – Stay in twin-share thatched huts within a private game reserve, enjoying a comfortable and immersive experience with fellow volunteers, equipped with all essential amenities.
  • Included excursions – When you’re not working with the animals, explore the wonders of South Africa. Take part in bush walks, game drives, and cultural excursions that showcase the vibrant culture of the region.  
  • Meals –  Enjoy self-serve breakfasts and lunches, and dinners prepared by the project staff, featuring a mix of African and Western cuisines. 
  • And much more!

As a volunteer, you'll be right in the heart of caring for endangered animals, protecting wildlife, and helping with essential conservation work. 

You'll pitch in with tasks like food prep, feeding routines, maintaining enclosures, assisting vets, and joining community projects at rural schools. Plus, you'll get to interact with cheetahs, wild dogs, small spotted cats, African wildcats, and other unique species in a safe and ethical setting.

And when you're not helping out at the game reserve, you'll get to explore some cool local spots, including Kruger National Park, Hoedspruit Reptile Park, and Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development. 

When you go with Global, you get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle. We offer the complete package for volunteering in South Africa. 

Our team will help you with the essentials you need to start your new journey with a bang! Including setting you up with our project partner, securing your accommodation, and a whole lot more.

Inclusions

Tap to expand

Volunteer project placement
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip visa guidance
Personal Travel Concierge
Comfortable accommodation
Return airport transfers
Meals
‘Welcome to South Africa’ orientation
Local cultural experiences
Certificate of completion
Ongoing local team support
Global Emergency Line
gWorld access
Marketplace deals
Global Academy
$250 off your next trip

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-45 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Get more info!

Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mo-Fr.

Purpose & impact

On this trip, you’ll work alongside experts at a leading wildlife conservation facility in South Africa focused on researching and breeding endangered species, particularly cheetahs and rhinos.

The facility also serves as a sanctuary for orphaned and sick animals and educates the public and South African youth about endangered species through close observation.

It's important to note that the centre minimises human interaction with the animals to support their recovery and potential reintroduction into the wild. Additionally, the centre is actively involved in:

  • Breeding endangered, vulnerable, or rare animal species.
  • Releasing and establishing captive-bred cheetahs in the wild.
  • Treating and rehabilitating orphaned or injured animals, including White and Black Rhinos affected by South Africa's poaching crisis.
  • Educating learners, students, and the general public on conservation and conservation activities.
  • Promoting scientific research and development in wildlife.

This intensive 21-day project is structured into three main sections, providing volunteers with comprehensive training and hands-on experiences:

  • Conservation: Attend informal lectures and hands-on work at the centre, focusing on breeding, rehabilitation, and tackling issues like wildlife trafficking and poaching.
  • Participation: Help with daily animal care, including cleaning, feeding, and observing vet procedures. Contribute to the care of orphaned and poached rhinos in the sanctuary.
  • Sightseeing: Observe wildlife in their natural habitat and at research centres. Encounter cheetahs, wild dogs, rhinos, lions, and more. Participate in animal welfare activities and visit local attractions like Kruger National Park.

Requirements

To qualify for this trip, you must be capable of performing physically demanding tasks.

What extra costs will I have?

Flights, travel insurance, vaccinations, criminal background check, souvenirs & spending money.

Accommodation & meals

Once you touch down at Hoedspruit Airport, you’ll head straight to your included accommodation on a Big Five game reserve. You’ll share a traditional thatched hut, or rondavel, with one other volunteer.

The camp features a kitchen, boma (outdoor entertainment area), relaxation space, and barbecue facilities. Phone service is limited but available in certain areas, and free WiFi is accessible at the project site.

With your volunteer placement and accommodation sorted, what will you do about food? 

Three meals a day are provided: self-serve breakfast and lunch, and dinners prepared by volunteer staff, featuring both African and Western dishes. Get ready to try some tasty new meals!

Trip itinerary

Before you leave

Your volunteer placement – including accommodation and 3 meals a day – is confirmed and organised before you leave home.

Arrival (Day 1)

After landing at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport, you’ll hop on a domestic flight to Hoedspruit Airport. Your pre-arranged transfer will be waiting to take you to your volunteer accommodation in Hoedspruit, located within the game reserve. Relax, settle in, and meet the other volunteers. Attend your cultural orientation to learn about the project and South Africa’s history, culture, and climate. You’ll also get a guided tour of the project centre and meet the project staff.

Day 2-21

Your schedule will vary, but here’s a rough idea of your daily routine, including volunteer tasks, informal lectures, practical exercises, hands-on wildlife experiences, and guided excursions: 6:00 am: Rise and shine! Start your day by preparing food for the animals. 7:00 am: Return to the camp for a self-serve breakfast of cereals, bread, salads, eggs, bacon, and more. 8:00 am: Morning tasks may include feeding animals, cleaning their areas, or engaging in activities like enclosure construction, vet assistance, or visiting a local school to teach children about endangered wildlife. 12:00 pm: Lunchtime with the other volunteers. Make sandwiches with provided ingredients, or eat at the on-site deli or restaurant. 2:00 pm: Afternoon tasks may include feeding rhinos and sables as well as any other tasks that need to be handled for the day. 4:00 pm: Free time before dinner. 7:00 pm: Dinner featuring African dishes like Potjie Kos, Stokbrood, Vetkoek, Bobotie, and Western favorites such as pasta, salad, and roast. 8:00 pm: End the day with stargazing, playing games, and relaxing.Sundays: Enjoy a day off to explore. Visit the town of Hoedspruit or try adventure activities like quad biking, paintball, river rafting on the Sabie River, or visiting the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre.

Ongoing

We’ll stay in touch throughout your stay. Our team is available for advice and support, and our Global Emergency Line (24 hours, Mon.-Fri.) will assist with urgent matters. Don’t go alone. Go with Global.

Why choose us

We take care of pretty much everything so you don’t have to. You’ll arrive in South Africa totally prepared with a plan of action and trusted people helping you along the way. 

Our volunteer trips are designed to help you make a real change in critical causes around the world. All while experiencing off-the-beaten-path locations with passionate locals. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it: 

We’re on your side from the moment you get started. 

You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave. 

Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here. 

We maintain relationships with a huge network of screened and vetted partner organisations all over the world. We know they’re trustworthy and that you’re in good hands because of all the successful trips Global Travellers keep having with our partners. 

Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way. 

Join 90000+ travellers – giving us 10000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true. 

Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance. Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited. So if you’re serious about volunteering in South Africa, don’t delay. 

With our Book Now, Decide Later feature, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take a full year to choose your dates. 

We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and setting you up with our partner in South Africa.  

This is the trip for you if you’re after the ultimate volunteering experience in South Africa, complete with everything you need and full support.

Click the red button to check dates & prices.

Reviews

Tahlia C
So excited to embark on this journey! So grateful for the staff I chatted to today, never been more sure about anything in my life!
Erica D
Very kind agents who are informative and excited to help us start our trip!
Vanessa V
Oliver was great to deal with. He answered any questions and gave me a wealth of information and things to think about and look forward to for my trip.
Kelsey H
Awesome company! Great way to get you pumped for your new journey! Informative, energetic and positive people!
Sheldan B
Given me the opportunity to go overseas to work with cheeters, all the details and the amount of support that they all provide.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

Why do I have to pay to volunteer?

The trip fee covers all the essential trip inclusions that ensure you have a meaningful and safe volunteering experience. It includes comprehensive pre-departure support to assist you throughout your journey. Once you arrive at your destination, the fee covers transportation, accommodation, and in most cases meals and some amazing excursions you'll do alongside other international volunteers. This comprehensive support is essential to provide you with a positive and secure volunteering experience, which is of utmost importance to us. Your trip fee allows us to ensure your well-being while making a meaningful impact, and it contributes to the sustainability and effectiveness of the volunteer projects we support.

Will I receive guidance and support before starting the volunteering trip?

Absolutely! Before starting your volunteer placement, you will receive comprehensive pre-departure support, which includes project-specific information, cultural orientation, and advice on preparing for your journey. Additionally, most trips include on-site training and an orientation to ensure you are well-prepared and confident in your volunteer role.

How do I choose the right volunteer trip for me?

With so many incredible options, we understand that selecting the perfect volunteer trip can be tricky. That's why we recommend booking your favourite one, and your dedicated Trip Coordinator will guide you through the project details. They will consider your interests, skills, desired location, and the impact you want to make. If we find another trip that better suits your preferences, we can easily swap you over to ensure you have the ideal volunteer experience. Rest assured, we're here to help you find the right fit!

How long should I volunteer for?

We offer flexibility in our volunteer trips, allowing you to choose the duration that best suits your schedule and desired experience. While most volunteers join us for 3 or 4 weeks, our trips accommodate durations as short as two weeks or as long as 12 weeks, and even extended stays. The choice is yours!

What ages are most volunteers?

The ages of our volunteers can vary depending on the project, but we have a wide age range. Our volunteers typically range from 18 years old to 85 years old! Our Trip Coordinators ensure that all volunteers are vetted before embarking on their journey. While age may differ, what unites our volunteers is their shared passion for travel and their dedication to making a positive impact in the community or wildlife conservation efforts they are involved in. Regardless of age, anyone with a passion to contribute and explore is welcome to join our volunteer trips.

Is it safe to volunteer overseas?

Safety is our utmost priority, and it drives our thorough trip planning process and comprehensive inclusions. With a successful track record of safely sending tens of thousands of travellers overseas since 2008, we prioritise your well-being throughout the journey. Before you depart, we provide full support, ensuring a smooth and secure experience. Upon arrival, we take care of every detail, including secure airport transfers, comfortable accommodations, usually meals, and dedicated project supervision. Additionally, our 24/5 emergency line ensures immediate assistance whenever needed, providing peace of mind throughout your entire volunteer experience.

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

Still have questions?

Why go Global

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Worldwide support

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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