Volunteer in South Africa with Volunteering Solutions and choose from the best and highly affordable volunteering opportunities in South Africa's two most enthralling cities - Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Known as the Rainbow Nation, South Africa is a land that has too many surprises for all its visitors - no matter in which part of the country you are, you'll always find the ultimate combo of wildlife, nature, culture, adventure, traditions, and heritage. The volunteering projects in Cape Town include Childcare, Teaching English, Sports Development, and Medical Volunteering Project. Participants who are interested in working with animals can join the Wildlife Reservation Program or the Penguin Rescue Program in Port Elizabeth. For those who have a time crunch, VolSol Team has crafted an exclusive 2 Week Special Volunteer Program, which includes a package of work and travel itinerary.
Gear up for experiencing the wilderness while volunteering in South Africa!
Apply Now- South Africa - Quick Facts
- Start Dates : All Year Round
- Duration : 1-24 Weeks
- Program Locations : Cape Town & Port Elizabeth
- Minimum Age : 17 years+
- Certificate - Offered after Program completion

Program: 2 Weeks Special
This volunteer program in South Africa well exceeded my expectations. The staff were very reliant and enthusiastic. Not only did I enjoy working at my volunteer site, but I also was able to immerse myself with the culture and beauty of South Africa, all in just 2 weeks! My biggest regret is that I could not stay longer. The rewards of this experience are difficult to put into words for others, but easy to reflect upon once you've experienced it for yourself. Nothing compares to waking up every day in a different country and being able to explore all it has to offer, while giving back at the same time.
Projects available in South Africa
Volunteer in sports development program in South Africa, give sports training and life skills to children from undeserved communities studying...
Join the amazing 2 Weeks Special Volunteer Program in South Africa - Cape Town, work at a Childcare/Social Welfare Center, travel around during...
Join the volunteer teaching program in South Africa and help to improve the education levels of the elementary schools of disadvantaged area.
Join childcare volunteer work in South Africa, work for the welfare of the local community and underprivileged children in the country. The...
Volunteering Solutions provides affordable and meaningful opportunities for those who are keen on volunteering with children in the Port Elizabeth...
Be a part of wildlife volunteer program in South Africa, located in Port Elizabeth, get an opportunity to ethically experience African wildlife...
If you have the urge to work with animals & care to protect the penguins in South Africa, then Volunteering Solutions has the perfect program for You.
Volunteer in medical & healthcare program in South Africa, work in local clinics and hospitals in and around Cape Town, assist staff in day-to-day...
Make the most of your free time while volunteering in South Africa. Go for the wildlife safari during the weekends, or spend time relaxing on the beaches of Cape Town. Hike up the Table Mountain for a stunning view from the top. If you an adventure junkie, then you would absolutely love this country. Go for the Bloukrans Bridge Bungee Jumping, which is said to be the highest bungee jumping spot in the world. You can also go for a Shark Cage dive or normal Scuba Diving.
Explore the city of Cape Town, visit the local markets, take a tour of the towns in the outskirts and binge on some local food. We have a 3 Days Big 5 And Bungee Garden Route Tour, which will combine the best of everything - road trip, bungee and of course, wildlife safari. There's the Cape Town to Sedgefield Tour also, which you can opt for. There are so many things to do in South Africa that one may fall short of time. You can seek help from our in-country coordinator, to plan your weekend trips.
Go ahead and choose your weekend tour. In case you have any doubts or wish to customize your trip, simply write to us at [email protected] and we’ll help you plan your weekend!



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A Memorable 3 Day Western Cape Wow
This tour delivers the very best of the region – from Cape Point, Winelands, Whale Coast and to the Tip of Africa; Cape Agulhas.
View DetailsGarden Route and Safari 5 day tour
A favorite among visitors and locals alike, famed Garden Route offers a generous dose of great outdoors, where nature and adventure combine in one...
View DetailsVolunteer in South Africa - Faq's
FAQ's - Port Elizabeth
Flights and Visa
All participants joining the South Africa volunteer projects for more than 90 days, need to apply for volunteer Visa at the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate. Along with the Visa application, you need to attach the required supporting documents. Volunteers are provided with the necessary supporting document for their South African Visa application. More detailed information shall be provided after you become a Volunteering Solutions’ enrolled participant.
South African Airways, Mango Air, and Com Air have flight options to Port Elizabeth.
Health and Safety
If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
In the case of a more serious problem, you will be taken to the closest doctor or medical center. The cost of all doctors’ visit and medication will be from your own account.
Accommodation and Living
Your basic breakfast would consist of cereals, bread, butter, jam, tea, coffee, and cheese, but at times you will be served eggs, sausages or baked beans, and sometimes a combination of the above.
As for lunch and dinner, you have a wide variety ranging from burgers, chicken and chips, vegetarian dishes, potato casserole and so on (you definitely won’t go hungry!).
You are also free to organize your own excursion, but for this again the expenses will have to be covered on your own.
You are also free to stay behind during the weekends to relax and unwind at the reserve.
However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.
Connect with Past Volunteers
To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet a Volunteer page on our website.
FAQ's Application and Program Details
Volunteer must be at least 18-year-old at the time of joining the project.
Volunteer needs to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
The participant must be in good health.
The Wildlife Volunteering Program in South Africa is an exciting opportunity for all wildlife enthusiasts looking to volunteer abroad with animals.
Please make sure you book your flight to arrive before 4 PM at Port Elizabeth, as the pick up won’t be provided after that since scheduled transfers to the reserve from the airport run only at that time.
FAQ's - Cape Town
FAQ's Application and Program Details
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project.
Volunteers joining the medical volunteer project must be either Pre-Medical, Medical or Nursing student or possess other qualifications related to medical and nursing field such as CNA or EMT. Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are also welcome to join the program.
The participants need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
Clean Criminal Background Check Report for participants joining Childcare and Teaching Projects.
The participant must be in good health.
The assigned driver from a backpacker airport pickup service would be waiting for you with a signboard in the arrivals area and you would then be transferred to a hostel accommodation in the city. A brief orientation session takes place on Monday morning.
Volunteers in Cape Town work in the city as well as in many different community suburbs such as Grassy Park, Athlone, Philippi, Mitchells Plain, and Belville. Projects are located close to city center as well as in suburban areas and townships.
Flights and Visa
All participants joining the South Africa volunteer projects for more than 90 days, need to apply for volunteer visa at the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate. Along with the visa application, you need to attach the required supporting documents. Volunteers are provided with the necessary supporting document for their South African visa application. More detailed information shall be provided after you become a Volunteering Solutions’ enrolled participant.
South African Airways, KLM Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, Kenya Airways, Condor Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France and Singapore Airlines are? some of the major airlines that have direct connections to Cape Town.
Health and Safety
If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
Accommodation and Living
Connect with Past Volunteers
To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit ?the Meet a Volunteer page on our website.
FAQs Port Elizabeth [Township & Penguin Rescue]
FAQ's Application and Program Details
- Volunteer must be at least 18-year-old at the time of joining the project.
- Volunteer needs to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
- The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
- The participant must be in good health.
Your airport pickup is included in your fee when arriving on Monday or any other day of the week. If you choose to arrive on a weekend, we will gladly organize a cab to pick you up (or you can take an Uber) to any accommodation of your choice. We will collect you there on Monday morning at 9 AM to start your stay with us.
If you prefer to come to us directly over the weekend, as well as when you depart again, we will charge an extra Weekend Fee of R200 (15 EUR) for your pick up or drop off. An additional R250 (20 EUR) per night for any extra nights outside of your booking dates. Please discuss your personal preference with us to make sure all is prepared for you.
Health and Safety
To be connected in South Africa, we will give you a free local SIM card to use locally and to phone us if you need us. Please make sure your Smartphone is SIM lock free to be able to use this card.
When you stay in South Africa, the odds are that you will have a safe and incident-free volunteering period. However, crime and violence, as well as unexpected difficulties, can happen.
Hoping to help you avoid serious difficulties during your visit to South Africa, you should keep the following in mind:
- Safety on the Street: use the same common sense traveling in South Africa that you would at home.
- Don’t walk around with all your valuables visible.
- Use taxis at night and let somebody always know where you are going.
- Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. When possible, ask directions from individuals in authority.
The Program looks after your safety in multiple ways during your stay:
- We offer safe and well-equipped accommodation. The volunteer house has perimeter walls, burglar bars and a dog on the premises.
- Our coordinators are prepared for your stay and have been instructed to keep you as safe as possible.
- Our Code of Conduct, which will be spoken about and signed has clear do’s and don’ts which we urge volunteers to stick to.
- All activities and visits in the townships are supervised by our coordinators, who will walk with our volunteers and make sure they are safe.
However, while there are risks anywhere you travel, South Africa has a relatively salubrious climate and the levels of hygiene, health care, and water treatment make it a pretty safe destination. Our policy is that we do not allow volunteers to be exposed to any serious health risks. Guarantees are impossible to give but we do believe that we can offer healthy working environments for volunteers, staying within reasonability of risks involved of course
If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
Accommodation and Living
Connect with Past Volunteers
To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet a Volunteer page on our website.
Flights and Visa
All participants joining the South Africa volunteer projects for more than 90 days, need to apply for volunteer Visa at the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate. Along with the Visa application, you need to attach the required supporting documents. Volunteers are provided with the necessary supporting document for their South African Visa application. More detailed information shall be provided after you become a Volunteering Solutions’ enrolled participant.
South African Airways, Mango Air, and Com Air have flight options to Port Elizabeth.
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