Multiple Year Volunteer Programs in South Africa

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

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.

Cape Town, known for its diverse and growing population, is rated as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Opportunities to serve all year round include daycares for lower-income families, education centers for disadvantaged learners, and human rights organizations. Partnering with community-based organizations and completing a reflection-based curriculum will allow you to learn how local experts address these issues in their communities while gaining intercultural leadership skills. Each of our community-based organizations is unique, so please visit our website to learn more about your options. Our Cape Town program is recommended for anyone interested in the education and/or disability service fields.

Help Protect, Rescue, and Care for Animals Around the World If you’re passionate about animals and dream of making a real difference, our Animal Care & Wildlife Volunteering Abroad Programs offer unforgettable opportunities to work hands-on with animals in need. With Volunteering Journeys, you can join projects that protect wildlife and rescue domestic animals in Sri Lanka, Peru, and South Africa — three of the world’s most biodiverse and inspiring destinations. Whether you’re looking to care for stray dogs, assist with wildlife rehabilitation, or help protect endangered elephants and sea lions, these programs are perfect for animal lovers, veterinary students, and gap-year travelers who want to combine meaningful work with adventure.

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

This youth development project was started to provide young people living on the streets with a safe daily drop-off center and to mediate between the youth, families, and schools. Today, it has expanded and caters to at-risk youth in the town of Knysna. It is the perfect project for those interested in social work, sports, art and music, teaching, and counseling. As a volunteer, you'll assist a team of loving childcare workers and social workers. This is a fantastic project for educators, counselors, social workers, psychologists, and individuals with an interest in these fields. The main goal is to assist in and support the daily program organized for the youth attending the center voluntarily. If you wish to join this project as part of a social work internship, we can arrange this. The center is set in one of the poorer areas of Knysna. Their daily program includes modules in life skills, art therapy, sports, numbers, literacy, reading, music, personal development, and other topics. It takes place during the South African school term and isn't available from 15th December to 15th January. A fun-based program is also available and revolves around soccer or talent shows.

Good Hope Volunteers offers numerous meaningful volunteer projects throughout South Africa. This huge, fascinating country is rich in natural wonders, culture, and history. Some of our volunteer projects are located in remote areas, allowing you to get a feel for real Africa. It might take you longer to get used to this environment; but once you are hooked, you will want to come back repeatedly. Most of our projects focus on conservation, which involves helping take care of wild animals. In some projects, you can combine conservation with social volunteering. We also offer ocean and marine conservation programs and social and community projects throughout South Africa and Namibia.

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thailand on a comprehensive 6-month journey. Experience an exceptional blend of cultural immersion, wildlife conservation, and community involvement. You'll start your journey by contributing to wildlife conservation in South Africa amidst the Big 5 conservation area. Next, you'll hop on to France where you will immerse yourself in French culture and language during an unforgettable summer in Loire Valley, studying at one of the country's oldest universities. Finally, venture to your third country - Thailand - where you will volunteer as an English teacher in the scenic Hua Hin island. The entire experience offers invaluable cultural insights, skill development, and lifelong memories; igniting passions for social and environmental causes as you embark on a journey toward becoming a dedicated global citizen effecting positive change.

Magister South Africa offers a broad range of internship and volunteering placements in Cape Town. As one of the most established and well-known internship and volunteer organizations in South Africa's capital, our main goal is geared toward matching and placing qualified international students, interns, and volunteers with dynamic companies and organizations based in Cape Town. With our wide network of contacts and range of skills, we strive to ensure that the participants' experiences abroad remain unforgettable one. Magister offers great value to students and volunteers and invests in their personal development and education as well as their careers. We match placements according to qualifications, interests, and university requirements to ensure a unique internship or volunteer experience that best fits individual needs.

Located in the stunning Dolphin Coast area of KwaZulu-Natal province, this award-winning primate sanctuary provides a safe "forever home" for lemurs and exotic monkeys raised in captivity. Most of the primates were previously in zoos or were people's pets and they come to the sanctuary when they are no longer wanted by their owners or when they have been confiscated by the authorities. The 23-hectare indigenous forest sanctuary is like a luxurious retirement home for these amazing primates, where they live uncaged and roam freely. This is also home to naturally occurring wildlife such as bushbuck, red duiker, banded mongoose, and a wide variety of birdlife. For many of the sanctuary's primates, arriving here is the first time they've been able to climb trees or live amongst other primates or wildlife. Volunteers can work in a variety of areas including animal husbandry, guiding, maintenance, photography and filmmaking, and marketing. We tailor the program as much as possible to the individual goals, interests, skills, and experience of each volunteer. Contact us for an application form and to start planning the adventure of a lifetime.

Since 2018, we've provided a safe, nurturing environment for children aged 3 months to grade school, focusing on their emotional, spiritual, social, physical, and cognitive development. Looking for a meaningful way to give back? Volunteering at Lamb’s Haven in Fobeni, South Africa, is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children. As a volunteer, you’ll support local teachers through engaging activities such as storytelling and singing, arts and crafts, sports and physical play, educational games, and classroom decorating. It’s a hands-on, heartwarming experience where your time and creativity can truly make a difference. We're seeking warm, caring individuals who enjoy working with children and are passionate about inspiring young minds. At Lamb’s Haven, every day is filled with laughter, learning, and unforgettable moments! Ready to make a difference and have fun doing it? Join us today!

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children in Mitchell’s Plain by joining our Early Childhood Development program in Cape Town. As a Kindergarten Teaching volunteer, you’ll help nurture the growth and creativity of children aged 2–4, providing them with the foundations for a brighter future. Working closely with local educators, you’ll support play-based learning and offer personalized care that encourages emotional, social, and intellectual development. This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact while immersing yourself in Cape Town’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and vibrant local communities. Help empower the next generation and be part of lasting change. - Work with local teachers to create and lead engaging, age-appropriate activities. - Support children needing extra encouragement and guidance. - Assist in teaching basic English, math, or life skills through fun and hands-on learning. - Lead group activities and help create a stimulating classroom environment. - Observe progress and offer feedback to enhance the learning experience.

Over 80% of South African 10-year-olds struggle to read for meaning, indicating a serious literacy crisis. After-school academic support programs have proven effective in improving educational outcomes, especially in under-resourced communities. These programs help reduce educational inequality by offering academic and psychosocial support, and by creating safe, nurturing spaces for vulnerable children and youth. Hope Warriors Children’s Charity provides an inspirational learning environment in Soshanguve, where children receive free homework help and academic enrichment. Activities include reading aloud, mental math, and Spelling Bee competitions to build confidence and skills. We encourage children to stay focused on their studies, living out Nelson Mandela’s belief that "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." To support learning, we also provide meals and proper clothing, helping children who face hunger and poor nutrition to concentrate better and engage more actively in school life.