Wilderness Volunteer Adventure: Where Travel Meets Purpose

Looking for a travel experience that doesn’t just change your surroundings — but changes you?

Our Wilderness Volunteer Adventure offers exactly that.

Set in the wild coastal paradise of Kenton-on-Sea, this program combines the best of marine and bush conservation, wildlife education, and eco-living. You'll be guided by passionate field experts and wildlife specialists as you contribute to real projects — from estuary clean-ups and invasive plant clearing to wildlife monitoring and beach patrols.

You'll live in a relaxed, lodge-style setting surrounded by nature.
Included in the program: (One or two week options)

Twin shared en-suite accommodation (private rooms available)
Daily 2-course dinners, lunch (packed or lodge), and breakfast (for stays 3+ weeks)
Conservation certificate and training booklet
Structured activities 6 days a week
Laundry and WiFi
Sunday arrival & departure airport transfers (from Port Elizabeth)

What sets this apart?

🌿 You’re not just a visitor — you become part of a wilderness protection team
📚 Gain conservation training that blends purpose with adventure
🌊 Hike, track animals, paddle estuaries, and protect pristine coastline
🧭 Explore personal growth while living off-grid and off-script

Programme Content:

Elephant Monitoring & Conservation

Spend time learning about the African elephant’s critical role in the ecosystem and the growing challenges they face. Then head into the bush to observe and identify individuals in the local herd, documenting their movements and behaviour.

Rhino Conservation

Gain powerful insights into the plight of rhinos in Southern Africa, from poaching to habitat loss. Participate in field-based rhino monitoring, data gathering, and protective efforts that contribute to long-term survival strategies.

Alien Plant Eradication

Help protect indigenous plant life by identifying and removing invasive alien species that disrupt natural ecosystems. This physically rewarding task contributes directly to the long-term health of the reserve.

Fencing & Anti-Poaching Patrols

Join patrols to inspect electric fences, check for damage, and search for snares. These tasks are vital in reducing human-wildlife conflict and ensuring the safety of both animals and people.

Ornithology & Bird Counts

Learn to identify estuarine, oceanic, terrestrial, and arboreal bird species through presentations and guided observation. Assist with bird species counts and contribute to a growing biodiversity database.

Fish Tagging & Boat-Based Research

Take part in a cooperative tagging project supported by marine researchers. After learning tagging protocols, you’ll safely catch, tag, and release fish species in estuarine waters, with all data shared with an international conservation database.

Lion Conservation & Monitoring

Explore the threats facing Africa’s apex predator, including habitat loss and the lion bone trade. Then join fieldwork to observe and monitor lion movements and behavioural patterns.

Community Outreach Projects

Spend a day giving back through meaningful outreach in local communities. Past projects have included soup kitchens, school visits, wheelchair donations, beach clean-ups, and visits to retirement homes — all tailored to current community needs.

Rocky Shore & Marine Biodiversity Study

Investigate the coastal zone’s living and non-living features, from tide pools to coastal plants and geological formations. This includes time spent along the famous Alexandria Dune Trail, home to the tallest wind-driven dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.

Buffalo Darting & Wildlife Management

Involve yourself in advanced wildlife management activities, which may include veterinary work or darting sessions (subject to conservation needs and schedule). These experiences deepen your understanding of conservation logistics and ethics.

Estuary Kayaking Expedition (15km)

Embark on a guided paddling adventure through winding estuaries or sheltered coastline. It's a chance to enjoy the region’s natural beauty from a unique perspective — and build endurance and teamwork.

Starry Nights & Astronomy

With virtually no light pollution, the night skies here are incredible. Enjoy a stargazing presentation, then take part in a group project exploring key constellations visible from the Southern Hemisphere.

Addo Elephant National Park Excursion

Enjoy a full-day trip to one of South Africa’s premier Big Five reserves. Addo is home to the densest population of African elephants per square kilometer and offers unforgettable game viewing in a conservation-rich setting.

Optional: Skipper's License Training

For volunteers staying 3 weeks or more, an internationally recognized inshore skipper’s license can be added to your programme (offered through a certified RAID instructor). Ideal for future field guides or marine conservationists.

Itinerary: (you can opt for a 1 or 2 week programme)

🗓️ Week 1: Grounding in Nature & Conservation Basics

Day 1 – Arrival & Orientation

Your adventure begins with a warm welcome and a scenic drive from Port Elizabeth Airport (pickup at 15:00) to your nature-based lodge. You’ll settle into shared en-suite accommodation, receive your programme overview, and meet your guides and fellow volunteers.

Day 2 – Elephant Conservation

Start your week with an engaging presentation on African elephants and their ecological role. In the afternoon, join field monitoring to identify individual elephants and observe their unique behaviours.

Day 3 – Rhino & Flora Focus

Explore the challenges facing rhino populations through a conservation talk, followed by a rhino monitoring session. Later, assist with fence inspections and help clear invasive plant species that threaten native biodiversity.

Day 4 – Deeper into the Bush

Continue flora clearing and fence-line patrols, vital for maintaining safe and sustainable wildlife corridors.

Day 5 – Birds & Community

Learn about local birdlife through a guided ornithology session, then help count and record bird species. In the afternoon, take part in a meaningful outreach project in the nearby town, followed by a relaxed trip to stock up on supplies or souvenirs.

Day 6 – Lions & Learning

Dive into lion conservation through a dynamic presentation and then spend time in the field observing these majestic apex predators in their natural habitat.

Day 7 – Rest & Recharge

Weekends are yours to enjoy. Lounge by the pool, hike nearby trails, reflect with your new friends, or just soak in the wild beauty around you.

🗓️ Week 2: Expanding Horizons — Coastline, Research & Legacy

Day 8 – Big Game & Big Water

You’ll witness conservation in action with a hands-on buffalo management session. In the afternoon, paddle through a 15km estuary or coastline kayaking expedition — a highlight for many volunteers.

Day 9 – Life on the Rocky Shores

Explore South Africa’s iconic rocky coastline and its vital role in marine biodiversity. Learn about both the visible and hidden life along the shoreline and its unique ecosystems.

Day 10 – Dune Hike & Coastal Forests

Hike the famous Alexandria Dune Trail, home to the highest wind-driven sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Discover the forest systems that thrive in this incredible coastal landscape.

Day 11 – Boat Cruise & Fish Tagging

Join a research-based estuary cruise, learning to tag, record, and release fish species in collaboration with marine researchers. Your data will contribute to an international conservation database.

Day 12 – Big 5 Safari at Addo

Spend the day at Addo Elephant National Park, home to the densest elephant population in Africa and one of the best-managed game reserves in the country. Learn from rangers, explore varied habitats, and see wildlife up close.

Day 13 – Celebration & Reflection

As the programme winds down, present your group projects, reflect on your growth, and enjoy a laid-back graduation ceremony with your fellow changemakers.

Day 14 – Departure

Enjoy one last team breakfast before transferring back to Port Elizabeth Airport (departure at 09:00). You’ll return home not just with photos and memories — but with a deeper sense of purpose, connection, and understanding of the natural world.

You’ll leave with more than memories — you’ll carry impact.

💥 Limited space per intake — reserve your spot now.
📩 Contact us to request the full info pack or to begin your journey.

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