The Great Projects

Spend two memorable weeks volunteering at a working wildlife sanctuary on the Namibian savannah, a vital refuge for orphaned and injured animals and ‘halfway station’ for those being carefully reintroduced to the wild. Your role? To care for and create a positive environment for these creatures, often threatened by human activity, and help with their rehabilitation. After settling in to your accommodation and getting to know your fellow volunteers, you’ll get started on a range of tasks, but mostly around feeding, maintenance, basic construction and creating stimulating enrichment activities for the animals. It’s important to note that on this Namibia wildlife sanctuary volunteering ...Read more >

In the verdant Bornean jungle lies the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary, which has begun to open its doors to generous and dedicated volunteers as of November 2018. Home to the largest amount of captive orangutans in the entire world, along with an orangutan rehabilitation and release program whose success is unprecedented, volunteers are invaluable when it comes to lending a helping hand. Orangutans face many threats, primarily from mass deforestation of the rainforest which leaves the great apes without food and shelter. As a result, many babies are orphaned and sold into the pet trade, only to be abandoned later when they become too difficult to care for or are shot or captured as ...Read more >

Becoming involved with Whale Conservation In The Azores, you will be plunged right into the midst of a beautiful island paradise, where you have the once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the majesty of cetacean species in their natural habitat. This project is focused on assisting a team of biologists to collect photo-ID and ecological data on both blue and sperm whales (depending on the time of year), as well as many other whale species. Volunteers will enjoy regular trips to sea and will be integrated into ALL aspects of the duties mentioned below. Volunteers enrolling in this project will be educated in an informal and casual environment, learning about whale and cetacean biology, ...Read more >

This game reserve, with its varied history, got its true start back in 1999 after 6 local lodges teamed up to work towards South Africa's conservation efforts. In the decades since, the reserve has continued its expansion and a further 5 properties have joined in with their ethical venture. Now home to an abundance of amazing wildlife species, Amakhala's 7,500 hectares of savannah landscapes are a sight to behold. Here at the project (which is located in Africa's beautiful Eastern Cape), volunteers will have the opportunity to witness such iconic animals such as rhinos, elephants, lions, and other such enticing and vulnerable creatures - including the legendary 'Big Five!' Participants ...Read more >

Located in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful natural settings in the world, this project is based in the Stanley and Livingstone Private Game Reserve, on the outskirts of the incredible Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe. The aim of the project is to devise and implement sustainable solutions to the many problems facing the conservation of the area’s wildlife. Home to populations of the 'Big Five’, black rhino, and a wealth of other rare and incredible species, the reserve is a hotbed of wildlife activity. Volunteers on this project are actively involved in a number of initiatives which help protect and conserve the reserve’s numerous species. These include the vital black rhino ...Read more >

Become part of an elephant conservation project in the deserts and wilderness regions of Namibia. There are countless conservation tasks to help out with, not least of all the camp cooking. Joining a team of dedicated researchers and conservationists will allow you to understand more about not only the elephants but also the local Namibians who are learning how to live harmoniously with one of the largest animals on earth. Human conflict with elephants, through poaching and farming, has greatly impacted on herd numbers. Although desert elephants in Namibia have become protected, there’s still lots to be done in order to keep populations increasing as well as ensuring their relationship ...Read more >

This incredible conservation project is set deep in the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest and it has an extremely inspiring backstory. Back in 1999, two young girls had a vision to save the rainforest, and little by little they managed to bring that vision to life. The dynamic duo began by selling small arts and crafts pieces at the side of the road to raise money to protect the rainforest, and eventually, all of their hard work paid off and their makeshift shop expanded. Ultimately, the pair's passion for protecting the rainforest shone through and the project continued to grow into the sanctuary that it is today, now helping over 200 local and in-need animals, including sloths, birds, ...Read more >

Situated in South Africa's beautiful Eastern Cape, this incredible conservation project offers volunteers the chance to witness the legendary 'Big Five' in their endemic home. Buffalo, rhinos, lions, cheetahs, and elephants all can be found roaming this project's 10,000 hectares, ambling through vast terrains and along the winding rivers. As a volunteer, you will be expected to get hands-on in the running of the reserve, essentially assuming the role of an 'assistant conservation manager.' Get involved with game capture of the 'Big Five' animals, take part in elephant impact monitoring, and possibly work towards animal relocation (if necessary at the time of your visit.) Your efforts in ...Read more >

This two week volunteering holiday in India allows you to witness the country's wildlife first-hand as well as experiencing life working within some of central India's best-loved wildlife sanctuaries and on local community projects supported by Tiger Watch. From the sloths of the Agra Bear Sanctuary to the elephants of the Mathura Elephant Rescue Centre, you'll be placed in the privileged position of being able to help conservation efforts where they're needed most. Starting in downtown Delhi you'll be immersed in the urban chaos of India's capital before journeying to Agra from where the Mughal architecture of the Taj Mahal takes centre stage. After experiencing one of the world's most ...Read more >

This incredible conservation project is set deep in the heart of beautiful Malawi, and as the only wildlife centre currently providing care for orphaned and injured animals in the country, it is crucial that the in country team get all of the help possible, and that is where you come in! The project is home to around 200 rescued wild animals, and the aim here is to release as many of these animals as possible back into the wild. Volunteers really do help to make this happen, and on this project there are two types of volunteering programme on offer. The first is for any budding conservationists out there, and if this sounds like you then you will be able to assist the animal care team with ...Read more >

This one, two or four week multi-award-winning volunteering holiday in Borneo is set within the Matang Wildlife Centre. Volunteers will be assisting the centre's wonderful permanent team as they aim to rewild and release their current population of orangutans back into the rainforests of Malaysian Borneo. Regular tasks for volunteers include painting, cleaning and helping to build parts of the centre so as to provide a much richer and more exciting environment for the animals. As part of this volunteering project you'll get to observe orangutans within as natural an environment as possible. Animal characteristics and habits differ, and you'll soon get to learn about the different ...Read more >

Situated next to the stunning town of Coroico in Bolivia, two hours from the country’s capital of La Paz, this project is based in a truly incredible wildlife sanctuary, which cares for illegally trafficked animals that have been rescued from lives of captivity and cruelty. Established in 2003 as an ecotourism project, the sanctuary began taking in monkeys and parrots that had been rescued from traffickers. Today, the sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and flora in the area. The problem of animal trafficking in South America has worsened in recent years, as exotic and rare animals have a high monetary value when sold into the pet trade overseas. For this reason, many of ...Read more >

Situated within in the breathtaking surroundings of the Sri Lankan jungle, this project offers volunteers the opportunity to carry out vital ecological research on the region’s elephants while witnessing this majestic species in its natural home. The aim of the project is to assess and reduce human-elephant conflicts within the surrounding region; issues which have become very strained in recent years. Volunteers assist in the implementation of sustainable land-use initiatives using GPS, remote sensing and GIS techniques to develop conservation strategies which will help to protect elephants, leopards and other wildlife in the Central and North Central Provinces of Sri Lanka. The notion of ...Read more >

A rare opportunity to experience the majesty of the Borneo rainforest and its wealth of fascinating species, this project allows volunteers to take part as a family, working towards the conservation of this section of the rainforest that has been destroyed due to mass deforestation. Working alongside the local tribespeople, families will take part in tasks that benefit the natural environment and the species that can be found within it, including orangutan and elephant. With the stunning scenery of the ‘corridor of life’ as a backdrop, this is truly a life-changing experience which will open your child's eyes to a whole new culture, as well as educating them on the need for worldwide ...Read more >

This project began life as a cattle farm back in the 1950's, but since then it has evolved into the impressive 10,000 acre conservation project you see before you today. Norman Traver's founded the family farm in Zimbabwe's beautiful Mashonaland region, and under the leadership of the Travers family the farm eventually transformed into a conservation haven with a strong focus on rhino and elephants. The aim of this project is to integrate conservation efforts with the local community to ensure that the local wildlife will survive into the future, and volunteers play a crucial role in each of these facets. As a volunteer on this project you will take part in many exciting activities, ...Read more >

Decide the duration of your stay, from one to 12 weeks, and then volunteer to assist a team of local people and scientists as they aim to promote sustainable tourism around the Reserva Playa Tortuga research institute in Costa Rica. Creating an environmental conservation culture within the local communities is just as important as promoting Costa Rica’s wildlife watching potential to responsible travellers from around the globe. Situated on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, you’ll instantly become enveloped within the natural world of Central America where four different types of turtle are known to nest. Working with scientists, conservationists and local people, as well as NGO’s and ...Read more >

Nestled in rural surroundings, just 60km north of the capital, the Laos Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the small town of Ban Keun. This mainly Buddhist and picturesque country is a delight to visit but unfortunately, isn’t as harmonious as it seems. Laos is sadly a major gateway for illegal wildlife trading in South-East Asia. Every day thousands of animals are smuggled in and out of Laos and sold to become traditional medicine, pets, ornaments, food and more. The sanctuary was brought to life to stand against wildlife crime and hopes to reduce the high numbers of trafficked animals. The sanctuary was formed after Laos zoo enlisted the help of non-governmental wildlife organisations. ...Read more >

It’s up to you how long you wish to volunteer for – two to twelve weeks – but one thing is for sure, this South African wildlife conservation experience is something that you will never, ever forget. Situated within the Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal province, you’ll be treated to some of South Africa’s most enduring landscapes as well as helping to conserve some of the region’s most endangered animals. From the Big Five to antelope, wild dogs and numerous species of bird, the wilds of Zululand are home to some of the most fantastic animals on earth. By volunteering, not only will you get to observe wildlife, close up, but you’ll also assist conservation teams as they track, monitor and ...Read more >

Embark on a transformative journey within the heart of the South African bushvelds as you join the impactful conservation efforts at the SanWild Sanctuary & Reserve. Spanning 3,000 hectares, the sanctuary stands as a haven for the nation's most vulnerable wildlife, offering a unique fusion of luxury safari, dedicated conservation, and untamed adventures. The sanctuary's roots trace back to a modest plot of land that, under the compassionate guidance of a late conservation activist, blossomed into the healing and rehabilitative refuge we know today. Motivated by a profound concern for the rampant commercialisation and exploitation of wildlife, the SanWild Wildlife Trust and Rehabilitation ...Read more >

This project provides volunteers with the unique opportunity of not only caring for some of South Africa’s most iconic species but also to inspire a generation of local school children to take pride and invest value in their natural surroundings. Situated in the stunning Limpopo Province, on the outskirts of Kruger National Park, the work involved in this project is carried out against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty. The overall aim of this project is to engage local school children with the importance of animal and environmental conservation. The project is based in a wildlife orphanage and the majority of the animals at the orphanage are likely to never be released due to ...Read more >