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.
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 holiday or a safari; it’s much better than that.
Our South Africa volunteering Holidays
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
From
US $1463
14 days
ex flights
Volunteer with monkeys in South Africa
Help re-habilitate orphaned monkeys in beautiful rural South Africa
From
£769
10 days
ex flights
Wildlife photography and volunteering in South Africa
Enjoy amazing wildlife photography while giving back!
From
£2295
4 weeks
ex flights
Volunteering with Elephants in South Africa
Study and care for elephants in South Africa
From
£895
7 days
ex flights
Family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
Hands-on family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
From
£769
10 days
ex flights
Volunteer with children & animals in South Africa
Volunteer with children and wild animals in South Africa.
From
€590 to €2900
7 days
ex flights
WHAT WE RATE & WHAT WE DON'T
UNDERRATED
RATED
OVERRATED
Our top South Africa volunteering Holiday
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
From
US $1463
14 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 30 May, 13 Jun, 27 Jun, 11 Jul, 25 Jul, 8 Aug, 22 Aug, 5 Sep, 19 Sep, 3 Oct, 17 Oct, 31 Oct, 14 Nov, 28 Nov, 12 Dec, 26 Dec
2023: 9 Jan, 23 Jan, 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 6 Mar, 20 Mar, 3 Apr, 17 Apr, 1 May, 15 May, 29 May, 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 16 Oct, 30 Oct, 13 Nov, 27 Nov, 11 Dec, 25 Dec
2022: 30 May, 13 Jun, 27 Jun, 11 Jul, 25 Jul, 8 Aug, 22 Aug, 5 Sep, 19 Sep, 3 Oct, 17 Oct, 31 Oct, 14 Nov, 28 Nov, 12 Dec, 26 Dec
2023: 9 Jan, 23 Jan, 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 6 Mar, 20 Mar, 3 Apr, 17 Apr, 1 May, 15 May, 29 May, 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 16 Oct, 30 Oct, 13 Nov, 27 Nov, 11 Dec, 25 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about South Africa volunteering or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
01273 823 700
Call us today after 9am
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More about South Africa volunteering
Volunteers are needed all year round, so check out the best time to volunteer in South Africa in terms of temperature and rainfall.
We’ve picked our top 10 South Africa volunteering holidays so you can get a better understanding of what we do, and how you can help to make a real difference.
Our wildlife volunteering holiday’s page breaks down the different types of tour that we offer as well as managing traveller expectations.
From endangered wildlife monitoring to community construction projects, KwaZulu Natal volunteering holidays offer a unique way to experience this vibrant South African region.
Checking camera traps and analysing photo data coupled with game drives into some of KwaZulu Natal’s most biodiverse wilderness areas; leopard conservation holidays offer volunteers a unique insight into the little-seen lives of South Africa’s most elusive big cats.
Our community volunteering holidays 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.
Travellers really need to do their research before signing up for a captive wildlife volunteering holiday in South Africa.
From pollution to poverty, respecting cultural traditions to respecting animals, there are many responsible volunteering issues to keep in mind...
