Volunteer travel guide
Volunteering abroad used to be a long term commitment for a highly qualified few but that has since changed.
Volunteering with rhinos
Minutes after its thick skin is punctured by the tranquiliser dart, the rhino grows unsteady and begins to stagger. But only when it collapses completely to the ground and falls unconscious can the translocation team cautiously approach. Then, while this huge, incredibly powerful animal is sedated – adults can weigh in at around 1,600kg, about as much as a car – a chainsaw roars into life, and the rhino’s horn is removed. It’s sad to see, but it’s a painless operation and one that may well save the rhino’s life, making it less of a target for poachers.
Not long afterwards, the effects of the tranquiliser start to wear off. The workers back away as the patient, now blindfolded, stumbles to its feet, then they rush forwards again as the tailgate of a heavy-duty trailer is dropped down. Gently, they push and guide the rhino into a cage so it can be transported to its new home, a place of safety.
When it is released into the sanctuary, the team shares an amazing sense of victory and relief. And you’ll be giving out the high-fives too, because as a volunteer on our rhino conservation tours, you’ll play an active role in an actual rhino rescue and translocation, even boarding a helicopter to observe proceedings from above.
Not long afterwards, the effects of the tranquiliser start to wear off. The workers back away as the patient, now blindfolded, stumbles to its feet, then they rush forwards again as the tailgate of a heavy-duty trailer is dropped down. Gently, they push and guide the rhino into a cage so it can be transported to its new home, a place of safety.
When it is released into the sanctuary, the team shares an amazing sense of victory and relief. And you’ll be giving out the high-fives too, because as a volunteer on our rhino conservation tours, you’ll play an active role in an actual rhino rescue and translocation, even boarding a helicopter to observe proceedings from above.
What does volunteering with rhinos involve?
I spoke with Georgia Wilson from our partner The Great Projects about volunteering with wildlife conservation in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and why rhinos need urgent help. “Poaching remains a real threat,” says Georgia. “Save the Rhino International reported that almost 500 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa last year. The use of rhino horn for traditional medicines in Asian markets remains the key driver. Zimbabwe has made huge strides with conservation; they have reported a big increase in rhino numbers.”
Volunteers on our holidays give their time, and energy, to inspiring wildlife sanctuaries, help with rhino rescues and translocations, and assist with efforts to release rhinos into the wild.
“We get people of all ages, genders and work backgrounds,” says Georgia, who points out that volunteers might also meet and help to care for many other animals, from elephants to cheetahs and African wild dogs.
Volunteers on our holidays give their time, and energy, to inspiring wildlife sanctuaries, help with rhino rescues and translocations, and assist with efforts to release rhinos into the wild.
“We get people of all ages, genders and work backgrounds,” says Georgia, who points out that volunteers might also meet and help to care for many other animals, from elephants to cheetahs and African wild dogs.
South Africa
“In South Africa we work in partnership with the SanWild Sanctuary, close to Kruger National Park,” says Georgia. “A nearby farm that was doing intensive rhino breeding has fallen into disrepair, and the animals need to be saved before they are poached.”
South Africa has around 2,000 black rhinos – half the total in Africa – and 13,000 white rhinos. Those numbers are going up, but only gradually. The International Rhino Foundation says at least one rhino is killed every day in South Africa. Kruger alone lost nearly 80 last year.
“The best thing about SanWild is how forward-thinking they are,” says Georgia. “They employ cutting-edge technology like state-of-the art tracking collars and fencing systems that are monitored around the clock. They have a well-equipped anti-poaching unit, and they even work with universities that are developing new tech. SanWild is right in the hub of it. They see how many of these depressing poaching attacks are taking place very close to them, and they really care about their animals, so that’s why they take this so seriously.”
Our volunteer holidays here are centred on SanWild’s ambitious rescue and translocation project. Away from the thrill of the rhino rescue, there are plenty of other vital conservation tasks. You can lend a hand at the sanctuary, a 50km² sparsely populated reserve. Daily tasks range from creating and serving food mixes for the rhinos, monitoring behaviours (especially how the new arrival is settling in), and tracking elephants and other wildlife out in the reserve.
In your free time, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a range of fun activities around the area with your fellow volunteers, from horseback riding to hot air balloon rides.
South Africa has around 2,000 black rhinos – half the total in Africa – and 13,000 white rhinos. Those numbers are going up, but only gradually. The International Rhino Foundation says at least one rhino is killed every day in South Africa. Kruger alone lost nearly 80 last year.
“The best thing about SanWild is how forward-thinking they are,” says Georgia. “They employ cutting-edge technology like state-of-the art tracking collars and fencing systems that are monitored around the clock. They have a well-equipped anti-poaching unit, and they even work with universities that are developing new tech. SanWild is right in the hub of it. They see how many of these depressing poaching attacks are taking place very close to them, and they really care about their animals, so that’s why they take this so seriously.”
Our volunteer holidays here are centred on SanWild’s ambitious rescue and translocation project. Away from the thrill of the rhino rescue, there are plenty of other vital conservation tasks. You can lend a hand at the sanctuary, a 50km² sparsely populated reserve. Daily tasks range from creating and serving food mixes for the rhinos, monitoring behaviours (especially how the new arrival is settling in), and tracking elephants and other wildlife out in the reserve.
In your free time, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a range of fun activities around the area with your fellow volunteers, from horseback riding to hot air balloon rides.
Orangutan sanctuary volunteering in Borneo
Care for stunning endangered orangutans in beautiful Borneo
From
£1195 to £1895
13 days
ex flights
Over 50s volunteering with elephants, South Africa
Over 50s group volunteer with elephants adventure in Africa
From
£1395
8 days
ex flights
Orangutan volunteering in Borneo
Volunteer at an award winning orangutan rehabilitation centre
From
£795 to £1995
8 days
ex flights
Family volunteering with bears in Romania
Create unforgettable family memories volunteering with bears
From
£1379
7 days
ex flights
Costa Rica turtle conservation experience
Help protect turtles by volunteering in Costa Rica
From
£895 to £4195
8 days
ex flights
Contact Us
Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.
01273 823 700
Call us after 10am
Calling from outside the UK
More than just relocating rhinos
These projects are much more than simply relocating rhinos or preparing them for release into the wild. Their survival chances as a species are being improved, and their grazing behaviours help to improve the health of the ecosystems and biodiversity in their new homes. Large-scale projects like this are not cheap, and our volunteer holidays go towards the cost, while you get some fantastic hands-on conservation experience.
In South Africa, during the rhino rescue operation, you’ll have the opportunity to take to the skies with a brief helicopter flight. At this height you don’t just get an overview of the logistics involved in this kind of work. You also get a broader picture of the region, and the importance of rhinos and other wildlife to these landscapes, and why these projects are so vital. When the rhino emerges from the cage into its new, safe home, you can expect to feel some pretty big emotions.
In South Africa, during the rhino rescue operation, you’ll have the opportunity to take to the skies with a brief helicopter flight. At this height you don’t just get an overview of the logistics involved in this kind of work. You also get a broader picture of the region, and the importance of rhinos and other wildlife to these landscapes, and why these projects are so vital. When the rhino emerges from the cage into its new, safe home, you can expect to feel some pretty big emotions.
More Volunteering with animals articles
Our travel guide highlights some of the world's most important and exciting projects.
In caring for these creatures, you will be led to some of the best parts of the world.
Find out how rescue centres help bears, what role volunteers play to help bears, and get vital info before you go.
Here we reveal the best places to enjoy a responsible elephant conservation project.
It's hard work, but could be among the most memorable experiences of your life.
From tracking leopards in South Africa to caring for rescued bears in Romania.
More relevant guides
