With a deforestation rate twice that of the rest of the world, Africa has become overly dependent on a number of tree species. However, Ghana’s national parks and reserves are helping to halt this dangerous trend. Join the uVolunteer National Parks and Reserves Project to do your part for the environment in Ghana while experiencing the country’s tropical ecosystems and wildlife.
Choose from three locations (Kakum National Park, Shai Hills Resource Reserve or Mole National Park) where you can make a vital contribution to environmental preservation in Ghana. You will help by maintaining the grounds, clearing trails and assisting with land stewardship projects, as well as directing park visitors and raising awareness of environmental issues.
Volunteers also work behind the scenes within the administrative side of park management and contribute to research and documentation.
Download our information brochure to find out more about volunteering at national parks and reserves in Ghana.
As a national parks and reserves volunteer in Ghana, you’ll help lower dangerous deforestation rates and protect the biodiversity within Ghana’s national parks and reserves. Volunteers provide hands-on assistance clearing trails, renovating and constructing facilities and contributing to land stewardship projects, while also helping with administrative duties and research.
Media-inclined volunteers may also get involved with park projects related to video creation, photography and graphic arts.
National parks and reserves volunteers typically work five days per week, from Monday to Friday. Working hours are from 8am until 3pm. However, schedules and exact duties may vary depending on the park you’re based at, your qualifications, and the time and duration of your stay.
National parks and reserves volunteers are placed with a host family living either in the park or in a nearby village.
The projects are open year round.
Without a doubt! The activities carried out in the park varied from day to day. Some days I was busy, others not so much. The park has a camping site with tents that needed to be cleaned or repaired. That's something I spent a couple of days working on.
Floren Garcia, Read Floren's Testimonial
It did not take long before we thought of them as friends rather than hosts. As for volunteer work, we did an odd sort of tasks in Kakum National Park ranging from tourism to cleaning up the canopy platform area.
Bianca Ryseck, Read Bianca's Testimonial
My personal favorite was foofoo and light soup.We spent the first few days getting oriented and introduced to the park staff and familiarizing ourselves with the park itself. Some of the activities we took part in were cleaning up parts of the park, gardening and giving suggestions on how to improve aspects of the park.
Shinno Seto, Read Shinno's Testimonial
My main goal was to find an opportunity to travel abroad with my nephew, Tate, that would provide him with his first meaningful exposure to a culture outside the USA. While I let Tate choose the country, my requirements were that the trip have both strong service and educational components. After researching online over a period of weeks, it became apparent that uVolunteer fit the bill nicely.
Jeff Coffey, Read Jeff's Testimonial
I had heard that Ghanaians were known for being friendly and I wouldn't even have to wait for my plane to take off to find out this was true as my fellow passengers didn't miss a beat striking up conversations with me. From that moment I knew I was going to enjoy my time abroad.
Michael Kurtenbach, Read Michael's Testimonial
I did as many safaris as possible, which is a great chance as you get to see all animals' antelopes, monkeys and especially the elephants. I was lucky to do a Bird watching Safari as well with the best bird seeker in Ghana Zackaria Ware. Everybody was extra nice with me and I very quickly found my place.
Therese Beraud, Read Therese's Testimonial
My host mom showed me how to cook some local dishes, which she did by hand (she even had to make the fire every day!), how to wash clothes, and how to act like a Ghanaian (you're not a true Ghanaian lady if you don't wear earrings!).
Megan Holton, Read Megan's Testimonial
If you are interested in joining the program in Ghana, you should download and read our destination guide.