Volunteer projects in Africa
Choosing a destination for your working holiday in Africa
can be overwhelming, especially for first time travellers to Africa.
This page compares the main highlights of all the African countries
that African Impact covers, including details of the types of volunteer
projects to expect in each country.
» Botswana |
» Kenya | »
Lesotho | » Malawi | »
Mozambique | »
Namibia
» South Africa |»
Swaziland | » Tanzania | »
Uganda | » Zambia | »
Zimbabwe
Choose a specific volunteer project
If you are undecided as to which country you would like to visit
for your working holiday in Africa, then we advise that you view
all volunteer projects in Africa or perhaps
read through our past volunteers
stories.
Working Holiday in Africa
Botswana Working Holidays
Botswana is a landlocked country famed for its wildlife, herds
of elephants and the unique Okavango Delta. A working holiday in
Botswana will be a real bush experience, working with wildlife and
small rural communities. One such wildlife project is the Mashatu
Research Participation Programme.
If you plan to take some time out on your working holiday in Botswana,
then we suggest exploring the intriguing Okavango Delta via the
traditional canoe called a makori - a true African experience! Let
the locals take you on an adventure through the tranquil waterways
and enjoy spotting big game from your dugout boat. Botswana is home
to many large wildlife reserves such as the Chobe National Park
and is therefore highly acclaimed as one of Africa's top safari
destinations.
If you are an avid wildlife, nature and conservation enthusiast
then we highly recommend one of our volunteer projects in Botswana.
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Kenya Working Holidays
For volunteers who wish to experience a combination of Africa’s
highlights, then a working holiday in Kenya is highly recommended:
sun, sand and savannah await you...
Home to the Serengeti, this is the country where the Swahili word
"Safari", meaning 'journey' originates, and is evident
in the common sightings of the Big Five at its world famous Masai
Mara National Park.
Volunteer projects in Kenya include both wildlife work and community
work in traditional villages.
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Lesotho Working Holidays
Lesotho is a traditional African kingdom enclosed within South
Africa and is home to magnificent mountain ranges, rivers, valleys
and small rural villages boasting colourfully painted traditional
huts.
Volunteering in Lesotho will find you working in small rural villages
high in the mountains, either teaching underprivileged children
or helping to build schools. Pony trek through rural areas, rugged
terrain and explore completely unspoiled territory on your time
off!
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Malawi Working Holidays
Malawi has one of the largest freshwater lakes in Africa and Lake
Malawi is often referred to as "Malawi's inland sea" . The
expansive waters offer an abundance of small islands within its waters
that take up one fifth of the country's landmass. Lake Malawi serves
as the main source of livelihood for locals apart from tourism, as
it boasts an array of spectacular fish life.
Volunteer projects in Malawi are suited to those that love the
water. Scuba diving, snorkeling and secluded beaches are some of
the activities that will occupy your time off. The north of the
Malawian highlands are richer in wildlife. Their locals are known
to be the friendliest in Africa and English is very widely spoken.
Malawi volunteer projects centre mainly around helping communities
and various education projects.
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Mozambique Working Holidays
Mozambique is a tropical paradise that boasts pristine white beaches,
turquoise waters and palm trees as far as the eye can see.
During your time off, if you are not relaxing on the beach - or
swimming with dolphins, whale sharks or manta ray - you can immerse
yourself in the local markets, visit Mozambique’s capital
Maputo, explore the many tropical islands by traditional dhow or
sign up for a scuba diving course.
Mozambique is as exotic as it sounds and is definitely the prime
destination for volunteer work in Africa if you love the beach!
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Namibia Working Holidays
The semi-desert region of Namibia is a favourite with travellers
who are looking to do volunteer work in an untouched barren paradise.
Namibia draws you in with its looming red sand dunes, the turbulent
Orange river, the variety of adventure activities, traditional towns,
deep canyons and spectacular bronze sunsets.
Namibia is a mix of local cultures and is the gateway to the rugged
and beautiful heart of a striking 30000sq km of desert landscapes,
home to some of the highest and most expansive dunes in the world.
The western border is made up of Atlantic ocean shoreline, which
is a popular beach holiday destination in the summer.
Scattered among the sparse vegetation and Etosha National Park's
Big Five are a few small towns, a favourite being the traditional
Bavarian town of Swakopmund - a trendy, relaxed town with a modern
infrastructure. Namibia offers a contrasting mix of natural wonders
for you to enjoy when you are on your working holiday in Namibia.
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South Africa Working Holidays
Cosmopolitan South Africa is a modern country immersed in exquisite
beauty, from breathtaking ocean views, dry veld, grasslands to mountains
and lush green areas. We suggest volunteering in South Africa if
you want to be close to modern cities and have endless opportunities
to travel to all the contrasting areas within South Africa.
Johannesburg is a bustling city, the trendy economic capital of
South Africa. Cape Town is vivacious, one of the most stunning cities
on the globe and is home of the spectacular and unique Table Mountain
as well as the heritage site of Nelson Mandela’s prison home,
Robben Island. The ‘Wild Coast’ along the east coast
of South Africa boasts a variety of great surf spots and wildlife
sanctuaries that offer protection to the ‘Big 5’. There
are many cultural stops that will intrigue even the most seasoned
traveller.
Our African Impact projects in South Africa centre mainly around
HIV/AIDS orphan work, research, the upliftment of impoverished communities,
building houses, educational projects, medical projects and sports
coaching. One of our popular projects is our Teaching
and HIV/AIDS Education project which covers a variety of activities:
teaching, wildlife conservation and sports coaching along the Wild
Coast of South Africa.
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Swaziland Working Holidays
This landlocked mystical African country is contained within South
Africa and offers grand mountains, lush forests, valleys, and the
hot, dry African Lowveld. If you want to immerse yourself in a proud
and traditional African culture deep in the heart of an African
Kingdom, then a volunteer project in Swaziland is for you.
Swaziland locals are warm and welcoming. If you enjoy meeting new
people and find it easy to socialise with people from all walks
of life, then the small communities in Swaziland will welcome you
with open arms.
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Tanzania Working Holidays
Tanzania is East Africa’s largest country, and one of its
most diverse. It has some of the best game viewing on the continent,
Africa’s most infamous and highest summit – Mount Kilimanjaro,
the World’s largest crater – the Ngorongoro which teems
with wildlife and the exotic tropical island of Zanzibar.
If working with wildlife and being surrounded by looming mountain
peaks is your idea of the ultimate working holiday, then Tanzania
is the ideal country for you. The tropical island of Zanzibar lies
just off the coast of Tanzania and is worth exploring when you travel
after your working holiday. Take time to enjoy the stunning plains
of the Serengeti, the Great Rift Valley, the colourful spice markets
and the ancient capital of Stone Town.
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Uganda Working Holidays
Uganda is unspoiled jungle territory and home to various groups
of protected chimpanzees and gorillas. Uganda is also famous for
being the country that is the source of the Nile River. Its tremendous
cascading waterfalls make for some great adventure activities including
white water rafting! The untouched natural elements of Uganda make
it a country worth exploring.
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Zambia Working Holidays
Zambia is called home by some of Africa’s warmest people,
and its National Parks have a staggering amount of wildlife and
unparalleled game viewing opportunities. Zambia's man-made Lake
Kariba is popular for boating and water sports, and boasts a rich
fauna and flora life that is attractive for bird watching and fishing.
The powerful and majestic Victoria Falls is Zambia's main attraction
that lies on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Home to a variety
of Africa's finest adrenalin activities, the Victoria Falls offers
white water rafting, microlighting, bungee jumping, river boarding
and a plethora of other extreme adventure activities.
Zambia's capital, Lusaka, is a typical bustling and motherly African
city, whilst the southerly town of Livingstone is a testimony to
her namesake and the history that goes with it.
If you volunteer in Zambia, you may find yourself teaching,
coaching sports or working with AIDS orphans. Livingstone, the
country's capital also offer opportunities for anyone looking to
do some medical volunteer work in Africa.
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Zimbabwe Working Holidays
Zimbabwe shares her borders with Zambia in the North alongside
the waters of the mighty Zambezi River, and Botswana to the West.
Steep mountain ranges link Zimbabwe to Mozambique on the West and
the frontier with South Africa to the south is clearly marked by
the waters of the Limpopo River.
Zimbabwe’s greatest tourist attraction is the mighty Victoria
Falls that cascades into the powerful Zambezi River. Victoria Falls
is the centre for adventure activities that includes white water
rafting, microlighting over the falls, bungee jumping and sunset
cruises. Many an overland truck starts and ends its journey in Victoria
Falls, so its a great place to meet other travellers or to start
your post-volunteer travels.
Lake Kariba, Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, the abundance of wildlife
reserves and the Hwange National Park are just a few of Zimbabwe's
favourite attractions that make for a memorable working holiday.
Read more about our Hwange
Wildlife Conservation Program, our Antelope
Park lion rehabilitating project and our Masuwe
Lion Project in Victoria Falls.
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