Wolf, Wolfdog and Husky Sanctuary Helper Animal Sanctuary Helper Thornhill, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Help out at an animal and bird sanctuary giving hands-on assistance with a variety of exotic and indigenous animals that are in captivity and non-releasable
Vervet Monkey Rescue & Rehabilitation Durban, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Volunteer with rescued Vervet Monkeys at a permitted Vervet Monkey Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release Centre in the lush province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa
Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation Gansbaai, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Experience not only Whale, Dolphin, Shark and Penguin research and monitoring but also community education, environmental issues, ecology and ecotourism
Big Cat Sanctuary on a Wildlife Reserve Thornhill, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Volunteer at an ethical Big Cat sanctuary assisting with the ongoing care of 14 lions and 1 tiger saved from dire captive situations mainly from the Ukraine.
Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Bonnievale, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Get involved with horse and pony rescue and rehabilitation in South Africa. If you have experience with horses, great. If not, you will learn with a great team.
Endangered Wildlife Monitoring and Research Sontuli, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Volunteer with endangered species with a team of dedicated conservationists, researchers and wildlife experts on protected reserves- a true African bush experience
Wildlife Rescue, Rehab and Veterinary Clinic Durban, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Volunteer with an amazing team of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation experts that are dedicated to giving sick, injured and orphaned wildlife a second chance.
Wolf, Wolfdog and Husky Sanctuary Helper Knysna, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Help out at an animal sanctuary working with rescued wolves, wolfdogs and rescued huskies and other animals like marmosets, llamas, tortoises and farm animals
Social Work and Youth Development Knysna, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Assist with youth at risk and street children with social work, sports, art, music, teaching and counselling for their personal development
Ethical Predator Sanctuary Assistant Stanford, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Volunteer at an extremely ethical predator sanctuary with the care of lions, tigers, leopard, caracal, serval and jackal in the beautiful Western Cape
Wildlife Veterinary Medicine and Rehabilitation Midrand, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Assist a top wildlife veterinary medicine doctor and a highly experienced wildlife rehabilitation team in their daily duties treating rescued indigenous wildlife.
Wildlife Conservation with Horses Dete, Zimbabwe Volunteer Int. Adventures
The ultimate combination of volunteering with horses while being involved with local community, wildlife conservation and anti-poaching in a true raw Africa setting
Animal Welfare and Veterinary Medicine Mwera, Tanzania Volunteer Int. Adventures
Experience a project like no other on the island of Zanzibar assisting with animal care, veterinary medicine treatment, community upliftment and education
Sports Experience and Coaching Knysna, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
This is the perfect project for the sports enthusiasts! Get involved with creches, schools and community outreach programs coaching sports and learning about sports admin
Caring for Rescued Lions at a Sanctuary Alldays, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Give hands-on help with an ethical lion sanctuary in the northern part of South Africa caring for lions saved from bad circumstances.
Helping at a nursery school in the township Knysna, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Help at a creche in the townships of Knysna with foundation phase education and assist teachers to care for the little ones
Veterinary Medicine Experience Knysna, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Are you studying veterinary medicine, nursing or technology? We have two projects rolled in one that are especially for those qualified or studying these related sciences
Counselling and Social Work skills experience Knysna, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Volunteer with social workers, psychologists and community counsellors who provide counselling services, training and workshops to people and groups in need of support
Teaching Assistant in Island Creches & Schools Zanzibar, Tanzania Volunteer Int. Adventures
Help teach creche and school children with English, French, Arabic, Maths, Sciences or other subjects at schools on the beautiful tropical paradise island of Zanzibar.
Wildlife Relocation and Veterinary Experience Ladysmith, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
A programme on wildlife relocation and the veterinary work that goes with it, where you will learn some of the techniques and tricks of the trade by professionals.
Teach at poverty stricken township schools Knysna, Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Assist teachers from Grade R to high school in poor communities with various subjects like English, Sport, Creative Arts, the Sciences and Mathematics
Children's Safe House in the township Knysna , Sudafrica Volunteer Int. Adventures
Volunteer at a children’s safe house in a poverty-stricken local township and assist with home schooling in the school term and fun activities in the holidays

45 Project reviews of Volunteer Int. Adventures

Project Details

We are a small, personal, hands-on volunteer organisation with 15 years experience of working with volunteers in conservation and humanitarian projects on the ground.

Volunteer International Adventures is dedicated to youth and animal projects, which are areas of great passion for us. We recognize the need for assistance from international volunteers in developing countries and have witnessed the transformative impact of their hands-on involvement on communities and conservation efforts.


Our core priorities are as follows:


1. Culture and Cultural Sensitivity:

We encourage our volunteers to fully immerse themselves in the culture of the country they are volunteering in, understanding that volunteering differs significantly from being a tourist. By working closely with local communities and project partners, our volunteers gain profound insights into the challenges faced by the country. We actively support and facilitate opportunities for volunteers to engage in various activities, interact with locals, and educate themselves about the nation's history, no matter how difficult it may be. Cultural sensitivity is paramount, and we ensure that our approach is collaborative rather than imposing our own ideas. We welcome suggestions and creative ideas from our volunteers, as they often prove to be feasible and enrich the communities we serve.


2. Fulfilling Volunteer Experiences:

We strive to ensure that all our volunteers leave with a sense of accomplishment. Whether it is helping a child grasp mathematics, teaching cricket to school children, providing sewing classes to uplift youth, participating in wildlife conservation efforts such as satellite collaring African wild dogs or rhino relocation, collecting data on great white shark populations, treating sick indigenous wildlife, assisting with animal sterilization in disadvantaged communities, instilling a love for reading in children, or teaching marimba classes—the list is diverse and extensive. We want our volunteers to develop a deep connection with the country they are assisting and forge lifelong friendships that can serve as future ambassadors for their respective nations.


3. Ethical Projects:

We strictly oppose trophy hunting and the breeding of lions for commercial gain. Our wildlife and animal projects take place in free-roaming reserves, registered rehabilitation centers, or sanctuaries where the animals are non-releasable due to injuries, human habituation, or being non-indigenous to the area. We support local and ethical animal sanctuaries and reserves, which our volunteers can visit during their free time. When working with children in teaching, care, or youth development projects, we require a recent paper copy of a background check (CRB check) from volunteers' countries of origin. This precaution ensures the safety and well-being of the children we serve, who often come from challenging socio-economic backgrounds and have been let down by adults in the past. We prioritize the protection of innocent animals and children who cannot advocate for themselves.


4. Responsible and Sustainable Approach:

We take pride in implementing responsible and sustainable projects that involve local community members, ensuring the continuity of operations even when volunteer numbers are low. While some projects rely heavily on volunteer support due to limited funds, we strive to strike a balance by involving sufficient local participation.


5. Cost Effectiveness:

Having collaborated with volunteers on projects for nearly 15 years, we recognize that volunteering can come at a significant cost. Therefore, we are committed to making volunteering more accessible, reasonable, and inclusive. Our projects encompass various extras, and we maintain affordability by keeping costs low and encouraging increased hands-on assistance. We offer negotiable family, friends, and group discounts, as volunteering together enables us to further reduce expenses. Loyalty is rewarded, and returning volunteers receive special recognition in our projects. Additionally, our costs include donations to our projects, contributing to their sustainability and impact.


6. Safety:

The safety of our volunteers is of paramount importance. We thoroughly vet and assess all our projects, ensuring adequate safety measures are in place. While certain areas may be off-limits due to potential risks, it is important to note that complete safety guarantees are impossible in any location. We have established channels for reporting incidents and maintain close relationships with in-country support on the ground. Furthermore, we possess liability insurance and require all participants to have personal travel insurance. To provide comprehensive support, we arrange airport collections and drop-offs, ensuring our volunteers are assisted throughout their entire journey. We pride ourselves on delivering a personal touch and remain available 24/7 to address any emergencies.


Please remember to arrange your comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking your trip, as it is an essential aspect of ensuring your well-being and peace of mind.


We sincerely appreciate your interest in Volunteer International Adventures and our commitment to making a positive impact through responsible volunteering. Should you have any further questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The main focus of the project is on
Contact Person
Sharon Dreyer
Spoken Languages
English

Social Impact

After accumulating extensive experience since 2008, working with volunteers from diverse backgrounds worldwide in various sectors such as marine conservation, endangered wildlife, animal rehabilitation, education from foundation phase to high school in disadvantaged communities, sports development, youth and social work, veterinary medicine, and animal rescue, our founder recognized the potential to enhance the volunteer experience and foster inclusivity on cultural and financial fronts. This led her to establish her own volunteer social project.

Throughout her journey, our founder has achieved remarkable milestones. She has rescued numerous animals, spearheaded the renovation of a creche in an underprivileged area, served on the board of a nonprofit organization dedicated to at-risk youth for over a decade, actively participated in fundraising initiatives (including securing a vehicle for a local NPO), facilitated donations and wish-list items for various projects, and coordinated large sports school groups, organizing after-school sports activities and weekend sports days that have garnered the enthusiasm and return of many happy volunteers over the years.

Our founder has embraced volunteers from a wide spectrum, ranging from enthusiastic gap year students offering valuable hands-on support to highly skilled, qualified, and mature volunteers who bring a wealth of knowledge to share. Both types of volunteers have made a lasting impact on improving projects and ensuring their continued success.

During the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic, when international borders were closed and travel restrictions were imposed, our founder and her partner worked diligently on the ground, coordinating, fundraising, and distributing substantial quantities of food donations multiple times a week to local soup kitchens as part of community feeding schemes. This initiative aimed to provide assistance to those who had lost their jobs and were experiencing financial hardship, ensuring that their families received the necessary meals. Additionally, we currently sponsor pet food for a monthly veterinary outreach clinic in a township on the Garden Route of South Africa. Moreover, we sponsored the end-of-year (2022) party, including gift bags, for a local NPO focused on youth at risk.

Furthermore, Volunteer International Adventures actively sponsors and staffs a monthly mobile outreach veterinary clinic in a poverty-stricken area local to our headquarters. Our dedication lies in addressing verified community needs and supporting our projects effectively. We personally visit all of our projects and conduct regular check-ups on the ground, ensuring their continued progress and positive impact.

At Volunteer International Adventures, we are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Our hands-on involvement, firsthand project visits, and thorough on-ground assessments are testaments to our dedication. We strive to continue assisting verified community needs and positively impacting our projects while fostering a fulfilling experience for our volunteers.

Should you have any further inquiries or require additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Pursued Sustainable Development Goals

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