Volunteers working with animal and wildlife conservation in Africa with focus on rhino preservation.

Volunteer with Wildlife Conservation in Africa

Step off the beaten path and into the wild. At Lost Adventures, we proudly partner with exceptional wildlife conservation projects across Africa - connecting you with the heart of nature, where your passion becomes purpose. Whether you're drawn to wildlife volunteering, wildlife research, or want to support wildlife conservation in Africa, these experiences offer the chance to make a real, lasting impact.

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Wildlife Volunteer projects

Join one of our hand-picked wildlife conservation programs and become part of something bigger. These are not tourist experiences-they’re immersive journeys where you’ll contribute to wildlife protection, learn directly from conservationists, and live in some of Africa’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.
From tracking endangered species to helping restore natural habitats, wildlife volunteering at Lost Adventures is your chance to help preserve what makes Africa extraordinary.

Wildlife Conservation
Volunteering

Wildlife conservation isn’t something you just witness - it’s something you do. At Lost Adventures, we partner with some of the most respected wildlife conservation programs in Africa that bring you right into the field, where real impact happens. Every wildlife volunteering experience we offer is rooted in real, hands-on work that matters - from supporting long-term research to helping protect endangered species.

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What Our Travelers Say

The best experience

I had a great experience booking my African trip through Lost Adventures. Mikkel makes sure that you feel safe and he will answer any questions any time of the day.

Even during the stay in Africa he wrote me and made sure I was fine. This is my second time booking with Mikkel and I will defently choose him again. The best recommendations from me.

Thanks for all your help!

Trine Lauridsen

Denmark

Greatest Experience Yet

If I could click more stars than just 5 I totally would. (...)

I ran into programs that seemed just hungry for my money over caring for my interests and experience, UNTIL I found Lost Adventures. (...)

Mikkel was so understanding and patient and informative. Quick to respond to every question I had and more. He went so above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and content with my experience. (...) I did a 10 week program in the Greater Kruger area of South Africa on Wildlife Research and Conservation. It was amazing. (...) I experienced hands on knowledge and this paved a path for me to go home and start a college degree in wildlife biology. I am incredibly thankful and grateful for my experience through Lost Adventures.

I would highly recommend and I would do this again and again and again. Thank you Mikkel so much for your kindness !!!"

Maria Noyola

USA

A wonderful experience – I can’t wait to book again ;-)

I recently booked a stay at the Modisa Wildlife Project through Lost Adventures and I had a wonderful experience. From the very beginning, Mikkel was so helpful and answered all my questions quickly and clearly. I truly felt like I was in the very best hands with him.

My time at the Modisa Camp was amazing! The whole team there was especially wonderful! It was a great way to experience wildlife conservation up close - and the camp itself was a truly special place.

I can definitely imagine booking with Lost Adventures again for my next trip to Africa. And I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a special adventure!

Lucia Mayer

Germany

Amazing experience with Lost Adventures

Our 20 year old daughter Cecilia has just returned from a 4 week stay at Shamwari Conservation Experience in South Africa. She has had the most incredible time and learned so much about wildlife and conservation in South Africa. She has had the time of her life and met so many amazing people from around the world, and has gained lifelong friendships :). We can not thank Mikkel enough for his commitment, engagement and very professionel manner. He was always quick to respond to our mails if we had any questions. As a nervous mom sending our daughter around the world, we were not at one point worried :) After being back for a few weeks our daughter is already talking about joining another of Mikkels programs with Lost Adventures in the near future :) Thank you, Mikkel for making this possible, and for being SO hands on and committed through it all.

Lotte Schaumburg Guldberg

Denmark

Volunteering in Zimbabwe

We went onto Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservation for a week's volunteering and once again, this was an excellent experience. (...) The food, once again, was extremely good.
The volunteer tasks were always interesting and we enjoyed them all. (...) It was so wonderful to be able to get close to the precious rhino and to walk with the elephants as they went out in the morning and came back to their protected areas at night. (...)

Mikkel at Lost Adventures is extremely helpful and has a comprehensive knowledge of safari and volunteering options available in Africa. He made sure our trip went without a hitch and was always able to be contacted throughout if we needed anything.

I highly recommend Lost Adventures and hope to book another trip with them again very soon.

Jill Ashby

Australia

Best Holiday Ever!

I booked a stay at the Modisa camp in Botswana via Lost Adventures in March and I couln't be happier of my choice. From start to finish, I had an excellent support from Mikkel who took care of the booking and was always happy to help with my queries. As I was traveling on my own and was visiting that area for the first time, I had many questions and Lost Adventures provided a seamless service always with a smile :)

The Modisa camp was also amazing, a truly life changing experience that I cant wait to repeat! Thank you Mikkel for making this possible!

Elena Valtorta

Italy

I spent 4 weeks at the Shamwari…

I spent 4 weeks at the Shamwari Conservation Experience, and had an absolutely unforgettable time there. Mikkel was beyond helpful with providing information and answering questions, there was never a moment I felt unsafe or unprepared thanks to him. I couldn't have found a better place to volunteer - thank you Mikkel for all of your help and for making this experience possible for me!

Cecilia Guldberg

Denmark

FAQ

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What is the minimum age to join a wildlife conservation program?
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What kind of accommodation can I expect?
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What kind of conservation work will I do?
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How long can I volunteer, and what’s included?
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What support do I have while I’m volunteering?
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Can I volunteer with my family?
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Why book with Lost Adventures?

TOP DESTINATIONS FOR WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERING IN AFRICA

​Step into Africa’s wild heart and become part of something bigger. Our wildlife conservation projects invite you to track big cats, protect rhinos, and support real research - hands-on, impactful, and unforgettable.

Sanwild Sanctuary

Support real wildlife conservation at SanWild Sanctuary in South Africa, a 3,000-hectare reserve dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals. As a volunteer, you'll help care for species like rhinos, elephants, and cheetahs through hands-on work including feeding, habitat restoration, and anti-poaching support.

Days in the bush are balanced by relaxing evenings in en-suite safari tents overlooking a natural watering hole. This is a meaningful, immersive experience for those who want to contribute directly to protecting Africa’s iconic wildlife.

Kariega Big Five Conservation in South Africa

Immerse yourself in the Kariega Big Five Conservation project, based on an 11,000-hectare private reserve in South Africa's Eastern Cape.
As a volunteer you'll take part in wildlife monitoring, game counts, and anti-poaching efforts, with a focus on lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo. Activities include elephant and rhino tracking, lion prey studies, and leopard research using camera traps, along with habitat management and invasive species removal. This hands-on experience offers a meaningful way to support conservation while gaining a deeper understanding of wildlife protection in South Africa.

Rhino and Elephant Conservation in Zimbabwe

​Embark on a transformative journey with the Rhino & Elephant Conservation Project in Zimbabwe, a family-run sanctuary spanning 4,000 hectares dedicated to restoring native wildlife since the 1950s. As a volunteer, you'll play an active role in the daily care of endangered black rhinos and rescued elephants, assisting with feeding, monitoring, and habitat management.

Engage in anti-poaching initiatives, contribute to vital research, and participate in unique experiences like target practice with rangers and breakfast alongside elephants. This immersive program offers a profound understanding of conservation challenges and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on preserving Africa's iconic wildlife.

Internship With Wildlife Research

Join an immersive 8-12 week Wildlife Research Internship in South Africa's Greater Kruger Area, designed for aspiring conservationists and researchers. Under expert mentorship, you'll develop and conduct your own field research project, focusing on areas like predator-prey dynamics, habitat utilization, or human-wildlife interactions.

Activities include animal tracking, data collection, and ecological monitoring, directly contributing to ongoing conservation efforts. Based at a privately-owned lodge along the Olifants River, this internship offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and make a meaningful impact on preserving Africa's iconic wildlife.

Big Five and Wildlife Research in South Africa

​Join the Big Five & Wildlife Research project in South Africa's Greater Kruger Area, where you'll actively contribute to the conservation of iconic species like lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes. As a volunteer, you'll participate in daily game drives, animal tracking, data collection, and habitat monitoring, providing critical support to ongoing research and anti-poaching initiatives. This immersive experience offers hands-on involvement in wildlife protection while deepening your understanding of conservation strategies in one of Africa's most renowned ecosystems.

Big Cat and Elephant Research in Kenya

​Embark on a transformative journey with the Big Cat & Elephant Research project located in the Pardamat Conservation Area within Kenya's Maasai Mara ecosystem. As a volunteer, you'll work alongside experienced researchers, engaging in hands-on monitoring of lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and elephants. Your contributions will directly support vital conservation efforts, including data collection and habitat assessment to the Mara Predator Conservation Programme. Beyond fieldwork, immerse yourself in Maasai culture, gaining a profound understanding of the delicate balance between community life and wildlife preservation. This enriching experience offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on the protection of Africa's iconic species.

Shamwari Conservation Experience in South Africa

Experience life behind the scenes of one of South Africa’s most respected Big Five reserves on the Shamwari Conservation Experience. Based on 23,000 hectares of protected land, volunteers assist with wildlife monitoring, habitat work, and anti-poaching support, focusing on species like lions, rhinos, and elephants. The program also includes time with the Born Free Foundation, and opportunities for community outreach. A well-rounded, impactful experience for those passionate about conservation.

Modisa Wildlife Project in Botswana

Immerse yourself in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert with the Modisa Wildlife Project, founded in 2010 by Valentin Grüner (Germany) and Mikkel Legarth (Denmark). Volunteers support conservation by protecting and studying a range of wildlife, with a strong focus on predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. You'll take part in tracking, monitoring, and data collection, contributing to the understanding and preservation of these species - all while living in the heart of the Kalahari.

A key highlight is observing Sirga the lioness and her unique bond with co-founder Valentin, as seen in the series Saving Sirga. This is a rare chance to contribute meaningfully to wildlife protection while gaining deep insight into life on the frontlines of conservation.