WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY & CONSERVATION VOLUNTEER PROJECT, SOUTH AFRICA

Contribute to conservation projects while sharpening your skills. 

PROJECT GALLERY

THE DESTINATION

This photography volunteer project is based in the world-renowned Greater Kruger Area – famous for the Big 5 and amazing scenery. The region is also home to a local people celebrated for their rich and vibrant culture. In this impressive setting, you’ll have the opportunity to enhance your photographic skills while raising conservation awareness. If you have always wanted to take amazing wildlife pictures, there is no better place in the world!

ACCOMMODATION

During your placement you will stay in comfortable shared accommodation within the Greater Kruger Area. Volunteers and project staff meet and carry out inductions and research updates in our base – a spacious lodge situated on the banks of the Olifants River. It’s a lovely safari-style camp with a swimming pool, viewing deck, WiFi, hot showers, and an outdoor communal area. Here, you’ll dine, relax and socialise. You can also expect to do some wildlife viewing from the lodge, as many animals come to drink from the river.

The lodge is staffed with cooks and cleaners and all bed linen and towels are provided. All meals are included in the price. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be prepared for you.

You’ll share the lodge with other volunteers on the photography project, as well as volunteers on general conservation and education projects. It’s a great social setting, and an opportunity to meet people from many different cultures. Rooms are shared with up to five other volunteers. Single rooms are available at an additional fee.

THE PHOTOGRAPHY

As a photography volunteer, you’ll go out on game drives for wildlife and landscape photography most weekdays. These drives, all set within the stunning Greater Kruger area, will give you an amazing variety of photographic opportunities, as the African bush presents a constantly changing but ever-exciting scene of wildlife. You’ll have a chance to encounter Africa’s big cats (lions, cheetahs, leopards), as well as elephants, rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, and many other species. There will also be opportunities for photographing the smaller, but no less striking animals, such as chameleons, frogs, and other reptiles and insects. In addition, you’ll be able to capture African scenery during focused landscape photography sessions.

Your images will be added to a photographic database, which is used to support conservation charities, who can use the images for awareness and fundraising efforts. Profit-making organisations can purchase the images, and the money goes directly into wildlife research projects. You will be credited wherever possible. In addition, your pictures will be used for educational purposes, particularly at schools in surrounding communities.

On top of the wildlife photography you’ll be doing, you’ll have a chance to participate in general conservation work in the area.  In partnership with local wildlife trusts and foundations, we’ll assist with hands-on field work, such as clearing alien invasive plants and removing snares, and with the collating of data and compiling of animal identy-kits that are part of larger conservation research. You’ll also help raise awareness on conservation issues in surrounding communities.

Please note that these projects evolve constantly, so be prepared to get involved in a wide spectrum of project work as things progress. In the rainy season, game drives are sometimes called off to prevent damage to the terrain. In these cases alternative activities will be arranged.

YOUR WORKSHOP

The project provides an amazing opportunity for photographers of all levels to improve their skills and put them into practice straight away. During your first week, you’ll be taught a photography workshop that covers a wide range of techniques, including aperture, shutter speed, long exposure techniques, and composition. The workshop will also touch on ethical conduct as a photographer, so that everyone is fully prepared for photography assignments in both the African bush and in local communities.

Though you will be mainly out photographing and volunteering from the second week, you will receive photographic guidance and tutoring throughout your stay, and Paula is available to answer any questions you may have. At least twice a week, all volunteers sit down to evaluate and discuss their own and each other’s photographs, which is a helpful and inspiring way to continually learn and improve. Throughout the project, all photographers are encouraged to develop their own style, to play and experiment.

Enthusiasm for photography and African wildlife is essential, but experience is not a requirement. This project has been established for all levels – from complete beginners to professionals. Please note that you will be taught how to edit your photos in LightRoom and you’ll spend a fair amount of time editing your images – so a basic level of computer literacy is required.

Dates & Rates

2023: 22 January – 19 February – 19 March – 16 April – 14 May – 11 June – 9 July – 6 August – 3 September – 1 October – 29 October – 26 November – 24 December

2024: 21 January – 18 February – 17 March – 14 April – 12 May – 9 June – 7 July – 4 August – 1 September – 29 September – 27 October – 24 November – 22 December

2023 Rates; 
4 weeks: £2595
5 weeks: £2895
6 weeks: £3195
7 weeks: £3495
8 weeks: £3795
9 weeks: £4095
10 weeks: £4395
11 weeks: £4695
12 weeks: £4995

2024 Rates; 
4 weeks: £3245
5 weeks: £3595
6 weeks: £3945
7 weeks: £4295
8 weeks: £4645
9 weeks: £4995
10 weeks: £5345
11 weeks: £5695
12 weeks: £5995

YOUR 4-WEEK PROJECT