Error-Id:
  • Home
  • Premium Programs New
  • Travel Guide Free
  • Premium Programs New
  • Travel Guide Free

Choose a language

Dansk Deutsch English Español Français Italiano Nederlands Norsk Português Svenska

Choose a currency

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Euro NZ-Dollar Pound Sterling Swiss Franc US-Dollar Norwegian krone Swedish krona Danish krone
close

Best Destinations 2025


  • Costa Rica

    Most popular
  • South Africa

  • Tanzania

  • Thailand

    Trending
  • Ecuador

  • Indonesia

Africa


  • Tanzania

    Zanzibar

  • Ghana

  • South Africa

    Cape Town

  • Namibia

  • Kenya

Asia


  • Nepal

  • Indonesia

    Bali

  • India

    Delhi

  • Thailand

    Asian Elephants

  • Sri Lanka

North & Central America


  • Costa Rica

  • Caribbean

    Dominican Republic

  • Belize

  • Mexico

  • United States

South America


  • Ecuador

    Galapagos

  • Chile

  • Colombia

  • Peru

    Cusco

  • Brazil

    Rio

Europe & Oceania


  • Spain

  • Portugal

  • Italy

  • Croatia

  • Australia

Western Africa


  • Cape Verde

  • Ghana

  • Senegal

Northern Africa


  • Egypt

  • Morocco

Eastern Africa


  • Kenya

  • Madagascar

  • Malawi

  • Mozambique

  • Rwanda

  • Seychelles

  • Tanzania

    Zanzibar

  • Uganda

  • Zambia

  • Zimbabwe

Middle Africa


  • Cameroon

Southern Africa


  • Botswana

  • Namibia

  • South Africa

    Cape Town

  • Swaziland

Middle East


  • Israel

  • Palestine

  • Turkey

Southern Asia


  • India

    Delhi

  • Maldives

  • Nepal

  • Sri Lanka

Eastern Asia


  • China

    Big Pandas

  • Mongolia

  • South Korea

South East Asia


  • Cambodia

  • Indonesia

    Bali

  • Laos

  • Malaysia

    Borneo

  • Philippines

  • Thailand

    Asian Elephants

  • Vietnam

North America


  • Canada

  • United States

Central America


  • Belize

  • Costa Rica

  • El Salvador

  • Guatemala

  • Honduras

  • Mexico

  • Nicaragua

  • Panama

Latin America


  • Argentina

    Buenos Aires

  • Bolivia

  • Brazil

    Rio

    Amazon Rainforest

  • Chile

  • Colombia

  • Ecuador

    Galapagos

  • Guyana

  • Paraguay

  • Peru

    Cusco

the Caribbean


  • Cuba

  • Dominican Republic

  • Grenada

  • Jamaica

Europe


  • Albania

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Croatia

  • France

  • Greece

  • Hungary

  • Iceland

  • Ireland

  • Italy

  • Moldova

  • Portugal

  • Romania

  • Russian Federation

  • Spain

  • Ukraine

  • United Kingdom

Oceania


  • Australia

    Great Barrier Reef

  • Fiji

  • French Polynesia

  • New Zealand

  • Papua New Guinea

close

Trending Topics 2025


  • Marine Conservation

    Marine Life

  • Education

    Teaching English

  • Diving

    Trending
  • Childcare

Good for


  • Under 18s

    High School

  • Groups

    Families

  • Over 50s & Seniors

  • Mission Trips (Short-term)

  • Low Budgets

Internships Abroad


  • Medical Training

    Nursing

  • Psychology

  • Veterinary Training

  • Biology & Environment

  • Business & Marketing

Environment & Conservation


  • Environment & Conservation

  • Farming & Agriculture

  • Marine Conservation

  • Round Trips & Camps

Humanitarian Aid


  • Childcare & Daycare Support

  • Healthcare

    Medical Mission Trips

  • Special Needs & Disabilities

  • Sports

    Soccer

    Surfing

  • Education

    Teaching English

Community Services


  • Building & Construction

  • Community Development

  • Culture & Arts

  • Human & Women's Rights

  • NGO Management

Wildlife Conservation


  • Animal Shelter

    Cats

    Dogs

  • Elephants

  • Horses

  • Orangutans

  • Primates

    Monkeys

  • Sloth Sanctuary

  • Animal Protection

Marine Life


  • Dolphins

  • Great White Sharks

  • Penguins

  • Scuba Diving

    Coral Reefs

  • Sea Turtles

  • Whales

  • Whale Sharks

African Wildlife


  • African Elephants

  • Cheetahs

  • Gorillas

  • Lemurs

  • Leopards

  • Lions

  • Rhinos

Volunteer Abroad Elephant Conservation

Volunteer with Elephants

Volunteer with elephants at an elephant sanctuary is a once-in-a-lifetime experience...

Volunteer with elephants at an elephant sanctuary is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Sadly, the grey giants are endangered because of illegal poaching and habitat loss. It is time to get get actively involved. Volunteer in Africa or Asia and work for an elephant conservation project. This is your chance to observe these giants in their natural habitat and support their protection at the same time.

You want to get hands-on and care for elephants that have been rescued from the tourism industry? Join an ethical elephant orphanage and volunteer with elephants on a day-to-day basis and educate tourists. Take action in animal conservation. Volunteer at an elephant conservation project in Sri Lanka or work at an elephant orphanage in Africa!

banner
Activities Rhino Conservation Wildlife Conservation Animal Lion Conservation Africa Giraffe Conservation Black Rhino Anti Poaching Southern Africa South Africa Southwest African Lion White Rhino African Elephant Antelope Conservation Bush Elephant Leopard Conservation African Leopard Masai Giraffe Planting Trees Hotspots Bengal Tiger Tiger Conservation Southern Giraffe Asia Asian Elephant South East Asia Hyena Conservation Spotted Hyena Cheetah Conservation Thailand Zebra Conservation African Buffalo Buffalo Conservation Safari West African Lion Masai Lion Kudu South African Cheetah Mountain Zebra Premium National Park Impala Bushbuck Vegan Animal Sanctuary Bangkok Eastern Africa Zimbabwe Black Wildebeest Northwest African Cheetah Crocodile Reptile Conservation Chiang Mai Yoga Elephant Research Plains Zebra Springbok Indian Elephant Reforestation Cambodia Port Elizabeth Victoria Falls Horse Trekking Horse Monkey Conservation Voluntourism Volunteer and Travel Southern Asia Sri Lankan Elephant Sri Lanka Bear Conservation Delhi Himalaya Jaipur Kathmandu Monastery Desert Elephant Namibia Brown Hyena Gibbon Indigenous cultures Macaque Civet Civet Conservation Sun Bear South African Hippo Hippo Conservation Asian Wildcat Wildcat Conservation Asiatic Black Bear Otter Conservation Giant Otter Lorise African Wild Dog Conservation Cape Wild Dog Blue Wildebeest Johannesburg Caracal Conservation Caracal East African Wild Dog Plettenberg Bay Tanzania Coffee Serengeti Kilimanjaro Arusha Black-backed Jackal Eland Antelope Jackal Conservation Koh Samui Intern Abroad Photography Internship NGO Support Marketing and IT Aardvark Tubulidentata Conservation Warthog Conservation Meerkat Conservation Meerkat Common Warthog Laos Dusky Leaf Monkey Mangrove Plant Conservation Conservation Work Ecological Farming Environment Elusive Pangolin Pangolin Conservation Honey Badger Badger Conservation Nyala Transvaal Lion Kruger National Park Kumasi Ghana Western Africa Black-and-white Colobus Mona Monkey Indian Leopard India Sloth Bear Malawi Günthers Dik-Dik Oryx Hiking Dental Internship Bird Conservation Physical Therapy Internship Psychology Internship Nursing Internship Animal Shelter Serval Eagle Vervet Monkey African Black Eagle Baboon Dog Veterinary Training Cats
Filter
Filter
 South Africa Wildlife Reserve Volunteers
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
South Africa Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Plan My Gap Year

South Africa Wildlife Reserve Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1322)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
620 €  per week · 1  ‑  4  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Be part of a life-changing experience that allows you to work behind the scenes on a world-class wildlife reserve in South Africa! 🦏 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Eco Nature and Coastal Conservation
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
South Africa Kenton-on-Sea, South Africa
Sibuya Wilderness Experience

Eco Nature and Coastal Conservation

Excellent 4.8
(44)
⭐ Popular Flex Option
770 €  per week · 1  ‑  6  weeks · Age  16+ · Has Wifi

Eco Volunteering in Wildlife & Marine Conservation. Uncover the whole big picture of our Eco-System for a better understanding of Nature & learn how to make a difference! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Big 5 Monitoring, Conservation, Sustainable Living
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
South Africa Phalaborwa, South Africa
LEO Africa

Big 5 Monitoring, Conservation, Sustainable Living

Perfect 4.7
(45)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
693 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Give your vital contribution towards wildlife conservation! Learn about animal behaviour, reserve management and anti-poaching while living a lifetime experience! 🇿🇦 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Ethical Elephant Refuge
Life On Land
Available from Aug 2025
🔥 In High Demand
Thailand Amphoe Thayang, Thailand
Atlas Volunteers

Ethical Elephant Refuge

Brilliant 4.8
(310)
Flex Option
495 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Take care of endangered Asian elephants rescued from the logging and tourism industries. Get involved up close with feeding, cleaning and enrichment activities. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Rhino & Elephant Conservation
Life On Land
Zimbabwe Wedza, Zimbabwe
Imire Rhino Conservation

Rhino & Elephant Conservation

Perfect 4.7
(35)
Video Flex Option
958 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Volunteer in Africa and help secure the future of the endangered black rhino and elephant. Experience daily life on a 10,000 acre family-run private conservancy. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Thailand Elephant Volunteers
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Thailand Phetchaburi, Thailand
Plan My Gap Year

Thailand Elephant Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1322)
Video Flex Option
564 €  per week · 1  ‑  4  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Work closely with rescued Asian elephants in this inspiring elephant sanctuary in Thailand. If you love elephants, this experience is not to be missed! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Forest Elephant Sanctuary
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers

Forest Elephant Sanctuary

Excellent 4.8
(88)
Video Flex Option
780 €  per week · 1  ‑  2  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

The Elephant Sanctuary enables volunteers to make a tangible difference amid a backdrop of beauty, wonder and exploration Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
Life On Land
Cambodia Sen Monorom, Cambodia
Atlas Volunteers

Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

Brilliant 4.8
(310)
Flex Option
489 €  per week · 1  ‑  16  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

If you love elephants and you want to view these amazing creatures in their natural habitat, there is no better place in the world. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Thai Elephant Sanctuary
Life On Land
Thailand Bangkok, Thailand
Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers

Thai Elephant Sanctuary

Excellent 4.8
(88)
Video Flex Option
630 €  per week · 1  ‑  26  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Join us in Thailand, offering safety and care for rescued domesticated elephants, giving them a chance for a peaceful and natural life. 🐘 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Wildlife Supporter
Life On Land
South Africa Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Stay Africa Volunteers

Wildlife Supporter

Brilliant 4.8
(211)
Video Flex Option
570 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Volunteer at our Big Five Game reserve, support the local staff in monitoring the animals and conserving the environment. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Horse Riding & Wildlife Conservation
Life On Land
Zimbabwe Wedza, Zimbabwe
Imire Rhino Conservation

Horse Riding & Wildlife Conservation

Perfect 4.7
(35)
Video Flex Option
1309 €  per week · 1  ‑  2  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Combine horseback safaris and wildlife monitoring, with hands-on rhino and elephant conservation work. All on the back of your very own bush horse! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Real Asia Encounter
Quality Education Reduced Inequalities Life On Land
Sri Lanka Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
Plan My Gap Year

Real Asia Encounter

Excellent 4.9
(1322)
Video Flex Option
240 €  per week · 6  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Sri Lanka, India and Nepal! We can’t think of a more sublime combination of exotic and fascinating countries to volunteer in over 6, 9 or 12 weeks. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Elephant Conservation Supporter
Life On Land
Namibia Damaraland, Namibia
Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA)

Elephant Conservation Supporter

Excellent 4.8
(68)
Video Flex Option
536 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

EHRA aims to conserve the desert elephants of Namibia, through practical and realistic anti-conflict solutions. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Endangered Species Conservation & Research
Life On Land
South Africa Waterberg, South Africa
Hamba Africa

Endangered Species Conservation & Research

Brilliant 4.8
(38)
Video Flex Option
691 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Join us in South Africa Work on ecological managment and wildlife research projects. Protect endangered species as you live and work on a 35,000-hectare reserve! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Thailand Wildlife Rescue Volunteers
Life On Land
Thailand Phetchaburi, Thailand
Plan My Gap Year

Thailand Wildlife Rescue Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1322)
Video Flex Option
564 €  per week · 1  ‑  4  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Help protect these inspiring animals at this wildlife haven. Become part of a mission to rescue animals from neglect and abuse in the tourism industry. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Elephant Research Internship
Life On Land
Thailand Chiang Mai, Thailand
Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary

Elephant Research Internship

Excellent 4.9
(24)
Video Flex Option
412 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

This internship is an exciting opportunity for any current or recently graduated university students who want more work experience or are interested in elephants. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Big Five Conservation Assistant
Life On Land
South Africa Port Elizabeth, South Africa
The Great Projects

Big Five Conservation Assistant

Fantastic 4.5
(112)
Video Flex Option
742 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Join this volunteering project in South Africa's beautiful Eastern Cape and help aid in the conservation of lions, elephants, rhinos and many more amazing animals! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Wildlife Reserve Big Five Conservation
Life On Land
South Africa Port Elizabeth, South Africa
The Great Projects

Wildlife Reserve Big Five Conservation

Fantastic 4.5
(112)
Video Flex Option
898 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Volunteer with the 'Big Five' and the Born Free Big Cat Foundation in one of South Africa's finest game reserves. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Scout Ranger Trainee
Life On Land
South Africa Gravelotte, South Africa
SanWild Sanctuary

Scout Ranger Trainee

Outstanding 5.0
(11)
Video Flex Option
1232 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

SanWild’s volunteer program is your chance to spend two weeks or more participating in the daily operations and research projects of a working wildlife sanctuary. Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Wildlife Research & Expedition
Quality Education Life On Land Partnerships For The Goals
South Africa Limpopo, South Africa
GVI

Wildlife Research & Expedition

Brilliant 4.7
(152)
Video Flex Option
1270 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Travel to South Africa to work alongside trained field guides on critical wildlife conservation initiatives. 🐘 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
Show All 60 Programs
Volunteer Abroad Elephant Conservation

Elephant Sanctuary Programs

Have elephants always fascinated you? We’re not surprised. The largest land mammal on earth has a majestic appearance and their intelligence, sensitivity and social nature makes them all the more interesting to observe in real life. Watching elephants and other wildlife roam free is on most travelers’ bucket lists. As these gentle giants become more endangered, volunteers are needed to support elephant conservation programs and sanctuary projects abroad. South Africa, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and many more marvelous destinations are waiting to be explored!

🐘 How can we save elephants from extinction?

Sadly, this romantic image becomes rarer as elephant numbers decline worldwide. Their natural habitats are shrinking while the threats continue to grow. There are different ways you can help stop this development.

  1. Avoid buying jewelry and decoration made of ivory.
  2. Don’t engage in elephant riding.
  3. Support elephant charities or elephant non-profit organizations.

Most importantly, you can volunteer abroad with elephants in Africa or Asia and actively protect this endangered species. If you have always dreamed of meaningful travel abroad and contributing to a cause, this is your chance. We will give you the information you need about the threats elephants are facing, where you can volunteer for elephant conservation programs, and what your tasks will be. Continue reading to find out all about our volunteer projects.

🐘 What's the Elephant Conservation Status in 2025?

The latest entries in the IUCN red list of endangered species show that African elephants are considered ‘vulnerable’ while Asian elephants are classified as ‘endangered’. It also doesn’t look any better for their subspecies. Populations are decreasing due to different factors, the majority of them inflicted by humans.

A healthy grown-up elephant doesn’t have any natural predators besides humans. But elephants have quite a low reproduction rate, and even though they live for 30 to 50 years in the wild, females only give birth to about four to five calves in their lives. One of the reasons is their 22-month pregnancy, the longest of all mammal pregnancies. The other reason is that they only reach their reproductive age at around 16.

Female elephants and their babies live together in herds, with the oldest female leading as a matriarch. At around 3 years, the male calves leave the herd and roam in isolation. Herds raise their calves together and show many signs of social structures and behaviors, like grieving for their dead, hugging trunks while greeting, and showing affection and compassion.

You may wonder why are elephants important? Elephants are an important part of the ecosystems they live in. Many plants can only spread when they are eaten by elephants.. The seeds germinate in the elephant’s digestive tract and are distributed miles away through their dung. Elephants also create gaps that make room for new plants and encourages tree regeneration.

Besides their value for the environment, elephants have cultural importance in many of their home countries. Saving the gentle giants from extinction is important for several causes. Each of them is reason enough to become active and engaged in elephant conservation abroad. Volunteers, get ready to join a conservation project, elephant orphanage or sanctuary program.

🐘 Why are Elephants endangered?

There are no natural predators to a grown-up elephant. Their size and strength are effective enough against big cats and other hunters. Unfortunately, elephants have a lot that humans can make a profit with:

  • ivory trade
  • riding abilities
  • interesting habitats for agriculture

The most urgent threat to African elephants today is the illegal poaching for the ivory trade. Both male and female African elephants have large tusks, which makes them an attractive target for poachers. And while only a small percentage of Asian elephants have tusks, the same applies to them.

Even though international ivory trade has been banned in 1989, there are still unregulated domestic markets for the ivory trade in the US, China, Thailand, and other countries. In some countries, political conflicts have hindered anti-poaching measurements from succeeding.

Habitat Loss

In both Africa and Asia, elephants are facing an immense habitat loss. With the construction of villages, roads, pipelines, and plantations, elephants are losing their natural roaming grounds. Over the past decades, the decline in habitat has lead to more and more conflicts between humans and elephants. These usually result in the death of the animals that cause trouble for farmers, plantation owners, and people living in small villages.

Capture from the wild

A huge problem in Asia is elephants captured from the wild. It’s estimated that at least 30% of Asia’s elephant population lives in captivity, and numbers are growing. Most elephants are captured as calves and trained to work in the logging or tourism industry. The capture and training methods that follow are extremely cruel and often result in the death of the calves. This development has become a serious threat to wild populations.

Countries like Vietnam or India have already banned the capture of wild elephants. Elephant riding is still a massive tourist attraction in Thailand and Cambodia, however. Many tourists simply aren’t aware of the extremely brutal training and handling the elephants have to suffer.

This is why it’s important to spread the word that elephant riding is a cruel business. Everybody who takes part in it directly supports those responsible for the declining elephant population. Join a volunteer program and raise awareness on this topic.

🐘 What Elephant Species are there?

The two main species are the African elephant and the Asian elephant. The African elephant is slightly larger than its Asian relative and has bigger ears. They also carry tusks that continue to grow throughout their lifetime. Elephants prefer one tusk of the other, kind of like humans that are right- or left-handed. The herds of African elephants roam through 37 different countries in Africa, from South Africa all the way up to central and sub-Saharan Africa.

To give you a better overview, these are all the species and subspecies of elephants roaming our planet:

  • Sumatran Elephant
  • Bush Elephant
  • Sri Lankan Elephant
  • Asian Elephant
  • Forest Elephant
  • Indian Elephant
  • Borneo Elephant
  • Desert Elephant
  • African Elephant

🐘 Which Elephant Species live in Africa?

There are three subspecies of the African elephant that are named after their preferred habitats. The number of African elephants roaming the wilderness is estimated to be around 415.000.

Desert elephants can be found in Namibia and Mali and as their name says, they are desert-dwelling elephants that wander from waterhole to waterhole. On their journeys, they follow traditional routes they have learned from their ancestors.

Bush elephants are the largest out of all the subspecies. Average male individuals are 3.2 meters (10.5 ft) tall and weigh around 6 tonnes. The females are much smaller and lighter, with an average height of 2.6 meters (8.5 ft) and 3 tonnes. Bush elephants can be found in many different countries from south to central and western Africa.

The forest elephant is considerably smaller than his relatives, and it is still unclear if he is a subspecies of the African elephant or should be regarded as its own species altogether. They can be found in the Congo Basin in Central Africa and travel in smaller groups than other subspecies.

🐘 Which Elephant Species live in Asia?

There are four subspecies of the Asian elephant and in contrast to its African relatives, they are named after the country they are found in. The overall population of the Asian elephant is much smaller than the African elephant population. It is estimated that there are about 50.000 individuals left today.

The Sri Lankan elephant is the largest of the Asian subspecies with darker skin color. Their numbers have dropped significantly over the past decades to the point where they are protected by law and killing an elephant is followed by a death sentence.

Indian elephants can be found in many different Asian countries like India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and China. They are the only subspecies roaming the mainland, whilst all other subspecies appear on islands. Only a small number of the males grow tusks, and they are considerably smaller than the tusks of the African species.

The Sumatran elephant lives in lush forest habitats of Sumatra and Borneo. The biggest threat to this subspecies is the ongoing destruction of the islands that are also home to a great number of other rare species and unique biodiversity.

They share a home with the Bornean elephant, also called the Pygmy elephant because they are much smaller than the average Asian elephant. Observations show that this subspecies has a very gentle nature and is not as aggressive as some of the other Asian subspecies can be.

🐘 Which are the best places to work at an Elephant Sanctuary?

Now that you have learned all about the different elephant species and the threats they are facing, the next question is how are elephants being protected? You might want to dive right in and become an elephant conservation volunteer. This is great because elephant conservation projects and wildlife programs in both Asia and Africa need the helping hands of international volunteers.

The initial decision between Africa and Asia might be the easiest one here, surely one of these continents has personally always been a little bit more appealing to you. If you are indecisive about the destination of your volunteer journey, the following information might be helpful for you.

🐘 How to Volunteer with Elephants in Africa?

When volunteering with elephants in Africa, it is very likely that you will get to see the other four of the Big Five as well. South Africa and Namibia are great destinations for elephant volunteering and famous for its stunning wildlife.

  • lions
  • leopards
  • rhinos
  • giraffes

and much more when you are out in the wild observing elephants.

Many of the elephant orphanages and sanctuaries are located in South Africa. The Kruger National Park in the north of the country is a great location where you can become an elephant sanctuary volunteer, but there are many projects close to the southern coast as well.

South Africa is a hotspot for any kind of wildlife volunteering and tourism. If you want to combine your volunteering with some sightseeing on the weekends, then South Africa is the perfect place for your volunteer vacation.

If you are looking for a less touristy place to volunteer with elephants, you might want to go further north to Zimbabwe, Malawi or Kenya. While these countries share their fascinating wildlife with South Africa, they are less visited and developed. Illegal poaching is more common here because people are very poor and the small villages are more vulnerable to elephant crossings. If you are ready to get your hands dirty and lead a simple camp life without the internet and other luxuries for a while, this is the right place for you to make a difference.

🐘 How to Volunteer with Elephants in Asia?

While Asia might not offer the elephant protection programs where you can go on safari in your free time, the natural beauty and the fascinating cultures will leave no room for second thoughts. The volunteer project with elephants in Asia is varied and you can also choose between popular and touristy destinations and remote and quiet areas.

When you think of travel hotspots in Asia, Thailand might be the first country that comes to mind. Thailand boasts beautiful sacred temples, the most welcoming locals, and a sweet, spicy cuisine that captivates visitors. However, one considerable challenge is the countless unethical organizations that exploit elephants as tourist attractions. Many tourists have riding an elephant at the top of their list but you already know by now that riding elephants is animal cruelty and needs to stop to protect elephants from further harm and also to guarantee a steady growth of the wild populations.

Despite these challenges, Thailand stands out as one of the best places to volunteer with elephants in rehabilitation. If you decide to be an elephant conservation volunteer in Thailand, Chiang Mai is the place to go. As a tourist hotspot, there are many elephant sanctuary programs in Chiang Mai that have saved elephants from the riding industry and have given them a safe home. Tourists are welcome in the sanctuary to observe the elephants and educate them about the problems of elephant tourism.

Touristy places like Chiang Mai or Thailand aren't for everyone. If you prefer more remote areas where you can experience the traditional way of life, we highly recommend Sri Lanka as your destination abroad to work with elephants. The small island south of India has a large population of free-roaming elephants in the jungles. Dive right into this paradise and become their silent observer.

Elephants are protected by law in Sri Lanka, but they also play a big part in the Sri Lankan culture and have been trained for different religious and domestic purposes. That is why there are elephant sanctuary projects caring for the individuals that are either too old to serve their original purpose, disabled or chronically ill. A sanctuary project allows volunteers to have closer contact with the elephants because many elephants have been in captivity for so long and are used to human interaction.

Another place to volunteer with elephants in Asia is Borneo. This biodiverse paradise is home to Sumatran elephants and the Borneo pygmy elephants, that almost look like the stuffed-animal version of their larger relatives. If you’re looking for lush rainforests, pure nature, and breathtaking wildlife, then Borneo is the right place for volunteering abroad.

Whether you go to a project in Thailand, South Africa or Sri Lanka, you will have a positive impact on the conservation of elephants.

Africa
  • Ghana
  • Malawi
  • Namibia
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Zimbabwe
Asia
  • Cambodia
  • India
  • Laos
  • Sri Lanka
  • Thailand

🐘 How can I identify unethical elephant organizations?

Identifying unethical practices in elephant organizations can be crucial for ensuring that these majestic creatures are not subjected to harm. At Volunteer World you are on the safe side. We are working closely with our partners to ensure high ethical standards and do not list organisations involved in unethical practices such as elephant riding. If you happen to stay abroad by yourself, here's a quick guide to help you assess if an elephant organization is operating unethically.

  • If the organization offers any form of entertainment involving elephants, such as circus shows, it's a red flag. Elephants are often trained through harsh methods to perform tricks, which is far from their natural behavior.
  • The promise of activities like elephant riding or direct bathing interactions is a clear indication. These activities usually involve separating elephants from their natural environments and conditioning them to be comfortable around humans.
  • When an organization is not forthcoming about its practices or is vague in its communication regarding the elephants' living conditions and care, it suggests a lack of ethical standards.
  • Examine whether the elephants are kept in conditions that do not reflect their natural habitat. A lack of freedom for these creatures is a common sign of unethical practices.

🐘 How to work with Elephants?

There are many ways to protect and save elephants: not all projects work in the same way. Depending on what you are looking for, this introduction to the tasks and benefits of elephant volunteering will be helpful for you to find the right program. Whether you want to observe elephants in their natural habitat or prefer working for an elephant, there will be a program, elephant orphanage or charity that matches your expectations and skillset.

Elephant volunteer organizations or non-profits and elephant charities have a different focus. They all have the protection of the elephant species at heart but go about it in a different way. Volunteers need to do their research and find out what kind of project they want to be part of.

🐘 How to volunteer with Elephants?

Depending on which elephant conservation project you’re joining, there are different tasks you’ll be doing. If you are working for a project that focuses on researching and observing wild elephant populations, your main tasks will be to observe the herds and collect data..

Elephant Conservation - Research

Volunteers and researchers usually live at a base camp and conduct game drives and foot walks for their observation purposes. Sometimes you will camp out in the wild or be stationed at a hide near a waterhole where you get to see all kinds of animals next to elephants.

Although it is necessary that volunteers are well prepared for these tasks, there will be lessons and presentations. These will inform you about how to do research work, how to approach dangerous animals on foot and how to behave in certain situations. You may also spend some time at a computer, transferring the collected data and putting together reports.

Maintaining the camps and vehicles is another important task that you will do at an elephant conservation volunteer program. Some of your other tasks may include:

  • setting up camera and video traps
  • engaging in habitat work like alien plant removal or bush clearing
  • doing night patrols and anti-poaching patrols
  • learning to track animals and identify spoors
  • teaching and educating local communities on your efforts
  • administration work at the elephant sanctuary

Another part of working with free-roaming elephants is avoiding human-elephant conflict. Knowing the common routes of elephant herds can be the first step. Other ways are educating locals about the behavior of elephants and finding ways to protect the locals’ houses and harvests from them.

While building fences is one solution, there are other natural ways that can help keep elephants at a distance. Elephants don’t like the scent of chilies, for example, so placing hot chilies at the borders of fields and villages can be a way to keep the giant grey visitors away.

Elephant Rescue - Sanctuary Programs

If you would rather work for an elephant rescue organization and rescue elephants from captivity and abuse in the tourism or logging industry, your tasks will look very different.

Some of the elephants will be able to live in a semi-wild protected area without human contact. Your main tasks will be to patrol and maintain the area, control fences and clean out any enclosures. If the elephant rescue project welcomes tourists to observe their elephants, volunteers could be responsible for showing them around and explaining your work to them. Other elephants might be so used to human contact that you will do a lot of hands-on work in the sanctuary. Your volunteer tasks will consist of:

  • feeding and watering the elephants
  • cleaning and preparing food
  • keeping the sanctuary clean and maintaining fences and enclosures
  • walking elephants to nearby waterholes or rivers
  • educating visitors about elephants

No matter what your tasks are and how close you get to the elephants, it’s very important to keep in mind that these elephants are still wild animals. Always treat them with respect and the necessary caution to prevent yourself and the elephant from getting in danger.

🐘 Why should I work at an Elephant Sanctuary?

Seeing elephants roam wild in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll never forget. That’s reason enough for many people to pack their bags and volunteer abroad with elephants.

But there are plenty of other reasons why volunteering with elephants abroad is the right choice for you.

Practical Experience

If you’re interested in biology or veterinary medicine, a volunteer program working with elephants could be a great fit. You will gain hands-on experience on the project and get an insight into the daily work of trained wildlife experts and biologists.

What are the Career Benefits of Volunteering?

This will certainly come in handy at a later point in your career. Being able to list this kind of work experience on your CV is another bonus, even if you are not pursuing a career in this field. It shows you are capable of hard work and are motivated to volunteer your free-time to a meaningful cause.

Growth Opportunity

Depending on where you choose to do volunteer work with elephants, you may refine your English language skills (if English isn’t your first language). Immersing yourself in a foreign culture and living abroad will definitely make you grow as a person and give you a different perspective on life.

Meeting New People

The best part is that you’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals that share your passion for elephant and wildlife conservation. After working and living together for a while, these people might even become your close friends!

Have Fun

Let’s not forget that the time you spend as an elephant conservation volunteer will also be incredibly fun! You will enjoy all the perks of living in nature, like seeing wildlife up close, getting back to your roots and facing new challenges.

We hope we've given you some idea on how to help elephants. If you think joining an elephant conservation volunteer program is just what you’re looking for, get started right now! We would love to help you find the right elephant volunteer project for you!

Start planning your elephant volunteer program and take your trip to an elephant sanctuary in South Africa, Sri Lanka or Thailand!

Choose a language

Dansk Deutsch English Español Français Italiano Nederlands Norsk Português Svenska

Choose a currency

Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Euro NZ-Dollar Pound Sterling Swiss Franc US-Dollar Norwegian krone Swedish krona Danish krone
  • Sign Up as an Organization
  • About us
  • Press
  • Help Center
  • Blog
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Terms
  • Legal Disclosure
4.6
3,300+ reviews on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tiktok
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
© Volunteer World ⠮⠄
© Volunteer World ⠮⠄
Contents