Volunteer Abroad With Animals: African Savannah, Shark Conservation & More

Why not put your passion for wildlife into action? Volunteering with animals abroad can greatly benefit those creatures you love. The World Wildlife Fund’s list of endangered species shows animals across the globe need help. 

And there are plenty of exotic animal volunteer opportunities – whether you’d like to volunteer with savannah animals as a wildlife sanctuary volunteer abroad, or just volunteer in Africa with animals in their natural habitats in other regions, there are so many opportunities. Without further ado, let’s get you started on finding the right animal volunteer program.

Animal Volunteer Duties

Generally, the main goal of animal volunteer abroad programs is to enable the species to live naturally in their native habitats.

Your duties may include:

• Hands-on care for animals
• Community outreach to raise awareness
• Assistance with wildlife park management, such as anti-poaching patrols
• Restoring habitats, such as reforestation

Here, we’ve listed popular programs across six continents and regions below:

Volunteer with Animals in Asia

Home to a diverse range of bustling cities and gorgeous natural areas, Asia is truly a great place to volunteer with animals. You have ample options, from caring for elephants in Nepal to protecting sea turtles in Lombok, Indonesia.

Featured Program: International Volunteer HQ

Since 2007, International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ) has built a great reputation for sustainable, responsible travel initiatives.

For volunteering with animals in Asia, this organization is great.

Popular IVHQ programs include:

• Animal Care & Rescue Project in South Korea: Volunteer at a rescue center near Seoul caring for over 100 dogs rescued from an illegal dog farm. Tasks include feeding, cleaning, walking, and socializing dogs to enhance adoption chances. Ideal for animal lovers aged 16+ who enjoy outdoor, active work.
• Elephant Welfare Volunteering in Sri Lanka: Assist at an elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka, caring for elephants rescued from harsh conditions. Duties involve feeding, bathing, and rehabilitating elephants, plus teaching English and raising awareness about elephant welfare in local schools. Perfect for volunteers aged 16+ passionate about animal care.
• Sea Turtle Conservation in Bali: Volunteer on Nusa Penida island, aiding in sea turtle conservation. Help care for endangered turtles through feeding, cleaning, and rehabilitation, and engage in beach clean-ups and conservation tasks. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts aged 16+ dedicated to protecting marine life.

Volunteer with Animals in South America

With the Amazon River, Galapagos Islands, and other epic natural scenes in South America, the continent is truly an exciting destination for wildlife volunteering. There are lots of great programs, like this Wild Animal Rescue Shelter in Ecuador or this jungle reforestation effort in Peru.

Featured Program: GoEco

GoEco is a leading eco-tourism company offering a wide selection of affordable and ethical volunteer abroad programs.

Focusing on wildlife, conservation, and community development, GoEco provides meaningful travel experiences that contribute to sustainable development worldwide.

Explore their animal volunteer programs in South America: 

• Argentina – Puma Sanctuary & Wildlife Reserve: Volunteer at a Puma sanctuary near Cordoba, Argentina. Assist in protecting pumas and other native species by engaging in animal care, habitat restoration, and conservation efforts while immersing yourself in stunning natural landscapes alongside international volunteers.
• Peru – Amazon Wildlife Rescue & Release Sanctuary: Help rescue and rehabilitate wild animals affected by the illegal wildlife trade in the Amazon rainforest near Puerto Maldonado, Peru. Feed and care for animals, assist in their rehabilitation, and contribute to conservation efforts while living in the enchanting Amazon jungle.
• Giant Tortoise and Sea Turtle Conservation in the Galápagos: Volunteer in the Galápagos Islands to care for giant tortoises or participate in sea turtle nest monitoring. Contribute directly to wildlife conservation efforts, gain experience in wildlife care, and explore the unique biodiversity of the Galápagos during your free time.

Volunteer with Animals in North and Central America

In North and Central America, you can encounter everything from Sea Turtles to Macaws. Wonderful volunteer projects on this continent abound.

Featured Program: Maximo Nivel

Founded in 2003, Maximo Nivel runs internationally accredited programs in Central America. Their environmental conservation initiatives in the region have earned them much praise.

Popular Maximo Nivel programs include:

• Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica: Support researchers in managing nesting grounds. The program lasts a minimum of two weeks.
• Exotic Animal Rescue in Guatemala: Help rescue, rehabilitate, and relocate a variety of reptiles and amphibians. The program lasts a minimum of one week.

Volunteer with Animals in Africa

Africa is a diverse continent with an amazing mix of cultures, traditions, landscapes, and wildlife. You have many options for volunteering with animals in Africa, from shark conservation in South Africa to Elephant & Rhino conservation in Zimbabwe. Taking time to volunteer in Africa with animals can be an incredibly rewarding experience – below are a few African volunteer programs that involve animals

Featured Program: African Impact

African Impact is a leading volunteer organization offering meaningful and responsible travel experiences across Africa.

They focus on sustainable community development and wildlife conservation projects, enabling volunteers to make a real difference while experiencing the continent’s rich cultures and stunning landscapes.

• Endangered Black Rhino & Elephant Conservation in Zimbabwe: Volunteer at Imire Conservancy near Harare to protect endangered black and white rhinos and elephants. Participate in wildlife monitoring, assist anti-poaching units, engage in community projects, and contribute to conservancy management—all while living close to iconic African wildlife.
• Big Cat Conservation & Elephant Research in Kenya: Join efforts in the Mara to monitor big cats and elephants. Contribute to the first field monitoring initiative in Pardamat and assist in established research in Naboisho Conservancy. Your work will aid in understanding animal populations and support conservation strategies for these majestic creatures.
• African Big 5 Wildlife Research & Conservation in South Africa: Immerse yourself in the Greater Kruger Area to monitor key species like lions, elephants, and rhinos. Engage in daily game drives, collect data, assist with habitat restoration, and contribute to vital conservation efforts aimed at protecting South Africa’s incredible wildlife and ecosystems.

Volunteer with Animals in Australia and the Pacific Islands

Koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, and more await you in Australia — a continent full of awesome wildlife. Protect the region’s creatures through any one of the numerous conservation projects, like these various opportunities for Shark Conservation and volunteering with animals in Fiji.

Featured Program: Volunteering Solutions (VolSol)

Volunteering Solutions is a global organization offering a diverse range of volunteer and internship programs worldwide.

With opportunities in healthcare, education, conservation, and community development, it connects volunteers to meaningful projects that make a positive impact on local communities while providing enriching cultural experiences.

• Conservation Volunteer for Endangered Animals in Gladstone, Australia: Volunteer in Gladstone to care for endangered native animals like the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby and Hairy-nosed Wombats. Assist in medical care, rescue, and rehabilitation of injured wildlife. Gain hands-on experience working with professional conservationists while learning the importance of environmental preservation and contributing to the well-being of Australian native species.
• Volunteer at a Wildlife Shelter in Holbrook, Australia: Join a wildlife shelter in Holbrook to support the care of injured and orphaned native animals. Engage in feeding, cleaning, and maintenance tasks alongside local shelter owners and volunteers. Contribute to the rehabilitation and release of wildlife back into their natural habitats while gaining valuable hands-on experience in animal conservation.

Volunteer with Animals in Europe

Beyond the charming historic cities, Europe boasts natural wonders and amazing wildlife. Do everything from protecting biodiversity in The Canary Islands to supporting wolf conservation in Portugal.

Featured Program: Global Vision International

Since 1998, Global Vision International (GVI) has been running high-quality conservation programs. They’re one of the industry’s most trusted names.

One very popular GVI program is the Sea Turtle Conservation Internship in Greece. Head to beautiful Kyparissia Bay, and protect and research one of the most important Loggerhead sea turtle nesting areas in the world. 

Find the Right Volunteer Program with Animals

No matter where you are or where you want to go, you can find a suitable volunteer program with animals, whether it’s contributing to sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica or working with lemurs in Madagascar. 

Look for the program that matches your interests, passion, and budget — and start your search as early as possible. You’ll find your dream animal volunteer program.