Volunteer travel holidays in South Africa
An extraordinary amount of wildlife – from big cats to primates, elephants to sharks – makes for an extraordinary variety of volunteer opportunities. You can protect species in their natural habitats, or help out at a rescue centre, learning how to be a game ranger along the way. Alternatively, volunteer holidays in South Africa can be an introduction to the people of the Rainbow Nation, with opportunities for healthcare interns, teachers and sports coaches.
43 Volunteer travel holidays in South Africa found
Over 50s volunteering with elephants, South Africa
Over 50s group volunteer with elephants adventure in Africa
From £1,395 8 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2026: 1 Mar, 18 Oct
Volunteer with chimpanzees, South Africa
Volunteer at Chimp Eden - The Jane Goodall Institute
From £795 to £2,095 8 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2026: 15 Mar, 29 Mar, 12 Apr, 26 Apr, 10 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 14 Jun, 28 Jun, 12 Jul, 2 Aug, 16 Aug, 4 Oct, 18 Oct, 7 Nov, 15 Nov
Shark conservation in South Africa
Join the Shark and Marine Big 5 Conservation Project!
From £999 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Trips run anytime throughout the year
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Volunteer with endangered species in South Africa
From €1,600 14 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2025: 22 Dec
2026: 5 Jan, 19 Jan, 2 Feb, 16 Feb, 2 Mar, 16 Mar, 30 Mar, 13 Apr, 27 Apr, 11 May, 25 May, 8 Jun, 22 Jun, 6 Jul, 20 Jul, 3 Aug, 17 Aug, 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 28 Sep, 12 Oct, 26 Oct, 9 Nov, 23 Nov, 7 Dec
2026: 5 Jan, 19 Jan, 2 Feb, 16 Feb, 2 Mar, 16 Mar, 30 Mar, 13 Apr, 27 Apr, 11 May, 25 May, 8 Jun, 22 Jun, 6 Jul, 20 Jul, 3 Aug, 17 Aug, 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 28 Sep, 12 Oct, 26 Oct, 9 Nov, 23 Nov, 7 Dec
Contact Us
Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.
01273 823 700
Call us until 6pm
Calling from outside the UK
rosy@responsibletravel.com
Rhino conservation project, South Africa
Join a critical rhino rescue mission in South Africa!
From £2,695 15 days ex flights
Small group travel
Family wildlife volunteering in South Africa
Create lasting memories as a family on a wildlife adventure.
From £1,175 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Wildlife sanctuary & rehabilitation centre, South Africa
Aid Big 5 conservation at the SanWild Sanctuary & Reserve
From £1,595 to £7,995 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2026: 5 Jan, 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 2 Feb, 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 30 Nov, 7 Dec, 14 Dec
Cheetah conservation holiday, South Africa
Cheetah conservation in Cape Town
From £1,495 to £1,600 14 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Community healthcare volunteering, South Africa
Help local communities in & around Cape Town
From £985 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
South Africa volunteering with the big five
Take part in the conservation of Africa's wildlife
From £1,295 15 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2025: 22 Dec, 29 Dec
2026: 5 Jan, 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 2 Feb, 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 30 Nov
2026: 5 Jan, 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 2 Feb, 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 30 Nov
Big five conservation in South Africa
Volunteer with the Big Five in South Africa.
From £695 to £6,095 8 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2025: 22 Dec, 29 Dec
2026: 5 Jan, 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 2 Feb, 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 30 Nov
2026: 5 Jan, 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 2 Feb, 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 30 Nov
Wildlife photography and volunteering in South Africa
Enjoy amazing wildlife photography while giving back!
From US $3,945 4 weeks ex flights
Small group travel:
2026: 3 May, 31 May, 28 Jun, 26 Jul, 23 Aug, 20 Sep, 4 Oct
2027: 2 May, 30 May, 27 Jun, 22 Aug, 19 Sep, 3 Oct
2027: 2 May, 30 May, 27 Jun, 22 Aug, 19 Sep, 3 Oct
Veterinary internship in Chintsa, South Africa
Hands-on veterinary work with wild, domestic & farm animals!
From £2,299 14 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
Family volunteering with baboons in South Africa awaits!
From £895 14 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Get £100 off per person, when you travel before 30 April 2026.
Contact Us
Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.
01273 823 700
Call us until 6pm
Calling from outside the UK
rosy@responsibletravel.com
Volunteer at The Shamwari Wildlife Reserve, South Africa
Conserve species on a South African game reserve
From £1,595 to £9,595 15 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2026: 5 Jan, 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 2 Feb, 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 30 Nov
Zululand conservation project
Preserve iconic wildlife in the breathtaking South Africa!
From £1,395 to £5,395 15 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2026: 5 Jan, 19 Jan, 2 Feb, 16 Feb, 2 Mar, 16 Mar, 30 Mar, 13 Apr, 27 Apr, 11 May, 25 May, 8 Jun, 22 Jun, 6 Jul, 20 Jul, 3 Aug, 17 Aug, 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 28 Sep, 12 Oct, 26 Oct, 9 Nov, 23 Nov, 7 Dec
Volunteer with monkeys in South Africa
Rehabilitate baboons into the wilds of South Africa
From £895 15 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Departures can be arranged at anytime to suit you, all year round
Sign up for minimum 2 weeks and receive £100 off when you travel before 30 April 2026.
Volunteer with children & animals in South Africa
Volunteer with children & wild animals in South Africa
From €2,200 to €5,000 4 weeks ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Family marine volunteering, South Africa
Discover and help protect marine life as a family
From £875 to £1,075 6 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Wildlife conservation course in South Africa
Learn species conservation and habitat management in South Africa
From €3,300 4 weeks ex flights
Small group travel:
2026: 31 Mar, 9 Jun, 4 Aug, 29 Sep
Wildlife conservation safari in South Africa
A luxury safari with a hands-on conservation experience.
From R11,000 to R41,250 5 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
South Africa wildlife volunteering holiday
Experience conservation work at an African Big 5 reserve!
From £695 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Join a wildlife conservation project on a Big 5 reserve in South Africa — perfect for a gap year or DofE Gold Residential. Help with animal monitoring and habitat work while living on site with other volunteers. Flexible 1–12 weeks, open year-round.
Veterinary internship in South Africa
Gain invaluable veterinary experience in Africa's wilderness
From £1,675 14 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Trips run anytime throughout the year
Wildlife orphanage volunteering in South Africa
Care for orphaned animals in stunning South Africa
From £530 to £2,590 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2026: 10 Jan, 17 Jan, 24 Jan, 31 Jan, 7 Feb, 14 Feb, 21 Feb, 28 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 28 Mar, 4 Apr, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 5 Dec, 12 Dec
Marine conservation holiday, South Africa
Shark & penguin conservation on the Cape Whale coast
From £925 to £2,210 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Shark conservation project in South Africa
Help conserve iconic shark species in South Africa
From £945 15 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2026: 31 Jan, 14 Feb, 28 Feb, 14 Mar, 31 Mar, 14 Apr, 30 Apr, 14 May, 31 May, 14 Jun, 30 Jun, 14 Jul, 31 Jul, 14 Aug, 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 30 Sep, 14 Oct, 31 Oct, 14 Nov, 30 Nov
Wilderness conservation holiday, South Africa
Combine thrilling safari experiences with meaningful conservation work
From £1,095 to £1,495 8 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Family wildlife volunteering holiday, South Africa
Volunteering for older families (16+) in Cape Karoo
From £3,695 to £3,995 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Wildlife conservation, South Africa
Conservation in the heart of the Klein Karoo in South Africa
From £825 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
South Africa community volunteering
Reinforce learning for disadvantaged children in the mountains
From £2,375 4 weeks ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
