ANIMAL WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERING

Volunteer as an animal wildlife volunteer and have the experience of a lifetime supporting local teams with animal wildlife and habitat work that has global importance at a wildlife sanctuary, game reserve or animal rescue centre.

Animal Wildlife Conservation

For animal lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, volunteering with wildlife is your opportunity to make changes, protect, and work with animals. Volunteering with wildlife is an ethical avenue into learning all about Earth’s animals; at Kaya Responsible Travel we ensure that all volunteering with wildlife placements are of the highest ethical standards.  

Kaya works with a wide range of animal projects that focus on volunteering with wildlife protection, rehabilitation, and rescue. From big cats in Africa to elephants in Thailand, to parrots in Ecuador – there are so many wonderful species that are supported by our projects. Volunteering with wildlife could give you the experience and opportunity to monitor animal behaviors, collect data for conservation, aid in husbandry with food, enrichment, and cleaning of enclosures, and much more. 

Our animal wildlife volunteers really gain incredible insight into the lives of some amazing creatures. As an animal wildlife volunteer on some of our projects, you could even get to go on game counts, an amazing way to capture wildlife data while seeing animals in their natural habitats. Read our blog to learn more.

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There’s no escaping the fact that humans and animals still often find it difficult to coexist, and that wildlife frequently loses habitats and freedoms as a result of man’s actions. By volunteering with wildlife, you will be working to return animals to their natural habitats. Through monitoring behaviors for conservation research projects, or by aiding in anti-poaching programs, you will be protecting species that are now in need of human intervention for survival.

Wherever possible, Kaya’s wildlife programs run a “hands-off policy” so that the animals do not become domesticated during rehabilitation. This ensures that the rescued animals are one day able to return to their natural habitats.

Volunteering with wildlife rescue is an avenue that you can pursue on one of our projects. Animal wildlife volunteer projects that focus on animal rescue include a rehabilitation sanctuary in Zimbabwe, a project in the Ecuadorian rainforest, and a rescue center in Indonesia. You can contribute to protecting habitats and observing animals include whilst working with the Big 5 in South Africa, Lion Rehabilitation in Victoria Falls, or at an Elephant Welfare project in Thailand

For those wanting to further their studies or careers by volunteering with wildlife, Kaya offers a wide range of veterinary and wildlife internships. These include a veterinary internship at a zoo in Bolivia, or a pre-veterinary placement in South Africa, with new projects being offered all the time. 

But you don’t necessarily need qualifications. Volunteering with wildlife is open to all, and we even have some placements suitable for our under 18 volunteers. All you need is a passion for wildlife and its conservation, enthusiasm, team spirit, and a sense of adventure! And you’ll fit right in.

By volunteering with wildlife on a Kaya project, we can help you on your journey of discovery, whilst you help to provide animals with a better future.

Our Animal Wildlife Conservation projects

Maasai Mara Big Cat and Elephant Research Project in Kenya

Experience the wildlife show of a lifetime whilst contributing to key research and conservation efforts in the Maasai Mara

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8-Week Wilderness Gap Year Program in South Africa

Join our 8-week wildness gap year program and discover more about both yourself and South Africa!

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8-Week Community and Conservation Gap Year Program in South Africa

Join our 8-week wildlife conservation and community development gap year program, and explore South Africa in an exciting and meaningful way!

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Lion, Elephant and Wildlife Conservation Project in Zimbabwe

Volunteer in Zimbabwe and participate in wildlife protection and conservation efforts at a leading game park, working up close with Africa's most incredible animals.

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Turtle and Marine Conservation in Costa Rica

Join us as a volunteer for this Turtle and Marine Conservation Project in Costa Rica while living the pura vida!

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Sports Volunteering in Costa Rica

Join us in the rural community of Costa Rica and contribute to local education through sports while living an adventure of a lifetime!

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Teen Community Volunteering in Costa Rica

Join us in a rural community of Costa Rica and contribute to the local community while living an adventure of a lifetime!

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Rhino and Elephant Conservation Volunteering in Zimbabwe

Volunteer in Zimbabwe and take part in important conservation and anti-poaching work, helping to protect vulnerable animals and preserve their habitats.

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Veterinary Internship on South Africa Wild Coast

Veterinary internship in South Africa Wild Coast catering to 2nd and 3rd-year students

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Veterinary Internship in Ecuador

Join us as on this veterinary internship in Ecuador and contribute to improving the welfare of wildlife while developing your CV/Resume

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Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteering in Victoria Falls

Spend time on Wildlife Research and Conservation volunteering in Zimbabwe and gain an incredible insight into research and conservation efforts taking place in the area.

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Volunteer with the Big 5 in Port Elizabeth

Volunteer and have an amazing time working on this game reserve in Port Elizabeth. Work with South Africa's big 5: lion, African elephant, cape buffalo, rhino and leopard.

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Veterinarian Volunteering in South Africa

Join our veterinarian volunteering at one of South Africa’s premier game reserves developing your knowledge of diagnosing, treating and preserving wildlife in their natural habitats.

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Volunteering for teenagers in Costa Rica

Spend your holidays doing something different and help others through volunteering overseas. Work on 1 of 4 projects in Costa Rica that accept teenagers from 15 years old.

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Amazon Rainforest Wildlife Rescue and Release in Ecuador

In partnership with a local indigenous family that lives in the Amazon rainforest, this centre rehabilitates wild animals from the jungle that were victims of abuse and animal trafficking.

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Wildlife Orphanage and Rescue Sanctuary in Zimbabwe

Volunteer in Zimbabwe and get first hand experience of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release in one of Africa’s oldest wildlife sanctuaries located in Bulawayo.

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Wildlife Rescue Centre Volunteering in Indonesia

Volunteer and help care for orangutans, sun bears, monkeys, crocodiles, and a wide range of birds at this wildlife rescue centre.

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Elephant & Community Water Access Project in Namibia

Use your passion for elephants and observe them in their natural habitat and work on a project that is providing solutions to the elephant-human conflict.

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Gap Year: Wildlife Volunteering in Africa

Have a fantastic adventure during your Gap Year: and participate in Wildlife Volunteering in Africa placements, observing and helping lions, chimpanzees and dolphins in their habitats

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Animal Rescue Project in Costa Rica

Volunteer in Costa Rica in a busy animal rescue centre, helping animals that have been neglected, lost their natural habitats or injured and are undergoing rehabilitation.

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Pre-vet Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Placement in Zimbabwe

Volunteer in Zimbabwe and get first-hand experience of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release in an African wildlife sanctuary.

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Pre-Veterinary Internship in South Africa

Develop your interests and studies in veterinary science or animal welfare on this pre-veterinary internship led by an experienced and qualified botanist in South Africa.

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Photography and Conservation Project In Kruger, South Africa

Join this incredible wildlife photography course to develop skills for taking great shots whilst participating in essential conservation education and activities in the Greater Kruger Area.

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Rhino, Elephant and Big Cat Research and Conservation in Kruger

Volunteer in South Africa on a research and conservation project in the greater Kruger area home to the Big 5; lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, and more

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Swaziland Volunteer Building or Sports With Kruger Safari

Combine travel and volunteering in South Africa with our bespoke Kruger to Swaziland Building and Volunteer Adventure.

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Conservation and Ecology Volunteering in the Eswatini Savannah

If you are a student or are fascinated by wildlife and habitats, why not join us on this conservation and ecology internship in the Swaziland savannah.

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African Marine and Wildlife Volunteer Adventure Tour

Why not do a bit of everything on this 5 week volunteer and adventure tour that takes you to Mozambique, Swaziland and Kruger National Park in South Africa.

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Easy 4-step application process

APPLY ONLINE

Click here to apply online and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.

CONFIRMATION

Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.

GET PREPARED

When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.