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South Africa Wildlife Volunteer Program
Are you passionate about animals? Do you dream of traveling the world and contributing to South Africa's wildlife conservation efforts? If so, volunteering in a wildlife project in this beautiful country might be the perfect opportunity for you.
South Africa boasts a diverse natural history, offering sweeping savannahs teeming with herds of elephants and prides of lions, as well as rugged coastlines and mountainous hiking trails for nature enthusiasts.
Global Crossroad Volunteers operates a wildlife volunteer program in a Big 5 Game reserve near Port Elizabeth, South Africa, with a primary focus on conserving indigenous animal and plant life.
Despite the richness of wildlife in South Africa, the region faces challenges like poaching and illegal trading, pushing some species to near-extinction levels. The program, designed by Global Crossroad Volunteers, seeks to combat these issues through diverse projects and initiatives.
Your dedication to wildlife conservation will play a crucial role in positively impacting the lives of wild animals, working towards saving species from extinction and enhancing the survival prospects of injured individuals in rehabilitation.
By volunteering in this wildlife conservation project in South Africa, you become an integral part of the solution needed for these animals and plants to thrive in their natural habitat. As a devoted wildlife enthusiast, your assistance is crucial in ensuring a more promising future for the endangered plants and animals in South Africa.
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
In this program, you get to help run a game reserve and see Africa's famous Big 5 animals up close. The reserve is on a beautiful 6000-hectare piece of land with different landscapes like grasslands, bushes, and water areas.
As a volunteer in the South Africa Wildlife Program, you play a vital role in protecting local animals and plants. The program deals with challenges like poaching and illegal trading, working on different projects to keep wildlife safe.
Your Tasks as a Volunteer
:- Clear away plants that don't belong there
- Track and watch animals like lions, rhinos, and buffalos
- Plant trees to stop the ground from washing away
- Go on walks to explore nature and keep an eye on things
- Check and fix fences and enclosures
- Count and sometimes move animals
- Help the vet with their work
- Feed animals in recovery
- Join game drives in the morning, afternoon, and evening
- All activities are led by an experienced game ranger.
Skills and Qualifications
No specific skills or qualifications are required to join the wildlife conservation volunteer program in South Africa. We only ask for your passion to work with a variety of animals and an interest in wildlife conservation. While those with animal or veterinary experience might provide extra help in specific areas, there's a meaningful role for everyone to make a positive impact on the lives of these animals. You need to be at least 18 years old to participate.
For wildlife enthusiasts dedicated to conservation, each day as a wildlife conservationist is both unique and rewarding. Due to the nature of working with animals, the schedule is flexible, accommodating early morning and nighttime care for certain species. Volunteers are organized into groups on a rotating schedule, expected to undertake two activities daily.
Daily duties are assigned the evening before, allowing volunteers to plan their schedules around tasks. Enjoy weekends off to explore Port Elizabeth and nearby Grahamstown.
First Day: Upon starting your volunteering in South Africa's wildlife program, a local coordinator will accompany you to your placement, introducing you to staff and providing an orientation. You'll receive information on tasks, your initial schedule, and essential safety advice.
Weekdays Schedule: Volunteer activities run from Monday to Friday, starting at 07:30 am and ending at 4:30 pm.
Daily Breakdown:
Morning Activities (07:30-09:30 am) : Engage in various tasks related to reserve operations and conservation efforts.
Midday Activities (10:00 am-1:00 pm) : Continue hands-on responsibilities, contributing to conservation initiatives.
Afternoon Activities (2:00-4:30 pm) : Conclude the day with additional tasks, actively participating in diverse projects.
Schedule Adaptability: Specific activity timings may change based on the unique requirements of each day.
South Africa Volunteer Wildlife Program: Dates and Fees
Dates: Volunteer in South Africa
All volunteer programs in South Africa start every Monday of each month. However, if there is travel constrains, you can start any project on any day.
Fees: Volunteer in South Africa
Global Crossroad is committed to offering the most affordable and highest quality volunteering work in South Africa . We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion.
Global Crossroad's volunteer program in South Africa application and registration fee cost US $299. The application fee covers the cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in USA office).
In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee . You will pay your weekly fee directly to the country coordinator, who in turn will allocate it to your host family, project and other in-country support we offer to our volunteers. This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and not for company profit.
| Duration | Wildlife Program: |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $740 |
| 2 Weeks | $1,170 |
| 3 Weeks | $1,600 |
| 4 Weeks | $2,050 |
| 5 Weeks | $2,500 |
| 6 Weeks | $2,950 |
| 7 Weeks | $3,400 |
| 8 Weeks | $3,950 |
| 9 Weeks | $4,400 |
| 10 Weeks | $4,900 |
| 11 Weeks | $5,350 |
| 12 Weeks | $5,850 |
Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years) »
How your fee is allocated?
Program fees cover:
- Accommodation (volunteer house or host family)
- Food (local food 2 times a day)
- Airport pick up
- Program Orientation
- In-country support
- Personalized project
- Pre-departure information
- Certificate of completion
- Fundraising ideas and letters
- Discount for returning volunteers
Program fees exclude:
- Visas
- Airfare
- Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
- Daily transportation
- Airport return transfer
The volunteering trips in South Africa program fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program (usually the first or third Monday of the month) to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program’s last day, you will be responsible for the additional expenses, which would typically be around $30 a day for room and meals at a hostel.
Accommodation and Meal
Volunteers in the wildlife program stay in dormitories, with a dedicated policy ensuring single-sex dorms for individual privacy and comfort. This arrangement strictly prohibits access to girls' dormitories for boys and vice versa. Couples desiring shared accommodation can opt for this at an extra cost, subject to room availability unless pre-arranged.
The program provides breakfast and dinner from Monday to Friday, excluding lunches and weekend meals, which volunteers are responsible for. The Volunteer House offers a clean, comfortable, safe, and secure living environment exclusively for program participants, strictly closed to the public. This policy reflects our commitment to maintaining a secure and respectful living space for all participants.
Read more about your accommodation and meal in South Africa.
Free Time and Weekend Exploration
There will be enough time to explore beautiful South Africa while working in our volunteering projects. Everyday you will work an average of 5-6 hours leaving you plenty of time during the week to check local places around you. Additionally, over the weekend you will be able to go on longer trips across other cities like including Durban and Johannesburg.
Learn more about your free time and weekend exploration during your South Africa volunteer program.
Safety and In Country Support
Your safety is our priority, and here at GCR we ensure that you always feel safe and comfortable during your volunteer project. We will support you to take necessary vaccinations before travelling to South Africa and when in the project you will have an in-country coordinator assigned to assist you any time should any problem come up. We also offer a comprehensive insurance and evacuation plan to ensure your safety at all time.
South Africa Volunteer Wildlife Program: FAQs
Arrival and Departure
You will be required to fly into Port Elizabeth Airport. We suggest you to arrive one day before the project actually starts in South Africa. Global Crossroads arranges airport pick up service for all our international volunteers. Ensure you send to us your final flight details after your ticket is confirmed. Our local staff representative will pick you up at the airport and transfer to your volunteer house.
However, we do not provide any kind of airport drop off services but your in-country coordinator will be more than happy to assist you get transportation.
Visa
You require a tourist visa to come to South Africa to participate in South Africa Wildlife volunteer program. You can get on arrival visa depending on your nationality. Visa can be extended by visiting the South African immigration office. Please visit the following site for more information in details.
Vaccination
You will be required to take certain kinds of vaccination before travelling to volunteer in South Africa in Wildlife volunteer program For vaccinations details we recommend that you visit the Center for Disease Control's website for traveler's health recommendations. These are some of the vaccines that you need to have while volunteering in South Africa underprivileged children volunteer program: - Hepatitis A &B, Malaria, Rabies, Typhoid vaccines and other boosters too.
Why volunteer in Wildlife Project in South Africa?
Volunteering in a wildlife project in South Africa is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Working with animals offers a daily adventure, allowing you to discover the distinct personalities of each creature. Here are compelling reasons to consider volunteering in this remarkable program:
Helping Wild Animals:
You'll have the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of wild animals facing threats like habitat destruction, poaching, and low genetic diversity. Your involvement in studying, caring for, and rehabilitating these animals aims to provide them with the best chance of thriving in their natural habitat.
Understanding Wildlife Conservation in South Africa:
South Africa's rich biodiversity requires diverse conservation strategies. Through hands-on work in a wildlife volunteer program, you'll gain in-depth knowledge of wildlife conservation in the region, witnessing the challenges and efforts firsthand.
Valuable Animal Work Experience Abroad:
For those aspiring to work with animals, volunteering with South African wildlife, including lions, rhinos, and buffalo, adds significant value to your resume. The hands-on experience with wild animals offers insights that textbooks can't provide.
Helping Wildlife in Need:
The most fulfilling aspect is spending your time actively contributing to the welfare of wildlife in need. Whether assisting in monitoring programs or the veterinarian clinic, each day's efforts contribute to creating better lives for wild animals.
Learning New Animal Handling Skills:
Volunteering exposes you to the unique requirements of working with or near wild animals. Wild animals demand different handling techniques than domesticated ones, and encountering animals under stress teaches you to adapt your approach for each species and individual.