
Volunteer International Adventures
Why choose Volunteer International Adventures ?
Founded in 2020 by a South African woman with over a decade of experience in volunteerism, Volunteer International Adventures brings a hands-on, responsible, and culturally respectful approach to global volunteer work. Her extensive background, including field and administrative roles with a UK-based volunteer organization, drives the vision for a volunteer experience that balances skill-sharing, ...
Founded in 2020 by a South African woman with over a decade of experience in volunteerism, Volunteer International Adventures brings a hands-on, responsible, and culturally respectful approach to global volunteer work. Her extensive background, including field and administrative roles with a UK-based volunteer organization, drives the vision for a volunteer experience that balances skill-sharing, cultural immersion, and community impact. Volunteer International Adventures offers a range of inclusive, safe, and meaningful volunteer opportunities, allowing participants to gain new skills, build lifelong friendships, and make a difference. Humanitarian projects focus on youth development, social work, sports, and education, while animal projects include land and marine wildlife conservatio...
Volunteer International Adventures Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
International Consultant (Caring for the people)
by: Emanuel Morgan - United StatesProgram: Social Work, Education & Youth Development in South AfricaHighly motivated, diversely trained, and detail-oriented professional offering 20 years of hands-on experience in handling safety-related responsibilities. Extremely accustom to facilitating a creative and compelling training to increase awareness of individuals on safety and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and compliance. Very capable of leveraging excellent decision-making skills in developing, implementing, and adhering to safety requirements.



A girl from Paraguay!
by: Kemly Yambay - ParaguayProgram: Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation at an Equine SanctuaryAn experience that I will never forget and forever in my heart thanks to all the team of the Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation. Amazing team and good people My best wishes for the new farm and see you guys very soon!
Incredible opportunity, beyond exceeded expectations
by: Stevie Hoesel - United StatesProgram: Social Work, Education & Youth Development in South AfricaMy experience with the Social Work, Education & Youth Development project with Sharon and Rustin was life-changing. It was meant just to be a stop on a year-long participatory research project. I planned to commit to a month with this organization and ended up extending twice. Needless to say, my expectations for this project were exceeded in every category. Social impact and activities: If you prioritize local-community centered, ethical and grassroots organizations, this project has to be at the top of your list. The organization itself supports at-risk youth and the kids themselves are talented, engaged and earnest. You will spend much of your time learning from and laughing with bright young people while facilitating programs that nurture their development. In your off time, you can immerse yourself in the outdoors (some of my favorites included ziplining, game drives and nature reserve hikes) and explore part of the Garden Route or even just hang out in town with your new friends at many of the locally owned cafes. Location, safety and support: Knysna is a gorgeous, easily navigable and friendly town. People know one another and in that way, it is a great place to connect with folks with similar interests. There is a great sense of community, people’s networks are often interwoven with each others and acquaintances become like family at an unprecedented rate. Overall, I encourage anyone who’s interested in either the broad category of social welfare or even just has an interest in visiting South Africa to come and learn and experience under the guidance of Sharon and Rustin who go above and beyond to provide you with the best experience. Their generosity with their time and efforts and their passion for this work is evident in the way they organize this project and others for and with their community. Working with organizers as dedicated as they are and a community that is so engaged is really an incredible opportunity not to be missed.
Volunteer International Adventures Programs
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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...

Teach at local community schools in and around Knysna, South Africa, in this volunteer project. Support the development of kids by teaching them ...

Volunteer in South Africa’s nonprofit organization sector, together with a team of counselors, psychologists, social workers, and community worke...

If you’re interested in veterinary medicine and animal welfare, we have two projects rolled into one. This program is specially designed for part...

Get the chance to work with a variety of exotic and indigenous animals in this volunteer project in South Africa! Perfect for wildlife and nature...

Volunteer at an accredited primate rescue, sanctuary, and rehabilitation center in the lush province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This project...
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Bottle feeding rescued baby monkeys
















Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Sharon Dreyer
Interviewed in 2021
Sharon is from South Africa and has been working at Volunteer International Adventures since 2008. She works with volunteers on animal and humanitaria...

Sharon Dreyer
Interviewed in 2021
What inspired you to travel abroad?
Working with volunteers has become a way of life for me. I volunteer on my own time too with a local charity for at risk youth. I firmly believe in the quote by John Bunyan: “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

Sharon Dreyer
Interviewed in 2024
Sharon has been working with international volunteers since 2008 and loves the positive attitude they bring to Africa. In Africa, there’s a term calle...

Sharon Dreyer
Interviewed in 2024
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I started working as a volunteer coordinator back in 2008 when moving to the coast of South Africa. Deciding I needed a career change, I tried it, and it was the most rewarding thing ever, working with so many incredible people who came to South Africa to volunteer. I just love that it is really more a lifestyle than a job.