Volunteering in Africa
Responsible volunteering in Africa
Considering a career break or gap year? Wondering if volunteer work in Africa is the right choice for you?
Conservation Travel Africa connects individuals like you to ground-breaking projects across the continent, offering life-changing experiences that enable you to make a real difference.
Our conservation programmes are perfect for adventures of all kinds – whether you’re travelling solo, as a family, are a gap year student or mature explorer, whether you’ve got a week or six months to spare, we’ve got the perfect opportunity for you.
Responsible volunteer tourism is a major contributor in overcoming the human-wildlife conflict in Africa. With such a wide choice of volunteer projects available, you can be sure that all our conservation programmes are run by trustworthy organisations with incredible track records of successful long-term environmental and community projects.
You’ll be volunteering with wildlife in the most incredible locations on the continent and working shoulder to shoulder with inspirational people from all walks of life.
Sharing your passion for adventure with like-minded volunteers and experienced conservationists, you’ll contribute to carefully selected wildlife and community projects.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the planet’s most beautiful – and most threatened – wildlife, whilst exploring Africa’s wilderness off the beaten track.
Our volunteer projects in Africa:
If you’re an animal-lover who is passionate about the protection of endangered species, our wildlife conservation programmes are a dream come true. This opportunity gives you the chance to contribute to rhino conservation, elephant monitoring, ocean research, anti-poaching and animal care, all securing the future of vulnerable species. There has never been a better time to volunteer in Africa – let the adventure begin!
Marine conservation volunteers combine scuba diving and ocean exploration with research into endangered giants of the sea – including whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays and sea turtles. Our marine conservation programmes focus on the long-term preservation of Africa’s oceans, so as a volunteer you’ll be collecting vital data, restoring precious marine environments and experiencing local communities who rely on the ocean for their livelihoods and wellbeing.
Long-term wildlife conservation can only be successful if local communities are engaged, educated and positive. This can only be achieved by overcoming the daily challenges local people face. Our community conservation programmes support alternative livelihood opportunities, skills training, healthcare and educational projects.
Our family volunteer programmes allow children and parents the chance to experience different cultures, see endangered animals in the wild, meet inspirational individuals and explore diverse landscapes. Offering so much more than a traditional holiday, volunteering is an immersive family experience. Work together on incredible projects and learn more about yourselves and each other along the way.
Volunteering in Africa is a safe and exciting way for young adults to learn about new cultures and environments, experience independent travel and become global citizens. Our volunteer projects for under 18s enable young people to develop new skills, live in local communities and gain hands-on experience with local conservation projects. Don’t let age be a barrier to your discovery of the world!
Volunteering in Africa isn’t just for gap year students and young adults. Career break travellers, retirees and empty nesters all bring life experience, unique skills, knowledge and time to share with other volunteers., So if you’re looking to experience Africa in a different way or want to undertake your first solo African adventure, we thoroughly recommend one of our volunteer projects.
What makes our projects unique?
We have strict policies regarding the wildlife conservation projects we support, so we only offer a small number of carefully selected programmes run by organisations who meet our stringent ethical volunteer guidelines. This means our volunteers can be sure that their contribution is supporting genuine conservation projects that work for the greater good of Africa’s wildlife and communities. At least one member of our team has visited or worked at every single one of our programmes.
Our projects were all founded on long-term environmental and community principles and designed to benefit all, from wildlife to the volunteers. We believe in building economies which place increased value on wildlife and environmental conservation.
Read our Responsible Travel Policy.
Featured Projects
Join a unique rhino conservation programme that allows you to work on the frontline protecting these breath-taking animals.
From $900
1 - 8 weeks
Support conservation work to protect endangered species in South Africa. Priority species on this project include lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos and wild dogs.
From $1,350
2 - 16 weeks
Gain practical experience in anti-poaching techniques, learning from South Africa’s most experienced conservation professionals.
From $1,695
7 - 14 days
Volunteer in Victoria Falls, South Africa and support grassroots action, building strong communities through livelihood development and education projects.
From $850
1 - 12 weeks
Why volunteer in Africa?
Who volunteers?
Responsible travel in Africa
