Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - Lion at Phinda

Conservation Travel

This is travel, untamed.

Ethical holidays in Africa

Ready to step off the beaten track and into the heart of real wildlife conservation? These travel experiences give you exclusive behind-the-scenes access to leading wildlife conservation projects, renowned animal experts, and areas regular travellers don’t get to see.

Unlike the polished safari experience, nothing is for show. And rather than just observing the animals, you’ll play an active role in researching, caring for, and protecting these amazing creatures. No experience or specialist knowledge is required - if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and make a difference, the world of African wildlife conservation needs you. And our team of conservation travel experts is here to guide and support you every step of the way.

Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - Giraffe in the Okavango
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - Couple viewing wildlife

Why choose these experiences?

The top reasons people love these conservation travel experiences.

ACE Icon - Friends

Small group size

See Africa without the crowds and gain genuine insights.

ACE Icon - Wildlife Research

Don’t just observe, get involved

Join a specialist team and contribute to real conservation.

ACE Icon - Bootprint

Off the beaten track

Go behind the scenes and access areas not open to the public.

ACE Icon - 24/7 Support

24/7 in-country support

You look after the animals. Our team in Africa look after you.

ACE Icon - Globe

Support global goals

Join leading projects aligned with WWF, EWT and UN SDGs.

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Multiple projects, one trip (optional)

Visit a variety of conservation projects in one experience.

Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - Bottle feeding a Zebra at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - Telemetry at Phinda Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - Cheetahs at Phinda
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - Bottle feeding a Zebra at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - Telemetry at Phinda
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - Cheetahs at Phinda
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - In a biplane in the Okavango
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - zebra, giraffe and elephants around a watering hole
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - travellers together
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - rhino horn trimming at Phinda
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - base camp surrounded by stars in the Okavango
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - feeding a rhino at Care For Wild Africa
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - zebra
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - bottle feeding giraffe at Moholoholo
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - monitoring an elephant at Phinda
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - lion
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - night time game drive in the Kruger
Ethical Holidays In Africa - Conservation Travel - Pangolin at Phinda Wildlife Research Project

Photo of a pangolin, from the Phinda Wildlife Research Project

Wildlife travel with impact

Meaningful travel experiences in Africa

Our ethical holidays in Africa are designed for travellers who want more than sightseeing. They want purpose, not just pictures. These are carefully curated journeys where you play an active role in supporting conservation and animal welfare while discovering the continent’s most extraordinary landscapes.

We partner with respected conservation organisations to ensure your time and resources have a measurable impact. Here at African Conservation Experience, our projects align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we are affiliated with leading global organisations like WWF and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), and our most popular wildlife trips have been featured in acclaimed publications such as Lonely Planet and National Geographic.

You might join a field team monitoring rhinos, assist with habitat restoration, provide care for injured wildlife, or learn directly from ecologists working to protect threatened ecosystems. The result is a trip that leaves you with unforgettable memories and the knowledge that your travels helped protect the African flora and fauna.

Whether you join us for one week or several months, you’ll find the same ethos: smaller groups, expert-led projects, and a focus on leaving things better than we found them. That’s the foundation of our ethical travel experiences - delivering personal, purpose-driven travel.

Wildlife holidays in Africa that support responsible wildlife tourism

We provide different ethical tours, depending on what you're searching for. We have Longer Wildlife Adventures for extended immersion, Wildlife Breaks Up To 14 Nights for shorter getaways, and Conservation Courses for travellers who want structured skill-building. Whichever you choose, your conservation holiday is tailored to your interests, availability and desired level of involvement, and built around our core Animal Welfare guidelines and Sustainable Populations standards. At African Conservation Experience, we believe the future of travel is respectful and responsible.

FAQs

What makes your Africa holidays ethical?

All of our experiences are built on the principles of responsible wildlife tourism.

We only partner with wildlife sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres in Africa that comply with the animal welfare guidelines established by SATSA and ABTA. This guarantees that our projects uphold the highest standards of care, conservation value, and ethical treatment of animals.

For more information on the topic of ethical animal tourism, please refer to our Animal Welfare page.

And we only partner with wildlife research projects where animal populations are either fully self-sustaining or largely sustainable with minimal human support - a model we refer to as "assisted sustainable". This approach allows animals to live as naturally as possible, which is vital for ensuring high standards of animal welfare and enabling genuine conservation efforts.

For more information on the topic of supporting sustainable wildlife management, please refer to our Sustainable Populations page.

What makes your ethical holidays in Africa different from safaris?

A safari is usually about observing wildlife for enjoyment, photography, or education. While safaris can offer valuable experiences, the best interests of wildlife and ecosystems are not always the main priority.

Our trips go further and combine meaningful travel with direct and measurable contributions to conservation. Rather than being a passive observer, you play an active role through hands-on participation and financial support - assisting with research, restoring habitats, supporting rehabilitation, and funding local conservation staff - ensuring your experience delivers real benefits for wildlife, ecosystems, and communities.

Do I need experience to go on a conservation holiday?

No experience is necessary! Our Africa tours are designed for anyone passionate about making a difference. Conservation experts will guide you through every activity, so you can learn and contribute meaningfully.

Am I too old or too young for your ethical wildlife vacations?

We create experiences for wildlife enthusiasts aged between 16 and 70+. Each experience online also has Rhino Ratings, which will give you an idea of 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 with you about the requirements in more detail.

Can I travel solo?

Absolutely! We cater for solo travellers as well as groups. Many African Conservation Experience travellers come alone and join a supportive small group with shared interests. There’s usually a good mix of age groups at all of 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 with you about this in more detail.

Are your ethical holidays in Africa safe?

African Conservation Experience is one of the most trusted names in ethical wildlife travel, and the health and safety of our travellers is our top priority. With the expertise of our team and our comprehensive safety protocols, we’ve helped thousands take part in meaningful conservation experiences in 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 our participants travel with confidence at the dedicated page.

Are there any testimonials from previous travellers?

Absolutely! In addition to our Google Reviews, we're delighted to showcase first-hand stories from people who've joined our most popular conservation holidays. Their experiences speak volumes about what makes an African Conservation Experience so special.

How do I book an ethical travel experience with you?

Take the first step on your adventure by simply submitting an enquiry form. We offer wildlife and nature holidays based on your experience, goals, and interests. You can visit a Single 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 the best ethical holidays in Africa!

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