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
Volunteer with monkeys in South Africa
Help re-habilitate orphaned monkeys in beautiful rural South Africa
From
£769
10 days
ex flights
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
From
US $1544
14 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
Wildlife photography and volunteering in South Africa
Enjoy amazing wildlife photography while giving back!
From
£2295
4 weeks
ex flights
Family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
Hands-on family volunteering with monkeys in South Africa
From
£767
7 days
ex flights
Volunteer with elephants in South Africa
Volunteer with elephants on the stunning Garden Route
From
£1365
21 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
Volunteering with Elephants in South Africa
Study and care for elephants in South Africa
From
£795
7 days
ex flights
Teaching assistant volunteering in South Africa
Help disadvantaged kids to learn English in South Africa
From
£1125
4 weeks
ex flights
The great white shark conservation project in South Africa
Encounter iconic Great White Sharks in South Africa!
From
£895 to £3995
15 days
ex flights
Wildlife orphanage volunteering in South Africa
Care for orphaned animals in stunning South Africa!
From
£530 to £2590
7 days
ex flights
Shark conservation in South Africa
Conserve sharks, whales and penguins in South Africa
From
£829
7 days
ex flights
South Africa endangered wildlife conservation
Assist with protecting endangered species in South Africa
From
£1195
14 days
ex flights
Veterinary internship in South Africa
Veterinary experience in South Africa
From
£1195
14 days
ex flights
Zululand conservation project
Preserve iconic wildlife in the breathtaking South Africa!
From
£1195 to £5195
14 days
ex flights
Wildlife conservation course in South Africa
Learn species conservation and habitat management in South Africa
From
US $3000
4 weeks
ex flights
Over 40s volunteering with elephants, South Africa
Over-40s group volunteer with elephants adventure in Africa
From
£1185
7 days
ex flights
Sports coaching in South Africa
Coach your favourite sport & inspire disadvantaged children
From
£1125
4 weeks
ex flights
Veterinary internship in Chintsa, South Africa
Hands-on veterinary experience in game reserves and farms
From
£1699
14 days
ex flights
Volunteer at a lion sanctuary in South Africa
Work with rescued big cats in Africa's largest sanctuary
From
£1495
4 weeks
ex flights
Photography volunteer program in Cape Town
Make an impact through photography!
From
US $1850 to US $4850
8 days
ex flights
South Africa volunteering with the big five
Take part in the conservation of Africa's wildlife.
From
£635 to £5778
8 days
ex flights
Wildlife conservation safari in South Africa
Join wildlife conservation experts in the field
From
R9600 to R30000
5 days
ex flights
Big cat conservation safari, South Africa
Safari with purpose to support South Africa's lions
From
R45138 to R55126
7 days
ex flights
South Africa wildlife volunteering holiday
Conservation & animal care in a South African Big 5 Reserve
From
£709
7 days
ex flights
Big five conservation in South Africa
Volunteer with the Big Five in South Africa.
From
£495 to £5765
8 days
ex flights
Wildlife conservation in South Africa
Protect wildlife in a stunning coastal reserve
From
£695
7 days
ex flights
Wildlife photography and conservation in South Africa
Photography and conservation on a Big 5 game reserve
From
£3860
12 days
ex flights
Volunteer with elephants in South Africa, 1 week
Care for rescued elephants on the stunning Garden Route
From
£875
7 days
ex flights
Volunteer at The Shamwari Wildlife Reserve, South Africa
Conserve species on a South African game reserve
From
£1195 to £7195
14 days
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 $1544
14 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2021: 25 Jan, 8 Feb, 22 Feb, 8 Mar, 22 Mar, 5 Apr, 19 Apr, 3 May, 17 May, 31 May, 14 Jun, 28 Jun, 12 Jul, 26 Jul, 9 Aug, 23 Aug, 6 Sep, 20 Sep, 4 Oct, 18 Oct, 1 Nov, 15 Nov, 29 Nov, 13 Dec, 27 Dec
2022: 10 Jan, 24 Jan, 7 Feb, 21 Feb, 7 Mar, 21 Mar, 4 Apr, 18 Apr, 2 May, 16 May, 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
2021: 25 Jan, 8 Feb, 22 Feb, 8 Mar, 22 Mar, 5 Apr, 19 Apr, 3 May, 17 May, 31 May, 14 Jun, 28 Jun, 12 Jul, 26 Jul, 9 Aug, 23 Aug, 6 Sep, 20 Sep, 4 Oct, 18 Oct, 1 Nov, 15 Nov, 29 Nov, 13 Dec, 27 Dec
2022: 10 Jan, 24 Jan, 7 Feb, 21 Feb, 7 Mar, 21 Mar, 4 Apr, 18 Apr, 2 May, 16 May, 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
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...
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