Rhinos at Shamwari Conservation Experience in South Africa.

Shamwari Conservation Experience

South Africa
2 - 12 weeks
1,800 - 10,800 Euro

Go behind the scenes at one of South Africa’s most iconic private game reserves – a 23,000-hectare Big Five sanctuary featured on Netflix, Nat Geo Wild and Animal Planet.

Welcome to
Shamwari Conservation Experience in South Africa

Join a hands-on Shamwari Conservation Experience in one of South Africa’s most respected private reserves. Over the last 25 years, conservationists and volunteers have helped restore this landscape into a thriving habitat for the Big Five and a wide array of indigenous wildlife.

As part of the Shamwari Conservation Experience, you’ll track endangered species, support habitat restoration, assist with anti-poaching efforts, and engage in meaningful wildlife research.

Volunteers also work alongside the Born Free Foundation’s Big Cat Sanctuary and may assist in wildlife rehabilitation and local outreach programs.

It’s more than just volunteering. It’s a chance to understand what it takes to protect Africa’s most iconic species and play an active role in a top-rated volunteer game reserve in South Africa. This immersive Shamwari conservation experience blends meaningful work with real-world impact.

Why Book This Wildlife Conservation Experience Through Lost Adventures

With over 15 years of experience in African travel and conservation - including as co-founder of the Modisa Wildlife Project in Botswana - Lost Adventures offers expert guidance, trusted support, and extended liability cover. There are no added fees, and if anything doesn’t go as planned, we’ve got your back.

Enquire
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Number of participants

Up to 20 volunteers

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Duration

2 to 12 weeks

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Start date

Starting each Monday.

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Age requirements

Minimum 18 years old

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Arrival/departure

Arrive at Port Elizabeth Airport by 12:30 PM Monday. Depart after 14:00 Monday.

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Additional adventures

Explore on weekends: Garden Route, beach horseback riding, skydiving, and more.

HIGHLIGHTS AT Shamwari Conservation Experience

Big Five Sightings with Purpose

Every game drive is both an unforgettable safari and a chance to contribute to important wildlife monitoring. From lions to black rhinos, you’ll help track some of Africa’s most iconic species while learning about their behaviors, threats, and how they’re protected within this exceptional volunteer game reserve in South Africa.

Get Stuck Into Conservation

Volunteering here isn’t about standing back. From telemetry tracking to game drives and bush clearing – this is conservation with muddy boots and a beating heart. It’s an ideal environment for hands-on learning through the Shamwari Conservation Experience.

A Project That’s Made Headlines

From Netflix, Animal Planet to Amazon Prime, the Shamwari Conservation Experience has captured global attention – and now you’re invited to become part of its impact story.

Learning, the Wild Way

Talks, drives, fieldwork – get the inside scoop on what it takes to run a private reserve and protect South Africa’s wildlife. The Shamwari Conservation Experience blends expert-led training with immersive conservation.

Conservation That Sets the Bar

This is no ordinary project. The Shamwari Conservation Experience stands out among wildlife volunteer opportunities – immersive, exciting, and expertly run in a world-class volunteer game reserve in South Africa.

Weekends Are Yours

During your free time, explore the scenic Garden Route, go horseback riding, or simply relax in nature – another reason this Shamwari Conservation Experience stays with you.

Volunteers doing community work in South Africa.

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.

Volunteers on a game drive at Shamwari Conservation Experience in Port Elizabeth.

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.

A pride of lions at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa.

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.

A big male lion at the Shamwari Conservation Experience in South Africa.

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.

Rhinos at Shamwari Conservation Experience in South Africa.

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.

Giraffe walking in the sunset in South Africa.

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.

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.

Anti poaching unit at Shamwari Private Game Reserve 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.

Volunteers doing elephant research 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.

Activity Overview

Wildlife Monitoring & Research
Habitat Restoration & Reserve Work
Wildlife Rehabilitation & Animal Care
Weekend Adventures
Research Projects
Community Engagement
A pride of lions at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa.

Why we love SHAMWARI CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE

Meaningful conservation, expert guidance, and lasting impact. Here’s why the Shamwari Conservation Experience stands out among our top wildlife volunteer experiences in South Africa.

A Big Five Reserve Like No Other

Get real-world experience in game management and research while helping protect some of Africa’s most iconic species. The Shamwari Conservation Experience offers daily impact.

Nature, Protected and Alive

Learn how conservation and eco-tourism work hand-in-hand to protect Shamwari’s ecosystems – and how you can be part of the solution at this leading volunteer game reserve in South Africa.

Where Ethics Meet Action

Engage with Born Free and the rehab team to see what ethical conservation truly looks like – up close and personal. It's a signature part of the Shamwari conservation experience.

Beyond the Reserve

With the Garden Route nearby, you’ll have the freedom to explore South Africa’s coast and culture on your days off – from horse riding to marine adventure

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Shamwari Conservation Experience

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