THE BIG FIVE

An unforgettable encounter during your volunteer experience in Africa

When we think of Africa, it’s impossible not to imagine those dreamlike landscapes, sunsets that paint the sky red, and wildlife that feels straight out of a documentary. But when you experience it firsthand, you discover the magic is even greater.

For many Cooperating Volunteers participants, one of the most exciting parts of their stay is the possibility of going on safari during their free time—an adventure that fits perfectly with the impact and learning they experience in local programs. And within those safaris, there are some undeniable stars: the Big Five, or Africa’s Five Greats.

Being able to go on safari and see them in their natural habitat is a true spectacle of nature that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

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But… what are the Big Five?

The term Big Five was coined by explorers and safari guides and refers to five of the most emblematic, imposing, and majestic animals on the continent.

  1. The lion

The king of the savannah. Seeing a lion in the wild—whether resting on a rock or watching over its territory—is one of those scenes that stays with you forever. And if you’re lucky, you might see them with their cubs, and we promise you that image is unforgettable.

  1. The African elephant

Giant, intelligent, and deeply social. Watching a herd of elephants in their natural environment is an experience that touches the soul.

  1. The buffalo

Robust, unpredictable, and surprisingly gregarious. Although it may seem discreet, it is one of the most respected animals on the continent.

  1. The leopard

Elegant and elusive. Seeing a leopard is a true privilege, as it often camouflages itself among branches and shadows. Many people have been lucky enough to spot them, and they all say it’s something you never forget.

  1. The rhino

Strength in its purest form. Rhinos are increasingly difficult to see, which makes each sighting especially valuable.

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Safaris near the destinations where we volunteer

Those who choose Africa for their international volunteer experience with Cooperating Volunteers have the opportunity to go on safaris in national parks near their projects. These are some of the top options:

Kenya

  • Tsavo East / Tsavo West National Park
    One of the largest parks in the country, famous for its red elephants and spectacular landscapes.
  • Amboseli National Park
    With breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro and huge elephant herds.
  • Maasai Mara (optional excursion)
    Known for its abundance of wildlife and for being one of the best places in the world to see the Big Five.

 

Uganda

  • Queen Elizabeth National Park
    One of the most diverse, famous for its tree-climbing lions.
  • Murchison Falls National Park
    A safari that combines wildlife with one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the Nile.

 

Tanzania

  • Serengeti National Park
    One of the most iconic destinations in the world, home to the Big Five and the Great Migration.
  • Ngorongoro Crater
    A volcanic caldera full of wildlife, where it’s common to see several of the Big Five in a single visit.
  • Tarangire National Park
    Known for its giant baobabs and large elephant herds.
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A safari that completes your volunteer experience

Living this experience in Africa means connecting with local communities, becoming part of transformative projects, and discovering a culture that welcomes you from day one. And in your free time, a safari becomes the perfect adventure to complement that experience.

It allows you to:

  • Connect deeply with nature
  • Understand the value of conserving African wildlife
  • Enjoy an unforgettable adventure with your teammates, who will now be friends
  • Take home memories that will stay with you forever

 

Much more than a trip: an encounter with the essence of Africa

Participants who return from safari agree on one idea: it’s not just about seeing animals, it’s about feeling the vastness of the savannah, the profound silence, the excitement of an unexpected sighting… and that indescribable sensation of living something truly unique.

If you’re thinking about traveling to Africa, remember that this continent will leave a mark on you not only through its people and its projects but also through magical moments like encountering the Big Five.

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UNIVERSITY PRACTICES

Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?

At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…

The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.

If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.

Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.

And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.

You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.

If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality. 

CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING

Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.

It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity. 

Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.

Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.

We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.

We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.

The advantages of corporate volunteering include:

  • Improving communication.
  • Group unity.
  • Cultural integration in different situations.
  • Employee training.
  • Increased Corporate Social Responsibility.

The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.

If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. 

Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.

Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.

Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.

There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.

Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.

An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.

And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.

SENIOR VOLUNTEERING

At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.

There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.

Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.

We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.

It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.

Some of the benefits include:

  • Sense of purpose: Provides a sense of purpose by contributing your skills and experiences to meaningful causes.
  • Emotional well-being: Reduces feelings of isolation and establishes social connections.
  • Personal development: It’s continuous learning, skill development, and discovering new activities while keeping the mind-body active.
  • Physical health: Keeping active.
  • Stress reduction: The act of helping others reduces stress and contributes to mental health.

Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after. 

SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING

A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.

When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.

Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.

Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.

At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…

And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.

If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.