SANWILD BIG FIVE CONSERVATION SANCTUARY

South Africa
1 - 12 weeks
1,750 - 13,440 Euro

Immerse yourself in an unparalleled blend of luxury and meaningful conservation work at SanWild Sanctuary in South Africa. Work with animals, engage in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts while enjoying the comforts of a high-end safari destination.

WELCOME TO
SANWILD BIG FIVE CONSERVATION SANCTUARY

Embark on a journey where wildlife conservation meets luxury. Take part in rescue, rehabilitation, and hands-on conservation efforts while experiencing the beauty of the South African wilderness at SanWild Sanctuary, home to the iconic Big Five.

This sanctuary is a vital conservation site dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating at-risk wildlife, including those affected by human-wildlife conflict. For over two decades, SanWild has been at the forefront of conservation, providing a safe haven and rehabilitation center for countless species.

As a volunteer at the big five conservation sanctuary, you will play an essential role in this mission—helping to care for, rehabilitate, and, when possible, release rescued wildlife. Animals that cannot return to the wild are provided with a habitat that closely reflects their natural environment. Your experience will include a range of hands-on conservation activities, from caring for rescued animals to assisting with anti-poaching efforts and monitoring species such as cheetahs, rhinos, and elephants. Each day brings new challenges and meaningful learning opportunities.

After a fulfilling day, relax in a luxurious lodge that combines comfort and elegance with the spirit of the wild.

Why Book This Wildlife Conservation Experience Through Lost Adventures?

With 15+ years of experience in wildlife conservation and travel in Africa, we provide expert advice, seamless support, and added security. If anything goes wrong, Lost Adventures will be on your side every step of the way, ensuring you’re protected with our extended liability insurance and network.
With no planning fees and more security, you can embrace the adventure with confidence, knowing we’ve got your back.

Enquire
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Number of participants

Up to 12

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Duration

1-12 weeks

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Start date

Starting each Monday

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Age requirements

18+ unless traveling with family

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Arrival/departure

Arrive/depart from Hoedspruit Airport (HDS), South Africa, on Mondays

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Transfer

1-hour transfer from Hoedspruit Airport to project (return) included

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Additional activities

Kruger National Park safaris, hot air ballooning, panoramic road trips, horseback safari, quad biking, and more

HIGHLIGHTS AT THE BIG FIVE CONSERVATION SANCTUARY

Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre

The SanWild Rehabilitation Centre cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, with the aim of releasing them back into the wild. Volunteers help with feeding, cleaning, and occasional rescues or vet support. To prevent human imprinting, the Centre is closed to the public and no physical contact with animals is allowed.

Engage in core conservation initiatives

You'll be involved in core conservation initiatives, including supporting the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, contributing to large predator sanctuaries, assisting with elephant management, and helping with the Wildlife Gene Exchange Program to enhance genetic diversity.

species monitoring & protection

You'll assist with species monitoring by tracking cheetahs, rhinos, and elephants, while also taking part in counter-poaching patrols to help protect wildlife.

Predator Sanctuaries for Lions & Hyenas

SanWild’s Large Predator Sanctuaries care for lions and hyenas rescued from zoos, circuses, and hunting farms. Unable to return to the wild, they live in spacious, natural enclosures. Staff and volunteers assist with feeding, cleaning, and occasional vet care.

Rhino Conservation Project

SanWild’s Rhino Conservation Project combats poaching with 24/7 monitoring, dehorning, and advanced perimeter alarms—resulting in a 95% drop in poaching attempts since 2020. Volunteers support the team with fence patrols, rhino tracking, dehorning procedures, and monitoring cameras in the operations room.

immersive african experiences

You'll take part in traditional African experiences like game drives, sundowners, and braais, while enjoying luxury accommodations that blend 5-star comfort with a deep connection to nature.

Volunteer working with animal and wildlife conservation with focus on rhino preservation.

Participating in regular game drives not only promises unforgettable experiences with diverse wildlife but also significantly contributes to the project's understanding of the reserve's inhabitants. By assisting the dedicated team, you'll play a crucial role in collecting valuable information on various species' social dynamics, dietary patterns, and other essential ecological aspects. These game drives enable the project to monitor and track the animals' behaviors, movements, and population trends. In turn, this information helps to maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem within the reserve. The data collected during these drives is instrumental for the project team in making well-informed management decisions, such as the potential relocation or introduction of certain species to maintain biodiversity and the overall well-being of the reserve.

sanwild south africa volunteer experience work with animals

Volunteers play a significant role in restoring the reserve to its original, unspoiled state by assisting in the removal of non-native plants introduced by former landowners. By contributing to the restoration of the area's natural biodiversity, you'll actively support the preservation of native food sources for herbivores, safeguarding vital water resources, and minimising the risk of wildfires. Additionally, you'll aid in dismantling old constructions and fences that could potentially endanger the wildlife living in the reserve. This collaborative effort ensures the protection and sustainability of the reserve's ecosystem, benefiting both the flora and fauna that call it home.

By using camera traps, Shamwari can consistently monitor the reserve's wildlife, gaining a deeper understanding of the habits and patterns of nocturnal and elusive animals. These continuous observations provide valuable insights that contribute to the overall knowledge of the reserve's inhabitants. For certain high-profile species, such as cheetahs, remote tracking methods like telemetry are employed. This advanced tracking technology is especially useful in managing the interactions between wildlife and livestock on adjacent properties. By monitoring the movements of these predators, Shamwari can take proactive measures to prevent conflicts and protect both the wildlife and the domesticated animals in the surrounding areas. Annual game counts are conducted to determine the reserve's carrying capacity. These counts assist in making decisions about predator-to-prey ratios and the movement of animals on or off the reserve.

The Born Free Foundation has gained a well-deserved reputation for its exceptional work in tackling and spreading awareness about the awful treatment faced by wild animals in captivity across the globe. At the heart of Shamwari Game Reserve, you'll find the foundation's sanctuary and educational center, which provides a home for rescued lions and leopards that cannot be returned to their natural habitats. By participating in this behind-the-scenes tour, you'll have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the sanctuary's daily operations and the level of care given to these majestic animals. This rewarding experience not only furthers the Born Free Foundation's mission but also educates you on the significance of wildlife conservation, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.

Elend walking in a line in Moremi National Park.

The Shamwari Animal Rehabilitation Centre was created with the purpose of assisting in the recovery of injured wildlife found within the reserve and its neighboring areas. As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to join a tour of the center, during which you'll gain a deeper understanding of the entire process involved in rehabilitating injured animals, from the moment of their rescue until their ultimate release back into the wild. There may also be occasions where you are invited to support the veterinary nursing team or the vet, however, please note that such opportunities are not guaranteed and depend on the specific needs at the time. Regardless, your time spent volunteering will provide you with valuable insights into wildlife rehabilitation and the ongoing efforts to preserve these precious creatures.

During weekends, you typically have free time to explore and participate in a range of activities outside the reserve together with your fellow volunteers. The Shamwari team is more than happy to provide guidance and information on reputable local adventure and leisure providers, ensuring you have access to top-quality off-site experiences. These activities span from immersive cultural tours to exhilarating adventures such as canoeing, quad biking, horseback riding along the beach, and various coastal and marine excursions. It's important to note that these off-site activities are optional and come at your own expense, allowing you to tailor your weekend experiences to suit your personal interests and preferences.

Wild dog and pup in Savuti in Chobe National Park.

At Shamwari, the research projects you will have the opportunity to be involved in are often carried out in partnership with a diverse range of research and academic institutions, both from South Africa and around the world. These fascinating initiatives encompass an extensive variety of topics, such as examining the reproductive patterns of elephants, collecting valuable data on elusive and lesser-known species like the brown hyena, and many other intriguing subjects. The primary goal of these research efforts is to enhance the team's understanding of these extraordinary animals, as this knowledge is crucial for devising more effective conservation methods and ensuring the protection of their natural habitats. By delving deeper into the distinct behaviours, requirements, and obstacles encountered by each species, the team is better equipped to create customised conservation strategies that address the specific needs of these animals.

Volunteers doing community work in South Africa.

While participating in the Shamwari project, you will have the opportunity to connect with neighboring communities and assist with the dedicated Shamwari team to promote the importance of safeguarding wildlife and emphasising the crucial role of conserving natural habitats within Shamwari and the adjacent areas. Your involvement can span various initiatives aimed at improving local living conditions and environmental sustainability. These may include creating and tending to vegetable gardens that promote self-sufficiency, engaging in inventive recycling projects to reduce waste and pollution, refreshing learning spaces by applying new coats of paint to classrooms, or building enjoyable and safe play areas such as jungle gyms for the community's children. These combined efforts contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation of the interdependence between humans and the natural world.

Anti poaching unit at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa.

Throughout your stay at the project, you will have the chance to engage in a wide range of thrilling activities, and the longer your visit, the more diverse and enriching experiences you may encounter! These activities may include assisting with wildlife capture and relocation efforts, embarking on guided nature walks to learn more about the local flora and fauna, participating in memorable sleep-outs under the stars within the reserve, supporting the dedicated anti-poaching team during their vital patrols, and even lending a hand with essential veterinary tasks to ensure the well-being of the animals. Your days will be filled with adventure and purposeful work, as you contribute to the ongoing efforts of preserving the natural environment and its inhabitants. With a variety of tasks and experiences, you can expect to be fully immersed and constantly occupied during your time at this dynamic and action-packed game reserve.

Why we love it

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Immersive Wildlife Conservation Experience

SanWild Sanctuary offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage in hands-on wildlife conservation while enjoying the luxury of a top-tier safari destination. Working closely with endangered species and participating in rescue and rehabilitation efforts made our experience truly rewarding.

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Breathtaking South African Bushveld

The stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity at SanWild Sanctuary, located in the heart of the South African bushveld, left us in awe. Home to diverse wildlife, including the 'Big 5', it provided unforgettable wildlife encounters.

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Comprehensive Volunteer Activities

The variety of activities, from feeding and caring for rescued animals to participating in anti-poaching patrols and habitat rehabilitation projects, kept every day exciting. Each day brought new learning opportunities and a chance to make a tangible impact.

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Educational and Personal Growth

The extensive training from experienced conservationists and field guides wasinvaluable. We gained a deeper understanding of wildlife behavior and ecosystemmanagement, fostering personal growth and a profound appreciation forenvironmental conservation.

Make an enquiry for

SanWild Sanctuary

Once we receive your enquiry, we will swiftly check for availability and aim to get back to you within 2 business days. Please note that sending this enquiry does not create any obligations for you.

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