Volunteer Programs in Africa

A Raleigh South Africa Expedition is your chance for Adventure. In the stunning Kruger region, you have the chance to take action on some of the world's most pertinent issues through immersive Community projects, and impactful Environmental work. Through our life-changing Adventure Leadership Trek you will develop skills and experiences that will last a lifetime. What are you waiting for? The Greater Kruger area is located between Mozambique, Eswatini, and the world-famous Kruger National Park itself. In comparison to Cape Town, this area encapsulates Africa at its heart, not to mention boasting year-round sunshine. It is a wildlife haven with natural beauty unlike anywhere else in the world. You'll most likely spot plenty of wildlife while you're on our environmental project and trek. You'll be with experienced guides if you're in areas with any of the big 5. Whether you are taking a gap year or want to do something meaningful in your summer, join young volunteers from across the world and a community of thousands of Raleigh Alumni.

IMA offers an opportunity to enhance your medical and healthcare knowledge with International Medical Aid's Pre-Med and Health Fellowships. Crafted for pre-med undergraduates, medical students, and high school students, these fellowships offer a unique chance to engage deeply with global health care in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Shadow doctors in underserved communities, and immerse yourself in diverse healthcare systems through our extensive network of public and private hospitals. IMA, a nonprofit organization, is deeply invested in the communities we serve, focusing on sustainable health solutions and ethical care practices. You'll be involved in community medical clinics, public health education, and first responder training, addressing the root causes of disease and illness alongside local community leaders. Beyond clinical experience, explore the beauty of your host country through cultural excursions and adventure programs during your free time. Join IMA's fellowships developed at Johns Hopkins University and step into a role that transcends traditional healthcare learning, blending clinical excellence with meaningful community service.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Namibia, surrounded by stunning Appaloosa horses. Enhance your natural horsemanship skills whilst assisting with looking after over 40 stud horses, miniature ponies, alpacas, and rehabilitated equine rescues. This programme is designed to develop your communication with horses using methods such as liberty, trust exercises, clicker training, and bodywork to build a deep connection. Experience the freedom of riding with just a halter or neckrein, using your seat, legs and balance to guide your horse. You will have an 8 module Natural Horsemanship Programme run by an incredible team. You will be assisting with the training and backing of horses, working with members of the Namibian San tribe, as well as helping the children of the local community develop a connection with these beautiful equines. You'll also have time to relax, enjoy guided safari rides, and appreciate Namibia's stunning nature and wildlife. All riding abilities accepted.

Looking for valuable hands-on experience in medicine or healthcare? Practical placements are available at hospitals as well as rural health posts and community clinics in Arusha. This is an ideal placement for students or certified professionals in the fields of medicine and healthcare, as most clinics and hospitals in Tanzania only accept experienced volunteers/interns. You need to be a medical student, an EMT, paramedic, physician, nurse, or other medical/healthcare practitioner to join. Participants without credentials are not allowed on this program because of the potential liability risk. You will spend the majority of your stay working as an assistant to a doctor or healthcare professional. Your responsibilities largely depend on your education, skills, and previous experience. You could take vital signs and help doctors or take part in health camps and distribute medication. Other possible activities include giving health and nutrition advice, counseling, helping treat minor injuries and wounds, and maintaining journals.

Visit two of South America’s most iconic countries—Peru and Ecuador—and discover the lost lands of the Incas! Start your adventure in South America with intensive Spanish lessons, then step up the adventure with an epic trek across the Andes to Machu Picchu on the remote Salkantay route—over icy mountain passes and through mysterious cloud forests to the remains of a fallen civilization. Then, it's time to explore Ecuador's natural beauty. From surfing and whitewater rafting to hiking and exploring volcanoes, Ecuador has it all! For your second project, you will spend three weeks deep in the Ecuadorian rainforest and complete vital conservation work. Get face-to-face and hand-to-paw with rainforest inhabitants while volunteering at a rescue center for wild animals. And learn the secrets of life in the rainforest directly from an Indigenous community while staying at an eco-lodge. Finish your epic journey with a visit to one of the most famous national parks on Earth, the Galapagos Islands! Hike, sail, and snorkel your way around the islands made famous by Charles Darwin. You will then return to Quito for the final trek to the center of the world!

Gain practical social work experience during this exciting internship program in Cape Town, South Africa. You'll be part of a community center in Masiphumelele, a township on the outskirts of the city that provides a safe and stimulating space for up to a hundred children every afternoon. Many of these children have experienced different levels of trauma, and as an intern, you'll assist the program in providing stimulating activities and counseling sessions for groups of children when needed. This internship is a great opportunity for getting practical experience in social work while supporting an important social development program. Your tasks will include offering individual or group counseling sessions to children with troubled backgrounds; helping create stimulating, educative, and fun activities for the children in the aftercare program; and helping cook for and feed the children at the center, among others. Preferably you'll have an academic background or experience in sociology, social work, community development, education, pedagogy, or something similar.

Experience the power of visual storytelling during this unique humanitarian photography program in a town just outside Cape Town—Stellenbosch, South Africa. As a photographer on this program, you'll learn how to document the work of local nonprofit organizations effectively, and you'll put that knowledge into practice during photographic assignments. You'll be tutored by a professional humanitarian photographer with extensive experience and a deep passion for nonprofit photography. Through personal guidance, you'll be sure to grow both in skill and confidence as a photographer. This workshop is a wonderful way to make an impact through your lens and experience South Africa in a unique way. During your stay in Stellenbosch, your accommodation, transport, and meals will be taken care of. You'll be based in a comfortable lodge in the city center, allowing you to easily explore some of the many highlights Stellenbosch and Cape Town have to offer. To qualify for this NGO photography program, you'll need to have basic camera skills and some photographic experience. The workshop runs several times a year, and you can join us for 2 to 4 weeks.

The Sibuya Wilderness Experience welcomes participants from all walks of life. Volunteers, adventure-seeking travelers, gap year students, adults taking work sabbaticals... Anyone with a passion for nature conservation. This is the perfect Eco Volunteer Program if you are looking for a meaningful travel opportunity abroad that puts your passion for nature, environment, and wildlife to good use, trying to make a difference. Our unique itinerary runs on a two-week program, wherein the content is only covered twice in a month, making a four-week stay the perfect getaway to experience everything at least twice. Nowhere else in South Africa is a volunteer itinerary this diverse.

We believe that everyone can contribute to conservation efforts, and therefore, our vision is to empower ordinary people to protect nature. The key is not "to do" but to "live it" actively. By creating this kind of lifestyle, we fulfill our purpose of helping humans and nature to live together in harmony. The foundation is a starting point; we empower you to live a conservation lifestyle for a better tomorrow. If you're looking to actively participate in African wildlife conservation in a fun, safe, stable, and stunning environment, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is the perfect place. Although this may sound similar to many other proudly South African volunteering projects, our dream for every person we encounter is to have a lifestyle change toward thinking and living conservation. We want your time at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge to be the experience of a lifetime, one that changes your life! We aim to empower ordinary people (people like you!) to protect nature by creating a conservation lifestyle upon your return home.

Experience hands-on conservation in Madagascar’s coastal forests through SEED Madagascar’s Conservation Research Programme. Based in the biodiverse region of Sainte Luce, Southeast Madagascar, this initiative has offered volunteers the opportunity to work alongside expert researchers and Malagasy field guides for over 20 years. Volunteers have participated in critical projects, including lemur monitoring, endangered species surveys, reforestation, and environmental education. Participants gain practical field experience while contributing to vital scientific research and community-driven conservation efforts. From tracking rare amphibians to supporting sustainable development, this immersive programme allows you to make a meaningful impact in one of the world’s most threatened biodiversity hotspots. Programme Details: 📍 Location: Sainte Luce, Southeast Madagascar 🗓️ Duration: 2–8 weeks 📆 Sessions: January, April, July, and October 🏕️ Accommodation: On-site forest research camp Whether you’re an aspiring conservationist or passionate nature lover, make a lasting impact in one of the most ecologically significant regions on Earth.

This project's main goal is to improve the education of impoverished children in the coastal village of Senya Beraku. Volunteers work in a school that caters to kids from the local and wider community. They share their English skills and assist with core subjects such as mathematics, science, geography, social sciences, and history. They also form a special bond while engaging with students through arts, music, and sports. The teaching takes place in nursery, primary, and junior high schools where volunteers initially shadow or teach under the supervision of a local teacher. Once acquainted with the school and curriculum, and if comfortable, they can teach independently. Their level of involvement in the classroom can be tailored to suit their skills and interests. Crucial qualities include the willingness to share and a proactive attitude, making volunteers valuable additions to any classroom. They help provide a decent education so local children have a greater chance of finding future employment and living a better life.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Help save orphaned and injured rhinos and protect a UNESCO World Heritage Site by monitoring the rhinos released into the wild. You will not just be supporting conservationists by protecting wildlife populations but an iconic location’s legacy as well. You will learn first-hand about the threats and protection of rhinos from an expert team of zoologists, conservationists, and researchers as well as the role a rehabilitation center (and you!) plays. Discover the ecological factors affecting rhinos, how they are an "umbrella species" of the ecosystem, their communication styles, and social structure. With this information, you can directly support the rhino orphanage and assist with daily feeds for the baby rhinos and the monitoring of adult rhinos that have already been released. Surrounded by passionate professionals, you will learn that everything—from mucking out enclosures to other conservation activities like removing invasive species for habitat management and going on educational bushwalks too—is important. If you're willing to put in physical work, you can enjoy an incredible and rewarding experience, with one-to-one supervision in all rehabilitation aspects.

Looking for an international internship that will set you apart—and give you the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in your career? Connect-123 designs fully customized programs that match your background and goals, offering hands-on experience in some of the world’s most exciting cities: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin, and Sydney. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, our programs span dozens of fields including business, finance, medicine, public health, journalism, marketing, human rights, law, sustainability, education, and more. You’ll gain meaningful, career-related experience while also exploring life in a new culture. We take care of the details so you can focus on making the most of your time abroad. From the moment you apply, our team helps guide you through the process, secure your placement, and prepare you for your new adventure. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing internship begins on your schedule.

Ghana is full of vibrant culture, coastal charm, and welcoming communities—but like many developing nations, it still faces challenges in healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Volunteering here gives you the chance to be part of solutions that matter, while living in Accra, a city where tradition and modern life meet. This is an opportunity to share your time and skills in meaningful ways while growing personally and professionally. Programs are available year-round and can last anywhere from 1 to 12 weeks. Whether you're teaching in a local classroom, supporting medical staff in clinics, or building new community spaces, each day in Ghana brings purpose and perspective. With shared housing, daily meals, airport pickup, and full support included, World Endeavors makes volunteering in Ghana not only impactful—but also safe and accessible.