Volunteer in South Africa

Volunteering in South Africa is extremely popular and it's one of the best destinations to travel and work for a meaningful cause. You can choose from various volunteering opportunities, ranging from wildlife conservation programs to childcare and teaching programs in South Africa. Our program advisors are there to guide you in the process and help you make a difference.

If you’re still wondering how to volunteer in South Africa, start choosing a program. As mentioned above, Volunteering Solutions has a wide range of opportunities, and you can choose the one that aligns with your interests and preferences.

Volunteers keen on working with children can take up the teaching program in South Africa and spend time helping the kids learn subjects like English and Maths, apart from History, Geography, Science, etc. You can also take up extra-curricular activities like sports, music, and arts, which can help the children's overall development.

Speaking of sports, physical education is something that's immensely important and impacts the well-being of young adults. No wonder, our sports coaching program in Cape Town is always in high demand, and volunteers have been able to make a great impact in teaching sports like basketball and soccer. 

For medical and nursing students looking for a mission trip abroad, healthcare volunteering in South Africa would be extremely beneficial. It’ll not only give you a chance to get hands-on work experience but also help you to understand the healthcare scenario of South Africa.

One can never deny the beauty of the African wilderness! South Africa is the perfect place to see the Big 5 in their natural habitat. Despite its rich biodiversity, South Africa's flora and fauna are under serious threat from global warming and climate change. If you're passionate about protecting wildlife and want to get involved in environmental conservation, we offer exciting programs like penguin rescue and wildlife rehabilitation. 

Volunteering Solutions offers a wide range of programs in over 25 destinations worldwide. In the last 17 years, we have placed over 21,000 international volunteers across various projects and internships, helping them grow personally and professionally while making a difference to the world at large.

As a developing nation, South Africa has a huge section of underprivileged people, and being a volunteer, you can meaningfully contribute to their lives. Not only that, but environment and wildlife conservation are also important causes that require attention. 

We work in association with local NGOs, schools, hospitals, orphanages, wildlife rescue centers, and other social welfare organizations in South Africa. 

We have a dedicated team that ensures that volunteers have a smooth and memorable experience, learning from their peers along the way. From the moment you inquire, through the process of clearing doubts, filling out the application, making payments, accessing the Pre-Departure Guidebook, and reaching the volunteering location followed by Program Orientation – our team supports you every step of the way. We have in-country coordinators and representatives to assist you at the project sites.

Additionally, Volunteering Solutions offers various support services, including:

• Medical and travel insurance at a nominal extra cost
• Fundraising assistance for volunteers facing financial challenges
• Weekend excursions and safaris in South Africa
• Local transportation and airport drop-offs for a minimal extra cost

Upon completing your project, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, which will significantly enhance your career prospects. This experience will boost your CV/resume and expand your social network. It’s a journey you’ll cherish forever.

Volunteering programs in South Africa are available in two locations.

Cape Town - In Cape Town, you’ll be mostly working in the underprivileged localities and the outskirts of the city, around the slum regions. Depending on the program you choose, you’ll be working in community schools and childcare centers, or public healthcare clinics which are mostly understaffed.

Port Elizabeth - In Port Elizabeth, we have the Wildlife Volunteer Program and Penguin Rescue Program, where you’ll get to work with professional conservationists. Unlike the bigger cities, Port Elizabeth will give you ample scope to unwind amidst nature.

We have six different volunteer programs in Cape Town, including:

• Sports Coaching Program
• Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Project
• Childcare & Social Welfare Program
• Teaching Program
• Medical Volunteer Program
• Short-Term Volunteering Program. If you have just two weeks in hand and wish to travel and volunteer, then the Short-Term Volunteering Program would be perfect for you

In Port Elizabeth, there are three interesting programs including:

• Wildlife Volunteer Program
• Penguin Rescue Program
• Township Volunteer Project

No matter which program you choose to be a part of, you’ll definitely have an enriching experience.

To become a volunteer in South Africa, you need to be:

- At least 17 years or older at the time of joining the project.

- Have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

- Should also be proactive and can take the initiative.

- Should be open to learning, and be friendly with everyone.

Apart from that, a Criminal Background Check Report is essential for volunteers who are joining Childcare, Township Development, Sports Coaching, or Teaching programs. And you should be empathic towards the animals if you want to volunteer for wildlife conservation programs.

For pre-med, medical, and nursing students, a medical mission trip to South Africa will be an incredible chance to learn about the healthcare system in the developing nations as well as, gain hands-on work experience.

Here are the things that you’ll be doing as a part of the Medical Mission Trip:

• Assist/shadow professional doctors and nurses in a clinic or hospital, and follow the procedures closely.
• Work in different departments such as Gynecology, Operation Theater for surgeries, General Medicine, Physiotherapy department, First Aid department, etc.
• In some of the healthcare centers, counseling services are also offered, where you can work alongside professional counselors and doctors, gaining valuable international work experience.
• Organize HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, as well as make people aware of childcare and healthy living.

The minimum cost to volunteer for a week in South Africa is as low as 375 USD. This cost would include the following: 

• Comprehensive pre-departure information
• Airport pickup from Cape Town International Airport
• Program Orientation
• Accommodation in a volunteer house or with a host family and meals
• Travel and medical insurance (available at an extra cost)
• 24-hour assistance and support from staff
• Certificate of Completion 

There's nothing as a free lunch in this world! Hence, to volunteer in South Africa, you are required to pay a minimal amount that also covers your airport pickup, accommodation, a 'Welcome Pack' with the information guide, free SIM card, maps, etc. Other than that, you'll also be provided with meals, pick up and drop from the project site to your accommodation, and most importantly, there will be 24*7 in-country support.

South Africa is a safe country in general, but like in any new country, you must take general safety precautions. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by the local coordinator team during the orientation and in your Pre-departure handbook after you become an enrolled participant.

Here are some basic things that you must follow to ensure your safety:

• Make sure not to step out late at night. In case you have any late-night plans, you can ask other volunteers to join you and also, keep the program coordinator updated about the plans.
• South Africa is quite progressive in general, however, we would suggest you dress moderately, especially while volunteering.
• Be careful of all your belongings. Keep your passport, phone, and other valuables under check.
• If you are carrying gadgets like a camera, then make sure to always be aware of it. Don’t leave it on the public transport seats or anywhere else.

Our safety largely depends on how we manage ourselves, hence you must be aware of what to do and what not to do while in South Africa.

The best time to volunteer in South Africa would be during Summer Break, Winter Break, and Alternate Spring Break, but our programs are available throughout the year, and you can choose the time according to your preference. Programs are available for a minimum duration of 1 week to a maximum of 6 months.

Other than that, November to March is a very good time to visit South Africa, as the weather is amazing and the chances of spotting wildlife are also higher.

All volunteers traveling to South Africa must have a valid visa. However, citizens from most European countries (including the UK and Ireland), as well as those from African and South American countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, do not need to obtain a visa beforehand and can stay for up to 90 days. It is essential to have a passport valid for at least six months.

Participants joining any volunteer projects in South Africa for more than 90 days must apply for a volunteer visa at the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate. Along with the visa application, you will need to submit the required supporting documents.

Volunteers will be provided with the necessary supporting documents for their South African visa application. More detailed information will be given once you become an enrolled participant with Volunteering Solutions.

You can check out more details here.

Anyone who is compassionate to contribute towards a meaningful change, and enthusiastic enough to travel abroad on a mission trip and work for others, can volunteer in South Africa. Our programs are available for everyone - high school and college students, gap year travelers, people on a career break, group volunteers, family volunteers, solo travelers as well as couples who wish to travel meaningfully.

You can easily apply to volunteer in South Africa and be a part of our mission trips by following a few simple steps. Once you have decided which program you wish to join, and in which destination, you can go ahead and fill out the application form here.

You will receive a welcome email from the team, acknowledging your application. We will then send your Booking Confirmation in 7-10 working days. Once you receive your Booking Confirmation you can log into your account to view your trip details and make your final payments.

If you can’t decide which program to join, or where to travel, you can always write to us at [email protected] - and our Program Advisors will assist you.

You can join the 2-week special volunteer and travel program in South Africa which is essentially curated for those who have less time yet want to volunteer for a meaningful cause. Apart from that, all other programs in South Africa are available for a minimum of one or two weeks, hence you can always opt for short-term volunteering in South Africa.

Definitely, we offer long-term volunteering opportunities in South Africa. We believe the more time you spend at a project site, the bigger impact you can make. You can volunteer in South Africa for 6 months (24 weeks) and in case you wish to stay for longer, you can directly speak to our Program Advisors.

Of course, when you are traveling to a new country, it’s obvious that you’d want to explore and experience, making the most of your journey. As a volunteer in South Africa, you’ll be most working from Monday to Friday, and have time to travel over the weekends.

Even on weekdays, you can go out for dinner or hop around the local markets in the evening. Trust me when I say this, you’ll have a lot to see and do in South Africa, so it’ll be good if you can make your bucket list beforehand.

Here’s a list of things to do and places to visit during your volunteer trip to South Africa:

• Plan a weekend trip to Kruger National Park for the ultimate wildlife safari experience and get to spot the African Big 5 amidst the wilderness. Opt to stay for a night in the camp and gaze at the starlit sky for an even more thrilling experience.
• Go on a long drive on the Garden Route with your fellow volunteers, and you’ll be mesmerized by the scenic drive! Stop at the Garden Route National Park on the way, to soak in its beauty.
• Visit the Cape of Good Hope - a rocky headland that's on the coast of the Cape Peninsula and is known as one of the great capes of the South Atlantic Ocean.

If you wish to stay in Cape Town, there’s a lot you can do there as well:

• Visit Table Mountain: Take a cable car or hike up Table Mountain for amazing views of Cape Town. It's perfect for stunning photos!
• Go Shark Cage Diving: It’s a must if you are craving for some adrenaline rush! Try shark cage diving in Cape Town for an exciting adventure. You'll see many types of sharks up close.
• Walk around the museums in Cape Town: Visit Cape Town's museums to learn about South Africa's history. District 6 Museum is one that we would definitely recommend.
• Spend a day with the African Penguins: Walk along Boulders Beach to see the cute African penguins. We assure you that you’ll fall in love with them!
• Visit the famous Robben Island: Take a day trip to Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a prison for political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela.
• Go for Wine Tasting in Helderberg: South Africa is known for its wines, and you have to go on a wine-tasting tour in Helderberg, a major wine-producing area.
• Take the City Sightseeing Bus: Use the 'Hop On Hop Off' City Sightseeing Bus to explore Cape Town's main attractions in a fun way.
• Soak in the sun and take surfing lessons: Learn to surf at Cape Town's best beaches like Clifton Beach, Muizenberg Beach, and Camps Bay Beach.

These are just a few things, but there’s a lot more that you can enjoy during your volunteer vacation in South Africa. You can ask our country coordinator, and he’ll be able to suggest you more fun things to do.