As a volunteer you will experience hands-on field research relevant to the Conservation of Savannah ecosystems in Africa. Join us and study birds, reptiles, ungulates, rodents, small predators, bats, vegetation and a variety of other plant and animal life in one of southern Africa’s most unique Conservation areas within a global biodiversity hot-spot. Investigate the interface among protected areas,rural communities and commercial agriculture in Swaziland’s Lubombo Conservancy while based in the private Mbuluzi Game Reserve and also working in neighbouring Hlane Royal National Park and Mlawula Nature Reserve. 

Although Savannah’s are well represented in African Conservation areas, they are subjected to increasing degradation as a result of human influences through land use and climate change. Though well known for large charismatic game such as elephants, rhinos and lions, there are a variety of smaller species that are threatened and are arguably more important to the functioning of Savannah’s. 

Accommodation & Meals:  During your stay you will be accommodated at the Savannah Research Centre located in the Mbuluzi Game Reserve*. Accommodation will be in 2-person tents, fitted with mattresses and pillows. Three meals a day will also be provided, some on a self-serve basis and others cooked for you. 

*Depending on availability, you may be placed in a satellite research camp within a partner Game Reserve, and not at the main Savannah Research Centre in Mbuluzi. Please inquire for more information.

Project Start Dates: The start date for this project is the first Monday of the month throughout the year, with the exception of December when new participants are not accepted. 

Please ensure your flight arrives BEFORE 1:00pm.

Important Links:

- Refund & Cancellation Policy

- SDG Commitments

 The research may involve weighing, measuring, tagging and banding young birds (especially raptors), bats and reptiles (lizards and tortoises) to monitor their condition and enable the study of their population dynamics and dispersal. It also may involve fitting radio-transmitters to track the animals to determine their home range, distribution and movements.

In order to carry out many of these activities you will need some environmental science knowledge already. 

Some of the activities you will get involved in include: 

Biodiversity Monitoring: Seasonal Savannah systems are under constant threat from human activities resulting in biodiversity losses, shrub encroachment, and pollution. We use bird counts, acoustic bat monitoring, small mammal trapping, vegetation surveys, and camera traps to investigate environmental change. 

Leopard Tortoises: Tortoises are being radio-tracked to better understand how they move through the landscape. We are looking at how changes in vegetation communities and different boundary types affect home range size and movement patterns. 

Helmeted Guinea Fowl: One of only two species of guinea fowl, little is known about how agriculture affects their habitat use and breeding success. Using GPS, radio-tracking, and nest monitoring technology, we are gathering valuable data on this important indicator species. 

*Please note that the activities listed above are based on availability and may vary by season. These are samples of activities that volunteers are likely to participate in.

As a volunteer, you will be primarily responsible for assisting our on-site biologist. This may include working as a lab assistant, and helping the intern researchers with species identification and/or lab procedure. 

7:00: Wake up to see the sunshine, jump in a hot shower, and get yourself started for the day with breakfast!

7:30: Travel to your placement and get ready to begin your day. 

8:00: Participate in your chosen project.

12:00: Lunch hour! Time to eat the packed lunch you made that morning!

12:30: Begin your afternoon’s work with a full stomach and enthusiasm!

15:00: Return back to your accommodation and share your day’s adventures with other volunteers - maybe even a quick swim in the pool!

18:30: Enjoy a delicious evening meal and relax!

IMPORTANT NOTE: When you work with children, you will be in the rural areas where modesty will be an important factor. Please make sure you dress appropriately- failure to do so may result in you missing a day of volunteering. More information in the dress code will be provided in the pre-flight guide. 

By signing up with us you are donating your time and skills to work directly with communities in need through a structured project. There are many benefits to working with an organisation like ours. It is hard to find internships to support in a foreign country that are safe, worthwhile and reputable. When you sign-up for one of our projects for 2 or 12-weeks, you become part of a bigger, sustainable plan that our team of qualified staff has carefully crafted. You will also receive travel and visa support, orientation, a safe place to stay, logistical support, in addition to clear expectations of the work you will do. This is why we charge a fee for volunteering or interning abroad. 

Your project fee goes towards a company you can trust, an experience that is worthwhile and an opportunity that will make a positive and sustainable impact on the community you have chosen to serve.

 The following apply unless an agent agreement is in place or an invoice is provided containing alternate cancellation terms. 

• If an experience is cancelled by the client: 
  • A standard cancellation fee shall be applied as in (c) below.
  • If a participant is a no show then they are not entitled to a refund. 
  • Each invoice will show cancellation terms relevant to the experience or tour booked. The standard Cancellation fees are: 
    • For cancellations prior to 90 days from arrival, the cancellation fee is the booking deposit; 
    • For cancellations between 89 and 60 days from arrival, the cancellation fee is 40% of the booking amount; 
    • For cancellations between 59 and 31 days from arrival, the cancellation fee is 70% of the booking amount; 
    • For cancellations between 30 and 14 days from arrival, the cancellation fee is 90% of the booking amount; 
    • For cancellations within 14 days from arrival or no-shows, the cancellation fee is 100% of the booking amount. 
• No refunds will be granted if the participant’s expectations of the experience are not met or the participant is required to leave the experience early for personal circumstances.
• If an experience is cancelled by a 3rd party provider (supplier not a booking client) and an alternate experience of a similar nature cannot be arranged: 
  • If an experience is cancelled by a 3rd party prior to arrival the standard cancellation fees will apply. 
  • If an experience is cancelled by a 3rd party once the participant has arrived no refund will be due.
• If an experience is cancelled by All Out Africa and an alternate activity of a similar nature cannot be arranged the following will apply:
  • If the cancellation occurs prior to arrival a full refund will be due. 
  • If the cancellation occurs once the participant has arrived a refund of the cost for the balance of the experience will be due.