GoAbroad

Trusted Social Programs in Cape Town

by: Good Hope Volunteers

4.7 (10)VerifiedSince 2009

We offer a wide range of volunteer projects in Cape Town - one of the top 10 cities to visit in the world including unique beauty and warm-hearted people. Our many social projects in Cape Town operate in different areas of great need. Children, women, homeless and elderly people are our main focus as these are the most vulnerable ones in society. Abuse and neglect are huge issues in South Africa but we also dedicate ourselves to a better education, special needs and community development including all type of sports. However, one thing is the same for every person we serve: they need love, patience, a lot of smiles, time, dedication and attention. As a Good Hope volunteer, you may take part in all activities and excursions organised by our language school involving evening activities each week and full-day tours, excursion or overnight safaris etc. on weekends. Activities can include hiking up Table Mountain, visiting the Cape of Good Hope, touring museums full of the country's rich history and culture or simply enjoying the city's world-famous nightlife. You won't just make an impact while volunteering in Cape Town, you will leave renewed yourself!

Program Highlights

Contribute your time and skills through Good Hope Volunteers, a local, leading and independent provider of meaningful, handpicked volunteer projects.

Meet passionate individuals and other volunteers from all over the world and share your experiences.

Receive guidance and assistance along the way from our volunteer coordinators.

Benefit from more than 15 years of experience in supporting only volunteer projects that make an important contribution to various communities in and around Cape Town.

Choose the right project through detailed descriptions, photos, videos, and testimonials.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Cape Town, South Africa
Availability
Year(s) Offered: Year RoundDuration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • Multiple Year
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • 7-12 Months
  • Summer
  • Alternative Spring Break
Age Requirement: 18+
Types & Subjects
Causes:
  • Childcare & Children
  • Community Development
  • Drug & Alcohol Recovery
  • Education
  • Special Needs
  • Tutor
  • Women
  • Youth
  • Youth Development
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details
Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Awards

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

4.7

Total Reviews

10

Adventure of a lifetime

October 14, 2019by: Sarah Breathnach - Ireland
4

I volunteered in Christine Revells Children’s Home in Athlone. It was the most wholesome, exciting and enjoyable 8 weeks of my life. Between exploring Cape Town’s obvious tourist attractions to spending my Thursday's in Observatory at beer pong to trying to decide where to take the children in Wednesday’s, I feel like I explored so much of the beautiful place. I’ve met amazing people from South Africa and I know will be in my life forever. I still keep in touch with those I met that were also volunteering in Cape Town and we always talk about how much we miss the magical place. Working in the children’s home changed my life for the better. The laughs and fun I had with the all the staff there only made me respect them more than I already did. Myself and two other volunteers would take a few children out on our day off inn Wednesday and bring them some place they’d never been before! It was a way for us to get to spend uninterrupted time with the children but also to explore a new place we hadn’t been before! It was the highlight of my week trying to see which children to take out and where to go. Can’t express into words how much I miss the staff, all of the children and Cape Town in general. Couldn’t recommend this project more as it definitely changed who I am for the better. The only downfall to my trip is that 8 weeks was too short so I’m currently planning my return!

Participant with child looking at birds in a cageAdult with three children at an aquariumWatching the sunset at Signal Hill

Wonderful project

October 11, 2019by: Diego Rodrigues Dias de Moraes
5

I was glad to be a part of this wonderful project that impacts other’s lives directly. This experience has changed my life forever. To be in contact with a different culture and different people and to live their lives for 2 weeks was amazing. You get to see those kids that don't have many opportunities in their lives but are always happy and with a smile in their faces. This is absolutely incredible to see how privileged we are and to appreciate everything that I have. They are amazing and it's awesome to see them challenging themselves every day with the surfing and skating - with no fear of anything. Thanks for the opportunity to be part of this amazing initiative. I could refresh my soul and now my energy is totally different, I can feel it. Thanks for everything I recommend 100% this project and I'm totally sure that it’s going to change your life forever.

Diego Rodrigues Dias de Moraes with friend

Amazing experience

October 06, 2019by: Nathalia Theodoro Alves
5

To be a volunteer in South Africa is something everybody should do at some time in their life. You feel helpful and the children teach you more than anything else. I will certainly be back.

Nathalia Theodoro Alves

Nice experience

August 21, 2019by: Saskia Gilgen - Switzerland
4

I like the way how you can choose and combine different options of your program (school, volunteer, free time). Of course it depends on your program. On the whole it was a nice experience for me. Unfortunately, I was not informed in advance, what exactly is in my project. So it was not quite as expected, which disappointed me a little. The information from the volunteer itself you get very shortly before. It's a great experience to meet new people and make friends. And of course to trainee to speak english fluently.

It was amazing!

August 12, 2019by: Maria Vallejos - Peru
5

i had the best time in Cape Town. The people were great and there were so many things to do that it was endless to get to know everything. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I am sure going to return. The natural resources that are available are amazing. The landscapes and the sky were my favorite things.

More than I was expecting

August 05, 2019by: Ligia Lilla - Brazil
5

My experience in Cape Town was definitely much more than I was expecting in many aspects. First of all, the people are very friendly and receptive all the time. The social activities offered by the school were fantastic and they were the best way of knowing more about the history of Cape Town as well as knowing more about the people, and a great way of visiting different places. The volunteer experience at Woodside Care Centre will be forever in my heart! I was lucky to have the chance of working in a place full of love and generosity with fantastic people around me. More than this, I had the chance of taking part in another volunteering project once a week "OBS Pasta Kitchen" was a very touching opportunity of meeting people, sharing experience, and helping to serve food to homeless people. Summarizing, the environment is beautiful, the vibration is fantastic, and the people are amazing! Cape Town will be always in my heart.

The change of my life

August 05, 2019by: Fernanda Dantas - Brazil
4

Doing volunteer work in Cape Town for me was a great and challenging experience that changed my view of the world. I really involve on both my social and spiritual side. When I was with the kids on both volunteers work that I did during my staying in Cape Town, I saw that they needed attention and love, so I gave this two simple things to them and always was a grateful sensation that I felt. If you love to stay with give and give a little of your time to them, please, do volunteer work. You will see how grateful and beautiful this kind of work is.

Amazing time

August 02, 2019by: Emma Bruns
5

I decided to come to Cape Town very spontaneously and consequently did not know what to expect at all. When I arrived I immediately fell in love with the city, its beautiful views and beaches. I especially enjoyed the combination of working in the morning and discovering Cape Town in the afternoon. This way I didn’t only experience Cape Town as a tourist but also got the chance to talk and interact with people from here and other countries. Thank you so much for the last 4 weeks I had an amazing time!

Emma Bruns

The best experience of my life!

May 14, 2019by: Isabella Lacerda - Brazil
5

Visiting South Africa was a dream, and I couldn't turn it into reality in a better way than I did, because the volunteering project provided me a more complete vision of it. I was able to connect with amazing people, who showed me their culture and I learned a lot from the kids who I had the honour to play with at the Children's Hospital. I miss them every single day since I came back... Good Hope Studies provided me an excellent residence, and the social club activities are also great, because I got to know everything that I planned to and even more! I met incredible people and visited the most beautiful places I've ever been to. I can't wait to go back to Cape Town, because I truly feel that my heart belongs to this city.

Amazing

May 12, 2019by: Rafaela Mendes - Brazil
5

It was amazing for me! My best experience. I met a lot of great people and I improved my english. Thank you for all and i wish to go to South Africa again. I loved all the teachers, especially Maz, who helped me a lot!

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Cape Town, South Africa

Types and Subjects

  • Causes
  • Childcare & Children
  • Community Development
  • Drug & Alcohol Recovery
  • Education
  • Special Needs
  • Tutor
  • Women
  • Youth
  • Youth Development

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Duration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • Multiple Year
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • 7-12 Months
  • Summer
  • Alternative Spring Break

Age Requirement

18+

Guidelines

All Nationalities

This Program is also open to Couples

Program Cost Includes

  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
  • International SIM Card
  • Some Equipment
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Emergency Support
  • On-Site / In-Country Staff Support

Accommodation Options

  • Dormitory
  • Guest House
  • Home-stays
  • Independent living
  • Other

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • English

    Accepted Education Levels

  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Application Procedures

  • Online Application
  • Written Application

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa to volunteer in and around Cape Town?

You can volunteer in South Africa on a tourist visa for a duration of up to three months. A tourist visa can be extended once while in South Africa. For longer stays, you will need to apply for a volunteer visa at your nearest South African embassy. Whether you can receive your tourist visa upon arrival at the airport in South Africa, or whether you need to apply for a tourist visa at an embassy, depends on your nationality.

Do I need travel insurance when volunteering?

We strongly recommend that you take out full personal insurance cover. This should include protection against theft and against loss of fees, should the whole or part of a programme, activity or accommodation not be attended.

As a volunteer, you are required to take out a medical insurance for any of our projects and for any length of stay.

Do I need vaccinations when volunteering?

Some of the projects do recommend specific vaccinations, such as tetanus. However, the WHO does not require any vaccinations prior to traveling to southern Africa (apart from yellow fever).

Please also consult your doctor for this matter

Why do I need to pay to volunteer?

The fee you pay covers the costs incurred by the project, the administrative costs incurred by Good Hope Volunteers and, in some cases, a donation to the project. The fee may go towards the costs of accommodation, food, clothes, transport and excursions as well as volunteer training, preparation and supervision. Our projects depend on their volunteers but don't have funds to pay them a salary.

How many volunteer hours should I put in every day/week?

Working hours and days vary from project to project, but the average working day is about 8 hours, 5 days a week. Voluntary work is often welcome during weekends.

When volunteering in Cape Town, you may take part in the Good Hope Studies activity program, exploring Cape Town and its stunning surroundings and enjoying fun nights out with fellow volunteers and language students. 

Related Programs

Browse programs you might like