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Our top 10 South Africa volunteering vacations

We’ve picked our top 10 South Africa volunteering vacations so you can get a better understanding of what we do, and how you can help to make a real difference. From volunteering with monkeys and working at animal rehabilitation centers to cage diving with great white sharks and coaching sports at a school in the suburbs of Port Elizabeth, this is where you get to pick your favorite from our top ten.

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OUR TOP 10 SOUTH AFRICA VOLUNTEERING HOLIDAYS

Our wildlife volunteering vacations take place in private game reserves and managed national parks where vast wilderness areas provide natural habitat for animals to roam wild and free from harm. Sites for primate rehab centers and animal sanctuaries in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, for example, have been chosen so as to avoid human conflict and allow animals to be released back into their natural environment. Port Elizabeth, on the south coast, provides an altogether more urban existence with volunteers needed at schools supporting some of South Africa’s poorest townships. Shark conservation projects invite volunteers to experience life close to Cape Town with free days at Boulders Beach adding extra bite.

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1. Endangered wildlife conservation
2. Family volunteering with monkeys
3. Marine conservation
4. Game ranger course
5. Photography volunteering
6. Monkey volunteer
7. Sports coaching
8. Teaching assistant
9. Volunteer with kids and animals
10. Volunteer with elephants

Endangered wildlife conservation

1. Endangered wildlife conservation

Cheetahs, black rhinos, wild dogs and vultures are all on South Africa's endangered wildlife list and volunteering to assist on an award winning habitat and conservation project in the game reserves of KwaZulu-Natal will go some way to supporting the efforts of the WWF and Wildlands Conservation Trust. Learn how to observe, track and identify endangered species in the real African bush.

Endangered wildlife conservation

Family volunteering with monkeys

2. Family volunteering with monkeys

Watching monkeys in the wild is as wondrous for parents as for children. Now imagine being part of the process that enables rescued infant monkeys to begin the journey back into their natural habitat. Volunteering with monkeys as a family in an African bush rehab center allows your troop to get stuck into conservation work, as well as plenty of ‘ahhh’ moments.

Marine conservation

3. Marine conservation

Observing a great white in its natural environment is an absolute thrill and certain to dispel any negative preconceptions once you learn a little about their behaviours. Volunteers on our rewarding marine conservation projects in South Africa might also get to work with dolphins, whales, fur seals and endangered African penguins – the water-based Big Five, you might say.

Marine conservation

Game ranger course

4. Game ranger course

Marvelling at Africa’s magnificent wildlife from a jeep is one thing. Stepping up to help protect them yourself, is quite another. This thrilling opportunity to to earn a game ranger qualification in South Africa sets you up for your a Level One FGASA (Field Guide Association of South Africa) Apprentice Field Guide certificate, recognised across Africa. Over eight weeks you’ll work alongside local rangers, learning a broad range of fieldwork and theoretical skills, a valuable first step in finding a career in front-line conservation.

Photography volunteering

5. Photography volunteering

Open to all levels of experience, so long as you already know your way around a camera, a wildlife conservation photography vacation sees you spending a month roaming the Greater Kruger area as part of a group led by an expert tutor. As well as being a superb opportunity to develop your skills, the trip itinerary features regular workshops that are motivational and hands-on. A selection of your images will become part of an online portfolio that helps conservation organisations to raise funds.

Photography volunteering

Monkey volunteer

6. Monkey volunteer

The relationship between South Africa's primates and its humans is far from harmonious. Hunting, the illegal pet trade and traffic accidents are just some of the reasons why infant monkeys and baboons become orphaned and in need of care. Volunteering at a primate rehab center, close to Kruger National Park, lets you fill the parental void and help baby monkeys on their journey back into the wild.

Sports coaching

7. Sports coaching

Although South Africa is often considered to be a southern hemisphere heavyweight when it comes to rugby, cricket and tennis, not all of its population are lucky enough to come from similar backgrounds to the country's international elite. Volunteer as a sports coach in an established Port Elizabeth sports foundation and inspire kids from the poorest communities to become the sports stars of SA's future.

Sports coaching

Teaching assistant

8. Teaching assistant

Volunteering as a teaching assistant in South Africa should be seen as a long term project with some of the poorest communities in the Port Elizabeth area crying out for help with lessons and extracurricular activities. This is an opportunity for flexible, positive and fun-loving people willing to work alongside local teachers in and out of the classroom. Experience of working with kids is an advantage, although not essential as full training is given.

Volunteer with kids and animals

9. Volunteer with kids and animals

Based in the Limpopo Province, this volunteering with children and animals vacation gives you the chance to help out at a not-for-profit animal orphanage that also works as an educational facility for children from the local community. Teaching the kids (aged from 12 - 16yrs) through conservation, animal welfare and basic maths and swimming lessons is a great way to meet local people and help to make a difference for present and future generations.

Volunteer with kids and animals

Volunteer with elephants

10. Volunteer with elephants

Poaching, habitat destruction and natural disasters have all contributed to the rapid decline of the world’s wild elephants. Volunteering with elephants in South Africa offers a great way to get up close to elephants roaming freely in their natural environment as well as contributing to on-going conservation projects through research, monitoring, feeding and maintenance of park perimeters.