50+ Volunteers - Mature Volunteers - Volunteer in Africa

Make a difference as a conservation volunteer

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50+

We work with volunteers of all ages, and the projects that we work with welcome the knowledge and experience that more mature volunteers bring with them.

Mature volunteer on a conservation and wildlife management placement

"My concerns that I wouldn’t be up to the task of volunteering soon vanished ... Therefore I could dedicate myself completely and with great enjoyment to looking after the animals...Having done something with purpose and dedicating myself to it completely is truly fulfilling and gives great happiness! You also learn to understand nature and to grasp how everything interacts and impacts on each other... Keep encouraging people to take on the adventure and to give their life a new meaning, knowing that they have contributed to preserving nature - if only a little bit." Silvia Russenberger, 66

Joining as a mature volunteer

Which projects are suitable?

There are no upper age restrictions and no professional requirements on any projects so you could join any of them. It really comes down to what type of experience you are looking for.

What are the facilities like?

While accommodation is on group share basis at most projects, some projects like Hanchi, Tuli and Game Capture can offer private safari tents for couples, while the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Zingela Predator Conservation Project can offer upgraded accommodation at their lodges.

How strenuous are the projects?

All projects involve some level of physical activity, but the projects vary in how strenuous the physical work that is involved can be. Volunteering with the Game Capture Team involves the physical handling of wildlife in stressful situations as well as the physical work of setting up large enclosures in the bush. Volunteers at the Tuli Conservation Project and Zingela Predator Conservation Project frequently climb hilltops for wildlife surveys or walk for a couple of hours through the bush while tracking animals. The Wildlife Tracking Course requires participants to be able to walk for several hours through uneven terrain.

If you are worried about whether you’ll be able to meet the demands of your preferred project, we’ll be happy to chat to you about the project requirements in detail so that you can make an informed decision.

Will I be the only mature volunteer?

We work with volunteers aged anywhere between 17- 70, so there is usually a good mix of age groups at all projects. If you prefer to be matched with other volunteers of similar age to you, just give us a call and we can look into who has already booked onto the various projects and try and find a placement for you where you will be with like-minded people.