Two recumbent and two sedentary African wild dogs roam the savannah together.

Volunteer Abroad South Africa: Zululand Wildlife Conservation

South Africa 2 to 12 weeks From 1,850 € Enquire now

This species protection project involves conservation of the wilderness and protection of endangered wild animals such as cheetahs, African wild dogs, elephants, lions, and leopards.

The project works across three Game Reserves in Zululand, each with a different conservation focus, and with differing animal species present on each reserve. Your entire training will take place while on the job in the African bush. You will learn how to locate the wild animals at risk, using various instruments, how to read their tracks and how to document their behaviour and feeding patterns. The project works in collaboration with the WWF, which also partially sponsors the project.

Your trip at a glance

Highlights

Join a real wildlife conservation project in South Africa’s Zululand
Dedicate yourself to protecting nature and wild animals
Work together with an international volunteer team
Observe wild dogs, elephants, lions and other wildlife in their natural habitat
Experience the fascinating biodiversity of South Africa from up close

Locations

KwaZulu-Natal

Plan your trip

Included in the programme fee
- Placement in the programme
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- Assistance with selecting travel insurance
- Assistance with booking flights
- Risk coverage certificate
- Pre-departure information pack
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Accommodation during the programme
- Programme-related transfers
- Food items for cooking daily meals during programme
- English-speaking support by long-term experienced staff
- 24/7 support throughout the programme

- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Accommodation outside programme hours
- Visa fees
- Further beverages (e.g. liquors, soft drinks, bottled water)
- Personal expenses and optional excursions

Write An Email

Terry, your travel agent for Southern Africa

You would like to learn more about this trip? Don't hesitate to contact me! Our service doesn't end with your departure: I answer all of your questions and support you before, during and after your stay abroad.

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A single African elephant walks through the savannah in the Zululand region.

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Close-Up of a Cape Buffalo in the South African savannah sunset

Volunteering in South Africa: Two zebras in Zululand

Wildlife in Africa: An elephant herd in the South African savannah

This conservation project focuses on a variety of African wildlife in South Africa.

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Three collars with GPS trackers for wildlife are on the 4x4 vehicle and are used in the conservation project to locate wildlife.

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A baby elephant stands between adult elephants in South Africa

This portrait shows a southern hornbill, also known as a red-cheeked hornbill, which is well adapted to its life on the ground and has black feathers, red coloured tales and a long hornbill. The bird is a turkey-sized character bird and is found in the South African short-grass steppe.

Two Natucate volunteers from the species conservation project in Zululand set up a camera trap in the bushes. The camera is attached to a small wooden pole, which is knocked into the ground with a stone.

Volunteering in South Africa

As a volunteer in South Africa’s wild nature you dedicate yourself to wildlife censuses, bird watching, camera trap management and reserve maintenance – this way you receive unique hands-on training in conservation work.

Close up of an African wild dog in the South African savannah

Arrival and orientation in Zululand

You will book a flight to Johannesburg airport and an onward flight to Richards Bay airport, where your adventure will begin. Our partner's transfer service will pick you up from the airport and take you to your camp in the reserve.

Sitting on the back open part of a white 4x4 vehicle, two volunteers and a volunteer use telemetry while being looked at by an experienced guide standing on the ground next to the open passenger door.

Volunteer activities during your stay abroad in Africa

A typical day starts in the early hours of the morning (approx. 4 am). Accompanied by the other volunteers and an experienced supervisor, you will set off before sunrise seated on the back of an open off-road vehicle to watch the animals. In order to locate them various gadgets, such as tracking collars, are used. You will learn how to monitor these gadgets and so be able to work more independently. Once the animals have been located, the sighting and the behaviour and food patterns of the animals will be recorded and documented for research purposes.

A South African cheetah lies flat in the brownish, flat grass, illuminated by the sun and keeping its eyes open only as small slits.

Moreover, you will learn about the traditional methods of animal identification and tracking and develop an understanding of nature conservation issues and objectives with regard to the endangered species in Africa.
One day searching for animals turns out to be a success, another day you might not spot any animals at all.
You will return to camp late in the morning and have time to relax as you wish. In the late afternoon it is time for the second trip into the bush.

A wide underwater drinking area in one of the five camps has two hammocks in front of the blue-framed glass doors of the accommodation with a tree in the foreground.

Accommodation as a volunteer in Zululand

The project works in three different reserves, each with its own type of vegetation and animal species. It depends on the duration of your stay how many camps you will see.
You will share accommodation with the other volunteers, at a research camp within the reserve. There is electricity, warm water and toilets. You will be supplied with everything except towels and mosquito nets. You can use the internet in the office once a week. Depending on the area mobile phone reception can be limited. The communal kitchen is well equipped with an oven, microwave, a hob and a solar cooker and contains everything you might need for cooking. You can prepare your meals here, together with the other international volunteers.

A volunteer participant in South Africa uses binoculars to observe animals.

Leisure time during the wildlife conservation project

Each day you will have some time off during the midday period when it is hot and most animals are inactive. During these few hours over the midday period you are welcome to read, sleep, eat, play cards or board games, or simply enjoy the animal activity around your accommodation.

Arrival

Arriving in South Africa

You will arrive in Richard’s Bay on the day the project starts. Our partner's transfer service will pick you up from the airport and take you to your camp in Zululand. Which camp(s) you will stay in for the course of your volunteer stay is dependent on several factors and cannot be foreseen by us. Shortly before you arrive at camp, your project leader will welcome you and your team to go on a little shopping tour to purchase necessary food items for the following week. Afterwards, you will continue your way to the camp. At camp, you can accommodate yourself and get to know the other participants. As part of a small presentation, your project leader will tell you a little bit more about the project, its tasks and its goals. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the camp and its surroundings, getting to know each other and enjoying dinner which is always prepared as a group.
Project

Wildlife conservation in South Africa: A typical volunteer day

A typical day in the project will start in the early morning hours – around 04:00 am. After a cup of coffee or tea you and your team will make your way into the African bush. You will be sitting in the back of a truck, driven by your instructor, and will be involved in searching for endangered wildlife species via telemetry. This works as follows:
The species that you look for are equipped with a collar which sends out a signal. This signal can be received via a receiver when the animal is within a certain radius. In order to be able to receive the signal, an antenna which is connected to the receiver must be placed properly. You as a volunteer will handle the receiver and the antenna. In case you receive a signal, the location of the receiver as well as the signal’s direction will be noted down to be able to put these information into a database. Spotting the animal with the help of telemetry is the best-case scenario so information regarding their health status and other factors can be collected. The location and time of all sightings will be documented. Depending in which camp you are staying in, your group will also check the boma.

A boma is a kind of small fenced wildlife area in which animals are kept for a limited amount of time to get them used to new conditions and unfamiliar parasites. Boma control involves checking the animals’ well-being as well as making sure that the fences are not damaged. Around noon, you get back to camp to prepare lunch and enjoy a small break in the early afternoon. Before heading back into the bush in the afternoon, you and your group will transfer the data which you have collected during the morning hours into a database. The second tour of the day is similar to the first one. When returning to camp in the evening, you will prepare dinner together and enjoy the remaining hours of the day sitting around the camp fire.
Departure

Last day as a volunteer and departure

FAQ – Learn more about this trip

Prior to departure to South Africa

In order to apply for this project you need to be over 18 and have sufficient English skills to follow the course contents. We need a doctor’s certificate confirming your state of health and physical fitness, since you will undertake long walks in extreme temperatures. Furthermore, you might need a visa for your volunteering work. Depending on the duration of your stay and your destination the requirements might vary. You might check out the foreign department’s website for the visa standards or ask the Natucate team directly.
Prior to your departure we will support the planning process and help you arrange a flight and the transfer to your destination. After your arrival at the airport our partner will pick you up and take you to your camp. Accommodation, bedding and blankets, food and transfer during the project are also included.
Since there are plenty of poisonous or dangerous insects and animals in South Africa and this course deals with wild animals in general – a certain kind of attentiveness is advisable. You will need travel health insurance to start your volunteering work with Natucate. We can provide you with all the necessary information. In general you need to talk to your doctor and make sure you are vaccinated against Morbilli, Mumps and Rubella. We advise you to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, Polio and Tetanus. There is also a medium risk of Malaria and you might want to get preventive medicine. For current information and warnings regarding your destination you should check out the homepage of the foreign department and inform yourself beforehand about possible risks.
You don’t need special clothing for the work, but you should pack outdoor clothes that are camouflaged or predominantly natural colours. You can expect high temperatures; therefore it is advisable to pack light clothes that cover a lot of skin for the day. For the nighttime long sleeved shirts and long pants are necessary to protect you from the cooler temperatures and mosquito bites. Furthermore you will need hiking boots, gloves, waterproof clothes, a headpiece, sunscreen, insect repellent and a water bottle. You should also pack a sleeping bag or additional blankets for the colder nights and towels. Furthermore you need some general camping gear like a headlamp.

Arrival in South Africa

During the project in South Africa

Your work is influenced by the daily animal behaviour and weather conditions. Your day starts before the sun rises. In the early morning hours the volunteers will monitor endangered animals and document their feeding habits and general behaviour. Around midday you will have some time off and take a break. In the afternoon you will go on another excursion with the off-road vehicle and explore the African bush to study different animals. When the sun sets you return back to the camp.
You will be actively involved in the conservation and protection of species during the project. One of your main tasks will be monitoring and tracking of endangered animals. You will learn how to identify different animals and read their tracks. You will also deal with data entry and data analysis. You might also be involved in maintaining camera traps. Your task may vary a lot and always depend on the current demand.

Life on site in South Africa

The accommodation is basic but comfortable. Most volunteers will share a twin room with separate shared ablutions and a living/eating area at a camp site in Zululand. You will have electricity, running warm water and flushing toilets. You will be provided with a bed, mattress, pillows and bedding. Volunteers will have to keep the camp clean and tidy. There is also an outside seating area where you can sit by the bonfire. There is no fencing around the camp and it is visited from antelopes, monkeys, baboons, bush babies and hyaena.
During your stay you should never leave the camp, especially not at night. In the the camp it is important to wear head lights at night. You should be aware of the fact that you live in the nature, amongst wild animals, therefore it is essential to follow all the instuctions of your team leader who has a broad knowledge about the surrounding area and its risks.
In general you don’t need a lot of money during the project. You might spend money for additional snacks, beverages or free time activities, as well as extra transfers besides the project. You won’t be able to withdraw cash while you are at the camp. Make sure you have enough money before getting to the camp. You can easily withdraw cash at the airport or any other bigger city.
We recommend to change currencies already before your travel or at the airport in Johannesburg. At the airport in Richards Bay there are no facilities to change money. Generally you will find ATMs in every larger city. Before your journey you should check if your credit card is accepted by ATMs in South Africa.
The climate in Zululand is hot and humid during the summer months from October until April. The winters from May to September are dry and mild. During the rainy season the temperatures can rise over 40°C. It can get colder during the winter, usually between 20 and 25°C. Winter nights reach average temperatures between 10 to 15°C. In the early morning hours it can become quite chilly due to the headwind.

Learn what others say about their Natucate adventure.

Eine freiwillige Helferin fuehrt Messungen durch

Gap Year Suedafrika: Eine Gruppe Zebras direkt neben der Schotterstrasse

Review Volunteering South Africa Zululand – Greta

“Among all these animals you get to see, the landscapes and sunrises in the park are simply stunning.”

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Review Photos Volunteering South Africa Zululand – Celina

Celina joined our conservation project in South Africa and helped protect endangered wildlife species. Here we would like to share some of her wonderful impressions with you.

Auslandsaufenthalt in Suedafrika: Blick auf ein Tal mit einer Herde Elefanten

Volunteering in Suedafrika: Ein Zaun mit einem Gatter in der Wildnis

Review Volunteering South Africa Zululand – Judith

“All in all I had two amazing weeks, during which I learned a lot about South Africa’s beautiful nature and an ecosystem which was totally unknown to me before.”

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Review Photos Sabbatical South Africa Zululand – Silvia

During her sabbatical Silvia also joined our endangered species project in South Africa. Here you can enjoy her amazing images and become part of her journey:

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Review Volunteering South Africa Zululand – Tim

“It was an incredibly beautiful time with countless animal sightings. To experience the wildlife and landscape of Africa in this intensity as a volunteer is a unique experience.”

1. KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal is a province in the northeast of South Africa. From the megacity of Durban, situated on the Indian Ocean, to the picturesque Drakensberg Mountains – KwaZulu-Natal is home to many of South Africa's most fascinating sights. Last but not least, there are countless national parks and protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal, all of which are characterized by a diverse flora, a species-rich fauna and varied landscapes.

During your stay in KwaZulu-Natal, you will get a fascinating insight to the wilderness and wildlife of beautiful South Africa.

Learn more

KwaZulu-Natal is a province in the northeast of South Africa. From the megacity of Durban, situated on the Indian Ocean, to the picturesque Drakensberg Mountains – KwaZulu-Natal is home to many of South Africa's most fascinating sights. Last but not least, there are countless national parks and protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal, all of which are characterized by a diverse flora, a species-rich fauna and varied landscapes.

During your stay in KwaZulu-Natal, you will get a fascinating insight to the wilderness and wildlife of beautiful South Africa.

Learn more

Purpose of the conservation project in Zululand

South Africa is renowned for the variety of species that live there. Together, the Zululand region, the famous Kruger National Park, and the southwestern province of The Western Cape are home to more than 300 mammal species, 500 bird species, 100 reptile species, and numerous species of insects.

National and international efforts have established many nature and species conservation projects that carry out research using tracking technology in some areas, such as populations and movement patterns of endangered wild dogs. Mapping (monitoring) of animal and plant species helps to monitor wildlife populations and plan future conservation measures.