Volunteer in Africa

Do you want to give back? Are you looking for a truly life changing experience? Find volunteer opportunities in Africa!

Imagine rescuing animals in the wild such as baby cheetahs and elephants. Or building a school to improve the education of village children. Do more than imagine…go and do it!

You can join amazing volunteer opportunities, get a life changing experience, see the stunning scenery of Africa, and create memories you will cherish for a lifetime.

There are opportunities to help throughout the region, some programs are cheap or completely free.

Best Volunteer Programs in Africa

Where to Volunteer in Africa

You can find volunteering opportunities throughout the continent. Popular destinations include: Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Other slightly more off the beaten track locations can include: Benin, Bukina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Why Volunteer in Africa

People join volunteer programs in Africa for various different reasons. One of the main ones being the sense of satisfaction that you can get from working towards causes you are interested in.

Some people volunteer because they find it’s a good way to live abroad, travel and immerse yourself in a different culture. Some people volunteer on career breaks to get away from the hectic lifestyle in their home country. This is especially the case when people are at cross roads in their life and are not sure which way to go. And surprisingly volunteering works well for them as it gives them time to get away and start seeing things from a completely new perspective, cherish the opportunities and the life they have and start afresh. Volunteering in Africa really can be a life changing experience.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to volunteer in Africa, organisations have the aim to make it one of the most enjoyable, challenging and rewarding experiences of your life. As long as you have some humility and respect other cultures and beliefs, you will love Africa. And don’t forget the new friends you will make, the places you will see and the experiences you will have.

How You Can Help

Want to volunteer in Africa? Get involved with great projects across the continent, many are perfect for both first time volunteers and seasoned travellers wanting to put something back and get to know this incredible continent up close.

Popular projects include teaching, building, sport, healthcare and conservation but there are also many more opportunities listed on our site. Popular places to give back include volunteering in Cape Town which is such a beautiful city.

If you have a particular skill or interest which you cannot find please contact an organisation so they can advise on a suitable project which can make use of your skills or knowledge.

Community Volunteering
The needs of communities and individuals around the world are varied and diverse. As a Community Volunteer, you will work within communities to provide assistance in meaningful ways, often to disadvantaged groups. This may involve working with young people with special needs, or elderly people in community centres.

Alternatively you might work with a youth organisation or undertake education and awareness programmes through partner organisations to highlight issues such as HIV and AIDS. The work can be challenging but is truly rewarding and will give you a unique insight into the life of your new community.

Sports Coaching
Another community based way to help, organisations work in partnership with local NGO’s which use sport to re-engage young people. Organisations harnesses the enormously popular sport of football to address education and health challenges in underserved communities across Africa.

Volunteers on these placements will help to educate the users through a range of different sports. Participants should have an interest in sports and will be focusing on raising awareness, training, peer education, resources development and teaching.

Wildlife Conservation Projects
With multiple wildlife conservation projects you will learn about Africa’s wildlife, ecosystems and nature but it’s how you learn about this that is really interesting. Because you go out on reserves every single day, with a trained ranger to go and study the animals and learn all about them.

There is scientific study involved in it, but not always. Sometimes you just go out for a drive in the specially adapted game ranger vehicles to have a look around and see what you see. En route the guide will tell you all there is to know about the wildlife.

What you do day-to-day really changes depending on the needs of the reserve. You might be tasked with mending fences, relocating animals doing game counts all kinds of things. No matter what you do end up doing, your contribution will be very helpful in maintaining the reserves, and the balance of the ecosystem throughout.

Due to their remote nature of wildlife conservation projects, it can take a little bit of time to get used to your new surroundings. Especially when you are aware of the fact that you are in the heart of the African bush. Most wildlife conservation projects are located inside the game reserves that means the wild animals.

Medical and Healthcare
Health worker placements are some of the most challenging but rewarding volunteering placements. Based in local health centres, volunteers help the local staff, who are usually overworked and responsible for almost everything medically-based in their community.

The role of a local health centre is vital within a rural community and is greatly respected; it’s rare to find doctors or nurses at rural health centres, so the demands on local staff are great and your support and flexibility will be much appreciated.

The role does not require any technical or medical experience and you will volunteer under the supervision of local staff (although if you do have experience, that would certainly be welcomed).

Typical activities can include: assisting with some of the running of a health centre, looking after a basic pharmacy and providing general administration for patient care, helping to maintain patient records, assisting with activities with babies and under-fives and monthly baby monitoring (weighing) and feeding, assisting with outreach programmes and involvement with health education campaigns.

Volunteering in Africa – FAQ

Program requirements
The minimum age for joining most programs is 16 unless you are volunteering as part of a group, with family or a school then younger ages are accepted. There are no specific qualifications needed to join non-skilled programs. Volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient as well as possess a passion and love for doing something good.

Accommodation
You will usually stay in a homestay or hotel/hostel. The location will likely be near your volunteering project so it is very convenient. You can choose to have your own room with your private bathroom.

Can I make a difference?
Everyone has something to offer the project they visit as there is still so much need in Africa. Whether it is extra hands to complete a building project, a specific skill you want to share to simply acknowledging a vulnerable child’s existence, you can be confident you will make a big difference to the community you work with.

In-country support
Local volunteer coordinators will be English speaking. They will help you with choosing the right placement and assist with any questions or advice during your stay. Your coordinator will be happy to advise you on the top spots to visit in the area and further afield. You may want to travel with other volunteers which could be more fun!

Activities and sightseeing
There will be lots of free time to go explore. Your local coordinators will be happy to advise you on the top spots to visit in the area and further afield. You may want to travel with other volunteers which could be more fun!

What’s included
Some local and international organisations offers all inclusive volunteering experiences; all program transport, meals, accommodation, orientation and support is pre-organised to ensure that volunteers can immerse themselves into their program, trouble-free, upon arrival. A large percentage of some program fees goes directly into the schools, projects and reserves with the remainder covering running costs such as food, fuel, accommodation and staff salaries. Most organisations receive no support from the government and relies on paying volunteers to continue running initiatives.