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South Africa volunteering guide

Volunteering in South Africa is life changing, and not only for the communities and wildlife that you’ll be assisting. Our South Africa volunteering travel guide opens up the variety of positive experiences, as well as explaining the perils of volunteering without doing any research. Find out what we rate and what we don’t as you discover a hands-on approach to vacations that puts safaris and beach breaks in the shade.

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South Africa volunteering guide

Away from affluent areas, out of sight of Stellenbosch, and past the protected perimeters of private game reserves, there’s a side to South Africa that needs your help. Volunteer your time, skills, and enthusiasm, and you’ll find out what’s beyond the tourist highs; just make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before you sign up with rose tinted intentions. Short stays – one or two weeks – are better suited to volunteering with animals or physical projects where the more hands on the job, the better.

Hard work, cultural shocks, emotional exchanges and obliterated clothing – if you’re still looking to volunteer and make a difference in South Africa, you might just have what it takes.

Longer stays – four or five weeks, or more – are ideal for those looking to work with people, form relationships, and get a deeper understanding of South Africa’s complex character. Passionate pupils, orphaned monkeys, great white sharks, drought damaged soil; you can visit Cape Town, safari in Kruger or beach braai at weekends but, you know what, it will most likely be the working week, the eight till five, that you miss the most.

See all our South Africa Volunteering Vacations

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is/isn't...

Volunteering in South Africa is...

for the kids, the teachers, the carers and the lions within us all.

Volunteering in South Africa isn’t...

a vacation or a safari; it’s much better than that.

Our South Africa Volunteering Vacations

WHAT WE RATE & WHAT WE DON'T

UNDERRATED

GREAT WHITE SHARKS

Getting out of your depth with a great white shark …

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

This is not your average family vacation, and there will …

ENDANGERED WILDLIFE

Cheetahs, wild dogs, black rhinos and vultures all fall into …

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS

Starts are usually early, work can be laborious and clothes …

RATED

SPORTS COACHING

PE isn't taught in many of the schools that support …

MONKEYS:

The fight for food, water and space in South Africa …

BIG CAT SANCTUARIES

Volunteering to care for lions, tigers and leopards that have …

VOLUNTEER PARK RANGER

A day in the life of a park ranger can …

RATED

OVERRATED

WHISTLESTOP HOLIDAYS

We recommend community based volunteers sign up for a minimum …

CUDDLING CUBS

Although legitimate animal welfare centers benefit hugely from volunteer projects, …

EASY ACCESS

If you're applying to volunteer with children and there aren’t …

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about South Africa Volunteering or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

Toll free 1-866-821-6866

Calling us from outside the US?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Toll free 1-866-821-6866

Calling us from outside the US?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

More about South Africa Volunteering

Best time to volunteer in South Africa

Volunteers are needed all year round, so check out the best time to volunteer in South Africa in terms of temperature and rainfall.

Our top 10 South Africa volunteering holidays

Our top 10 South Africa volunteering vacations

We’ve picked our top 10 South Africa volunteering vacations so you can get a better understanding of what we do, and how you can help to make a real difference.

Wildlife volunteering in South Africa

Our wildlife volunteering vacation’s page breaks down the different types of tour that we offer as well as managing traveler expectations when it comes to what types of wildlife you can expect to see, and the sort of jobs and tasks you’ll be doing.

Volunteering vacations in KwaZulu-Natal

From endangered wildlife monitoring to community construction projects, KwaZulu Natal volunteering vacations offer a unique way to experience this vibrant South African region.

Leopard conservation holidays in South Africa

Leopard conservation vacations in South Africa

Checking camera traps and analysing photo data coupled with game drives into some of KwaZulu Natal’s most biodiverse wilderness areas; leopard conservation vacations offer volunteers a unique insight into the little-seen lives of South Africa’s most elusive big cats.

Community volunteering in South Africa

Our community volunteering vacations in South Africa require commitment in terms of time, as well as the physical, mental and emotional demands of working in some of South Africa’s poorest communities.

Captive animal volunteering

Travelers really need to do their research before signing up for a captive wildlife volunteering vacation in South Africa.

Responsible volunteering in South Africa

From pollution to poverty, respecting cultural traditions to respecting animals, there are many responsible volunteering issues to keep in mind...

More relevant guides

Written by Chris Owen

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: Frontier Official] [volunteering is...: Seth Doyle] [Underrated..shark: Olga Ernst] [Underrated..family volunteer: Pod volunteer] [Underrated..endangered wild: Derek Keats] [Underated..managing expectations: Frontier Official] [Rated..sports coach: Richard Matthews] [Rated..monkeys: Afrika Force] [Rated..Big cat sanctuaries: Wade Lambert] [Rated..volunteer park ranger: Frontier Official] [Overrated..whistlestop tours: Travelers Worldwide] [Overrated...cuddling cubs: Frontier Official] [Overrated..Easy access: Frontier Official]

South Africa volunteering guide