Volunteer in Africa and focus on long-term, sustainable development in African countries. Through voluntary work in Africa, you’ll gain a deeper insight into people’s lives and the challenges they face. You’ll also be immersed in a new culture, contributing to your own education and personal growth.
On our volunteer opportunities in Africa, you can do things like:
- Volunteer with animals in Africa and work with expert conservationists to protect endangered species like elephants, lions, and giraffes.
- Volunteer with children in Africa and help local teachers and caregivers with Early Childhood Development.
- Teach in Africa and support education by working with local teachers in schools.
- Build a school in Africa and ensure that disadvantaged children have access to basic education.
No matter where you go, our Project Experts can help you find the best Africa volunteer program that fits your interests and goals. We can also help you plan the ultimate gap year in Africa!
With our volunteer programs in Africa, we take care of the details, so you can have a hassle-free experience. Our local staff are available to help you 24/7. This means you can focus all your energy on making a real impact in the community where you’re working.
Why Volunteer in Africa?
Africa is one of the most popular destinations for volunteers abroad, and for good reason. In the countries we work in, local communities face numerous challenges and need extra support. As a volunteer, you’ll provide extra resources, offer your skills, and work directly with local people to help achieve long-term goals.
Volunteers in Africa do things like:
- Treat wounds for leprosy patients and test for malaria in Ghana
- Build classrooms in Maasai villages in Tanzania
- Protect endangered species of Giraffe in Kenya
And so much more. These are Africa-specific issues that require people like you to offer your time and energy towards long-term solutions. At the same time, you get to explore a unique culture in some of the world’s most spectacularly beautiful locations.
How to Become a Volunteer in Africa
Want to know more about how to volunteer in Africa? The good news is that we make it incredibly accessible! Just follow these steps to make your Africa volunteer travel dreams into a reality:
- Think about the work you want to do, whether that’s helping children, protecting endangered wildlife, or building houses. If you have your heart set on a particular country in Africa, then choose your favorite from the projects we offer in that destination.
- Reach out to our Project Experts, who can provide more information and help you make the right choice for your interests and goals.
- Decide how much time you have to travel to Africa, how flexible your dates are, and if you’d rather travel alone or as part of a group. This will determine what kind of trip is right for you, whether that's an independent Flexi Trip, Team Trip, or a High School Special for students aged 15-18.
- Once you know which African country you want to visit, what type of work you’d like to be doing, and the length you wish to travel for, there’s nothing left to do but fill in the application form and book your place!
How Old Do I Have to be to Volunteer in Africa?
All our Africa volunteer programs are open to people aged 16 and over. To join a project, all you need to do is check you meet the requirements and apply. Most of our volunteer abroad projects have minimum requirements which are stated clearly on the project page, but feel free to get in touch for more advice and support.
We also offer volunteer programs in Africa for high school students aged 15-18. Our High School Specials are designed to give teenagers the support and care they need as young travelers.
And there’s no upper age limit! We believe you’re never too old to do volunteer work in Africa. We offer volunteer opportunities in Africa for college students, gap year, post-grads and adults! In fact, your experience and skills are much needed to support development in African countries.
Is Volunteering in Africa Ethical?
Rest assured you’ll have an ethical experience with us in Africa. We hold all our volunteers to a high standard, especially if you’re working with children, animals, or in a medical setting. As champions of responsible volunteer travel, we follow an eight-point checklist for all projects, including our service trips to Africa. This guarantees an ethical travel experience for all involved.
Learn more about our policies and approach to ethical volunteering.
Do We Offer Short Term Volunteer Opportunities in Africa?
Looking to do a one-week volunteer program in Africa? While we encourage you to maximize your impact by volunteering in Africa for as long as possible, you can also volunteer in Africa for a week, or two weeks, if you’d prefer.
If you’re concerned about what kind of impact you can really make in a week, read our blog that explains how we approach short-term volunteering.
Summer Volunteer Opportunities in Africa
Interested in summer volunteer programs in Africa? We're flexible, and you can travel with us at any point over June, July, or August, from as little as one week or you can volunteer in Africa for a month. Find a volunteer trip to Africa that suits you:
- For the independent traveler
- For someone wanting to join a group
- For the High School student wanting to join a group over fixed dates
Our service trips to Africa are accessible to any person who has the passion and dedication to do it. We welcome volunteers from across the globe who want to join our ethical and sustainable service projects in Africa.
Can I do an Internship in Africa?
Absolutely! We have a number of Africa internships available for you to take part in. You also have the opportunity to do a Medical Internship in Africa and learn from local professionals. Join one of our teams in Tanzania, Ghana or Kenya.
In South Africa, for example, you have the opportunity to work with a local non-profit on an international development internship or help children with special needs on an equine therapy internship.
You can complete a a human rights internship in Ghana, or support female entrepreneurs on a microfinance internship in Tanzania. There are many options to fit your professional and experiential growth.
Get in touch with us for more information on our internships in Africa, and how we can fulfill all of your internship requirements.
Can I Volunteer in Africa for Free?
We want you to have an experience abroad that is safe and impactful. We can’t achieve our long term sustainable development goals without adequate funding, which is why we charge a fee for our volunteer projects in Africa. This fee covers food, accommodation, and much more. The money you pay to volunteer abroad ensures you have a safe and hassle-free trip, so you can focus on making a positive transformation.
Read more about why you can’t volunteer abroad for free.
People often ask “how much does it cost to volunteer in Africa?”. The answer depends on where you go, what you do, and how long you volunteer for. But it’s probably not as much as you think. Especially when you consider that our program fees include:
- Three meals a day
- Accommodation
- Transportation to and from your placement
Plus, the longer you stay, the lower the cost per week. If you’re looking for low cost volunteering in Africa, our projects start at just $925.
You can also take advantage of our flexible payment plans. We understand that paying in one go isn’t always possible, so we just ask for an initial deposit and then you can pay as much or as little as you like in a series of small installments. We’re completely flexible, but the full fee does need to be paid in full before you leave for your project.
We also offer advice and support for volunteer fundraising, so you can get the funds you need to go on the adventure of a lifetime! Our staff and alumni are experts on raising funds and we’ll ensure that you’re able to secure the required amount.
Is it Safe to Volunteer in Africa?
Many people ask if a volunteer trip to Africa is safe. When you volunteer with us, this is something you can stop worrying about. We’ll place you in African countries that are politically stable and safe to visit, and our local staff keep a close eye on changing situations.
We only work in the safest countries in Africa to volunteer. This means that you can really devote your energy into making a positive change in the local community. As always when traveling abroad, volunteers in Africa should stay alert. Local staff will be on hand to offer tips and advice on keeping yourself and your belongings safe. They’re available 24/7.
Find out more about safety and backup on our projects.
Where to Volunteer in Africa
Our places to volunteer in Africa include the following countries:
Africa is an incredibly diverse continent, with awe-inspiring natural wonders and a rich cultural heritage. We do volunteer work in several African countries and can help you find the best volunteer program in Africa for you.
In each African country we work in, we’ve identified the needs of the local communities. Our volunteer placements in Africa all work toward supporting sustainable development and helping people overcome these challenges.
So, what are you waiting for? Join us as a volunteer in Africa today, and become part of something bigger!
Can't find what you're looking for?
We have the expertise and staff on the ground to create a custom volunteer projects in Africa for you, or simply help you find the best option.
Speak to one of our Africa experts on:
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