Step into the world of professional wildlife care.
Our animal care field trips give young people the transferable animal husbandry skills and hands-on experience they need to increase their employability and set themselves apart from their peers.
Whether they’re preparing nutritionally balanced feeds, observing real veterinary procedures, providing enrichment activities, or maintaining enclosures, they’ll learn to assist with the daily care of injured, orphaned and often endangered African wildlife - including lions, honey badgers, wild dogs, tortoises, raptors and many other iconic species.
Designed for university and school students progressing towards careers in animal care, husbandry, wildlife management, or veterinary nursing, these trips are an opportunity for students to build skills and confidence for their professional development - as well as playing a vital role in real conservation.
If you are looking to volunteer in Africa, you know that going with ACE you will be supported every step of the way and we witnessed this countless times with the ACE team supporting multiple volunteers!
Having personally overseen the coordination of these field courses with colleagues at ACE for a number of years, I can testify that the service provided by the ground staff both in the UK and in southern Africa is second to none.
Students enjoying a talk at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Animal care and conservation field trips to Africa
Hands-on, real professional wildlife care
Prepare your students for a future in animal care, veterinary nursing, or conservation with an animal care and conservation field trip to Africa that offers real responsibility and life-changing experiences. At the heart of the programme is daily, hands-on animal husbandry training at one of Africa’s most advanced wildlife rehabilitation centres. Students may care for species such as wild dogs, vultures, lions, tortoises and honey badgers, learning the importance of species-specific husbandry techniques, behavioural enrichment, nutritional management, and enclosure maintenance - all aligned with best practice welfare protocols and following the animal welfare standards set by SATSA and ABTA.
These centres play a vital role in safeguarding Africa’s most threatened wildlife. Many animals arrive at these facilities as victims of poaching, habitat destruction, or the illegal wildlife trade. Students will provide daily care for resident animals and support efforts to rehabilitate and ultimately release specific animals back into protected natural habitats, contributing directly to regional and international conservation goals. They’ll gain a working knowledge of how expert care, data-driven monitoring, and ethical decision-making combine to improve outcomes for individual animals and entire populations.
Africa’s conservation challenges are complex and rooted in a long and often difficult history. Through immersive experiences and interactions with local experts, students will explore how social, political, and historical dynamics shape conservation today. They’ll learn about the evolving relationship between communities and wildlife, and how centres are pioneering inclusive conservation strategies that benefit both people and biodiversity - from mitigating human-wildlife conflict to restoring critical ecosystems.
By combining professional wildlife care with broader conservation education, these animal husbandry trips give students the edge in a competitive job market. They’ll work alongside experienced animal carers and veterinarians and take part in meaningful conservation work in the field. From rehabilitation centres to private field base camps, every part of the trip is designed to deepen their knowledge, build confidence, and provide the kind of applied, international experience that makes CVs stand out and passions turn into professions.
FAQs
What support do you offer to help the animal husbandry trips get off the ground?
After our initial meeting, we will put together a detailed slide deck of your custom itinerary that you are welcome to use to present to your school or college leadership team, parents and guardians, and students. We would also be delighted to host information evenings to meet with parents, guardians and students to discuss and answer any questions about the trip!
What are your safeguarding procedures?
Safeguarding is paramount throughout the trip. On each day, students will always be in the presence of at least one teacher or school chaperone. We will never split the group into more vehicles than there are teachers or school chaperones. Students will share accommodation with other students of the same gender, while the teacher and school chaperone accommodation will be separate but nearby.
How do you assess risk on your animal care field trips?
We use certified Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) practitioners to regularly assess every location, activity, and transfer. We are also very happy to provide a copy of our internal risk assessment for you to look through and assess for yourselves.
What is the procedure for dealing with medical emergencies for students?
A member of our in-country team will be with you at every step of your journey - from the moment you land to when you check in for your flight home. They will be on hand to deal with any emergencies, should they arise. In over two decades of running school, college and university field trips to Africa, there has never been an emergency that we have not been able to solve comprehensively.
Will I have access to the internet to keep in touch with parents, guardians, and my school?
Yes! All of our sites provide internet access. However, everyone is encouraged to disconnect and fully engage in life in the bush.
We also carry our own private router for your use in case of emergencies.
What if parents and guardians are still worried about travel to Africa?
It's natural. To put them at ease, we are one of the most trusted names in school, college and university travel to Africa. The health and safety of everyone present on our field trips is our top priority. With the expertise of our team and our comprehensive safety protocols, we’ve enabled hundreds to take part in school expeditions to Africa with confidence and peace of mind.
We're ABTA-accredited, ATOL-bonded, and follow strict UK and international travel standards. That means complete protection, legally and financially, for your booking. We also have our own on-the-ground support team, available 24/7. You can find more information on how people travel with confidence at the dedicated page.
We’re also happy to chat with parents and guardians directly, answer their questions, and give them peace of mind.
How will students support wildlife conservation efforts?
Depending on your itinerary, you will assist with animal care, husbandry, monitoring, enrichment, and other conservation-related activities.
All our partner animal rehabilitation centres strictly follow the animal welfare standards set by SATSA and ABTA, ensuring that animals live as naturally as possible while receiving the highest standards of care, ethical treatment, and conservation value. Our centres align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and we are also proud to be affiliated with leading global organisations like WWF and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), so you know your contribution will be delivering high conservation value.
How do I start planning an animal care and conservation field trip to Africa?
Take the first step by simply submitting an enquiry form. Our education experts will then be in touch to discuss the various opportunities we have available, tailoring the trip to your learning outcomes.
We can't wait to speak with you about the best animal husbandry trips in Africa!
