Volunteer For The Ultimate African Experience

Volunteering abroad provides an ethical and economical opportunity that allows you to travel, make friends with people of various backgrounds from around the world and gain hands-on practical experience while contributing to a good cause.
Located in the vast mystical plains of the Great Karoo in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, The Samara Wildlife Volunteer Program allows young adults to shift gears – think gap year, post-graduation or simply a period of real-world learning. The program run at Samara Private Game Reserve gives volunteers a chance to contribute to a variety of conservation activities to support endangered animals and numerous plants. It ensures that participants experience life on a game reserve in all its glory. From a global perspective, it is noteworthy that Samara falls within one of the world’s 34 Global Biodiversity Hotspots. Hence, Samara’s conservation contribution is of great significance.

While staying at the Reserve everyone lives in the volunteer camp. There is a communal kitchen with comfortable corridors where you can unwind after a day out in the field. There is even a South African style BBQ, called a braai Afrikaans to prepare delicious meals when you’re not sitting around the camp fire telling stories and sharing a laugh with others.

The programme, which is overseen by South African ecologists and wildlife enthusiasts Richard Wilks (BSc Honours Degree in Conservation Ecology) and Carmen Warmenhove (B Tech degree in Game Ranch Management). They ensure that participants experience life on a game reserve in all its glory. Richard says: “As a volunteer you will work on ongoing wildlife research and management projects, as well as assist with community development and environmental education programmes. Our volunteer programme gives you the great combination of experiencing, learning and contributing to conservation. You will get the opportunity of close personal encounters with some of Africa’s most majestic animals and discover what managing a game reserve all is about.”

The programme is designed with a focus on getting volunteers to get their hands dirty. They learn about wildlife research and management, as well as assisting on community development and environmental education programs. The goal is to ensure participants leave Samara with a deeper understanding of the region, as well as useful skills and techniques used in current scientific research, animal conservation and wildlife management – a wealth of knowledge to take back to studies and careers. Upon completion volunteers also receive a certificate which is a great addition to a CV.