Volunteer in South Africa

All travelers coming to South Africa need to have a valid visa.The citizens from most of the European (including UK & Ireland), African and South American countries as well as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do NOT need to obtain a visa beforehand and can stay in the country for a period of up to 90 days. However, you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months period.

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.

There are not many direct international flights to Port Elizabeth - you will probably need to fly to Cape Town or Johannesburg and then take a connecting flight to Port Elizabeth. 
South African Airways, Mango Air, and Com Air have flight options to Port Elizabeth. 

Like in any new country, you need to take general precautions for safety. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by the local coordinator team during the orientation as well as in your Pre-departure handbook after you become an enrolled participant.

All participants are recommended to consult their physician or travel doctor before traveling to South Africa. To view the general list of vaccinations recommended for your travel to South Africa, click here.

Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions.  To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.

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.

A well equipped first aid box is available at the Reserve and can be accessed by the Lodge Team Leader or the Reserve Team Leader. They do have trained staff on site to see to minor injuries and bruises.

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.

Your accommodation will be close to the project location. Your program coordinator or a member of the local coordinating team will introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation.You will be told about the directions to the project from your accommodation and the mode of transport which you can use.

You will be housed in the dorms at the Reserve. The dorms are gender based, which means, men and women have separate dorms. In case the volunteers want to stay as a couple, it can be arranged at an extra cost and also depends on the availability of rooms unless arrangements were made prior to arrival. You are more than welcome to socialize in the common area such as the entertainment area, lounge, TV area etc. Laundry services are provided two days in a week. Internet service is also available with the accommodations.
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!). 

Yes, however, you must inform us in advance and also mention about any dietary requirement in your application form. 

On weekends, you will be sent out for excursions which will come for an extra cost. The excursions will either be to Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Jeffrey’s Bay, or any other nearby destination. On these excursions, please note that the reserve will only provide you with accommodation and transport to and from your destination. Accommodation will be in dorms and if you would like an upgrade, you are welcome to do so but you will have to bear the expenses.

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. 

Volunteers usually work from 07:30 hrs and finish at 16:30 hrs. The activities of the day will be divided into three slots - 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM.

However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions. 

We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions South Africa program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet a Volunteer page on our website.

It is advised to apply for the projects once the volunteering/ traveling dates are decided as there are limited spots available. Our service is based on first come first serve basis. As soon as you decide the travel dates, we suggest you apply for the program and hold your spot. 

Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and the booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’ and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc.).

Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Port Elizabeth, South Africa volunteer projects:
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.

Yes, you are welcome to take part in South Africa Volunteer Program as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in the South Africa programs. Volunteering Solutions has hosted student groups as well as families coming to volunteer in the program.

The Wildlife Project is situated only 85 km from Port Elizabeth towards Grahamstown.The reserve is on 6000 hectares of land which is filled with a variety of game, bird life and wild animals including the BIG 5. In addition to the mixture of grasslands, subtropical vegetation, it also has naturally formed pockets of water, amazing rock formations, and splendid fauna. 

The Wildlife Volunteering Program in South Africa is an exciting opportunity for all wildlife enthusiasts looking to volunteer abroad with animals.

Yes, most definitely you can, as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.

Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The Certificate is provided on request.

Volunteers working in the Wildlife Reserve Project are picked up by our local representative from Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ). The volunteering project in Port Elizabeth begins on every Monday, all volunteers need to arrive in Port Elizabeth on the program starting date, which is Monday, before 4 PM. 
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.

It is advised to apply for the projects once the volunteering/ traveling dates are decided as there are limited spots available. We majorly follow the first come first serve policy. As soon as you decide the travel dates, we suggest you apply for the program and hold your spot. 

Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and the booking confirmation will be updated in your My Account and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc.).

Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Cape Town, South Africa volunteer projects:
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.

Yes, you are welcome to take part in South Africa Volunteer Program as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in the volunteering programs. Volunteering Solutions has hosted large student groups as well as families coming to volunteer in the program. We have hosted groups from universities in the UK, the USA as well as other countries.

Yes, most definitely you can as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.

Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The Certificate is provided on request.

All volunteers need to arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) on the program starting date i.e Sunday.

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.

The projects are placed in and around Cape Town. The city is located with one of the most stunning backdrops of Table Mountain and offers beautiful beach locations and countryside. Cape Town is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa and is also very cosmopolitan with people of different religions, race, and beliefs living together in the city.

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. 

Volunteers usually work for 4 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekends off to travel. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions. 

All travelers traveling to South Africa should have a valid visa.The citizens from most of the European (including the UK & Ireland), African and South American countries as well as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do NOT need to obtain a Visa beforehand and can stay in the country for a period up to 90 days. However, you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months period.

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.

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is very well connected and has direct flight connections from European, Middle East, African and some Asian destinations.
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.

Cape Town is a safe city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. It has been rated as one of the best places to visit in the world by New York Times in 2014 and receives millions of tourists every year. As in any major metropolis around the world, you need to take general precautions for safety. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by the local coordinator team during the orientation as well as in your Pre-departure handbook after you become an enrolled participant. 

All participants are recommended to consult their physician or travel doctor before traveling to South Africa. To view the general list of vaccinations recommended for your travel to South Africa, click here.

Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions.  To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider. 

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.

Your program coordinator or a member of the local coordinating team will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc. You will be told about the directions to the project from your accommodation and the mode of transport which you can use. Most preferred mode of transport within the town is the Public Bus, taxis. The coordinator will be happy to guide you regarding anything that you need to know.

Volunteers in Cape Town are provided accommodation in a volunteer house/ hostel or in homestays in suburbs and communities. The volunteer house/ hostel is centrally located, close to the city center as well as to many cafes, restaurants, and delis. Living in the volunteer hostel is a great opportunity to meet other like-minded volunteers from around the world. 

Volunteers staying at the hostel accommodation are provided with self-service breakfast at the hostel on weekdays (Monday – Friday).Supplies such as cereals,eggs,bread with various toppings, coffee/tea, selection of fruits are provided.Lunch, dinner and weekend meals are not included but can be eaten out at any of the affordable eateries or ordered to home as well. Volunteers can also purchase supplies locally and prepare meals in the house kitchen.

For those staying in a host family, you will be provided 3 meals a day, prepared by your host. Breakfast before your project, a packed lunch to take with you and a delicious home cooked meal for dinner.

While staying with a host family during volunteering in South Africa, you will live in one of the local communities of Cape Town. There you will experience life in a typical South African family, which will be a great cultural experience. You will be provided 3 meals a day, prepared by your host – Breakfast before your project, a packed lunch to take with you and a delicious home cooked meal for dinner.

Unfortunately the entire volunteering experience is as much about volunteering on your project, as it is about cross-cultural exchange and community building. A lot of that happens through the housing that we have set up by being with like-minded people. Additionally, for safety reasons all volunteers must live in the allotted accommodation.

Yes, however, you must inform us in advance and also mention about any dietary requirement in your application form. 

Depending on your project placement, you will get evenings and the weekends free,  to travel and explore the places. In the evenings, volunteers usually get together and go out for social gatherings, eat out or just relax at the volunteer house. Weekends are free and you can go for short weekend trips.There is a lot to do in Cape Town and you will never experience a dull moment in the city. You can explore the city and go to different places such as Bo-Kaap, Robben Island, climb the Table Mountain or just relax at one of the beautiful beaches in the city. You can also take the Western Cape tour and explore the beautiful wine lands. Get in touch with the country coordinator and know more about the places you can travel to. 

Your program fee does not cover your personal expenses. You will need to provide for yourself your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, shopping, sightseeing etc. However, you should carry around $70-$80 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you choose to go on weekend trips out of town.

On arrival, you can change your foreign currency into South African Rands (ZAR) from the Cape Town International Airport.  South Africa has a modern banking system and there is an abundance of ATMs and foreign exchange outlets in the city.  

We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions South Africa program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit ?the Meet a Volunteer page on our website. 

It is advised to apply for the projects once the volunteering/ traveling dates are decided as there are limited spots available. Our service is based on first come first serve basis. As soon as you decide the travel dates, we suggest you apply for the program and hold your spot.

Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and the booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’ and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc.).

Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Port Elizabeth, South Africa volunteer projects:

• 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.

Yes, you are welcome to take part in the Volunteer Programs as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in the Port Elizabeth programs. Volunteering Solutions has hosted student groups as well as families coming to volunteer in the program.

It is important to prepare yourself and obtain local knowledge about the country you are about to visit. Once you apply for the program, we shall provide you with the pre-departure guidebook that has all the detailed information about the lifestyle and living in South Africa. Life in this country is a little different from anywhere else in the world, and you need to adapt their ways to immerse yourself fully. Apparently, the locals might appear to be lazy, always late, talking loudly, chaotic and a little hot-headed - but once you start spending time with them, you'll realize how good at heart they are! 

Yes, most definitely you can, as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable. No matter whether you choose the Township Volunteering Program or the Penguin Rescue Center Program, you’ll have an incredible experience with us.

Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The Certificate is provided on request.

Volunteers need to arrive at Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) from where you'll be picked up by our local coordinator and transferred to the volunteer house.

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.

Like in any new country, you need to take general precautions for safety. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by the local coordinator team during the orientation as well as in your Pre-departure handbook after you become an enrolled participant.

As we offer free WIFI, you will be able to Skype, use Facebook or other forms of social media to stay in touch with the family and friends back home. 
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. 

Safety is an issue that is paramount in the minds of volunteers visiting South Africa. Safety is important to us and by following just a few guidelines your safety in South Africa can be increased incredibly. Although South Africa is in many aspects a developed country, much of its population, particularly in rural areas, live in great poverty. 

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.

Port Elizabeth is a malaria free area; in fact, we have very little mosquitoes at all. It is best to contact your local physician before you leave your country to check what vaccinations they advise you to have. Rabies is NOT common here and no real risk, so no need for that.
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

Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions.  To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.

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.

Your fees will cover most of your expenses but if you like to enjoy a beer or soda, want to buy some souvenirs or fancy a nice dinner eating out, we advise you to bring some extra money. Basically, keep the money for your personal expenses and trips that you would wish to take.

Bring clothing for a variety of weather conditions. Even though it is Africa, it is not always hot and especially in winter, the nights can be cold. So bring a wind jacket and some long trousers, a hat is always handy on sunny days and good shoes for weekend outings.

We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions South Africa program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet a Volunteer page on our website.

All travelers coming to South Africa need to have a valid visa.The citizens from most of the European (including UK & Ireland), African and South American countries as well as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do NOT need to obtain a visa beforehand and can stay in the country for a period of up to 90 days. However, you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months period.

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.

There are not many direct international flights to Port Elizabeth - you will probably need to fly to Cape Town or Johannesburg and then take a connecting flight to Port Elizabeth. 
South African Airways, Mango Air, and Com Air have flight options to Port Elizabeth.