Hiking Programs in South Africa

Help promote healthy and active lifestyles among young people from under-resourced communities in this sports volunteer program at an after-school facility, a local school, or a community center. No matter where you’re placed, you play a vital role in building sportsmanship and teamwork skills while keeping youth and teens active. International Volunteer HQ offers meaningful placements across Central and South America, Asia, Africa, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. Choose from sports development or education projects in countries like Argentina, Indonesia, Brazil, Greece, Fiji, and Ghana. Program fees start from $275 for a minimum participation of 1 week. Stay for up to 24 weeks and see tangible results of your work. This is an ideal program for energetic, sports-loving volunteers. Make an impact by designing lessons or coaching sessions integrated with fun games and activities.

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to provide engaging learning experiences with real outcomes in ways that are impossible to replicate in the traditional classroom. Living as part of a close-knit team on an ocean-going vessel, our students learn fundamental lessons beyond academics: teamwork, leadership, and personal responsibility. They receive academic credit from the University of South Florida, along with PADI scuba certifications and IYT sailing certifications. Our programs are designed to inspire students to realize that it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters the most.

Set out on an exhilarating 20-day journey to South Africa, the “Rainbow Nation,” with our immersive summer program. Begin your adventure in Cape Town, where we explore vibrant markets and iconic landmarks like Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. Travel to the heart of the conservation efforts, where we assist in protecting the critically endangered white rhinoceros, and other native wildlife. Experience the stunning landscapes along the Garden Route; visit the poignant Robben Island Prison; watch ostrich, baboons, and African penguins at the Cape of Good Hope. This unique program for ages 16-19 combines hands-on wildlife conservation, cultural exploration, and personal growth, offering a rare opportunity to connect with South Africa’s natural beauty and rich heritage while earning community service hours. Join us for an unforgettable adventure that will inspire and transform your perspective.

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!

The animals at this wildlife sanctuary have been injured or orphaned, leaving them in need of some assistance if they have any hope for survival. The animals become tame during their rehabilitation so they cannot be reintroduced to the wild, but this does allow for an unforgettable experience since volunteers can work closely with the animals and establish relationships. The sanctuary provides aid to zebras, cheetahs, elephants, and many more animals in need. The program starts monthly, and volunteers can stay from 2 to 12 weeks. This allows for flexibility and duration that can fit into anyone’s schedule. The sanctuary is located near the small resort town of Hartbeespoort, locally known as Harties, which is only 40 minutes from the giant metropolis of Johannesburg. Volunteers can experience a little of each place through actually living inside the sanctuary and Johannesburg in their free time. Volunteers can work in a variety of interesting projects such as vulture kitchen, which provides vultures with a healthy supply of meat. The birds are endangered because many people poison them with bad meat.

Are you looking for an adventure gap year in South Africa? Then look no further than the Warriors Academy. Our gap year program is the perfect combination of travel, fun, adventure, and self-development. How is our program structured? Our Gap Year program is structured to include four 7-week Quests. Each Quest has its own set of adventure activities, soft skill workshops, and personal mentoring sessions. During each Quest, you will travel through different parts of South Africa, experiencing wild animal encounters, some of the most sought-after hiking experiences, scuba diving in Sodwana, wine tasting in Cape Town, river rafting on the Orange River, and more. You will be taught several different skill sets focused on equipping the skills needed to live the life you want to live, including TRE, Quantum Logic, Public Speaking workshops, Rebounding, and more. Battling with finding direction? We have you covered with career guidance and personal development workshops. We also aim to give back to the communities we visit through various community-building activities.

This one-week program pairs perfectly with our South Africa Veterinary Service program. By adding this bonus week to an existing program, students are given a fantastic opportunity to explore the southernmost coast of Africa. Each day is sure to be an adventure, with time spent enjoying Cape Town, tasting local cuisine, spotting native animals in their natural habitats, and going on an adventure outside the city. This one-week program is the perfect way to round out an already exciting program and go home with tons of new memories and stories to share!

The reptile and amphibian diversity of the Sterkspruit Nature Reserve, located outside the town of Mashishing in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, has not been quantitatively assessed. The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, in collaboration with the management of Sterkspruit Nature Reserve, has commissioned ABRE to conduct and finance a herpetological assessment for the protected area. The protected area primarily encompasses mountainous grassland habitat and rocky outcrops. This project centers around the daily inspection of pitfall and funnel trap arrays, which are accessed by hiking across the terrain. As such, prospective volunteers will need to be fit. Day time active searches and nocturnal frogging are conducted after pitfall and funnel trap array checks. The survey runs over three weeks (21 days) between December 1st and 21st. Five volunteers are admitted each week (December 1-7, 8-14, and 15-21), and volunteers are welcome to book for more than one week. Accommodation consists of tents and are included in the price of participation. This project is specifically priced to allow South African students to participate.

This course is designed particularly for safari newcomers who would like to gather valuable, unforgettable insights during a 7 or 14-day stay in awesome surroundings. In the world-famous Kruger National Park in South Africa or Botswana, you will encounter Africa’s flora and fauna in their original form. An EcoQuest is a great opportunity to experience the unique natural landscape of Southern Africa firsthand within a short period. This is an ideal ranger course introduction to anybody interested in working in the field. Experienced instructors will guide and support you throughout your time in Africa. They will draw on their wealth of experience to provide fascinating insights into life in the wild. You and your team will go on trips through a fascinating landscape twice a day for close-up encounters with wild animals. These excursions will teach you how to orient yourself in a natural environment and provide valuable information about native animals and their habitats. Immerse yourself into the breathtaking landscape of South Africa and Botswana, and unleash your passion for adventure.

Venture into a “magical” journey with Zoom Vacations, a leader in LGBTQ+ group travel, where inclusivity, luxury, and adventure come together seamlessly. Whether with your significant other or family, each meticulously curated trip celebrates diversity while offering unforgettable experiences in some of the world's most stunning destinations. Explore the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires, cruise through the Galápagos Islands, or marvel at the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. Wherever you go and what you do, you'll connect with like-minded travelers in a supportive and welcoming environment. These gay-friendly group adventures are designed to combine cultural immersion, thrilling activities, and indulgent moments of relaxation. From private guided tours and five-star accommodations to exclusive events that highlight local LGBTQ+ communities, Zoom Vacations ensures that every trip is both meaningful and fun.