Volunteers Academy

The Thula Thula Volunteers programme offers both local and international volunteers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get involved in wildlife conservation, reserve management and environmental studies. Thula Thula welcomes you to join a team of highly skilled and knowledgeable guides, reserve managers, and general nature lovers, in our efforts to continually develop a link between people and the wilderness. All proceeds from the Volunteers Academy go to the non-profit South African Conservation Fund to fund Thula Thula’s crucial conservation programmes including habitat expansion, anti-poaching and much else.

Wildlife Conservation

It is imperative that we take proactive measures to conserve and protect wildlife and their natural habitats.

Nature Conservation

Invasive species from all around the world have been introduced to Africa, where the favorable climate enables them to destroy indigenous species.

Community Work

The biggest challenge facing Africa today is education. Education is the key to conservation.

The Thula Thula volunteers Academy is situated adjacent to our Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre, in a secure fenced area, with the most magnificent view over the whole game reserve and Mkhulu Dam, this is one the elephant’s favourite spots and home to our hippo pod. Currently a maximum of 8 volunteers can be accommodated per session, one of the volunteers being from the local community on a complimentary basis. Accommodation has been entirely rebuilt in 8 individual cabins (no tents anymore) very comfortably furnished with queen size beds and a shower en suite.
Our volunteers have been rating it “7 star” volunteer accommodation ! Accommodation and all meals will be provided for you during your stay with us. (You are welcome to bring your own snacks for in-between meals as well as coffee if you prefer filtered or a specific brand. Please also bring your own drinks for sundowners).

Volunteers will be immersed into a 1 to 3-week program of living in the African wilderness, sharing experiences with others, growing their skills, and making a difference to the reserve. The programme will vary slightly throughout the year due to seasonal changes as well as the ever-shifting conservation challenges. Thula Thula offers a well-rounded program aimed at covering both the needs of the reserve, surrounding communities as well as providing a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience for the volunteers.

During your stay with us, volunteers will see themselves as “Assistant Conservation Managers”, as all the work done, and data collected will be utilized by Thula Thula for the ongoing conservation of the reserve.

Volunteer Courses

From 1st To 21st each month.
Check Out 22nd

Game reserve management activities will form a large part of the volunteer program keeping it interesting and will include the following:

Game counts
Sex and age ratio recordings of specific species (like giraffe)
Anti-poaching patrols & workshop
Snare sweeping & snare removal
Fence line patrols and repairs
Important species monitoring (rhinos, birds of prey, leopards, spotted hyenas, etc.)
Alien vegetation control
Soil erosion control
Reserve clean-up operations and litter patrols
Road maintenance and repairing of river crossings
Bush Clearing
Assisting in research projects
Elephant Impact and behaviour monitoring
Veld management
Grass counts and species recording
Basic bush mechanics
Any other conservation management activity that might “pop-up” at the time and for which the reserve would require your assistance.

Thula Thula orientation and history
Camp Fire Stories – History of Thula Thula, history of mankind, history of Kwa Zulu Natal, history of Rhino poaching, history of the Zulu’s, African folk lore, African animals, The African Story of Plants
Mammal talk
Game Drives with focus on mammals, birding, vegetation, animal behaviour, elephants, rhino behaviour, predators.
Birding talk (bird identification, ecology, raptors & research)
Introduction to plants & vegetation
Bush crafts and skills
Basic ecology, symbiosis, and animal behaviour
Introduction to predator conservation, calls & behaviour
Nocturnal animal spotting around the VA
APU workshop and the importance of Anti-Poaching
Journaling – Your Thula Thula experience
Elephant identification, behaviour and monitoring
Indigenous plants and their medicinal uses
Vulture counts, species information, vultures for “muti”
Understanding community, reserve dynamics, community Work
Basics to tracking and signs of the wild
VA chores (firewood collection, gardening, general work, and projects)
Art & Crafts (jam making, making elephant paper, bird feeders, owl boxes etc)
Camera traps & identification
Rhino protection & monitoring
Introduction into alien invasive species and herbicide use
Grass identification and counts
Introduction into Thula Thula’s geology, finding fossils and what they mean
Frogs and their calls
Venomous animals and first aid responses
Work and upkeep at the Thula Thula Wildlife rehabilitation centre
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre basic animal care and feeding

1. Wildlife Monitoring & Observation

Tracking animals: Using GPS or other tools to track the movements of wildlife in their natural habitat – at Thula the priorities are currently the elephant, rhino, cheetah, hyena, servals (until their release in July 2025) and vultures.
Behavioral observation: Watching and recording animal behaviors, such as feeding, mating, and social interactions.
Camera trapping: ONLY WHEN NECESSARY: Setting up and maintaining camera traps to capture photos or videos of wildlife in remote or inaccessible areas example acclimatization boma.

2. Habitat Restoration

Invasive species removal: Eradicating or controlling non-native plant or animal species that threaten the local ecosystem.
Planting native species: Replanting native vegetation to restore damaged or degraded habitats especially in contributing to erosion control where possible.
Erosion control: Implementing methods to reduce soil erosion in wildlife habitats, such as creating barriers or planting ground cover, etc.

3. Wildlife Rehabilitation and Care

Rescuing injured or orphaned animals: Caring for and rehabilitating animals that have been hurt or separated from their families.
Feeding and caring for animals: Preparing food and caring for animals in the rehab centre, helping with health check-ups.
Releasing rehabilitated and acclimatized animals: Assisting with the safe release of rehabilitated/acclimatised animals back into the wild.

4. Research and Data Collection

Surveying animal populations: Counting or estimating the number of animals in a certain area.
Collecting biological samples: Gathering samples like scat, fur, or feathers to help researchers understand animal health and behavior.
Habitat assessment: Evaluating the quality and condition of an animal’s habitat to inform conservation efforts.
Behavioural pattersn and assessment, including health.

5. Education and Outreach

Environmental education: Educating local communities and tourists about wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting natural habitats.
Community engagement: Participating in or organizing workshops, talks, or events to raise awareness about wildlife issues.
School programmes: Helping teach children about wildlife conservation through hands-on activities or presentations.

6. Conservation Efforts

Anti-poaching patrols: Participating in patrols to prevent illegal hunting or trapping of wildlife.
Nest monitoring: Monitoring nesting sites of birds, terrapins or other species to protect eggs or hatchlings.
Endangered species protection: Helping to protect and monitor endangered species in their natural habitats.

7. Ecotourism Assistance

Guiding tours: Leading or assisting with educational ecotourism activities, like safaris, to raise awareness of local wildlife and conservation efforts.
Wildlife photography: Assisting professional wildlife photographers in capturing images for educational purposes and promoting work actioned at the Volunteers Academy.

8. Thula Thula Rehabilitation Centre Support

Cleaning enclosures: Helping to maintain animal enclosures.
Providing enrichment: Creating stimulating environments for captive animals to encourage natural behaviours.
Monitoring animal health: Assisting veterinary staff in tracking the health and well-being of animals in rehabilitation.

9. Monitoring Human-Wildlife Conflicts

Assessing conflict areas: Identifying areas where wildlife and human activities overlap, leading to potential conflicts (e.g., reserve work functions within the reserve – safety of wildlife and humans).
Implementing mitigation strategies: Assisting with efforts to reduce conflicts, such as building barriers, installing warning systems example electric wire around work area and/or lookout guards.

Are You Ready For Your Volunteer Academy Adventure?

Our Special Elephant Family Is Waiting For Your Arrival!

Enquiries & Booking

Please contact us for a booking or if you have an enquiry. One of our consultants will be happy to assist you.

Thula Thula's Commitment To Local Communities

As of the 5th of February 2020 a 1.5% community conservation fee will be charged in support of our local communities. This conservation fee will contribute to uplifting the local communities that surround Thula Thula, and utilized by the Fundimvelo Community Conservation Trust. Thula Thula’s commitment to enhancing the lives of our local communities is an integral part of our dedication to succeed in our conservation efforts.

We thank you for your continued support!

The Francoise and Lawrence Anthony Foundation