VOLUNTEERING IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH YOUR KIDS
Volunteering in South Africa is not your average family holiday. Work can be hard, conditions can be basic, clothes will get battered and tantrums won't be pandered to, even if dad really, really, really, wants a rest.
The rewards for families volunteering in South Africa – both culturally and emotionally – are infinite. Forget kids’ clubs so parents can laze about; volunteering in South Africa allows families to work as a team. Mum and Dad get to show they're actually more than washing, tidying and nagging machines. Volunteering with orphaned primates allows kids to become parent, whilst parents get to remember what it feels like to care for a helpless infant.
Community volunteering projects are better suited for older children – 12 years plus. Kids get to share a classroom with students who are as eager to get to know them as they are in their lessons. Helping someone of the same age can be an inspirational experience and can help visiting families to appreciate what they’ve got. From accommodation with swimming pools to safari tours before or after a project - volunteering in South Africa as a family flips holidays of the past right out of the park.
Entry requirements
Be aware that immigration rules introduced by South Africa in 2015 require parents travelling with children under 18 to bring a full unabridged birth certificate for each child, with the names of both parents, as well as the child’s. Short, abridged versions that only include the child’s details aren’t accepted. Check the FCO website for more details.Our South Africa volunteering family Holidays
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
From
US $1425
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
Horse rehabilitation project in South Africa
Work hands on with horses on the South African coast
From
£895
7 days
ex flights
Volunteer with children & animals in South Africa
Volunteer with children and wild animals in South Africa.
From
€550 to €3990
7 days
ex flights
Wildlife conservation holiday in South Africa
Assist with conservation & research in Greater Kruger Park
From
£1095
14 days
ex flights
Family volunteering and safari holiday, South Africa
Take your family on a truly rewarding holiday of a lifetime
From
US $679
7 days
ex flights
Family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
Hands-on family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
From
£767
7 days
ex flights
Big five conservation in South Africa
Volunteer with the Big Five in South Africa.
From
£828 to £4967
15 days
ex flights
Lion rehabilitation volunteering in South Africa
Care for and rehabilitate lions rescued from canned hunting
From
£1475
14 days
ex flights
Primate rescue volunteer holiday in South Africa
Providing rescued primates with a better quality of life
From
£545
7 days
ex flights
The great white shark conservation project in South Africa
Encounter iconic Great White Sharks in South Africa!
From
£895 to £3895
14 days
ex flights
Photography volunteer program in Cape Town
Make a difference through photography!
From
US $1995
8 days
ex flights
Volunteer with deaf children in South Africa
A very worthwhile and satisfying teaching project: Cape Town
From
£1695
4 weeks
ex flights
Kruger safari & community volunteering in Swaziland
Kruger and Building
From
US $1236 to US $2851
14 days
ex flights
South Africa marine conservation diving holiday
Learn to dive and contribute to research in Sodwana Bay
From
£1345
14 days
ex flights
Veterinary internship in South Africa
Veterinary experience in South Africa
From
£1195
14 days
ex flights
Teaching assistant volunteering in South Africa
Help disadvantaged kids to learn English in South Africa
From
£1239
5 weeks
ex flights
Mozambique marine conservation & Kruger safari
Moz Marine conservation & Kruger
From
US $3036 to US $4630
5 weeks
ex flights
Whale and Dolphin monitoring in South Africa
Monitor dolphins & whales in their natural habitat. Amazing.
From
£945
7 days
ex flights
Conservation volunteering for over 40s in South Africa
Over-40s volunteer holiday on a Big 5 game reserve in Africa
From
£709
8 days
ex flights
Volunteer with elephants in South Africa
Volunteer with elephants on the stunning Garden Route
From
£1295
21 days
ex flights
Zululand conservation project
Preserve iconic wildlife in the breathtaking South Africa!
From
£1195 to £4945
14 days
ex flights
Wildlife photography and volunteering in South Africa
Enjoy amazing wildlife photography while giving back!
From
US $3875
4 weeks
ex flights
Shark conservation in South Africa
Conserve sharks, whales and penguins in South Africa
From
£829
7 days
ex flights
Wildlife conservation in South Africa
Protect wildlife in a stunning coastal reserve
From
£1095
14 days
ex flights
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Assist with protecting endangered species in South Africa
From
£1195
14 days
ex flights
South Africa volunteering expedition, Kruger to Cape
Kruger 2 Cape expedition
From
US $3440 to US $4138
8 weeks
ex flights
Vervet monkey rehabilitation project in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Care for, Rehabilitate, Release Vervet Monkeys into the wild
From
£895
7 days
ex flights
South Africa volunteering with the big five
Take part in the conservation of Africa's wildlife.
From
£475 to £5700
15 days
ex flights
Sports coaching volunteering in South Africa
Coach various sports and teach in stunning Knysna
From
£1695
4 weeks
ex flights
VOLUNTEERING FOR FAMILIES
VOLUNTEERING FOR FAMILIES
Volunteering for families-what to do with children
If you think your own little monkeys could do with a reality check when it comes to parenting skills then volunteering with orphaned primates could be just the answer. After getting to grips with bottle feeding, baby bathing and other important monkey business, there's plenty of time to make new pals by the pool or simply soak up the sights and sounds of the South African bush. Monkey hugs are the perfect payment for hard work.
Horse rehabilitation projects help animals regain their trust in humans. Not only will you be invited to feed, groom and care for horses but you might also be asked to assist with bush, trail and beach rides, close to the Indian Ocean. No experience is necessary but you will be expected to work hard and muck in, as well as mucking out.
Our top South Africa volunteering family Holiday
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
From
US $1425
14 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 29 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 23 Sep, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 4 Nov, 18 Nov, 2 Dec
2020: 13 Jan, 27 Jan, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 9 Mar, 23 Mar, 6 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 1 Jun, 15 Jun, 29 Jun, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 10 Aug, 24 Aug, 7 Sep, 21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov, 14 Dec, 28 Dec
2019: 29 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 23 Sep, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 4 Nov, 18 Nov, 2 Dec
2020: 13 Jan, 27 Jan, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 9 Mar, 23 Mar, 6 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 1 Jun, 15 Jun, 29 Jun, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 10 Aug, 24 Aug, 7 Sep, 21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov, 14 Dec, 28 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.
VOLUNTEERING HOLIDAYS FOR FAMILIES
What type of project?
What type of project?
Anne Smellie, from our top volunteering holidays supplier Oyster Worldwide:
“Families are often better suited to volunteering with wildlife in South Africa rather than community projects. Often kids might be quite shy at first; however, once they’ve been given a task, such as caring for an infant monkey or helping to prepare food, they stick to it and often display a really keen work ethic as well as growing in confidence as their holiday progresses. It’s also great for children and their parents to work side by side. This allows adults to show a different side to just being mum or dad, in addition to the whole family working as a team towards a common goal.”
Is it for you?
Is it for you?
Anne Smellie, Oyster Worldwide:
“Families thinking about volunteering with wildlife should remember that this is not your average family holiday. Accommodation can be basic. There will be cultural and physical challenges. You will become really immersed in rural South Africa where you’ll be helping to make a positive difference and working within a team; a positive attitude is a must for all members of the family.”
Why volunteer as a family?
Why volunteer as a family?
Jon Arnold, from Oyster Worldwide:
“Volunteering holidays give the kids much more of a cultural understanding, it’s giving them a lesson in how great it is to volunteer, and really making the most of their holiday time. They’re not just staying in an all inclusive holiday resort and lying on a beach. They’re actually doing something really worthwhile with those two weeks. And these are projects that we’ve picked particularly because there are things for the children to do and to contribute to as well – the minimum age is around seven.”
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.
Volunteering in South Africa is life changing, and not only for the communities and wildlife that you’ll be assisting.
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...
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Frontier Official] [Boy feeding monkey: Oyster Worldwide]
[Habitat repairs: Pod volunteer]
[Horse rehabilitation: Pod Volunteer]
[What type of project: Alias0591]
[Is it for you: Marcus Lovfenberg]
[Why volunteer as a family: Pod Volunteer]
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