Volunteer Programs in Zambia

If you’re looking to volunteer in Africa, have a browse through our Zambia volunteer opportunities! They cover a wide range of focus areas and interests, including female empowerment, education, environmental solutions, and community development. As a volunteer in Zambia, you can work at primary schools, teach sports to talented kids, implement sustainable building initiatives, or promote gender equality in local communities. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll live and work in a welcoming community, you’ll enjoy meaningful work, and you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty (including the mighty Victoria Falls!). Find out more about volunteer work in Zambia by browsing through our projects.  

Highlights of doing a volunteer project in Zambia:

  • Choose between a wide range of social impact and environmental projects
  • Spend time in Livingstone, a welcoming Zambian community on the banks of the Zambezi River
  • Do meaningful work as part of an ongoing, sustainable community development program
  • Enjoy incredible weekend activities, such as safaris, boat trips on the Zambezi, and visits to the Victoria Falls
  • Become part of the African Impact team; a group of passionate change makers

Zambia Gallery

Most Popular Zambia Volunteer Projects

Teaching & Community Development Volunteer In Zambia

$1495 – $4695
One of African Impact's first ever volunteer projects which we began in 2006 was our teaching and community development volunteer program in Livingstone, Zambia. Directly support a local teacher by providing classroom assistance in a rural primary school in Livingstone.

Livingstone, Zambia

Every Monday

Impact: Teaching

Female Empowerment Project in Zambia

$1495 – $4695
Work towards the UN’s Global Goal of Gender Equality. Through our initiative in Livingstone, Zambia, The Girl Impact, you’ll support, educate, and encourage adolescent girls as they become empowered young women in their community.

Livingstone, Zambia

Every Monday

Impact: Gender Equality

Public Health Internship In Zambia

$2395
Our Public Health internship program in Zambia is a 4-week global health program that takes place in the town of Livingstone, Zambia. The internship is designed to improve access to, and the quality of, healthcare available to local communities.

Livingstone, Zambia

Specific Start Dates

Impact: Healthcare

Frequently asked questions about our Volunteer Projects in Zambia

Rich in culture, wildlife, and some of Africa’s most iconic natural landmarks, Zambia’s beauty is simply unmatched. Filled with incredible communities, volunteering in Zambia is an opportunity to experience genuine, authentic African travel while making real impacts. At African Impact, we primarily work in one extraordinary community in Zambia; Livingstone.

Livingstone, Zambia

Often considered Africa’s adventure capital, Livingstone is a community filled with kind locals, unique cultural activities, and endless opportunities for bucket-list experiences. Located less than 8 kilometres from the world-renowned Victoria Falls, Livingstone regularly welcomes backpackers of all backgrounds, drawn to the exciting adventures to be had in the areas surrounding this beautiful town. Leap off the famous Victoria Falls Bungee Jump. White-water raft down the powering Zambezi river. Take a helicopter tour to see Livingstone in new heights. Joining a Zambia volunteer program in Livingstone means adventures truly never end!

While establishing itself as the backpacking hub of Zambia, the Livingstone community honours its culture in beautiful ways. Zambian culture celebrates a distinctive blend of traditional and modern customs, making for some truly unique forms of art, music and food. Visit a local restaurant to try Michopo, a roasted meat dish commonly found at bars and served with chilli, onions and veg. Journey through local markets to see beautiful pieces of pottery, art, and basketry, and support local businesses by filling your suitcase with some life-long souvenirs! Or, snack on some Vitumbuwa – a fried dough dish that makes a delicious afternoon snack – before visiting the Livingstone Museum, the oldest museum in Zambia.

At African Impact, our mission is to provide the best international volunteer programs in Zambia that create real, sustainable impacts on local communities. While our  Zambia volunteer work may be unpaid, we absolutely believe they are a life-changing experience for volunteers and locals alike!

As an African-based company, we know first hand the incredible adventures available on our stunning continent. We live and breathe all things African travel and are passionate about immersing volunteers in the heart of some of Africa’s most incredible natural environments and communities. Developing meaningful relationships with locals, learning about unique African cultures, and exploring breath-taking natural wonders, you’ll experience the true spirit of Africa and the people, places, and wildlife that make it so extraordinary.

To us, epic adventures and sustainable impacts go hand-in-hand. We firmly believe in the power of responsible volunteering to positively transform the lives of volunteers and local communities alike. Developing our projects with local community stakeholders, everything we do is measured, designed, and implemented with the community’s goals in mind. As a volunteer joining one of our projects, your work will not only be a life-changing experience for you but make actual, sustainable impacts on the lives of locals.

This combination of incredible adventures, responsible impacts, and cultural immersion allows us to go beyond the conventional understanding of “volunteering abroad” and offer innovative African volunteer travel experiences that – while unpaid – can truly transform lives!

Why Zambia?

While incredible development has occurred in Zambia throughout the past decades, much work remains to be done. Zambia is currently one of the world’s poorest countries, with over 60% of its population living in poverty. The population of Zambia is predominantly comprised of young people, rapidly doubling every 25 years. This fast population growth puts additional strain on the availability of employment opportunities, health care, and social services, making it difficult for many citizens to escape an intense cycle of poverty.

Community Development Volunteer Projects

Working closely with the African Impact Foundation, our Zambia volunteer programs focus on empowering, educating, and enriching Zambian citizens. As a Zambia volunteer, your work will be integral to uplifting locals in sustainable and measurable ways. Our programs in Zambia offer volunteers various opportunities to get involved in community projects, from supporting gender equality initiatives to promoting environmental sustainability and sports coaching and development. Working closely with local community members, African Impact staff, and fellow volunteers, you’ll make a difference in tackling the intense developmental issues Zambians face each day.

We currently offer volunteer programs in Zambia in the following areas: Medical Volunteering, Teaching, Environmental Sustainability, Sports Coaching, and Female Empowerment. Visit our volunteer project pages above to explore the unique volunteer opportunities for life-changing impacts these programs offer and how you can make an impact with us!

Zambia Program Fees

Our volunteer programs in Zambia start at $1,145 and increase depending on which project you join and how long you volunteer work in Zambia. These costs cover volunteer accommodation, meals, 24/7 African Impact in-country support, project and airport transportation, project orientation, and any project equipment volunteers may need.

African Impact Sustainability Fund

As a commitment to sustainable development in the communities we work in, all volunteers pay an additional $25 to the African Impact Sustainability Fund. This money goes directly to the African Impact Foundation, which independently ensures the sustainability of our projects in local communities and guarantees impacts continue long after volunteers leave. Learn more about the African Impact Sustainability Fund.

Established in 2004, providing high-quality volunteer experiences in Africa has been in our DNA for 16 years. Our volunteers, staff, and local communities’ safety is our top priority and something that is never compromised. From the moment you arrive in Zambia to the end of your adventure, we take the utmost care in ensuring your comfort and safety as you carry out Zambia volunteer work.

To learn more about our health and safety protocols, please visit the following links. If you have additional questions, we would love to answer them. You can click here to contact us, and one of our team members will be in touch with you shortly!

Our Safety Tips in Africa

FAQs on Volunteer Safety

Eager to start your volunteer adventure in Zambia? Here are a few of our award-winning programs where you can make an impact!

Teaching and Community Development, Livingstone

Medical and Community Development, Livingstone

All African Impact volunteer projects in Zambia

Medical & Community Development in Livingstone, Zambia

$1495 – $4695
Whether you’re a pre-med student, qualified professional or someone interested in healthcare, join the African Impact team on this meaningful volunteer program in the heart of Zambia, a community where medical resources are scarce and access to healthcare is limited.

Livingstone, Zambia

Every Monday

Impact: Healthcare

Teaching & Community Development Volunteer In Zambia

$1495 – $4695
One of African Impact's first ever volunteer projects which we began in 2006 was our teaching and community development volunteer program in Livingstone, Zambia. Directly support a local teacher by providing classroom assistance in a rural primary school in Livingstone.

Livingstone, Zambia

Every Monday

Impact: Teaching

Female Empowerment Project in Zambia

$1495 – $4695
Work towards the UN’s Global Goal of Gender Equality. Through our initiative in Livingstone, Zambia, The Girl Impact, you’ll support, educate, and encourage adolescent girls as they become empowered young women in their community.

Livingstone, Zambia

Every Monday

Impact: Gender Equality

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION & ECOBRICKING

$1495 – $4695
This environmental conservation volunteer program is a world-first and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Volunteers assist with sustainable building using EcoBricks, upcycling initiatives, direct clean-up action, and awareness workshops in the Livingstone community.

Livingstone, Zambia

Every Monday

Impact: Environmental Sustainability

Christmas Volunteer Project in Zambia | African Impact

$1495 – $4695
Although Christmas should be a time of family and joy, for many people it is a time of sorrow and despair as they yearn for lost loved ones or struggle with financial burdens. Volunteer over the festive season at our project in Livingstone, Zambia, and get into the spirit of the holiday, spread festive cheer and kindness, and uplift communities. 

Livingstone, Zambia

Every Monday

Impact: Combination Project

Sports & Community Development in Zambia

$1495 – $4695
Put your passion for sports, fitness, wellness, and nutrition to great use as you educate and train school students in the villages of Livingstone, Zambia. With physical education not in the curriculum, limited resources, and a lack of skilled coaches, your input is vital to improving self-confidence, health, and life skills.

Livingstone, Zambia

Every Monday

Impact: Sports Development

GENDER EQUALITY INTERNSHIP

$2395 – $4795
Join our experienced and hardworking team in Zambia who are dedicated to improving gender equality and promoting female empowerment, while gaining professional experience within the framework of international development and specialising in gender empowerment programs.

Livingstone, Zambia

Once a month

Impact: Gender Equality

NOW OPEN

NGO Internship in Zambia

$1729 – $3645
Discover beautiful Africa as you gain practical experience in NGO and Charity operations and community development on this exciting internship with our charity, The African Impact Foundation. An internship with us is an opportunity to stretch your skills in a safe, supported environment.

Livingstone, Zambia

Every Monday

Impact: NGO & Charity

Public Health Internship In Zambia

$2395
Our Public Health internship program in Zambia is a 4-week global health program that takes place in the town of Livingstone, Zambia. The internship is designed to improve access to, and the quality of, healthcare available to local communities.

Livingstone, Zambia

Specific Start Dates

Impact: Healthcare

TEFL Teaching Internship In Zambia

$2690 – $5690
Complete your TEFL qualification by doing your 20 hours practicum in Zambia. As a student in Livingstone, you will contribute towards community development initiatives by providing opportunities, support, and one-on-one attention that otherwise wouldn’t exist for the communities we work with.

Livingstone, Zambia 

Every Monday

Impact: Teaching

NON PROFIT PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE

$1995 – $3155
If you’re a keen photographer with a passion for making an impact, we’d love to have you join this photography volunteer program in Africa! It’s a great opportunity to sharpen your skills, learn about the role photography can play to nonprofits, and document the work by inspiring social and environmental impact work.

Various

16th October 2022

Impact: NGO & Charity

Reviews of our volunteer projects in Zambia
“My volunteer experience in this program was undeniably the greatest thing I have done in my life! The people I met were amazing, kind, helpful, and allowed me to have an unforgettable experience in Zambia. You immediately feel like part of the family when you start, and it only gets better the longer you stay!”

Kelley Elise Costa, USA

Teaching & Community Development, Zambia

“I had a great time being able to deliver care to people who need it most in rural Zambia. Home-based care is an effective way to provide the most basic needs that cannot be met otherwise. I also enjoyed the additional projects that involved teaching and playing sports. They were a pleasure.”

Andrew Merelman, USA

Medical & Community Development, Zambia

“I was doing Girl Impact in Livingstone and it was amazing! Before I came here, I knew like almost nothing about Zambia but now I have experienced so much! I definitely would come back! So many thanks to everyone from the staff and to the other volunteers, you made my time amazing!”

Lieke, Netherlands

Girl Empowerment, Zambia

“I had such a great time here. The volunteer experience was so much better than I ever expected. I’ve made a lot of good friends and had an awesome time. I'm going to miss all the days I spent here, and if I have the chance I would definitely come back.”

Emma Kolstad, Norway

Teaching & Community Development, Zambia