10 Best Volunteer Programs in South Africa

For many travelers, South Africa stirs up fantastic images of safaris, blue skies, and glistening seascapes. As a true haven for adventurers and volunteers alike, not only does South Africa top many travel bucket lists around the world, it is also a premier location for meaningful volunteer experiences.

If you’re ready to commit a few weeks (or months...don’t be shy!) of your life to a good cause and make a difference in others’ lives and communities, look no further than volunteer work in South Africa. You’ll leave as a better version of yourself, and you’ll leave one corner of the world as a better version of what you initially found.

There are two major causes for which to volunteer in South Africa: children and wildlife. Volunteer programs in South Africa that focus on children are mainly based around Cape Town, and involve serving underprivileged youth and orphans from disadvantaged communities.

Conservation and wildlife volunteer programs, on the other hand, tend to operate in Johannesburg and near Kruger National Park, and provide safe, responsible avenues for observing and/or closely working with stunning animals like lions, zebras, cheetahs, and elephants.

If any (or all) of that sounds like a dream come true and you’re ready to dive head first into researching your options, then you’ll be ecstatic to know that we’ve already compiled a list of the best volunteer programs in South Africa for your consideration.

However, if that doesn’t sound like your cup of Umqombothi, don’t fret—almost all of the volunteer organizations in South Africa listed below provide a component for customizing your volunteer experience to how you think your time will be best spent.

It’s almost like there’s no excuse to not follow your dream of volunteering abroad in South Africa! (You’re welcome.)

Here’s a shortlist of the best volunteer programs in South Africa according to past volunteers and meaningful travelers (like YOU):

The best volunteer programs in South Africa this year

Editor’s note: This information on volunteer organizations in South Africa was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.

1. African Big 5 and Wildlife Conservation with African Impact

If you're an animal lover and/or a conservationist at heart, you'll love working with some of the most magnificent creatures to walk our planet. The African Big 5 program with African Impact will give you an ethical and impactful look into how the Big 5 species (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo) are protected and defended. This volunteering safari will leave you stunned as you enjoy unprecedented access to some of the most remote destinations in Africa. Your time away from the game reserves will be great too—think Blyde River Canyon, Kruger National Park, and Eswatini.

Where? Limpopo
When? Year-round for 2-12 weeks
Cause? Animal Welfare, Conservation, Environment, Wildlife
More program info

2. South Africa Wildlife Sanctuary with GoEco

South Africa is renowned for its safaris and access to unbridled wildlife, which means conservation in this country is essential. Naturally, there are a lot of amazing wildlife volunteer opportunities in South Africa. With GoEco, you’ll have unrivaled interactions with African fauna, as you’ll be working at a sanctuary that specializes in the care of orphaned and injured animals. You’ll gain the opportunity to get up close and personal with everything from zebras to elephants, and vultures to chameleons. Our feathered, furry, and scaly friends will thank you for it.

Where? Hartbeespoort
When? Year-round for 2-12 weeks
Cause? Animal Welfare, Building & Construction Projects, Wildlife
More program info

3. Volunteer in Surfing in South Africa with IVHQ

The main objective of this program with IVHQ is to get kids outside to learn valuable life skills and healthy habits through sports. Volunteers will work with children between the ages of 11 and 14, teaching them how to surf and facilitating other afternoon activities. Additional volunteer opportunities are available in nearby schools if you’re looking to keep your schedule full. A nice bonus perk with this program is that during your mornings off, you will have free reign of the provided surfboards—so feel free to get out there and hang 10. By the way, you don’t necessarily need to know how to surf to participate in this program, but you do need to know how to swim.

Where? Cape Town
When? Year-round for 1-12 weeks
Cause? Sports, Teaching, Youth Development
More program info

4. Childcare and Orphanage Program with Volunteering Solutions

Orphanages are always in demand of caring and empathetic volunteers, and offer some of the most impactful volunteer work in South Africa. Through Volunteering Solutions, you will be placed in an orphanage in Cape Town, where you will be responsible for providing care to small children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years. Duties will include cooking and providing meals, as well as spending quality time with the children. Though this role has the potential to be emotionally demanding, you will have time to recoup and process your experience, as days are only 5-6 hours long. At the end of this placement, you’ll return home knowing that you have truly made a difference in many lives.

Where? Cape Town
When? Year-round for 2-12 weeks
Cause? Childcare & Children, Orphans
More program info

5. Volunteer Teaching with GVI

This teaching program through GVI provides a bit more structure than others, and is for those whose passion for teaching can’t be easily satiated. A a volunteer with GVI, you will be able to go a bit more in-depth with subject material, which covers literacy, math, and English skills. Class sizes are large, but there are opportunities provided to children for one-on-one sessions and tutoring, so you won’t have to worry about students not receiving the attention they deserve. Stay open-minded to challenges, however; while the language of instruction in the classroom is English, students’ first languages typically span 11 different tongues.

Where? Stellenbosch
When? Year-round for 1-12 weeks
Cause? Community Centers, Education, Teaching
More program info

[NEXT: 7 Inside Tips Before You Volunteer in South Africa]

6. Human Rights Work in South Africa with Projects Abroad

Even novice historians know a thing or two about the role apartheid played in South Africa. This tumultuous history has created a unique environment for volunteering in human rights and learning from mistakes of the past. Volunteers with Projects Abroad will spend time exploring the inequalities still apparent in present-day Cape Town, as well as have the opportunity to learn about how NGOs grow and operate at a grassroots level. Not to mention, you’ll have a front row seat to learning how to create and advance change. Daily tasks are varied; some days you’ll be putting on workshops at schools, while others will be spent researching reports.

Where? Cape Town
When? Year-round for 1-12 weeks
Cause? Human Rights & Law
More program info

7. Volunteer in Cape Town with Connect-123

Clearly, many programs in South Africa focus on wildlife or youth development. However, if neither of these causes appeal to you completely, that’s okay—there are still many other projects in South Africa that can use your generosity. Connect-123 specializes in creating custom volunteer experiences, so no matter what you want to dedicate time to (whether that’s medicine, organic farming, or everything in between), you’ll find an opportunity to give back. With this program, keep your unique skills and interests in mind, as they will be key to creating a valuable volunteer experience.

Where? Cape Town
When? Year-round for 5 weeks-6 months
Cause? Anthropology, Gender Issues, Marketing, Medicine, Organic Farming, Writing, and more
More program info

8. Volunteer with Children & Animals in South Africa with DAKTARI

Does it just so happen that you can’t bring yourself to pick between working with kids and devoting your time to conservation? You’re in luck! Daktari provides the best of both worlds by combining education with wildlife. As a volunteer in this program, you will be able to use the splendors of South African flora and fauna to teach children about the negative impacts of poaching through activities such as bush walks. Having the privilege to open children’s eyes to the merits of respecting wildlife and taking care of their homeland will be nothing short of life-changing...we can almost guarantee it. If you have your sights set on a program to volunteer in South Africa with big cats, this is it.

Where? Hoedspruit, Kruger Park, Limpopo
When? Year-round for 1-12 weeks
Cause? Animal Welfare, Conservation, Eco-Tourism, Education, Environment, Youth Development
More program info

9. Rhino, Elephant and Big Cat Research and Conservation with Kaya Responsible Travel

Read this stellar review:

“I was volunteering for three weeks. I had an amazing time. The rangers were extremely knowledgeable about many different things to do with wildlife rehabilitation and more specifically African wildlife in general. The camp is safe, sleeping quarters are warm and spacious. Overall I had an amazing three weeks!”

If that doesn’t say it all, we don’t know what will!

Where? Kruger Park
When? Year-round for 2-12 weeks
Cause? Animal Welfare, Community Development, Education, Law, Wildlife
More program info

10. Education Program in South Africa with Love Volunteers

If you have a knack for working with kids or a way with teaching, you will find plenty of volunteer opportunities in South Africa. Teaching and spending time with children through Love Volunteers will be a wholly fulfilling experience; you could work with toddlers and elementary school children, teaching them basic English skills, or you could work with older children in middle school and high school, teaching them essential, beneficial computer skills. Flexibility and adaptability will be key with this program, as volunteers are needed across many age groups and learning environments.

Where? Cape Town
When? Year-round for 1-12 weeks
Cause? Childcare & Children, Community Development, Teaching, Youth
More program info

[Browse ALL Volunteer Opportunities in South Africa]

You’re ready to find volunteer programs in South Africa!

Make a difference in the world by contributing to these volunteer programmes in South Africa!

Volunteer programs in South Africa are practically a one-way ticket to perspective-altering projects with children and wild animals, and there are superb opportunities for volunteers interested in either end of that spectrum (and there are even choices for those who just can’t make up their minds!).

However, options don’t stop there; many volunteer organizations in South Africa offer custom-made volunteer experiences, so you can spend your time doing exactly what you think is most valuable. The best volunteer programs in South Africa are truly a versatile bunch.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags for a few weeks or a few months, and prepare yourself for one of the most meaningful periods of your entire life. When all is said and done, you’ll thank yourself for making the choice to do volunteer work in South Africa—and those who you dedicate your time to will thank you, too.

Use MyGoAbroad to Find & Compare Volunteer Opportunities in South Africa

Look for the Perfect Volunteer Abroad Program Now

Start Your Search