Veterinary students on the Shimongwe veterinary experience attend an injured antelope Veterinary students on the Shimongwe veterinary experience attend an injured antelope Veterinary students on the Shimongwe veterinary experience attend an injured antelope Veterinary students on the Shimongwe veterinary experience attend an injured antelope

Volunteer with Wildlife in Africa

Whether you’re learning to track elephants across the wilderness, giving an orphaned rhino calf her afternoon feed, or racing into the bush to help a wounded giraffe – as a conservation volunteer in Africa you’ll get hands-on in the fight to save the continent’s enchanting wildlife. From the moment you arrive, you’ll also find yourself working shoulder to shoulder alongside seasoned wildlife professionals, learning specialist skills while assisting with real conservation.

Our volunteering experiences in Africa can last anywhere from two weeks to many months. If you want some help finding the perfect experience from the options below, please contact us.

Help

Volunteer with animals in a real conservation project where your time and energy make a meaningful impact.

Experience

Live and work on the project, where you’ll get to know Africa’s animals, local professionals and your fellow volunteers.

Learn

Gain a breadth of skills and experiences, which could even help you advance your career.

Choose your type of volunteering

Wildlife Care & Rehabilitation

ACE students at Care for Wild Africa weighing a baby serval ACE students at Care for Wild Africa weighing a baby serval ACE students at Care for Wild Africa weighing a baby serval ACE students at Care for Wild Africa weighing a baby serval
Help injured and orphaned animals through wildlife care, husbandry and nursing

Wildlife Research & Management

ACE volunteers sat in a jeep monitoring elephant population at Phinda ACE volunteers sat in a jeep monitoring elephant population at Phinda ACE volunteers sat in a jeep monitoring elephant population at Phinda ACE volunteers sat in a jeep monitoring elephant population at Phinda
Learn from conservationists and field researchers, helping to protect wild animals and ecosystems

Gap Year Travel

Vet student group relaxing by the campfire Vet student group relaxing by the campfire Vet student group relaxing by the campfire Vet student group relaxing by the campfire
Reinforce your academic learning, giving you applied, practical conservation experience

Short Experiences

Group of ACE volunteers sitting on a vehicle with telemetry equipment, watching the sunset Group of ACE volunteers sitting on a vehicle with telemetry equipment, watching the sunset Group of ACE volunteers sitting on a vehicle with telemetry equipment, watching the sunset Group of ACE volunteers sitting on a vehicle with telemetry equipment, watching the sunset
Our shorter trips offer big experiences, giving you the chance to see Africa’s wildlife through the eyes of local conservationists and expert guides

Sabbaticals & Career Breaks

ACE volunteer smiling at the camera while monitoring a sedated rhino ACE volunteer smiling at the camera while monitoring a sedated rhino ACE volunteer smiling at the camera while monitoring a sedated rhino ACE volunteer smiling at the camera while monitoring a sedated rhino
Break free from your routines and spend time volunteering alongside wildlife and conservation experts

Internships

A veterinary student working on a captured antelope A veterinary student working on a captured antelope A veterinary student working on a captured antelope A veterinary student working on a captured antelope
Translate theory into practical knowledge while learning how to protect Africa’s ecosystems

Marine Conservation Projects

Dolphins breaching in front of waves and mountans Dolphins breaching in front of waves and mountans Dolphins breaching in front of waves and mountans Dolphins breaching in front of waves and mountans
Study whales, dolphins and inspire local communities about the marine environment

Adventure Learning Experiences

A group of ACE volunteers learning about tracking in the African bush A group of ACE volunteers learning about tracking in the African bush A group of ACE volunteers learning about tracking in the African bush A group of ACE volunteers learning about tracking in the African bush
Explore Africa’s wildlife and the challenges they face, guided by local experts

Wildlife Veterinary Projects

ACE volunteers monitoring a sedated rhino in the back of a vehicle ACE volunteers monitoring a sedated rhino in the back of a vehicle ACE volunteers monitoring a sedated rhino in the back of a vehicle ACE volunteers monitoring a sedated rhino in the back of a vehicle
Join some of Africa's most experienced wildlife veterinarians in the field

School & College Field Trips

A group of students and teachers hiking through the plains A group of students and teachers hiking through the plains A group of students and teachers hiking through the plains A group of students and teachers hiking through the plains
Combining education with real conservation work, empowering students to make a lasting positive impact on the world

Or explore by animal

Elephant Conservation Projects

Close-up of an Elephant Close-up of an Elephant Close-up of an Elephant Close-up of an Elephant
Research and monitor the world's largest land mammals alongside passionate professionals

Lion Conservation Projects

Lion closeup near dusk Lion closeup near dusk Lion closeup near dusk Lion closeup near dusk
Get to know one of Africa’s largest carnivores in its natural environment

Rhino Conservation Projects

Close up of a rhino grazing Close up of a rhino grazing Close up of a rhino grazing Close up of a rhino grazing
Come together with like-minded individuals to save the rhino from the poaching crisis and habitat loss

Traveller Stories

Why volunteer with animals in Africa?

As a traveller, there is simply no other experience that brings you closer to Africa’s wildlife, communities and conservation professionals than volunteering. You’ll find yourself working alongside highly skilled individuals every day, gaining unparalleled access to – and a unique perspective on – Africa’s wildlife, rural communities and the challenges they face.

Spending time in wildlife conservation volunteering in Africa, you’ll also discover the sense of excitement that comes from being able to recognise individual animals even within a wild area or a large group of similar animals. This is something many of our wildlife volunteers tell us is the most profound memory from their time in Africa. For some, it’s also the reason they return to volunteer with wildlife in Africa again and again.

There’s no denying the work can sometimes be challenging. But as you sit down to a well-earned dinner each evening you’ll be able to reflect on the many incredible things you’ve seen, done and learned that day. What’s more, you’ll be supporting conservation projects and initiatives at the very forefront of wildlife conservation in southern Africa. Their ongoing success will be the legacy of your time spent as a conservation volunteer in Africa.

Who volunteers and works with animals in Africa?

Whether you’re an animal lover who wants to work with wildlife in Africa, a student looking for exciting wildlife internships, or someone planning a career sabbatical who has always dreamed of doing something meaningful while seeing the world, wildlife conservation volunteering is for you. 

Different ways of volunteering with animals

We offer a range of wildlife volunteering opportunities in southern Africa to meet the needs of every individual traveller. Many people with a background (or a future) in biology and conservation are drawn to our wildlife research and management, wildlife rehabilitation and care, and marine conservation experiences. Likewise, our veterinary volunteering experiences are very popular with veterinary students seeking a wildlife internship in Africa as well as qualified vets looking to test themselves in a new environment.

What makes us different?

ACE USP: An icon saying Since 1999 - founded in 1999, African Conservation Experience is the original conservation travel company

Southern Africa's original conservation travel company

ACE USP: An icon depicting a traditional graduation hat and certificate - the African Conservation Experience team contains qualified zoologists and conservationists

We are qualified zoologists and conservationists

ACE USP: An icon depicting communication between people - African Conservation Experience is always available to talk and discuss options

Personal guidance before you book

ACE USP: An icon of a pawprint - to communicate authenticity of African Conservation Experience's wildlife conservation projects

Join real wildlife conservation projects

ACE USP: An icon of the continent Africa - African Conservation Experience offers 24/7 support with an on-the-ground team

Enjoy total peace of mind, with 24/7 in-country support

ACE USP: An icon of a tree with dollar symbols for leaves - African Conservation Experience supports only ethical and worthwhile conservation projects

Empower vital conservation initiatives

Read more