OUR TOP 10 SOUTH AFRICA VOLUNTEERING HOLIDAYS
Our wildlife volunteering holidays take place in private game reserves and managed national parks where vast wilderness areas provide natural habitat for animals to roam wild and free from harm. Sites for primate rehab centres and animal sanctuaries in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, for example, have been chosen so as to avoid human conflict and allow animals to be released back into their natural environment. Port Elizabeth, on the south coast, provides an altogether more urban existence with volunteers needed at schools supporting some of South Africa’s poorest townships. Shark conservation projects invite volunteers to experience life close to Cape Town with free days at Boulders Beach adding extra bite.
Our South Africa volunteering Holidays
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified conservation work!
From
US $1330
14 days
ex flights
Volunteer with monkeys in South Africa
Help re-habilitate orphaned monkeys in beautiful rural South Africa
From
£647
7 days
ex flights
Family volunteering and safari holiday, South Africa
Take your family on a truly rewarding holiday of a lifetime
From
US $679
7 days
ex flights
Wildlife conservation holiday in South Africa
Assist with conservation & research in Greater Kruger Park
From
£995
14 days
ex flights
Family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
Hands-on family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
From
£547 to £647
7 days
ex flights
Horse rehabilitation project in South Africa
Work hands on with horses on the South African coast
From
£895
7 days
ex flights
Volunteer with children & animals in South Africa
Volunteer with children and wild animals in South Africa.
From
€550 to €3990
7 days
ex flights
Big five conservation in South Africa
Volunteer with the Big Five in South Africa.
From
£805 to £3219
15 days
ex flights
Volunteering holiday in South Africa
Track endangered animals, camp out in the African jungle.
From
£999
7 days
ex flights
Volunteer at The Shamwari Wildlife Reserve, South Africa
Conserve species on a South African game reserve
From
£985 to £5985
14 days
ex flights
Mozambique marine conservation & Kruger safari
Moz Marine conservation & Kruger
From
US $4136
5 weeks
ex flights
Southern Africa house building volunteering
Build a Future Swaziland
From
US $1125 to US $2796
14 days
ex flights
Community projects in South Africa
Take part in a project which increases employment opportunities
From
£1310
4 weeks
ex flights
South Africa volunteering expedition, Kruger to Cape
Kruger 2 Cape expedition
From
US $4076 to US $4584
10 weeks
ex flights
Sports coaching volunteering in South Africa
Coach a variety of sports in township communities
From
£895
7 days
ex flights
Volunteer at a lion sanctuary in South Africa
Work with rescued big cats in Africa's largest sanctuary
From
£1795
4 weeks
ex flights
Game capture and relocation in South Africa
Volunteeer at a game capture reserve in South Africa
From
£1595
14 days
ex flights
Vervet monkey rehabilitation project in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Rehabilitate & release Vervet Monkeys into the wild
From
£895
7 days
ex flights
Game Reserve conservation in South Africa
Exciting and rewarding conservation work at game parks
From
£1795
14 days
ex flights
The great white shark conservation project in South Africa
Encounter iconic Great White Sharks in South Africa!
From
£895 to £3895
14 days
ex flights
Sports coaching in South Africa
Coach your favourite sport & inspire disadvantaged children
From
£1239
5 weeks
ex flights
Volunteer with deaf children in South Africa
Help children with hearing difficulties
From
£1145
14 days
ex flights
South Africa marine conservation diving holiday
Learn to dive and contribute to research in Sodwana Bay
From
£1195
14 days
ex flights
Veterinary internship in South Africa
Veterinary experience in South Africa
From
£1090
14 days
ex flights
Shark conservation in South Africa
Volunteer with sharks above & below water in South Africa
From
£1394
14 days
ex flights
Dog rescue volunteering in South Africa
Care for dogs in the coastal winelands of Cape Town
From
£895
14 days
ex flights
Veterinary internship in Chintsa, South Africa
Hands-on veterinary experience in game reserves and farms
From
£1699
14 days
ex flights
Kruger safari & community volunteering in Swaziland
Kruger and Building
From
US $2156 to US $2620
14 days
ex flights
Volunteer with elephants in South Africa
Volunteer with elephants near South Africa's beautiful coast
From
£1415
21 days
ex flights
1. Endangered wildlife conservation
2. Family volunteering with monkeys
3. Great white shark conservation
4. Horse rehabilitation
5. Lion sanctuaries
6. Monkey volunteer
7. Sports coaching
8. Teaching assistant
9. Volunteer with deaf children
10. Wildlife conservation in Kruger
2. Family volunteering with monkeys
3. Great white shark conservation
4. Horse rehabilitation
5. Lion sanctuaries
6. Monkey volunteer
7. Sports coaching
8. Teaching assistant
9. Volunteer with deaf children
10. Wildlife conservation in Kruger
Endangered wildlife conservation
1. Endangered wildlife conservation
Cheetahs, black rhinos, wild dogs and vultures are all on South Africa's endangered wildlife list and volunteering to assist on an award winning habitat and conservation project in the game reserves of KwaZulu-Natal will go some way to supporting the efforts of the WWF and Wildlands Conservation Trust. Learn how to observe, track and identify endangered species in the real African bush.
Family volunteering with monkeys
2. Family volunteering with monkeys
Watching monkeys in the wild is as wondrous for parents as for children. Now imagine being part of the process that enables rescued infant monkeys to begin the journey back into their natural habitat. Volunteering with monkeys as a family in an African bush rehab centre allows your troop to get stuck into conservation work, as well as plenty of ‘ahhh’ moments.
Great white shark conservation
3. Great white shark conservation
Observing a great white in its natural environment is an absolute thrill and certain to dispel any negative preconceptions as quickly as you can say 'we're gonna need a bigger boat'. Volunteers will learn how to cage dive safely – no experience needed – and will become part of a boat crew, as well as assisting marine biologists with their on-going shark conservation projects.
Horse rehabilitation
4. Horse rehabilitation
Four weeks is the minimum recommended duration for volunteers wishing to care for neglected horses in South Africa in South Africa although there are still lots of horse related jobs to do if you can only spare a week or two. It takes more than just a quick fix for horses to trust humans again and volunteers will be handpicked to ensure horses are helped on the road to recovery, just a few kilometres ride from the Indian Ocean.
Lion sanctuaries
5. Lion sanctuaries
Many of South Africa's big cats have suffered at the hands of man.Volunteering at a lion sanctuary will place you where you're needed most as you help become an active member of a big cat welfare team caring for lions, leopards and non-native tigers that have been hurt or displaced by private game hunters and ill-conceived zoos. Monitor behaviour, prep food and allow lions in South Africa to regain their crowns.
Monkey volunteer
6. Monkey volunteer
The relationship between South Africa's primates and its humans is far from harmonious. Hunting, the illegal pet trade and traffic accidents are just some of the reasons why infant monkeys and baboons become orphaned and in need of care. Volunteering at a primate rehab centre, close to Kruger National Park, lets you fill the parental void and help baby monkeys on their journey back into the wild.
Sports coaching
7. Sports coaching
Although South Africa is often considered to be a southern hemisphere heavyweight when it comes to rugby, cricket and tennis, not all of its population are lucky enough to come from similar backgrounds to the country's international elite. Volunteer as a sports coach in an established Port Elizabeth sports foundation and inspire kids from the poorest communities to become the sports stars of SA's future.
Teaching assistant
8. Teaching assistant
Volunteering as a teaching assistant in South Africa should be seen as a long term project with some of the poorest communities in the Port Elizabeth area crying out for help with lessons and extracurricular activities. This is an opportunity for flexible, positive and fun-loving people willing to work alongside local teachers in and out of the classroom. Experience of working with kids is an advantage, although not essential as full training is given.
Volunteer with deaf children
9. Volunteer with deaf children
There's a wonderful school for deaf and partially deaf children aged three to 13 in Cape Town's Observatory suburb, one of the poorer areas of the city. Volunteer classroom and life orientation assistants, especially those who know sign language, are welcome for a variety of 'mainstream' and signed lessons, and sports coaching. School starts at 8am and finishes just after 2pm – don't be late!
Wildlife conservation in Kruger
10. Wildlife conservation in Kruger
Kruger National Park is renowned for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinoceros. Volunteering to join a scientific research team here offers unparalleled access to see these animals, and a host of other mammals and bird species, from a highly insightful perspective. Undertake bush craft training and collect data on wildlife as part of a two week wildlife conservation holiday in Kruger.
Our top South Africa volunteering Holiday
Volunteer with monkeys in South Africa
Help re-habilitate orphaned monkeys in beautiful rural South Africa
From
£647
7 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Departures can be arranged at anytime to suit you, all year round
Departures can be arranged at anytime to suit you, all year round
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about South Africa volunteering or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
More about South Africa volunteering
Volunteers are needed all year round, so check out the best time to volunteer in South Africa in terms of temperature and rainfall.
Volunteering in South Africa is life changing, and not only for the communities and wildlife that you’ll be assisting.
Our wildlife volunteering holiday’s page breaks down the different types of tour that we offer as well as managing traveller expectations.
Our community volunteering holidays in South Africa require commitment in terms of time, as well as the physical, mental and emotional demands of working in some of South Africa’s poorest communities.
Travellers really need to do their research before signing up for a captive wildlife volunteering holiday in South Africa.
From pollution to poverty, respecting cultural traditions to respecting animals, there are many responsible volunteering issues to keep in mind...
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Frontier Official] [Giraffe silhouette: Fyre Mael]
[Endangered wildlife: Vince Smith]
[Family volunteer/monkeys: Flowcomm]
[Great white shark volunteer: Tim Sheerman-Chase]
[Horse rehab: Pod Volunteer]
[Lion sanctuaries: Derek Keats]
[Monkey volunteer: Frontier Official]
[Sports coaching: Frontier Official]
[Teaching assistant: KHYM54]
[Volunteer deaf children: Travellers worldwide]
[Wildlife conservation kruger: Frontier Official]
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