'Work on the Wild Side' featuring former ACE volunteer Rachael Pfeiffer at Care for Wild
A new wildlife series Work on the Wild Side, Channel 4, will be featuring some of ACE's key partners and people.

Surrounded by 7,500 acres (3,000ha) of wildlife reserve, Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary is one of the largest – and arguably the most successful – rhino sanctuaries in the world. Its gates are closed to tourists but this experience gives you the opportunity to live and work inside this renowned wildlife conservation project.
From treating injured animals to bottle-feeding orphaned calves, you’ll find yourself working hands-on in Africa’s fight to save the rhino. Spending time up close with amazing creatures, you’ll also get an unrivalled insight into their behaviour and individual personalities.
As well as rhino, Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary looks after many other species, so you could also find yourself helping to care for hippo, lions, meerkats, antelope and even birds of prey among others. All the time, you’ll be learning about wildlife care from leading conservationists.
🇿🇦 South Africa
Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary is a private wildlife rehabilitation centre that exists solely to provide the best possible care for animals. It doesn’t admit paying visitors or safari tours.
Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary’s project leader Petronel Nieuwoudt is one of the world’s leading experts in the rehabilitation of rhino, with an excellent track record of releasing animals successfully into the wild.
Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary is the only rhino rehabilitation centre accredited by the National Parks board of South Africa.
Just 3.5 hours from Johannesburg and only half an hour from the provincial capital, Mbombela (Nelspruit), Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary has easy access to all the facilities of a major city. However, it’s also surrounded by 7,500 acres (3,000ha) of wilderness, giving you the feeling of true isolation.
Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary’s horseback and dog anti-poaching unit are based on-site, giving the project broader conservation impact across the local region.
As a volunteer at Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary your role will be very hands-on. Depending on the animals being cared for and your areas of interest, you’ll get involved in many activities.
This is how you will help:
As part of a dedicated team, you’ll help get animals back to full health and begin their long journey towards release back into the wild. Where a successful release is not possible, you’ll instead help to create a sanctuary for the animals to stay as long-term residents.
Volunteers like you are vital to the success and day-to-day running of Care for Wild.
Most animals arrive at wildlife rehabilitation centres with some level of injury or trauma. Baby rhino in particular arrive severely traumatised, having suffered the loss of their mother, attacks by poachers and predators. Depending on your level of experience, you’ll work as a vet or nursing assistant to treat wounds and infections, as well as providing intensive care.
Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary’s committed and experienced team will provide detailed lectures on the theory behind hand-rearing and infant care. You’ll also take responsibility for the development of individual baby rhino.
As well as gaining all kinds of practical work experience (which you can read about under the ‘do’ tab), you’ll learn about the behaviour, biology and conservation of rhino and other species.
A new wildlife series Work on the Wild Side, Channel 4, will be featuring some of ACE's key partners and people.
It's World Rhino Day, 2019, and we have a brand new competition for you!
Learn more about the two-part placement available as part of the ACE Rhino Conservation Experience.
African Conservation Experience’s rhino orphanage project, Care for Wild, welcomed a new arrival last week from the Kruger National Park.
Read an abridged version of Louis Grittani’s story, entitled The Call of the Rhinos.
Empowers Africa Foundation has arranged for the founder of Care for Wild to go to the USA to raise awareness of rhino conservation.
Learn some incredible rhino facts and discover how you can help these gentle creatures by volunteering with ACE.
Are you getting ready to watch the super moon tonight?
Dr. María Fàbregas, in collaboration with South African National Parks and Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary, is conducting a study of rhino orphans.
Read all about Thor's progress with Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary.
Most of our travellers like to combine multiple projects to create a tailor-made trip. The combined price of projects is cheaper than the individual projects added up online.
We offer combinations of conservation projects, transport between them, accommodation and travel insurance as you require. We are a travel operator, not an agent, which means we take full responsibility for your trip which will be financially protected through ABTA and ATOL.
We will discuss your options and tailor your experiences so you can realise your dreams.
Your journey to Africa starts with our online application form. This is your chance to tell us about yourself and what you want from your African experience. Following our communication, we’ll send you a bespoke itinerary and quote. Then, you only need to pay a deposit amount of GBP 295 / USD 400 / CAD 500 / AUD 500 / EUR 350 to book your entire trip.