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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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South Africa - Work with Cheetahs - Raise Cheetah Cubs - Conservation - Kruger Park
African Cheetah Reintroduction

Zimbabwe - Work with Lions - African Lion Cub Feeding - Conservation - Elephant & Horse Riding, Gweru
African Lion Rehabilitation

South Africa - Environmental Awareness & Wildlife Photography Course & Wildlife Safari, St. Lucia Wetland Park
African Wildlife Photography and Conservation Education

Kenya - Rural Villages - Medical Assistance - Mobile Clinics, Rural Districts
Assist in Rural Moblie Clinics in Kenya

Zimbabwe - Wildlife Conservation Expedition
Big 5 Wildlife Experience 2009

Zimbabwe - Wildlife Conservation - African Elephant & Black Rhino Conservation, Harare Area
Black Rhino & Elephant Conservation

South Africa - Teaching Kids - Volunteer Work with Disadvantaged Children, Western Cape
Cape Town Rural Pre-School and Building Project

Zambia - Medical Volunteering & Helping Children - Rural Clinics - Livingstone
Clinic & Medical Assistance

Zimbabwe - Wildlife Conservation & Field Training - Game Management, Hwange National Park
Elephant and Wildlife Monitoring and Conservation Education

Botswana - Wildlife Conservation - Elephant & Leopard Research - Game Viewing Safari, Mashatu
Elephant, Lion & Leopard Research in Botswana

South Africa - Community Clinics - Day-care & Rural Children - HIV/AIDS orphans - Building & Sport, Cape Town
HIV/AIDS Medical & Clinic Assistance and Rural Community Work

Kenya - HIV/AIDS Volunteer Work in Orphanages - Medical & Community Work in rural clinics and slums, Nairobi
HIV/AIDS Orphans, Work in Hospitals & Slums in Kenya

Tanzania - Stone Town - Teach English - Rural Education and Development, Jambiani
Island Pre-School Teaching and Building Project, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zimbabwe - African Lion Conservation - Zambezi National Park - Community Work, Victoria Falls
Lion Conservation & Community Education

South Africa - Work with AIDS Orphans - Day Care & HIV/AIDS Awareness & Building, St Lucia
Orphan Day Care & HIV/AIDS Education

Mozambique - Community Work - Rural Pre-School and Orphange Volunteering with Children, Bazaruto Island Adventure
Rural Pre-School, Orphan Care and Teaching English Project

South Africa - Wild Coast Wildlife Conservation, Environmental Education & Teaching, Chintsa
Rural Schools- Teaching and Work

Zambia - Sports Coaching - Teaching Sports and Community Work, Livingstone, Victoria Falls
Sports Coaching and Community Work

Zambia - Sports Coaching & Work with Children - Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia
Teaching & Community Support

Mozambique - Marine Wildlife Conservation - Whale Shark & Turtle Research - Scuba Diving, Tofo
Whale Shark Conservation Project

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