Volunteer in South Africa

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It is needless to say that South Africa is a prime destination that offers limitless opportunities for all the volunteer-seeking enthusiasts out there. Would you count yourself as part of this category? Perhaps you’re wanting to find out how volunteering in South Africa could be the right choice for you? Hunting for the perfect internship or volunteer program in South Africa can be made simple with our wide range of inspiring options and destinations. Take a leap of faith, and choose to volunteer in South Africa with African Impact.

South Africa Highlights

There is a reason why so many people come to volunteer in South Africa and why this incredible country is consistently rated as one of the top travel destinations in the world. This part of Africa offers the perfect balance of stunning nature, incredible landmarks, fascinating history, and some of the world’s most exquisite wildlife, and that’s just scratching the surface! In and around Cape Town, you can watch the sunrise from the top of a mountain, spot big cats roaming during the day, and catch an evening wave along the picturesque Cape Peninsula — all in the same day. Or you can see more of South Africa’s rural landscape, in remote areas like the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, that are famous for protecting an extensive amount of Africa’s natural wildlife. President Nelson Mandela proclaimed this country as the ‘Rainbow Nation’ – a country as diverse and colorful as it is exciting and adventurous.

  • Program Variety – Acquire real-life skills that last a lifetime, and choose from a wide range of South African volunteer programs that run throughout the year.
  • Long Term Impact – Volunteer in South Africa and become part of a dedicated group of change makers from around the world, whilst having a great time.
  • Natural Beauty Explore South Africa’s stunning landscapes, colorful cultures, and wealth of wildlife.
  • The Africa Experts – Feel safe knowing you are being guided by the African Impact team throughout your booking process as well as your stay in South Africa.

Browse All Volunteer Projects in South Africa

Whether you want to make a social impact through education, add value to wildlife conservation, or join a wildlife photography course, there are plenty of African Impact programs in South Africa to choose from. Become a volunteer with African Impact at an early childhood development project in Cape Town and share your knowledge with underprivileged children. If your interests lie more with nature or you come from a research background, you can do volunteer work that supports wildlife conservation in the Kruger or marine conservation on the Garden Route. Not to mention, you’ll get to explore this beautiful and diverse country during your free time as a volunteer in South Africa.

Cape Town, South Africa
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Sports Development
Join African Impact and volunteer on a sports coaching project in Zambia! Assist sports coaches in teaching physical education sessions at schools.

$1,850 – $5,150

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Wildlife Conservation
Join African Impact and volunteer on a wildlife conservation project in South Africa! Protect the African big 5 from threats such as poaching and habitat loss.

$3,555 – $8,555

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Wildlife Conservation
Guided and tutored by a professional photographer, gain practical experience in wildlife photography while contributing to the conservation of South Africa’s wildlife.

$5,030 – $9,030

Cape Town, South Africa
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Marine Conservation
Join African Impact and volunteer on a shark conservation project in South Africa! Help preserve the delicate balance of marine ecosystems worldwide.

R20,020 – R92,610

Cape Town, South Africa
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Childcare
As a volunteer on our Early Childhood Development project, you will work in Cape Town’s townships, educating and caring for children.

$1,955 – $5,150

Cape Town, South Africa
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Healthcare
The ideal project for those Pre-Med looking for real life experience. Our Cape Town Medical project is what you are looking for.

$2,450 – $5,150

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Wildlife Photography
Join African Impact and volunteer on a wildlife photography project in South Africa! Document and track some of Africa’s most incredible creatures in the wild.

$7,330 – $9,550

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Animal Care
Join African Impact and volunteer on a wildlife rehabilitation project in South Africa! Care for rescued animals that have been injured, neglected, or lost.

$2,195 – $6,195

Garden Route, South Africa
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Animal Care
Join our Wildlife Veterinary Assistance volunteer project in South Africa, and get hands-on, incomparable experience in all facets of wildlife capture and wildlife veterinary procedures, situated on the beautiful Garden

R64,500

Greater Kruger Area, South Africa
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Wildlife Conservation
Join our research team in the Greater Kruger Area, in South Africa, and gain professional experience in a conservation-driven research initiative and wildlife internship.

$6,855 – $9,075

Important Information About South Africa

Weather & Climate

South Africa’s long coastline – some 2,800 kilometers – influences much of the climate. On the west coast is the cold Atlantic Ocean, and the warmer Indian Ocean on the south and east. Weather in this region of the Southern Hemisphere is climate dependent, which means this country is a perfect climate patchwork of warm coastal subtropics, hot deserts, humid highlands, snow-capped mountains and an enclave of Mediterranean weather in the southwest.

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cape town beach with table mountain in the background

Cape Town

Whilst volunteering in South Africa, you will become familiar with this highly attractive tourist destination as your home base. Situated at the tip of Africa, Cape Town is considered one of the world’s best cities that has an interesting history to explore which will leave you feeling moved and enriched. This part of Africa is one of the most requested volunteer locations and for good reason. It’s not difficult to understand why — with breathtaking landmarks like Lion’s Head and the Cape of Good Hope, and flavorsome cuisine that reflects the city’s rich cultural heritage, bobotie, milk tart or traditional Cape Malay curries, Cape Town is painted with gorgeous displays of nature around every corner. Cape Town has a variety of lively neighborhoods that give the city its iconic charm, you will find yourself venturing into the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap, or trendy beaches like Clifton and St. James beach. Regarded as one of the top travel destinations in the world, there are plenty of reasons to volunteer in Cape Town.

The Greater Kruger Area

When it comes to incredible wildlife encounters in South Africa, the Greater Kruger Area is simply unparalleled. Sharing a fenceless border with the iconic Kruger National Park – often considered one of the best game parks for wildlife viewing in Africa – the Greater Kruger Area is a sprawling expanse of over 20 private game reserves. This exclusive region allows travelers to embark on exhilarating game drives throughout the African bush to experience up-close encounters with some of the area’s most iconic wildlife. Roaming freely from the Kruger National Park, travelers in the Greater Kruger Area can expect to see Africa’s big five – lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo and elephants – among other stunning wildlife, without the crowds that often fill the neighboring national park. Wildlife is just one of the many reasons to volunteer in South Africa.

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Safety & Support

At African Impact, our long-term success depends on working to ensure the safety of our volunteers, staff, local communities, and the public. And with this in mind, we are continually committed to providing high-quality volunteer opportunities in South Africa. We follow the philosophy that a safe and healthy work environment is a fundamental responsibility of ours that is top priority. From the moment you arrive in South Africa to the end of your adventure, we take the utmost care in ensuring your comfort and safety as you carry out volunteer work. Learn more about our health and safety protocols at African Impact. If you have additional questions, you can contact us, and one of our team members will be in touch with you as soon as possible!

South Africa FAQs

Why Choose African Impact in South Africa
South Africa is a country with a rich history and diverse culture, and it is also home to many beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Despite its natural wealth, it is facing many social challenges. There are many communities and areas of society that need help, and volunteering in South Africa can be a great way to make a difference.

If you’re eager to embark on a volunteer adventure with us, consider some of our top volunteer opportunities in South Africa, either in the Greater Kruger Area, where you can volunteer in South Africa with the African Big 5 Wildlife Conservation Project, or by volunteering in an Early Childhood Developing Project in Cape Town. These two locations are some of the best places to volunteer in South Africa.

Yes! There are many organizations that need volunteers in South Africa, and not enough people to fill the roles, which means that there are plenty of opportunities for volunteers of all skill levels. Volunteering in South Africa can make a real difference in the lives of the people living there. You can help to improve the lives of those who are living in poverty, provide education and support to children, and so much more.

South Africa is a safe destination for volunteers. The crime rate is high in some areas, but there are also many safe and welcoming communities. With a little bit of preparation, you can enjoy a safe and rewarding volunteer experience in South Africa, especially with African Impact guiding you along the way. Read our recommended safety tips or get in touch with us directly to ask any safety questions.

At African Impact, our mission is to provide the best international volunteer programs in Africa that create real, sustainable impacts on local communities. While our South Africa volunteer work may be unpaid, we absolutely believe that epic adventures and sustainable impacts go hand-in-hand. We firmly believe in the power of responsible volunteering to positively transform the lives of volunteers and local communities alike. By developing our volunteer projects with local community stakeholders, everything we do is measured, designed, and implemented with the communities’ goals in mind. As a volunteer on one of our projects, your work will not only be a life-changing experience for you, you will also make an actual, sustainable impact locally.

Take a look through all the African Impact volunteer programs in South Africa above. Compare each one and choose a program which most aligns with your interests and goals. There are step-by step instructions to apply to join us on each one of our volunteer program pages.