Amazing Ways to Volunteer With Elephants in Africa

🖋️ By Deb … 🕒 November 30, 2022 … 📁 Volunteer with Elephants in Africa

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Are you an elephant lover looking for a meaningful way to travel and make a difference in the world? Look no further than the chance to volunteer with elephants in Africa!

This could mean an elephant sanctuary, orphanage, or research organization specifically designed for the protection and benefit of African elephants.

This vast continent is home to majestic elephants, beautiful landscapes, and unique cultures. An African adventure can be even more rewarding when combined with volunteer work at an ethical elephant project.

You can get up close and personal with these gentle giants while contributing to their welfare and conservation. Read on to learn more about incredible places where you can volunteer with elephants in Africa.

Why Are African Elephants Endangered

There are two species of African elephants. The African bush elephant is currently on the endangered list. The African forest elephant is listed as critically endangered.

This is due to poaching, habitat destruction, and a loss of resources. In other words, people.

Elephants play an essential role in the African ecosystem. They disperse seeds, create trails and paths, and help maintain grasslands.

If the elephant population continues to decline, it will upset the delicate balance of this entire ecosystem. The remaining wildlife would suffer without them as their absence would cause an overpopulation of certain species.

This, of course, would upset the balance of vegetation – grasslands would decrease as they were overgrown by thorny scrub. Grazers would have nowhere to graze and would die out.

There would be no more predators because there would be no more prey.

Not only would this have a devastating effect on the environment, but it would also leave many local communities that depend on tourism revenue from safaris without any source of income.

In short, people need elephants. It is essential to protect these gentle giants and ensure their survival for generations to come.

How to Choose the Right Place to Volunteer with Elephants in Africa

Volunteers can make a significant impact when working with elephants in Africa. They can contribute to their welfare and to the conservation efforts that protect them.

But be sure to find an ethical volunteer program that provides a unique, beneficial experience for both the elephants and you.

To ensure this, you do need to do your research. There are many sanctuaries around the world that offer volunteer programs, but not all of them are created equally.

Volunteering in Africa with elephants can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s important to make sure that you’re doing so at an ethical volunteer organization.

How to Determine if an Organization is Ethical

To determine if an elephant volunteer organization is ethical, it’s important to look at the standards and practices they use in caring for the elephants.

Look for sanctuaries that promote natural behaviour and interaction between animals, provide ample space for physical and mental stimulation, and focus on conservation efforts.

It’s also important to research the project history of working with volunteers, checking to make sure that they have a proven track record of providing safe and meaningful experiences.

Finally, research the organization’s policies on animal welfare and captivity—an ethical organization should prioritize the wellbeing of their animals over all else.

With these factors in mind, you can be sure to find an ethical elephant organization for your volunteer experience.

Top Volunteer Opportunities with Elephants

Below we’ll take a look at some of the best elephant volunteer programs throughout Africa. We’ll also discuss what kinds of work you’ll do as an animal conservation volunteer.

1. The Elephant Care and Research Project | PodVolunteer:

This project is located in the Western Cape of South Africa and focuses on the behaviour, breeding habits, and biology of elephants in their area.

Their goal is not only to improve the well-being of the small herd elephants in their own 110-hectare park, but of elephants worldwide.

These are 10 elephants that have been rescued from culling situations, have been orphaned, or have been relocated for various reasons.

What Volunteers Do

Short-term volunteers with the project have the opportunity to help with the daily care of the elephants and learn about them firsthand. THEY

➥ Are involved in the feeding of the animals, and the general maintenance of their living areas.

➥ Observe and record elephant behaviours at all times of the day and night.

➥ Learn how to make elephant dung paper, which is then sold to raise funds for the continuation of the project.

🐘 Fun Fact: Elephants do not digest the fibrous material in the enormous amount of plants they digest. For this reason, their droppings can be washed and boiled to make high-quality, entirely sanitary paper!

Longer-term volunteers receive training and real-life practice in study and research techniques. They are able to aid in the study and observation of these gentle giants and see how what is learned can benefit elephants everywhere.

They will:

➥ Spend time observing how the elephants interact with other people.

➥ Collect and analyze elephant dung and discover what this can demonstrate regarding the health of the animals.

➥ Learn to analyze the data that has been recorded when observing the elephants.

➥ Be involved in educating the community about their environment, about elephants, and about sharing an area with them without conflict.

➥ Have the opportunity to participate in the monitoring of the herd of zebras that share the park.

The Elephant Care and Research Project is a safe haven for their elephants, with welfare and learning at the forefront of their mission.

Volunteers are an integral part of the sanctuary’s efforts and their contribution helps to further its mission.

⭐️ Distinction: The Elephant Care and Research Project is the recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is known locally in South Africa as the resident’s Award for Youth Empowerment.

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2. The Elephant-Humans Relations Aid (EHRA):

Located near Swakopmund, Namibia, the focus of EHRA is the conservation of the uniquely and remarkably adapted desert elephant.

Their goal is to help resolve conflict between these elephants and the communities that they are surrounded by. The conflict arises from the scarceness of the resources, namely food and water, that the elephants and the people share.

This is accomplished in large part through community education, the construction of protective walls around water sources, and the ongoing monitoring of local elephant herds.

This is an excellent opportunity for volunteers to take part in real-world, practical conservation.

What Volunteers Do

A volunteer’s time on the project is divided up into weeks. The longer volunteers spend with the project, the more different tasks and locations they get to experience.

For example, they have the unique and exhilarating opportunity to camp out in the wilds of Namibia, near whichever aspect of the program they are currently involved with.

There is nothing like sleeping under the stars in a country with minimal light pollution. If you haven’t yet experienced this, it will blow your mind!

Mind you, tents are also an option if you’d like to work your way up to sleeping out in the open.

Volunteers will get to:

➥ Participate in the construction of the walls that protect water sources.

➥ Track elephants in the area, observe and record data regarding the individuals in the herd.

➥ Assist in keeping the ID record of the elephants current, as well as their locations.

➥ Aid in the gathering of data regarding the breeding bulls in the area by collecting their dung.

➥ Travel to different locations in the area as they track the elephants, often sleeping in a new spot every night.

With its dedication to elephant protection and research, the Elephant-Human Relations Aid is an excellent project.

They provide valuable volunteer experiences for those looking to make a difference in the lives of these animals, as well as an amazing experience for volunteers.

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3. The Kariega Volunteer Programme | Enkosini

One of the conservation projects on the Kariega Game Reserve is Elephant Impact Monitoring. While on the Reserve, volunteers take on the role of Assistant Conservation Managers.

Volunteers will learn the ins and outs of conservation management. Certain elephants are fitted with radio collars, which makes it much easier to locate them and their herds using telemetry.

All the information that is collected when the elephants are located using telemetry is put to use by the reserve management in their conservation efforts.

What Volunteers Do

Volunteers participate in a wide range of activities while on the project. Here is an overview of what you’ll be up to.

Volunteers will:

➥ Monitor where and when the elephants move to, how far they roam, as well as their impact on the vegetation on the reserve.

➥ Aid in the identification of individual elephants according to each animal’s unique ear marks – notches, holes, and tears.

➥ Help to physically control alien plant species on the Reserve.

➥ Clean and maintain the Reserve as it’s required. This might include road or building maintenance, for example.

➥ Assist in capturing an animal, elephant or other animals, when required by reserve officials. This may be done for reasons concerning the health of an animal, or to install a new tracking collar.

➥ Be responsible for teaching a class at a local school, and perhaps perform maintenance or construction on a school building.

By providing meaningful volunteer experiences, the Kariega Volunteer Programme is an excellent option that is dedicated to the conservation of these African giants.

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4. Lusaka Elephant Conservation | Natucate

Located in Lusaka, Zambia, this sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants. Their goal is to slowly prepare these young elephants for release into the wild.

The Lusaka Elephant Conservation project focuses on providing quality care for orphaned animals, promoting the natural behaviour of the animals and educating local communities about conservation and preservation efforts.

Keep in mind that, for ethical reasons, volunteers will have no actual direct contact with the elephants.

When the young charges are about 3 years old, they are transferred to the affiliate release facility in Kafue National Park. See #5 below.

What Volunteers Do

Volunteers help with observations, animal feedings, and educational activities. Here are some examples of volunteer tasks:

➥ Assisting in the care of the young elephants in the Elephant Nursery. This includes preparing bottles of milk formula and collecting leaves and twigs, ie. food for the older elephants.

➥ Maintain the elephants’ enclosure, keeping it clean and in good repair.

➥ Educating the community as well as local schoolchildren about the animals and the importance of their conservation.

➥ Observing the herd along with the individual animals and noting behaviours and group dynamics.

➥ Going on outings to nearby Lusaka National Park, learning research skills by conducting small research projects. These may involve vegetation surveys, or spore and scat observations.

➥ Sitting in on public education lectures.

Lusaka Elephant Conservation is a great programme for African elephant conservation. It’s definitely one to consider for anyone who would like to be an elephant sanctuary volunteer in Africa.

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5. Kafue Elephant Conservation | Natucate

This programme is a release facility, affiliated with Lusaka Elephant Conservation above. At the age of approximately 3 years, Lusaka’s young elephants are brought here to be weaned and prepared for life in the wild.

Kafue volunteers actually begin their experience at Lusaka in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire project.

They will then move on to Kafue, the oldest and largest national park in Zambia. Volunteers will have the enviable task of assisting in the gradual release of these elephants into the wild.

Keep in mind that, for ethical reasons, volunteers will have no actual direct contact with the elephants.

Here are some of the volunteer tasks:

➥ When you volunteer with orphaned elephants, you’ll be tracking released orphans. You’ll also determine what they feed on in the different seasons.

➥ Making use of camera traps, spoor, and tracks to build a database of facts regarding the local elephant population. This database will also include facts about the other wildlife that they cross paths with.

➥ Filming and studying the behaviour of older elephant calves and collecting data.

➥ Learning about ways to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Meeting with the local community members to discuss this issue, and educate the people on various mitigation strategies.

Kafue Elephant Conservation is another great project for volunteers, and really can be the experience of a lifetime.

There are many opportunities throughout Africa, and the world, to volunteer with ethical wildlife groups and make a difference in the world.

If you’d like to spend your time in Africa – some of it or all of it – getting involved, and learning about Africa and its wildlife, consider clicking on one of the links above to learn more.

✯ Read more about volunteering with Africa’s Epic Wildlife: Volunteering with Animals in Africa: The Best Programs in 2023

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Other Ways to Contribute to Elephant Conservation

If you’re unable to travel to Africa you can still help!

Those of us who are unable to pick up and travel to Africa for weeks at a time can still make an amazing contribution to these gentle giants.

Consider these options:

✔️ Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE)

The Amboseli Trust for Elephants was created to support the Amboseli Elephant Research Project (AERP). This enormous project has studied the elephant population of Amboseli National Park in Southern Kenya since 1973.

This Trust offers several ways to be involved in elephant conservation. For example:

➤ Donate, on your own behalf or in honour of someone else.

➤ Choose a specific elephant family, then join Elatia, an Amboleli Trust group that will give you a window into the daily lives of your elephant family. There’s no better use for an inbox that to receive elephant gossip!

For a yearly donation of US$30, you can choose up to 6 elephant families, or give this gift to someone you love.

➤ For a small donation, you can name an elephant! Once the name you’ve chosen has been given to one of these beautiful elephants, you can email to request updates. Have a look at the naming brochure to learn more.

➤ Another great way to support this great cause is by shopping. The Amboseli Trust’s online store has many elephant-themed gift items that you can treat yourself to, or present to the another elephant lover in your life.

✔️ Tanzania Conservation & Research Program

The programme’s tagline is – “Protecting Migratory Wildlife and the Habitat around Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park”.

Tarangire is home to Africa’s second-largest elephant population. The program works by involving communities in conservation work. The organization works with people in the community to help them coexist with the animals.

This program is protecting not only elephants but also other endangered species. One way they do this is by ensuring working with the community to ensure the migration corridors remain open and safe for the animals to travel.

To lend a hand you can:

➤ Support the Woodland Park Zoo, in Seattle, WA The zoo is a partner of the Tanzania Conservation & Research Program. Every visit helps support elephants in Tanzania.

➤ Donate to the cause. You can even make a bigger impact by bringing the program to work! Employer matching of donations is welcome! check on this website to find out if your corporation participates.

➤ Adopt an animal! You’ll receive an adoption certificate, photo and fact sheet of your new adoptee, as well as desktop and mobile wallpaper, and more. Check out the different levels of adoption.

✔️ Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Haven for Elephants & Rhino (SWT)

Orphan elephant rescue is at the heart of the work done by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, as well as rehabilitation. Unfortunately, they don’t accept Sheldrick wildlife trust volunteers.

However, the trust has many other projects, such as anti-poaching, community outreach, and orphan projects for other species. And you can help.

Read more about the projects that have been undertaken by the SWT, and choose your favourite, if you can. Here are some ways you can contribute:

➤ Adopt an orphan elephant – or rhino or giraffe! You can choose your own elephant, or have one chosen for you if the decision is too difficult.

In return, you will receive:

• a personalized adoption certificate
• an email each month, updating you on your adoptee and on the project
• access to the keeper’s photos, videos, and diaries about your adoptee
• a new watercolour painting each month by Angela Sheldrick
• a warm fuzzy feeling that you’ll carry around all the time

➤ Fundraise for SWT and the wildlife. Choose your method of fundraising – you’ll find many suggestions – or take part in one of their own organized events. All funds will go to the wildlife projects.

➤ Donate money, or an item from the SWT Wishlist, such as a day’s milk for a nursery elephant, or 4 bales of hay.

➤ Become a Partner, or speak with your Employer to see if the company would be interested.

➤ Purchase exclusive merchandise at one of their online shops – the Global Shop or the US Shop.

Amazing African Elephants Facts

1. An African elephant can live to be up to 70 years old in the wild.
2. When an elephant drinks it can draw 12 litres, or 3 gallons into its trunk at a time.
3. A baby elephant may suckle the end of its trunk for comfort.
4. It takes at least 6-8 months for an elephant to learn to control the 40,000 muscles that make up his trunk. Or most of them, anyway.
5. Until they learn to control their trunks, they will drink by putting their face in the water.
6. There are 2 distinct species of African elephant – the savannah elephant and the forest elephant. One of the many differences is that savannah elephants are larger.
7. Tusks are extended teeth that can be used for digging, lifting, stripping bark to eat, for defense, as well as to protect the trunk.
8. A trunk can weigh as much as 140 kg, or 309 pounds.
9. The skin of an elephant can be up to 2.5 cm, or 1 inch in places.
10. A female elephant can give birth to as many as 12 calves in her lifetime.
11. Are elephants vegetarians? They sure are. Food details: elephants eat fruit, roots, tree bark, twigs, grasses, small plants, and bushes. In fact, one elephant can eat between 149 and 169 kg, or 330-375 lb per day.
12. The African bush elephant is the largest land mammal. They have a weight range of between 5,200 and 10,000 kg, or 11,500-22,000 lb.

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is now endangered while the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) is critically endangered

Summing It Up – Volunteer With Elephants in Africa

Volunteers with ethical elephant projects are essential in providing much-needed care for these irresistible animals. From providing practical care to assisting with community education, volunteering with elephants in Africa can make a real difference in the lives of Africa’s elephants.

With these sanctuaries and volunteer opportunities in mind, you can be sure to find an ethical elephant project for your volunteer experience that focuses on the welfare and conservation of elephants

Happy Volunteering!

Read more about Africa:

➡️ How Many Gorillas are Left in the World
➡️ South Africa – Wildlife Sanctuary: For the Love of the Animals
➡️ Volunteering in Africa with Animals – Best Programs in 2022
➡️  Iconic Animals of Botswana & Where to See Thema
➡️ Find Your Dream Destination in Africa

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