K9 Conservation Intern
Based in the heart of Hoedspruit, South Africa, Luna Hounds offers a unique and rewarding opportunity for passionate individuals to get involved in wildlife conservation through our specialized K9 Volunteer Program. As a volunteer, you’ll work hands-on with our skilled team and dedicated hounds, helping train and care for anti-poaching dogs that play a vital role in protecting endangered wildlife. Whether you're passionate about animals, conservation, or adventure, this is your chance to make a real impact on the front lines of anti-poaching efforts. Join us in supporting our four-legged heroes and preserving Africa’s natural heritage.
Live Big 5
Volunteering with Luna Hounds means living and working in one of South Africa’s most iconic wilderness areas—home to the Big 5: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Nestled near the Kruger National Park, our location offers a truly immersive bush experience where wildlife is part of your daily surroundings. You’ll stay in comfortable, rustic accommodations with all the essentials, surrounded by nature and the sounds of the African bush. While the work is hands-on and physically rewarding, your downtime includes campfires under the stars, game drives, and the chance to witness incredible wildlife in their natural habitat. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect deeply with conservation and the wild places you’re helping to protect.
Howl with the Hounds
As a volunteer, you’ll become an integral part of the Luna Hounds team, working closely with our pack of highly trained scent hounds and anti-poaching dogs. Your daily tasks will include feeding, grooming, and exercising the dogs, as well as assisting with tracking drills, obedience training, and enrichment activities to keep the dogs physically fit and mentally sharp.
You’ll learn how these remarkable dogs are trained to follow human scent trails, detect illegal activity, and support rangers in the field. Under the guidance of experienced handlers, you’ll gain hands-on skills in dog handling and care, while playing a direct role in preparing our K9s for the vital work of protecting endangered wildlife. Whether in training sessions or on simulated tracking exercises in the bush, every moment spent with the hounds is a chance to learn, grow, and contribute to a greater cause.
Our volunteer program is the perfect introduction to working with anti-poaching hounds and experiencing life in the South African bush. Designed for adventure-seekers, animal lovers, and conservation enthusiasts, this immersive experience offers hands-on involvement in the training, care, and daily routines of our hardworking K9s.
Over the course of the program, you will:
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Learn the basics of scent tracking and how we train our hounds to follow poachers' trails
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Assist with feeding, grooming, exercise, and kennel maintenance
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Participate in simulated tracking missions and bush walks
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Gain insights into wildlife conservation and the role of dogs in anti-poaching
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Options to complete various courses.
No prior experience with dogs or conservation is required. Only an absolute love for animals and wildlife is a non-negotiable, a good level of fitness, a passion for nature, and a willingness to get involved.