SAVE Volunteering Wildlife Projects
Hosted by
SAVE Volunteering Wildlife Projects
- South Africa
- Cape Town
- Hoedspruit
About Program
SAVE Volunteering is a registered Non-Profit Organisation that directly manages, funds and operates its humanitarian and wildlife projects across Southern Africa. We are not a booking agent. Every project is designed and run in collaboration with local communities, conservation professionals and animal welfare specialists.
Volunteers play an active role in supporting long-term, ethical initiatives that focus on community upliftment, conservation, education and animal care. By volunteering with SAVE, you contribute time and skills to projects that create measurable, sustainable impact for people, wildlife and the environments they share—investing in a more responsible and equitable future.
Video and Photos
Program Highlights
- African Pride.
- Big 5 wildlife course.
- Marine Conservation
- Wild Cat.
- Bush School and Wildlife.
Popular Programs
Volunteers join a hands-on wildlife conservation programme in South Africa’s Lowveld bush, supporting Big 5 research and animal monitoring. Work with trained rangers to track elephants, lions, hyenas and leopards, assist breeding monitoring (buffalo, nyala, eland) and habitat management. Based in a 25,000 ha reserve, contributions provide data for conservation science and ethical wildlife management. Ideal for wildlife, ecology and impact-focused volunteers.
Volunteers join a marine conservation programme in Gansbaai, South Africa’s shark-cage-diving capital. Support responsible ocean research with trained marine biologists, assisting with shark and marine species monitoring, whale and dolphin sightings, and data collection at sea. Seasonal Southern Right Whales visit July–December and sharks are seen year-round. Ideal for ethical travel, conservation and marine wildlife volunteers.
Volunteers join an ethical big cat sanctuary in South Africa focused on animal welfare, enrichment and education. Based at an environmentally friendly refuge for captive-bred lions, leopards and other predators, you’ll assist with daily care, habitat upkeep, enclosure maintenance and public awareness efforts. This project supports sustainable wildlife care and promotes ethical travel, ideal for volunteers interested in conservation, animal welfare and impactful field experience.
Volunteers gain practical experience for careers in veterinary science, animal welfare and animal management across South Africa. This immersive programme combines wildlife support in a game reserve, livestock care on a working farm and assistance with domestic animals in a rural village. You’ll contribute hands-on animal care, theory sessions and community engagement, building real skills while supporting ethical, impact-focused volunteering in Africa.
Volunteers support seabird rescue and rehabilitation with SANCCOB in South Africa. At centres in Cape Town and Gqeberha, you assist trained teams with feeding, caring for and monitoring African penguins and other seabirds, plus data collection for marine conservation. This ethical experience contributes directly to wildlife recovery and community awareness.
Volunteers join a wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary in South Africa’s Free State, caring for rescued predators including lions, caracals, servals, African wild cats, jackals and bat-eared foxes. You’ll assist trained staff with daily animal care, habitat maintenance and enrichment, contributing to ethical wildlife rehabilitation and release efforts. Ideal for conservation volunteers seeking hands-on impact, animal welfare experience and responsible travel in Africa.
Volunteers join a wildlife conservation and bush skills programme in a Limpopo game reserve home to Africa’s “Big 5.” Based in a field camp, you’ll support rangers with wildlife monitoring, basic bush survival training and habitat work, gaining practical experience living in the bush alongside elephants, lions, rhino, leopards and buffalo. This ethical volunteer opportunity is suited to those passionate about conservation, wildlife ecology and responsible travel in Africa.
Volunteers join an animal care and wildlife support programme at a rehabilitation farm in South Africa. You’ll assist with daily care, feeding and habitat upkeep for orphaned and injured animals—from elephants, lions, cheetahs and hippos to free-range game like giraffes, zebras and impalas. Based in a diverse sanctuary, this ethical volunteer experience supports long-term welfare, recovery and responsible wildlife management in Africa.
Related Programs
Questions & Answers
Staff Interviews
These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.
