The Greater Kruger National Park is one of the most biodiverse areas in Africa and home to an amazing variety of wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, and buffalo. Protecting these ecosystems requires knowledge, research, and helpers who are willing to get involved.

This project combines wildlife conservation with hands-on research. As a volunteer, you will help to collect important information about animals, support ongoing research projects, and contribute to a better understanding and protection of the animals living in this unique environment.

Your work supports research projects that conservation experts and universities draw on, as well as helping to preserve the protected area itself. Every animal sighting, every camera trap checked and every piece of data collected adds another small piece to the bigger picture of wildlife conservation.

Your Project

Your home for the next weeks is in the middle of the Greater Kruger National Park, one of South Africa's most famous conservation areas. You live surrounded by nature with elephants, lions and buffalos just around the corner. 

Your daily tasks include:

• Going on game drives in the national park and observing wildlife 
• Counting animals and collecting important information such as location, habitat, behaviour, and numbers
• Checking and maintaining camera traps used for wildlife research
• Sorting and analysing camera trap data and supporting research projects through accurate documentation
• Learning animal identification like mammals and birds
• Maintenance work within the park

Your days are a mix of adventure, research, and practical conservation work. Most mornings start early with a drive through the bush, while afternoons include data work, maintenance tasks, or another wildlife activity. 

Location: Your camp is located directly inside the Greater Kruger National Park area. The nearest airport is Hoedspruit, where you are picked up and transferred to your new home in the national park.

Who You Will Be Working With

You work with experienced rangers and the local project team, who share their knowledge about wildlife, conservation, and life in the African bush.

Together with other wayers volunteers, you become part of a small community living and working in the reserve. Many volunteers arrive alone and leave with lifelong friendships – because sharing sunrise game drives, campfire evenings, and unforgettable animal encounters creates a very special connection.

Our team in South Africa supports you throughout your stay and makes sure you have local contacts whenever you need help.

You are never on your own: other wayers volunteers live with you in the camp, join the daily activities and experience this adventure alongside you.

What We Expect From You

No previous experience is required. What matters is that you are curious, you have a deep respect for nature. Life in the bush is different from everyday life at home. You should enjoy being outdoors, be comfortable with early mornings, and understand that conservation work also includes hands-on work like maintenance in the national park.

Flexibility is important: wildlife cannot be planned. Some days you may spend hours searching for animals, while other days focus more on research, maintenance, or camp life. Things work differently in South Africa than at home, and an open, patient attitude makes all the difference. The minimum age is 16 and the minimum stay is two weeks.

What You Can Expect From Us

Before you leave, we prepare you with an online seminar, access to the wayers Lounge, our digital wayers workbook, and the chance to connect with other participants before departure.

Before and during your trip you receive:

• Support from our experienced wayers team before, during, and after your journey
• Help with travel preparations and insurance information
• A chance to connect with other participants before departure
• Airport transfer from Hoedspruit to you accommodation on the scheduled arrival day
• A welcome introduction by the local team
• Personal support throughout your stay
• Wildlife activities such as game drives and bush walks
• A 24-hour emergency number with support in Germany and South Africa

Life at the wayers Home

The wayers Home is located right in the middle of the wildlife reserve. Here, your everyday life looks a little different: instead of city noises, you wake up to the sounds of nature and may even spot some animals nearby.

You share the camp with other volunteers and prepare your meals together. Threre are community areas where you can hang out after cooking dinner together, relax at the pool, have a camp fire and share stories from the day’s adventures.

Surroundings: The Greater Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s most famous wildlife regions. Your project location is surrounded by untouched landscapes, amazing wildlife, and the feeling of being far away from everyday routines.

This is not a typical holiday safari as you are not just watching animals from a distance. You become part of the conservation work that helps understand and protect this unique ecosystem.

Look forward to unforgettable moments. Watch elephants on a game drive, enjoy the sunset over the bush, and realise that Africa isn’t just a place you visit, but a place you experience.

Travel with Confidence

As a German tour operator with over 22 years of experience and more than 70,000 participants sent abroad, wayers supports you with visa guidance, insurance information, and a personal welcome on arrival, backed by a 24/7 emergency line in Germany and on the ground.