Volunteer with elephants in South Africa

The project

Available for 1 weeks experience or 3 weeks plus research. Volunteer at an elephant park that provides a home to displaced and abused elephants, whilst also leading the way in elephant-based research. At the park, the care of the elephants is determined through close assessment of the elephants’ wellbeing, and volunteer contributions have changed the ways in which these gentle giants are seen and understood.

Each day you will be working closely with the elephant guides and the elephants themselves, witnessing their meanderings and actions in their natural surroundings. The research conducted is essential to provide a framework for how elephants are cared for across Africa, in places where elephants and humans must co-exist. All data collected goes towards this aim, and benefits the volunteers with the privilege of really getting to know these creatures.

The volunteer day

• The day starts early with feeding (elephants can eat up to 250kg per day!
• Twice a week volunteers enjoy a sunrise walk with the ellies
• Research and general care takes place throughout the day, including enrichments, cleaning, data logging and even a bit of gardening
• Night time observations of the elephants are sometimes needed, which only adds to the experience: seeing the elephants acting naturally during a time when most people are asleep is very moving
• For volunteers who stay for 4 weeks or more, you even have the opportunity to spend a luxury night sleeping close to the elephants as they doze!

Accommodation and food

Accommodation is located in the heart of the park, never far from the elephants. You can watch them from the terrace as you have your breakfast, or hear them calling to one another in the evening. The living area is comfortable with various places to relax with other volunteers, a fully equipped kitchen, en suite rooms (expect to share!) and both fixed internet and wifi.

Location

The park is set on the beautiful Garden Route, the coastal road that runs between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Volunteers make the most of their time in South Africa through exploring the locality: visiting the local beaches, taking part in horse back safaris and relaxing in the beautiful Plettenberg Bay. For the more adventurous, the world’s highest bungee jump, skydiving and shark cage diving are never far from the “to do” list.