Wildlife Volunteering
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Wildlife Volunteering

We have a huge range of wildlife volunteering projects working with creatures from the downright cuddly to the slippery and scaly. Whether you would like to work hands on or hands off, out in the wilderness or somewhere more convenient, you’re still going to be spoilt for choice as a volunteer with wildlife.

Check out the areas of wildlife volunteering you can get involved in below.
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South Africa Rhino, Lion and Elephant Research

Travel into the wilderness and see the real Africa, spending your days with incredible wildlife and taking part in worthwhile research.

 
South Africa Wildlife and Adventure Tour

Join our action packed adventure tour and take in amazing scenery and incredible animal experiences. Enjoy the best South Africa's wildlife and try out thrilling abseiling, zip slides and sky high canopy tours.

 
Wildlife volunteering in South Africa

Experience an exciting and varied volunteer project on a beautiful Big 5 Game Reserve near to South Africa’s coast. Assist in conservation management whilst learning new skills and meeting some great people. You will also have the opportunity to take part in a worthwhile community project.

 
Playing

Surround yourself with some of Africa's most beautiful animals on this fantastic 2 week volunteer project. Located in South Africa, you will be assisting in caring for Lions, Leopards and Hyena's as well as many other species of wildlife.

 
Namibia Environmental and Cheetah Conservation

Get close to the fastest mammal in the world! Monitor cheetahs and leopards and help restore the plains back to their natural state. You’ll play a vital role in preserving African wildlife for the future.

 
USA volunteer work

Help care for exotic animals such as leopards, tigers, bears, cougars and wolves, which have been abused, neglected or orphaned.

 
£1759
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USA ranch volunteers

Live ranch life to the full with activities such as horse riding, cattle gathering, branding, trail riding and ranch chores. Campfires and scenery straight from the big screen make it perfect for horse-loving travellers!

 
Costa Rica Turtle Surf

The perfect combination of sport and conservation. Help look after turtle eggs and the baby turtles - not difficult when they’re so sweet! Then learn to surf or improve your technique at a nearby beach.

 
China Giant Panda Project

With the help of volunteers, giant pandas can be saved from extinction. You’ll be involved in feeding and observing these amazing creatures and have opportunities to photograph them. The weekends will be free for you to explore China.

 
Amazon Animal Rescue in Ecuador

Volunteer in the Amazon and help with the day-to-day care and rehabilitation of animals that have been abused or injured. These might include monkeys, jaguars, lions, parrots and other native species.

 
Namibia Desert Elephant Conservation

Go back to basics in the Namib Desert as you take part in projects that help elephants and landowners to live together in harmony. You’ll go on a unique elephant patrol and get involved in building projects.

 
Guatemala Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

Nurse injured and confiscated wildlife back to health. You might care for monkeys, parrots, ocelots, taras or kinkajous, carry out wildlife surveys or get see the animals released. Take a trip to the Mayan ruins, too.

 
Sea Turtle

Embark on a life changing marine odyssey and feast your eyes on rare and beautiful species as you travel from the shores of Mozambique to coast of Costa Rica. Mozambique – Sri Lanka – Peru – Costa Rica

 
Orang-utans

Work with other volunteers and local staff in husbandry, data collection, habitat restoration and community development in Malaysia. Spend time in a zoo improving living conditions as well as an Orang-Utan rehabilitation centre.

 
Orang-utan Experience Volunteer Malaysia

Work with orang-utans in a zoo, before seeing them in a rehabilitation centre and the wild. The trip takes you deep into the Bornean jungle, where you’ll help build trails and get to know the Iban tribes.

 
Care for animals in a Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary

Get stuck into the demanding but highly rewarding work of caring for sick animals, building enclosures, darting and relocating animals, and helping release them into natural surroundings.

 
Costa Rica Sloth Rescue Conservation

Give orphaned and injured sloths the TLC they need. You’ll help out at a centre dedicated to the protection of these endangered creatures, feeding them and helping them return to the wild.

 
USA Wolf Sanctuary

Help change people’s opinions of wolves and wolf dogs, and care for those that have been neglected and abused. Take the chance to to discover the attractions of rural New Mexico too.

 
African Animal Adventure

Set off on an incredible journey across the world’s most fascinating continent! Discover the hidden secrets of the African plains and get to know its wildest inhabitants as you walk with lions and hang out with monkeys! Zimbabwe - Namibia - South Africa.

 
Malaysia Zoo Volunteer

Help out zookeepers and learn about the likes and dislikes of sun bears, camels, elephants, tigers and more. Your tasks might include feeding, cleaning out and catching the animals and working as a guide.
Project Video Now Online

 
Sri Lanka Elephant and Community Volunteers

This varied programme will get you involved in elephant conservation as well as community development on the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. Work with the local people to improve education and promote the work of the project in improved elephant care and conservation.

 
Lion Breeding in Zimbabwe

Covering Thailand, China, Malaysia, Africa and Australia, this really is the ultimate wildlife experience! Lend a hand with vital conservation work across the globe and get up close to a variety of animals! Zimbabwe - Thailand - China - Malaysia - Australia - USA

 
Zimbabwe Lion Rehabilitation Victoria Falls

Do the unthinkable - walk with lions! Collect data, carry out research and watch as the lion cubs learn to hunt. You’ll also educate local children, and pay a memorable visit to elephant orphans.

As seen on ITV’s incredible Lion Country series, meet the stars of the show yourself!

 
Zambia Lion Rehabilitation and Release

Experience the ultimate in wildlife conservation and walk with lions through the African bush. As you walk alongside the lions, enjoy the exhilaration of being part of a hunt as the young cubs learn to stalk their prey so that eventually they can be released back into the wild.

As seen on ITV’s incredible Lion Country series, meet the stars of the show yourself!

 
Elephant riding

Ideal for animal lovers who want to make a difference while they traverse the globe, this adventure packed conservation gap year will take you from the tropics of Thailand to the beaches of Florida! Thailand - Australia - USA

 
Kenya Maasai Wildlife Research Volunteers

Experience raw Africa through the plains of Kenya. You’ll witness it's breathtaking landscapes, learn about nomadic cultures, help provide first hand data on wildlife activities and promote harmony between the community and wildlife.

 
Leopard

Actively help to save endangered wildlife species in Zululand by initiating, implementing and managing some of the most exciting monitoring projects in this part of South Africa.

 
Thailand Community and Elephant Volunteers

Help plant crops to feed the elephants of the province, enjoy giving them a wash down at the river and offer support to the local communities on this exciting programme in Surin.

 
£1630
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Kenya Experience

Experience life in Kenya from the inside with the Kenya Gap Experience. It includes community work, a wildlife safari, a snorkelling excursion, visits to Diani, beach parties – and an overwhelming sense of achievement.

 
Peru Coastal Dolphin Research

Learn how to identify and photograph dolphins, penguins and other sea creatures. You’ll be working towards making dolphin watching a tourist attraction, and thus persuading fishermen not to kill them for food.

 
South African White Shark Images

Swim with great whites…in a cage! Sail through Sharks’ Alley, among seals and penguins, while you record shark activity. Tuition on shark behaviour, underwater filming and lots more will give you an in depth understanding of these magnificent creatures.

 
Hold a monkey in South Africa

Nurse injured and orphaned monkeys, plus baboons, snakes, crocodiles and any other animals needing attention. Longer-staying volunteers have the chance to work on sites that release monkeys back into the wild.
Project Video Now Online

 
Zimbabwe Lion Breeding and Conservation

Walk with lions and watch cubs hunt their first prey. This is a rare opportunity to get close to wild animals while contributing to valuable breeding and release work. Explore the grasslands on horseback or elephant-back, too.

As seen on ITV’s incredible Lion Country series, meet the stars of the show yourself!

 
Volunteers in Namibia

This is a fantastic opportunity to experience African wilderness whilst contributing to the conservation of large carnivores in this area. The carnivore research project offers a hands-on scientific experience as well as helping to conserve habitats and wildlife.

 
Sri Lanka Sea Turtle and Community Volunteers

Work with the local community to conserve and protect turtles in Sri Lanka. Help with cleaning, feeding and releasing the turtles and increase their chances of survival.

 
Zimbabwe Black Rhino Conservation

Handle rhino, train elephants and make a real difference to the future of endangered species in Zimbabwe. Living close to the animals will give you a unique insight into their lives and make for fantastic photos opportunities.

 
Mozambique Whale Shark Conservation

Get up close and personal with whale sharks – they eat plankton, not humans! Learn to dive in tropical waters and collect data on whale sharks, coral reefs and turtles.

 
Costa Rica Animal Rescue

Get up close to jaguars, parrots and other wildlife. The creatures have been held captive, but will hopefully be returned to the wild. Help nurse them back to health and educate the public about the centre’s work.

 
Australia Koala Sanctuary

Gain an in depth knowledge of koalas and other native species by helping with feeding, monitoring and more. Free time can be spent in nearby Brisbane or getting to know the animals better.

 
Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation - Pacific

Escort baby turtles to the sea, take part in patrols to protect the eggs and observe turtle behaviour. Working next to the Pacific Ocean, you’ll be part of a highly successful conservation project.

 
USA Monkey Sanctuary

Help care for unwanted, abused or neglected primates at this tranquil rescue centre in central Florida. You will work hard, make great friends and return home having had an extremely rewarding experience.

 
South Africa Wildlife Conservation Course Kruger

Get yourself on course to manage a game farm or nature reserve. Surrounded by the Big Five and other African wildlife, you’ll learn about educational bush walks, how to identify animals, game tracking, navigation and more.
Project Video Now Online

 
Namibia Noah's Ark Wildlife Volunteers

Get hands-on with orphaned and injured animals. The centre cares for big cats, baboons, crocodiles and many others, and is also working to tackle the problem of wild animals attacking farmers’ livestock.

 
Work with baby bears in Ecuador

Volunteer on the coast of Ecuador and help with the day-to-day care and rehabilitation of animals that have been abused or injured. These might include monkeys, jaguars, lions, parrots and other native species.

 
Weasel

Assist in our Wildlife Rescue Centre in Brazil and help animals to survive and have a better quality of life. Based on the beautiful island of Florianópolis, the aim of the project is to provide injured, neglected and orphaned animals primarily river otters, weasels and stoats.

 
Swaziland Savannah Conservation

Study the fascinating workings of the African savannah and help protect its fragile ecosystem. Enjoy a five day Kruger safari where you’ll have the chance to see elephants, rhinos, lions and leopards before working along side wildlife researchers in a national park in Swaziland learning hands-on conservation techniques.

 
Volunteer with Sun Bears in Thailand

Help with the day-to-day care of sick and disabled wild animals. You might be preparing food for bears, crocodiles, big cats or other animals, or assisting with building enclosures!

 
Galapagos Seals

We’ve spiced up our complete South America gap year option with a Galapagos adventure! Combine volunteering with intrepid exploration, a linguistic challenge and a trip to these awe-inspiring islands! Ecuador - Galapagos Islands - Peru – Bolivia

 
USA Gibbon Conservation

Work with some of the rarest groups of gibbons - small, endangered apes. Through this project, you can get involved with all aspects of their care and efforts to keep them from extinction.

 
Kangaroo Wildlife Park

The chance to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary on Kangaroo Island is a truly unique opportunity to learn about the amazing Australian wildlife in a simply stunning location.

 
South Africa Wild Coast Conservation

Play a part in protecting South Africa’s beautiful Wild Coast. Work at a lion cub centre, sleep under the stars, learn about wildlife management, go on game drives and bushwalks, and more – perfect for outdoor people!

 
Thailand Gibbon Rehabilitation Volunteer

Get involved with innovative and highly successful work to enrich the lives of the resident rescued gibbons. Study them, help care for them on a daily basis and just enjoy watching them interact against a stunning natural background.

 
South Africa Field Guide Course, Eastern Cape

Need a career change? Want a qualification? Always dreamt of working alongside the wildlife of Africa? Then this is field guide course in South Africa is the ideal programme for you!

 
kangaroos feeding time

Care for some of Australia’s truly unique animals in a sanctuary situated in the tropical rainforest of north Queensland. Assist the experienced wildlife keepers and help visitors see the great conservation work the sanctuary is continuing to do.

 
Australia Wildlife Park Volunteers

Hands-on involvement with conservation projects that will give you in depth insight into Australia’s fauna. Help out with fun days and present pythons, lizards and other animals to the public.

 
South Africa Wild Coast Horse Rehabilitation

Live a horse lover’s dream! Help with the day-to-day care of neglected and abused horses and build up their confidence. You’ll be able to ride the Wild Coast’s spectacular beach and bush trails too.

 
Australia Wildlife

Learn more than you thought possible about Australia’s wildlife. Your tasks might include feeding and caring for the animals, maintaining the sanctuary and helping out with animal shows and night walks.

 
East Coast Experience

All the fun of Sydney followed by all the fun of the East Coast! A hop on, hop off bus takes you from Sydney to Cairns, where you can take part in one of several conservation projects.

 
USA Animal Sanctuary in California

This is a programme for animal lovers. Become part of this admirable team by looking after rescued farmed animals at a refuge in California, USA.

 
South Africa Conservation and Photography

Put your love of photography to good use on a World Heritage Site. Photograph elephants, rhinos and many other creatures for a database, and possibly magazines. You’ll also teach local children about their surroundings.

 
South Africa Reptile Park Volunteers

Get up close and personal with Africa’s wildlife, from Black Mambas to Baboon Spiders. As a reptile centre volunteer, you’ll be involved in research, feeding, building enclosures, demonstrating and much more.
Project Video Now Online

 
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