Wildlife Volunteering in South Africa: Travel Consultant Katie’s First-Hand Project Reviews
Wildlife Volunteering in South Africa: Travel Consultant Katie’s First-Hand Project Reviews

Wildlife Volunteering in South Africa: Travel Consultant Katie’s First-Hand Project Reviews

Amakhala Conservation Project

Amakhala Conservation Project

7 - 84 Nights from $939.00

Join this 'Big 5' conservation project and help make a difference to the lives of the amazing animals that live here!

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Chimp Eden - The Jane Goodall Institute

Chimp Eden - The Jane Goodall Institute

12- 26 Nights from $1,614.00

Volunteer with chimpanzees at The Jane Goodall Institute's Chimp Eden. Help rescued chimpanzees thrive while supporting conservation efforts.

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SanWild Sanctuary & Reserve

SanWild Sanctuary & Reserve

7 - 56 Nights from $2,154.00

Luxury meets conservation at our brand-new 'Big 5' project! Experience wildlife rescue and rehabilitation missions in the home of Safari, South Africa.

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Shamwari Conservation Experience

Shamwari Conservation Experience

14 - 84 Nights from $2,019.00

Volunteer with the 'Big 5' and the Born Free Foundation in one of South Africa's finest game reserves.

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Vervet Monkey Sanctuary

Vervet Monkey Sanctuary

14 - 84 Nights from $939.00

Experience hands-on conservation efforts as you help care for over 500 injured and orphaned vervet monkeys at this pioneering sanctuary in South Africa.

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Wildlife Orphanage in South Africa

Wildlife Orphanage in South Africa

7 - 84 Nights from $783.00

Play a vital role in the education of underprivileged children in South Africa

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Celebrating World Chimpanzee Day 2025

Celebrating World Chimpanzee Day 2025

On World Chimpanzee Day 2025, we honour the species that taught us so much about ourselves. Learn how you can support their future before it’s too late!

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Before & After: Life at Chimp Eden

Before & After: Life at Chimp Eden

Join us as we delve into the lives of some chimps before and after life at Chimp Eden. Witness remarkable transformations through difficult yet compelling before-and-after photos, and find out how a true sanctuary allowed these chimps rediscover what it means to be a chimpanzee!

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Chloe Reviews Chimp Eden - The Jane Goodall Institute

Chloe Reviews Chimp Eden - The Jane Goodall Institute

Join Chloe as she recounts her eye-opening experience at Chimp Eden, supporting rescued chimps and working alongside passionate animal care experts.

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Posted by Georgia Wilson on 30th Jun 2025 7 mins

Travel Consultant Katie has just returned from an awe-inspiring journey across some of South Africa's leading wildlife conservation projects. Throughout her trip, Katie immersed herself in some of the continent's most impactful initiatives, ranging from wildlife reserves brimming with animal life to sanctuaries dedicated to protecting endangered species.

Now back, Katie shares the latest updates, volunteering tips, and inspiring stories that highlight the heart of wildlife conservation and the spirit of adventure in South Africa.

Meet Travel Consultant Katie - Wildlife Volunteering in South Africa

Personally Vetted Wildlife Projects in South Africa

Katie personally visited each wildlife conservation project to ensure exceptional animal welfare, ethical engagement, and meaningful volunteer experiences. When you book with us, you're not just receiving expert advice; you're getting first-hand recommendations from travel experts who have personally experienced these wildlife volunteer programs.

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Here's what Katie discovered at some of the most rewarding wildlife volunteering opportunities in South Africa:

Chimp Eden – The Jane Goodall Institute

Katie's first stop was Chimp Eden - The Jane Goodall Institute, a unique chimpanzee sanctuary, one of The Great Projects' newest additions!  

Volunteers at Chimp Eden - The Jane Goodall Institute

Volunteer Highlights:

  • Daily interaction with rescued chimps
  • Social evenings with fellow volunteers
  • Contributing to a growing herb garden and scent enrichment program

Katie says: 

"My favourite chimp was Cozy; even though he isn't too keen on blondes (due to his original 'owner' being a blonde lady from whom he was rescued), he always came over to say hello and has such an endearing personality.

Chimpanzee Cozy - Chimp Eden Sanctuary

Besides spending time with the charismatic chimps every day, the highlight of my time here was the amazing food and company! My week was filled with laughter, and the braai was the perfect way to wrap up my time there. We played board games, listened to music, had a few drinks and reflected on our time together." 

Top Tip: If you're volunteering in winter, pack warm pyjamas and fluffy socks, mornings can be chilly!

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Wildlife Orphanage in South Africa

Katie's next destination was a lesser-known but deeply impactful Wildlife Orphanage in South Africa. She was particularly impressed by the thoughtful children's education program and the strong community outreach.

Wildlife Orphanage in South Africa

Volunteer Highlights:

  • Working with local children in education and conservation
  • Hands-on care for orphaned wildlife
  • High volunteer satisfaction

Katie says: 

"It was truly eye-opening to meet the team and gather a deeper understanding of the work they do there. What stood out to me was the thought and planning behind the children's curriculum, as well as the fact that almost every volunteer had decided to extend their stay beyond what they had originally booked. The ripple effect the project has on the surrounding communities is outstanding, and if you have an interest in working with children, I could not recommend this project more."

Pregnant Hyrax, Câline, at Wildlife Orphanage in South Africa

Exciting News: If you volunteer during October or November this year, you might just be lucky enough to witness a hyrax give birth. Their resident hyrax, Câline, is believed to be pregnant!

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SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary & Reserve

Katie celebrated her birthday at the SanWild Sanctuary & Reserve, where she participated in an adrenaline-filled buffalo relocation project.

SanWild Sanctuary & Reserve

Volunteer Highlights:

  • Assisting with animal relocations and anti-poaching activities
  • Dynamic, adventure-filled itinerary
  • Warm, welcoming team and memorable experiences

Katie says:

"SanWild Sanctuary & Reserve was an incredible way to spend my birthday week! The highlight came on my actual birthday when we worked alongside the rangers to dart and relocate five buffalo. The whole week was such an intimate experience; the staff were all so friendly, really going above and beyond to make you feel a part of the team. I always went to bed with a full tummy, cream crackered from the day's activities, but constantly looking forward to the next morning. 

SanWild Sanctuary & Reserve Volunteer Group

This project is super exciting, with such a dynamic itinerary and activity list; I believe they have some rhino dehorning on the horizon, as well as releasing two of their sanctuary cheetahs out on the reserve. Every day here is an adventure!" 

Upcoming activities: Rhino dehorning and cheetah releases!

Top Tip: Bring boot gaiters for hiking, grass seeds can be incredibly itchy.

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Vervet Monkey Sanctuary

At the Vervet Monkey Sanctuary, Katie reconnected with a young monkey rescued by SanWild and successfully integrated into a new troop.

Vervet Monkey Sanctuary

Volunteer Highlights:

  • Supporting vervet monkey care and rehabilitation
  • Helping orphaned monkeys during baby season
  • Contributing to the protection of wild vervet troops

Katie says:

"At the sanctuary, I got to check in with a little monkey who was rescued by SanWild and transferred to the experts in vervet care. This little one is now happily living amongst one of the sanctuary's troops! For me, the highlight of my visit was simply experiencing the compassion the whole team had for not only the resident monkeys but the wild troops in the area. Vervets are often seen as vermin out in South Africa, so it was really lovely that they had a safe space and people to look out for them. It will be coming up to baby season out there soon, so they'll need all hands on deck for any new orphaned monkeys!"

Vervet Monkey Sanctuary - Baby Season Incoming

Upcoming events: Baby season – this is an incredibly busy period for the project, making your contribution here especially meaningful.

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Amakhala Conservation Project

Katie next visited the Amakhala Conservation Project, where she worked closely with children at Sidbury Primary School, built on the reserve for local communities.

Amakhala Conservation Project

Volunteer Highlights:

  • Combining wildlife conservation with community education
  • Game drives with incredible wildlife viewing
  • Supporting local children through games, learning, and after-school activities

Katie says:

"I was touched to visit the children at Sidbury Primary School, which they have built on the reserve for children of the local community. The morning was full of fun and games, along with helping the children complete their homework and activity packs. This, along with countless wildlife sightings, as we made our way to the reserve each morning, were real highlights on my short visit to Amakhala." 

Game Drives Amakhala Conservation Project

Top Tip: Plan a little extra in your budget for weekend trips to nearby attractions, such as Addo Elephant Park, the Garden Route, and Kenton-on-Sea's beautiful beaches.

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Shamwari Conservation Experience

Her South African adventure culminated with a visit to Shamwari Conservation Experience, where Katie was inspired by the critical work of Vulpro and had an amazing time during elephant monitoring.

Shamwari Conservation Experience

Volunteer Highlights:

  • Supporting endangered wildlife conservation and rehabilitation
  • Monitoring elephants on the reserve
  • Engaging in a range of hands-on wildlife conservation activities

Katie says:

"While the elephant monitoring was unbelievable, the highlight of my trip to Shamwari was visiting Vulpro, who are doing vital work to rescue and repopulate vultures, which has never been more needed after the devastating loss of over 300 vultures near Kruger National Park due to poisoning". 

Vulpro @ Shamwari Conservation Experience

Top Tip: With Shamwari and Amakhala in the Port Elizabeth region, it's a great idea to budget for the weekend trips mentioned above!

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Why Volunteer in South Africa?

Katie's first-hand experiences exemplify the life-changing opportunities that wildlife volunteering in South Africa has to offer. Whether you're passionate about primates, community education, orphaned wildlife care, or big game conservation, there's a project that will capture your heart.

Each of these carefully selected wildlife conservation programs allows you to:

  • Make a real difference
  • Gain valuable experience in ethical animal care
  • Explore South Africa's breathtaking landscapes
  • Connect with like-minded volunteers and local communities

Just look at the incredible people Katie met along the way who had heaps of fun spelling out The Great Projects!

Meet Like Minded People with The Great Projects

These on-the-ground insights offer genuine, tailored advice to help you select the best wildlife volunteer project in South Africa.

Start Your Wildlife Volunteer Journey Today

If you're ready to volunteer in South Africa and make a meaningful impact, we'd love to help you find the perfect project. Whether you're a first-time volunteer or returning for another adventure, we can guide you every step of the way.

Contact us today to start planning your wildlife conservation experience in South Africa!

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