Animals
South Africa, Johannesburg5(4)
Volunteer in a wildlife rescue farm
- Duration
- 2 to 12 weeks
- Age
- From 16 years old
from €2,112 for 2 weeks
South Africa
Volunteer opportunities in South Africa
From the Big 5 to marine conservation in Cape Town, volunteer in South Africa with Freepackers in a country of breathtaking natural beauty and diverse wildlife.
8 programmes in this country
South Africa offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities that allow you to make a meaningful impact while exploring the country’s rich cultural heritage. From wildlife conservation to community development projects, there are many ways for volunteers to contribute and create positive change in this vibrant nation.
South Africa is renowned for being home to the “Big 5”, especially around the large reserves near Johannesburg, which offer many volunteer opportunities in wildlife and nature conservation.
Cape Town is one of the most popular places for social and community work. Being in an urban environment while also close to nature provides a host of volunteer opportunities in marine conservation, education and animal care.
Good to know before you go
- Visa
- For humanitarian trips and stays in South Africa of less than 90 days, nationals of many European countries can enter without a visa for tourism purposes. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after the date you leave the country and have at least two blank pages. A return or onward ticket may be requested on arrival. For a stay of more than 90 days, an appropriate visa (study, volunteering, work, etc.) must be applied for before departure from the relevant authorities. As conditions may change, it is recommended to check official sources before any trip.
- Health
- Please check with your doctor or a travel clinic which vaccinations you need for your destination. You can also find up-to-date health advice for each destination on the Institut Pasteur website.
Our programmes in South Africa
Teaching
South Africa, Johannesburg5(1)
Community project in South Africa
- Duration
- 2 to 10 weeks
- Age
- From 16 years old
from €2,090 for 2 weeks
Marine life
South Africa5(2)
Marine conservation: sharks, whales and penguins
- Duration
- 2 to 12 weeks
- Age
- From 18 years old
from €1,753 for 2 weeks
Animals
South Africa5(4)
Wildlife sanctuary near Johannesburg
- Duration
- 2 to 12 weeks
- Age
- From 18 years old
from €2,623 for 2 weeks
Animals
South Africa5(2)
Bush school and wildlife orphanage
- Duration
- 2 to 12 weeks
- Age
- From 18 years old
from €1,445 for 2 weeks
Animals
South Africa, Cape Town4.7(6)
School support and childcare in Cape Town
- Duration
- 2 to 12 weeks
- Age
- From 15 years old
from €914 for 2 weeks
Teaching
South Africa, Johannesburg5(3)
Ecovolunteering in 3 African countries
- Duration
- 4 to 12 weeks
- Age
- From 18 years old
from €2,927 for 4 weeks
Animals
South Africa4.8(4)
Big 5 wildlife conservation
- Duration
- 2 to 12 weeks
- Age
- From 18 years old
from €2,164 for 2 weeks
About the destination
About South Africa
South Africa is also where some of the oldest human fossils were found, earning the site the title of “Cradle of Humankind”. This is just one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Africa.
Where to volunteer in South Africa
For long-term volunteering and internships, it is highly recommended to combine several community and environmental projects to make your experience in South Africa more immersive and impactful.
What are the requirements to volunteer in South Africa?
While specific requirements may vary depending on the organization or project, certain qualifications and skills are generally necessary for volunteers. Firstly, fluency in English is crucial as it is the primary language used in most programmes. Additionally, volunteers should possess good communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with locals and fellow volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Volunteers will also need a valid passport and travel insurance.
Advice before volunteering in South Africa
Although English is an official language of South Africa, learning some basic phrases of the local language spoken in the region where you’ll be volunteering would be very useful in connecting with the local communities as well as in showing respect for the local culture.
Be sure to look after your health and safety both before you leave and when you arrive at the project. Check with your doctor and the Pasteur Institute for any recommended vaccines and medications.
Always respect the local culture and keep an open mind. In any volunteer programme, it is important to have a flexible, positive attitude. Mentally prepare to be put outside your comfort zone.
Is it safe to volunteer in South Africa?
Our projects are carefully selected and monitored by partners on site, and there will be support, guidance and access to emergency aid 24/7. Nevertheless, you should always exercise caution when in an unfamiliar area. Petty theft can occur, especially in urban and tourist areas. Also, be sure to follow any recommendations from your healthcare professional.
Volunteering in South Africa
Whether you want to support communities, work in a wildlife reserve or take part in an environmental preservation project, South Africa has many NGOs that need volunteers.
Among the most popular programmes are wildlife protection and the Big 5 project. And of course, there are many other humanitarian trips to South Africa to discover!
Discover all our programmes for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, as well as our accredited internships and training courses.
