Volunteer Abroad Africa

Join fascinating wildlife projects, immerse yourself into the African wilderness as a volunteer and actively contribute to nature and species conservation!

Volunteer trips to Africa: You always wanted to discover the Southern countries of the African continent, like Botswana, Namibia or South Africa, and experience incredible vast landscapes and wild animals from up close – and, at the same time, do something good, contribute to conserving this breathtaking habitat and gain an amazing insight into wildlife conservation?

If you decide to commit yourself to wildlife conservation in Africa as a Natucate volunteer – as part of your sabbatical, gap year abroad or simply a meaningful time out in the wild – you will experience all of that.

While you dedicate yourself to essential tasks concerning wildlife research and protection as part of one our volunteer programmes, you may also experience Africa’s spectacular animal life. This means you get the chance to witness unique encounters with the impressive Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard – as well as other fascinating wildlife.

As a volunteer in Africa, surrounded by untouched landscapes and exotic animals, you experience a life-enhancing time abroad, which you will spend contributing to preserving unique ecosystems and endangered species. You would like to know how to volunteer in Africa? In the following, we'd like to give you more information on our volunteer opportunities in Africa.

Why wildlife conservation in Africa?

Why volunteer in Africa? Southern Africa is characterized by an incredible biodiversity. In many places, true biodiversity hotspots can be found – for example in South Africa’s Zululand, the world-renowned Kruger National Park, Western Cape province and in areas like Namibia’s rough Damaraland. Together these regions are home to more than 300 mammal, 500 bird, 100 reptile and numerous insect species. Furthermore, the impressive Big Five – lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard and (desert) elephant – as well as other animals like the rare African wild dog live here.

But due to poaching, climate change, the human-wildlife conflict and other factors, lots of species are nowadays considered as (highly) threatened. This is also true for animal populations off the African coast, for example the one of the humpback whale – oil and gas exploration, marine pollution and climate change pose growing threats to them.

This development underlines the importance of establishing ethical nature and species conservation projects which carry out research to study populations and movement of endangered species, monitor wildlife populations and, with the help of comprehensive data collections, plan future conservation measures.

By involving international volunteers, these projects receive the support they need – moreover, by imparting crucial conservation knowledge, they increase awareness of the world’s need for sustainable protection and, therefore, help promote a sustainable, wildlife-friendly future.

Volunteer with animals in Africa: Your impact

As a volunteer in one of our African volunteering programmes, you can actively support conserving endangered ecosystems and species – an unforgettable and beneficial time abroad is waiting for you. As a volunteer in one of our African volunteering programmes, you can actively support conserving endangered ecosystems and species – either by assisting in research activities or by supporting the work of an ethical animal sanctuary. Learn more about how to volunteer with animals in Africa.

Wildlife volunteering in Africa

Care for wild animals in Africa: Our volunteer opportunities in Africa are focused on wildlife conservation. We’d like to point out, though, that none of our projects allows direct interaction with wild animals, as this is neither beneficial for the animals nor for the volunteers.
When working in a volunteer project in South Africa, you are enabled to make an active contribution to protecting and conserving the country’s pristine animal and plant life and, moreover, to learn more about species conservation and wildlife management. As part of frequent game drives into the South African bush, you and your international volunteer team are familiarised with monitoring animals via telemetry, reading their tracks and noting down their behaviour and movement patterns. Different maintenance tasks in the reserve, as well as assisting in animal relocations, may be part of your volunteer work as well.

Depending on the project, theoretical units may also teach you about animal behaviour and animal ethics, coexistence between animals and humans, as well as other conservation subjects.

Volunteering with elephants in Africa

Wildlife volunteer in Africa: In Africa you can also find lots of projects which focus on protecting a specific animal species. As avolunteer in Namibia’s Damaraland you can support protecting and researching the African desert elephant which suffers from the local human-wildlife conflict.

As a elephant volunteer, you help locals build protective walls around wells and try to find new water sources for the elephants outside the human settlements. Comprehensive elephant research is another important element of your work as a volunteer: To be able to observe animal populations and their behaviour, you take part in extended game drives, following the elephants across Damaraland and taking relevant data – this way you can experience the gentle giants as well as the incomparable nature from up close.

Volunteering in the Seychelles

As a volunteer in Africa, you cannot only experience the wildlife in Southern Africa’s savannahs, but also witness breathtaking island reserves – and at the same time commit yourself to marine conservation by protecting sea turtles. Intensive coconut plantations had a serious impact on the natural environment and put native species under pressure until the 70s.

As a volunteer you make use of your helping hands and help conserve the natural areas in the Seychelles. You support renaturation measures and dedicate yourself to the protection of threatened sea turtles and tortoises by observing and checking populations and preserving the marine habitats. This way you not only contribute to species conservation but also get the ch****ance to explore the pristine and diverse paradise islands of the Seychelles from up close.

Volunteering species conservation - North Island

Volunteering Nature conservation - Platte Island

Family volunteering in Africa

Joining a family volunteer project is doubtlessly a unique and life-enhancing experience. When volunteering in wildlife conservation as a family, you work together for reaching a greater goal and acquire new skills and knowledge. Natucate gives you the chance to contribute to protecting endangered desert elephants in Namibia together with your loved ones and, in this special way, already teach the youngest generation about the importance of conservation measures – surrounded by the breathtaking nature of the Damaraland.

Volunteer in Africa, dedicate yourself to protecting, researching and conserving unique and partially highly endangered species and experience an unforgettable stay abroad, surrounded by incomparable landscapes and fascinating wildlife.

Africa Volunteer Programs – FAQ

How do I become a volunteer in Africa?

How to go to Africa and volunteer: Natucate supports various volunteer projects in Africa and around the world, which we describe in detail on our website. If you are seriously interested in one of the projects, you can contact us by phone or mail – we will then discuss your motivation and expectations, the project’s goals and tasks, and clarify any questions.

After you’ve filled out our booking form and sent all supporting documents to us, we assist you with booking your flights, help you find suitable travel insurance, and provide information on what to pack for volunteering in Africa. To put it short: we guide you step by step towards your volunteer experience in Africa.

How long can I volunteer in Africa?

The duration depends on the project: short stays of two weeks, medium-term projects lasting three months, and long-term stays of up to one year are possible. The latter is possible, for example, by combining several volunteer projects. For longer stays, the entry and residence regulations of the respective countries should be taken into account.

Where can I volunteer in Africa?

Where to volunteer in Africa: Natucate currently offers volunteer projects in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and the Seychelles. All of our volunteer opportunities focus on nature and wildlife conservation. Other popular causes to work for include health care, social work (from teaching to childcare), and sports and culture.

Is volunteering in Africa free of charge?

Volunteering in Africa without any costs – it should be said in advance that volunteering is never completely free, as certain living expenses will always arise on site.

At Natucate, volunteering always involves a programme fee. In most cases, this fee covers accommodation and meals, training and supervision by at least one project staff member, as well as project-related transfers. By choosing Natucate as your organisation for volunteering abroad, you will also receive thorough preparation for your stay, 24/7 support during your time in Africa, and guidance as you reflect on your volunteer experience afterwards. In addition, we carefully select the ethical projects we offer and ensure that suitable applicants are matched appropriately.

It is important to note that the projects we work with generally do not receive public funding and therefore rely on international volunteers. A portion of the programme fee directly contributes to maintaining and continuing these conservation initiatives.

Those who prefer not to pay a programme fee and wish to volunteer in Africa at the lowest possible cost can independently search online for relevant volunteer positions.

Can I volunteer with wildlife?

Our projects focus on the protection of animals and their natural habitats. Direct interaction with wild animals is not permitted to ensure their well-being. Volunteers may support activities such as wildlife relocations, conservation measures, monitoring and observations, or the collection of scientific data.

Humanitarian volunteer work in Africa – what do I need to know?

“How can I help kids living in poverty?” – a question that many people ask who are interested in volunteering. Natucate only supports projects focused on nature and species as many humanitarian projects need to be handled with care.

Just like in Southeast Asia, many countries in Africa are facing the problem that families in need sell their children to so-called ‘orphanages’ which promise to provide a better future for them. These orphanages systematically abuse the compassion of international volunteers, making money with their help.

Furthermore, a constantly changing cast of caregivers often does more harm than good and might increase abandonment issues or commitment phobia in the children. As most volunteers are neither trained educators nor native speakers of the country’s language, serious consequences may result from a time when children are supposed to learn their mother tongue.

Why is wildlife conservation important in Africa?

Africa is home to an extraordinary diversity of species and numerous biodiversity hotspots. However, many species are threatened by poaching, climate change and human–wildlife conflict. Ethical conservation projects play a crucial role by researching populations, monitoring wildlife, and developing targeted protection measures to ensure the long-term preservation of Africa’s flora and fauna.

Why should I volunteer in Africa?

As a volunteer, you can learn a wide range of new skills, discover an unfamiliar region and gain valuable life experience. Key benefits include:

• Personal development and new experiences
• Contributing to sustainable wildlife conservation projects
• Genuine insight into local cultures and ecosystems
• The opportunity to experience unique wildlife and landscapes up close
• …and much more

Africa volunteer trip – are there any Natucate reviews?

Yes, in our blog’s review section you can find various feedback stories from former Natucate volunteers who took part in our wildlife projects in Africa.