RESPONSIBLE VOLUNTEERING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Our South Africa volunteering Holidays
Volunteer with monkeys in South Africa
Help re-habilitate orphaned monkeys in beautiful rural South Africa
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
Family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
Hands-on family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
Wildlife photography and volunteering in South Africa
Enjoy amazing wildlife photography while giving back!
Horse rehabilitation project in South Africa
Work hands on with horses on the South African coast
South Africa endangered wildlife conservation
Assist with protecting endangered species in South Africa
Teaching assistant volunteering in South Africa
Help disadvantaged kids to learn English in South Africa
Volunteer with children & animals in South Africa
Volunteer with children and wild animals in South Africa.
The great white shark conservation project in South Africa
Encounter iconic Great White Sharks in South Africa!
Volunteering with Elephants in South Africa
Study and care for elephants in South Africa
Wildlife orphanage volunteering in South Africa
Care for orphaned animals in stunning South Africa!
Volunteer with elephants in South Africa
Volunteer with elephants on the stunning Garden Route
Shark conservation in South Africa
Conserve sharks, whales and penguins in South Africa
Zululand conservation project
Preserve iconic wildlife in the breathtaking South Africa!
Big five conservation in South Africa
Volunteer with the Big Five in South Africa.
South Africa game ranger course
Get your game ranger qualification working with wildlife
Photography volunteer program in Cape Town
Make an impact through photography!
Big cat conservation safari, South Africa
Safari with purpose to support South Africa's lions
Veterinary internship in South Africa
Veterinary experience in South Africa
Wildlife photography and conservation in South Africa
Photography and conservation on a Big 5 game reserve
Wildlife conservation course in South Africa
Learn species conservation and habitat management in South Africa
Volunteer at a lion sanctuary in South Africa
Work with rescued big cats in Africa's largest sanctuary
Over 40s volunteering with elephants, South Africa
Over-40s group volunteer with elephants adventure in Africa
Sports coaching in South Africa
Coach your favourite sport & inspire disadvantaged children
Veterinary internship in Chintsa, South Africa
Hands-on veterinary experience in game reserves and farms
Primate rescue volunteer holiday in South Africa
Providing rescued primates with a better quality of life
Family conservation project in South Africa
Exciting family volunteering with the Big 5
Volunteer at The Shamwari Wildlife Reserve, South Africa
Conserve species on a South African game reserve
Wildlife conservation safari in South Africa
Join wildlife conservation experts in the field
Wildlife conservation in South Africa
Protect wildlife in a stunning coastal reserve
PEOPLE & CULTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA


"When selecting a volunteer placement you should assess the long term aims, how volunteers assist the project and the support you will receive throughout your volunteer placement."
Wildlife & environment
Cuddled to be killed
Anyone looking for a volunteer placement with captive animals should be aware that not all sanctuaries and wildlife centres in South Africa are as they seem. Some unscrupulous owners have cottoned on to the fact that letting people volunteer with animals brings in the Rand. Big cats, especially, are often bred in captivity in order to be shot by trophy hunters. This practice, which is legal in South Africa, is known as 'canned hunting'. Lions and leopards are played with as cubs, which makes them sitting ducks for hunters who pay big bucks for the privilege of shooting a 'prize trophy'. Most hunting in South Africa takes place on private game reserves, and hunters pay a ‘species fee’ for the privilege of hunting, shooting and taking home a ‘prize trophy’. Hunting permits, licences, ammunition, trophy handling, food, accommodation, travel and additional tours all add up to trophy hunting being very big business in South Africa, which is why the government still allows it to take place. Although cuddling, feeding and playing with baby lions can seem like an attractive and worthwhile experience – you're helping animals after all, right? – the truth is much, much darker. There's a huge abuse of a volunteer's time, money and trust, not to mention the ethical impacts of raising an animal purely so it can be shot in the name of sportDrought and erosion
No matter where you volunteer in South Africa, limiting your water consumption and not wasting water is vital for helping to address the drought. Take care when washing, drinking and cooking with water. Use hand gel as an alternative, wherever possible. If you're trekking or working in the wild make sure you stick to marked trails or designated areas. In this way you'll be helping to prevent further erosion taking place on already desperately dry landscapes. Also, have some empathy for what urban and rural communities are going through and don’t be too demanding when it comes to fitting in with local lifestyles.