Imagine swapping your work for the African wilderness. Waking up to the sounds of the savannah, tracking elephants through ancient migration routes, helping to rehabilitate rhino calves orphaned by poachers, or preparing special diets for rescued big cats to regain their strength.
Our wildlife conservation projects offer you the chance to step away from the everyday, reconnect with nature and make a lasting impact on Africa’s wildlife.
I left South Africa with a real sense of fulfilment, knowing that my efforts contributed to an important cause. For those with an interest in conservation and a readiness to get involved, I highly recommend ACE!
There are plenty of opportunities to learn, get an understanding of how things work, meet incredible people, get in touch with nature, and have breathtaking moments with the wildlife.
I would recommend volunteering with ACE, as it was valuable to be able to speak with the staff on the phone before booking, to hone in on which projects I would be most interested in. From this, they tailor your trip to what you're looking for and what your needs are.
If you are thinking about going, go! It is life-changing and it’s amazing to see how professional and dedicated everyone is on the project sites. To work with all kinds of people all around the world and to learn so much about the situation in Africa around the wildlife is fantastic.
I think the most important thing to remember at Care for Wild is that you are there for the rhinos. It’s not a petting zoo or a photo shoot. You can take photos and admire them, but you are there to help them.
So in the end, we learnt so much about the variety of things involved with wildlife conservation. The response and support from ACE on the ground in SA was amazing and if you ever get the chance to spend some time with Martin and the team, it’ll never be enough - they know so much and are so passionate about what they do!
I could talk for hours and hours about the many adventures I was lucky enough to undertake during my placements with ACE, I still haven’t finished telling my friends and family everything! The amazing sense of accomplishment and pride I feel whenever I look back at what I’ve learnt and been privileged to be a part of is unfathomable.
Close up of a cheetah at Phinda Wildlife Research Project
Adult gap year opportunities in Africa
Southern Africa: where sabbatical travel meets conservation
From Australia to Zimbabwe, communities around the globe are looking for new ways to co-exist with the natural world. As southern Africa’s original conservation travel company, we’ve spent decades building a network of inspiring projects and people in one of the world’s most unforgettable locations. This means you can now work and learn alongside renowned conservation experts with an infectious passion for wildlife while aiding a great cause - the transition to a more sustainable future.
As the continent’s landscapes are being visibly transformed by a changing climate and pressures from the increased human population, some of our planet’s most majestic species are facing a struggle for their survival. Thankfully, they are not alone. The conservation movement in southern Africa is working day and night to help protect, nurture and re-establish wildlife populations. Whether you're seeking an adult gap year or a meaningful career break opportunity abroad, it starts here - with people like you, ready to make a difference.
Take a sabbatical abroad and learn skills that go beyond the office
There are many career break opportunities abroad, but few match the depth of transformation you'll experience through career break volunteering in Africa. Being a sabbatical volunteer in southern Africa isn't just about the iconic wildlife - working with wildlife professionals on real projects, you’ll gain a wealth of insight into global and local conservation issues, as well as practical techniques for researching and managing wildlife in the field. You'll learn how to track animals, gather behavioural data, prepare specialised diets for injured and orphaned animals, and respond to unpredictable challenges in dynamic environments. In the wild, you'll learn to think on your feet, work as part of a diverse team, and grow personally and professionally. That’s the power of an adult gap year spent in Africa’s untamed landscapes.
Short sabbatical adventures with long-lasting impact
When most people think of a sabbatical, they imagine taking months or even years out of work. While a small percentage of people can realise this dream, most career breakers find a mini-sabbatical of around three to six weeks is a more realistic option.
A career break of this duration still offers many of the benefits of longer sabbatical programs - it could mean fulfilling a lifelong ambition, adding something unique to your CV, or discovering something new about yourself. And by returning to work sooner, a mini-sabbatical is much easier to arrange with your employer and less of a financial commitment to you.
Taking a career break volunteering with us means you'll deliver maximum impact without requiring you to hit pause for months on end. You’ll still gain practical conservation experience and make a real contribution to Africa’s wildlife, but in a way that’s easier to manage alongside your personal and professional commitments. Whether it's helping to rehabilitate orphaned rhinos, contributing to ecological research, or learning to track lions in the bush, every moment offers personal growth and a chance to build transferable skills. It’s an ideal model for those who want to recharge, refocus, or reignite their sense of purpose without stepping away for too long.
FAQs
What is a sabbatical?
A sabbatical is an extended break from work that allows you to step away from the usual routines and explore new experiences, often for personal growth, skill development, or rest. Many use this time for sabbatical volunteering, pursuing meaningful goals such as learning, travelling, or contributing to global causes. For those seeking to give back, a sabbatical abroad can combine this purpose with exploration.
Is a sabbatical just a holiday?
Maybe you caught the travelling bug in your backpacking youth before your career and family became your whole world. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of a great adventure but never had the time or money to make it happen. Or maybe you simply want to put more life into your work-life balance.
Whatever your motivations, mid-career sabbatical travel is a break unlike any other. Armed with more life experience and financial stability than you had in your youth, it’s a chance to plan a sabbatical adventure that is truly personal and meaningful to you. A career break volunteer abroad experience enables you to break away from the routines of your everyday working life, learn about the world around you, and gain new and valuable perspectives.
Where can I get involved with career break volunteering?
We provide sabbatical travel in southern Africa. You could be tracking elephants in Botswana or supporting rehabilitation at a rhino sanctuary in South Africa. From habitat restoration and anti-poaching work to animal husbandry and wildlife rescue, our sabbatical programs are ideal for anyone looking for an authentic experience.
Am I too old to take a sabbatical abroad?
Definitely not with us! We create experiences for wildlife enthusiasts aged between 16 and 70+. Each experience online also has Rhino Ratings, which will give you an idea on how strenuous they are. If you’re worried about whether you’ll be able to meet the physical demands of your preferred experience, we’ll be happy to chat to you about the requirements in more detail.
Will I be with lots of young people or people my own age?
Due to our variety of experiences and catering for wildlife enthusiasts aged between 16 and 70+, there’s usually a good mix of age groups at all our locations, but we do our best to schedule trips with people of a similar age, depending on your interests and availability and each project's capacity. We are happy to chat to you about this in more detail.
Do I need previous experience working with wildlife?
No experience necessary! Our sabbatical programs are suitable for mature volunteers from all backgrounds.
What are the best career break opportunities abroad?
The New Horizons Sabbatical is more than just time away from the office. It's a meaningful sabbatical travel experience designed for those seeking personal growth, adventure, and real-world impact. As a career break volunteer abroad, you'll immerse yourself in three distinct conservation projects across South Africa and Botswana, each offering hands-on opportunities to contribute to vital wildlife work. You'll live and work alongside seasoned conservation experts, track lions and elephants in wild reserves, and help protect critically endangered species like pangolins and rhinos. It’s the perfect sabbatical adventure for anyone ready to reconnect with nature, learn new skills, and make a lasting difference.
How do I become a sabbatical volunteer?
Take the first step on your adventure by simply submitting an enquiry form. We offer sabbatical programs and opportunities based on your experience, goals, and interests. You can visit a Single wildlife project or even combine multiple projects to create an exciting Combined experience. You can find out more about how we take time to create a customised African Conservation Experience that’s just right for you here.
We can't wait to speak with you about taking a career break abroad!
