Volunteer in Zambia

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If you’re thinking about volunteering in Africa, you should definitely check out our volunteer opportunities in Zambia! Our volunteer programs cover a wide range of focus areas and interests, including female empowerment, education, conservation, and community development. As a volunteer in Zambia, you can work at primary schools, teach sports to talented kids, implement sustainable building initiatives, or promote gender equality in local communities. Whatever you choose, you’ll be living and working in a welcoming community, doing meaningful work, and surrounded by the natural beauty of Zambia, including the majestic Victoria Falls!

Zambia Highlights

What is Zambia famous for? Many things, a long list in fact, but there are two interesting facts about Zambia that you may not have heard of before. One third of the country is made up of national parks and it’s home to the co-shared Victoria Falls (or Mosi-oa-Tunya in the Kololo and Lozi languages), which borders Zimbabwe and holds everything that there is to love about raw and untamed Africa. This unique, landlocked African country is big, bold, and full of incredible wildlife, making it a fantastic place to volunteer.

  • Wide Variety —  Choose from a wide range of social impact and environmental volunteer programs in Zambia.
  • High Impact — Become part of the African Impact team and make an impact as a volunteer while you connect with a group of like-minded and passionate change-makers.
  • Cultural Immersion — Spend time in Livingstone on the banks of the Zambezi River in a welcoming Zambian community.
  • Weekend Adventures — Enjoy incredible weekend activities while volunteering in Zambia, such as safaris, boat trips on the Zambezi, and visits to the Victoria Falls.

Browse All Volunteer Projects in Zambia

If you want to volunteer in Zambia, take a browse through our programs that span from Medical Volunteering to Teaching to Environmental Sustainability, and more. Visit our individual volunteer project pages below to explore all the unique volunteer opportunities in Zambia we have created to provide life-changing impacts on local communities and find out how you can make an impact as an African Impact volunteer!

Livingstone, Zambia
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Healthcare
Join African Impact and volunteer on a public healthcare program in Zambia! Support remote rural areas in Zambia by providing important healthcare services.

$1,955 – $5,150

Livingstone, Zambia
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Teaching
One of African Impact’s first ever volunteer projects which we began in 2006 was our teaching volunteer program in Livingstone, Zambia.

$1,955 – $5,150

Livingstone, Zambia
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Gender Equality
Through our initiative in Livingstone, Zambia, The Girl Impact, you’ll support, educate, and encourage adolescent girls as they become empowered young women in their community.

$1,955 – $5,150

Livingstone, Zambia
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Environmental Sustainability
Join African Impact and volunteer on a plastic waste reduction project in Zambia! Help support the fight against plastic pollution in local communities.

$1,955 – $5,150

Livingstone, Zambia
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Teaching
Come and join our Christmas & Community volunteering in Livingstone, Zambia and impact lives over the festive season.

$1,955 – $5,150

Livingstone, Zambia
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Sports Development
Put your passion for sports, fitness, wellness, and nutrition to great use as you educate and train school students in the villages of Livingstone, Zambia.

$1,995 – $5,150

Livingstone, Zambia
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Gender Equality
Join our experienced and hardworking team in Zambia who are dedicated to improving gender equality and promoting female empowerment.

$3,050 – $5,730

Livingstone, Zambia
Specific Start Dates
Impact: NGO & Charity
A NGO Internship with the African Impact Foundation allows you to gain practical experience in NGO and Charity operations and development

$1,729 – $3,645

Livingstone, Zambia
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Healthcare
Public Health internship program in Zambia is designed to improve access to, as well as the quality of healthcare available to communities
Livingstone, Zambia 
Specific Start Dates
Impact: Teaching
Finish off your TEFL course with our practical teaching internship in Zambia and complete your hours required today

$2,690 – $5,690

Important Information About Zambia

Safety & Support

African Impact’s goal in each location we offer programs is to provide consistent, high quality safety measures and support to every volunteer. Since 2004, our long-term success has relied on ensuring the safety of our volunteers in Zambia, our staff, local communities, and the public. We follow this philosophy as a fundamental responsibility as a volunteer organization in Africa. From the moment you arrive in Zambia 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, or contact us with your concerns and one of our team members will be in touch with you as soon as possible!

village tour in zambia
a volunteer holding up some local delicacies in a zambian village

Weather & Climate

Zambia is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, to the east of Angola. There are two main climate seasons that affect the weather in Zambia, the rainy season (November to April), which is equivalent to summer, and the dry season (May or June to October or November), which corresponds to winter. The dry season is subdivided into the cool dry season (May/June to August) and the hot dry season (September to October/November).

Livingstone

Often considered Africa’s adventure capital, Livingstone is a community filled with kind locals, unique cultural activities, and endless opportunities for bucket-list experiences. Located less than 8 kilometers from the world-renowned Victoria Falls, Livingstone regularly welcomes backpackers of all backgrounds, drawn to the exciting adventures to be had in the areas surrounding this beautiful town. Leap off the famous Victoria Falls bungee jump, white-water raft down the powering Zambezi River, or take a helicopter tour to see Livingstone at new heights. If you want to volunteer in Zambia, Livingstone is the place where your travel adventures will truly never end!

volunteers exploring a local village in zambia

Zambia FAQs

Why Choose African Impact in Zambia

Volunteering in Zambia is a decision of a life-time, and that’s meant to be explored. As an African-based company, with more than 18 years in the game, we know first hand the incredible adventures that exist in Zambia. Our philosophy is that responsible volunteering is the game-changer when it comes to African travel adventures. We are passionate about immersing our eager volunteers into the heart of some of Africa’s most incredible natural environments and communities, and this includes our volunteer programs Zambia.

At African Impact, we primarily work in one extraordinary community in Zambia: Livingstone. Rich in culture, wildlife, and some of Africa’s most iconic natural landmarks, Zambia’s beauty is simply unmatched. Filled with incredible communities, volunteering in Zambia is an opportunity to experience genuine, authentic African travel while making a real impact.

While establishing itself as the backpacking hub of Zambia, the Livingstone community honors its culture in beautiful ways. Zambian culture celebrates a distinctive blend of traditional and modern customs, making for some truly unique forms of art, music and food. Visit a local restaurant to try Mikopo, a roasted meat dish commonly found at bars and served with chili, onions and veg. Journey through local markets to see beautiful pieces of pottery, art, and basketry, and support local businesses by filling your suitcase with some life-long souvenirs! Or, snack on some Vitumbuwa – a fried dough dish that makes a delicious afternoon snack – before visiting the Livingstone Museum, the oldest museum in Zambia.

During your volunteer work in Zambia, your efforts will be integral to uplifting locals in sustainable and measurable ways. While incredible development has occurred in Zambia throughout the past decades, much work remains to be done. Zambia is currently one of the world’s poorest countries, with over 60% of its population living in poverty. The large majority of Zambia’s population are young people, which is rapidly doubling every 25 years. This fast population growth puts additional strain on the availability of employment opportunities, health care, and social services, making it difficult for many citizens to escape an intense cycle of poverty. Working closely with the African Impact Foundation, our volunteer programs in Zambia focus on empowering, educating, and enriching Zambian citizens’ lives.

The short answer is, no. At African Impact, our mission is to provide the best international volunteer programs in Africa that create true impact in local communities. While our Zambian 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 volunteeringto positively transform the lives of volunteers and local communities alike in Zambia. Our volunteer activities are 100% integrated with local communities – we won’t run a project unless the community not only wants us there, but actually has ownership of the project.

Take a look through the African Impact volunteer programs in Zambia above. Compare our list of options, and find the one that aligns with your interests and goals most. Then click on the individual volunteer project page to see step-by step instructions on how to apply!