Impact:
Medical & Healthcare
Destination:
Livingstone, Zambia

Duration:
2 Weeks+
Fee: From $2,395
This cost covers your accommodation, meals, project fees, transfers, 24/7 support and in-country orientation.
SDG’s:
SDG 2 logoSDG 3 logo

Gain Invaluable Medical Experience & Get Ahead of Your Peers

Embark on an intensive 2-week pre-medical project in Zambia that bridges theoretical knowledge with hands-on healthcare experience in under-served communities. This dynamic internship, specially designed for pre-med students,  integrates home-based care visits, clinic shadowing, and specialized workshops focused on HIV research, offering you unparalleled exposure to global health challenges.

You’ll work alongside dedicated healthcare professionals in both clinical and community settings, engaging in comprehensive case studies that sharpen your diagnostic reasoning. Through technical workshops and research presentations, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of local health systems and culturally-sensitive patient care. This program goes beyond traditional observation—you’ll actively participate in healthcare delivery, analyzing real-world medical cases while gaining invaluable insights into providing quality care in resource-limited environments.

How This Internship Will Benefit You

Here’s how the Pre-Medical Internship in Zambia provides value to pre-medical students:

Project Highlights

Project Destination

Livingstone is a vibrant, soulful town with a friendly atmosphere. However, Zambia grapples with significant health challenges, including 1.2 million people living with HIV, with only 40% of the population possessing comprehensive knowledge about the disease. In rural areas surrounding Livingstone, healthcare access is severely limited, with few clinics struggling under resource constraints and long wait times. Many residents must rely on immediate family for support due to the scarcity of accessible medical facilities. By volunteering in Livingstone, you can make a meaningful impact by assisting local caregivers with home-based care. This experience not only allows you to contribute to community health but also offers valuable insights into Zambian society and its healthcare system.

Included Activities: Livingstone Museum, Mukuni Village Tour, Mosi-oa-Tunya Game Drive and Tour of Victoria Falls.

Life At Base

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Accommodation & Meals

All African Impact interns and volunteers stay in a comfortable, private house located within the vibrant Victoria Falls Backpackers. You will have access to all the facilities, including a spacious dining area, bar, swimming pool, and even a rock-climbing wall! ​

The backpackers is conveniently located a short 5-minute walk away from the town centre of Livingstone, where you’ll find grocery stores, cafes, bars, and restaurants. Bedrooms sleep 4-8 people, with bunk beds in each room, and there are shared bathrooms with hot water showers.

As an iconic tourist destination, Livingstone and its surrounds cater to international guests with a wide variety of food options. Enjoy authentic stews, local beers and of course – an open flame braai (barbeque). All of our projects cater for vegetarians, vegans and various food group intolerances with sufficient notice.

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Communication

SIM cards can be purchased from most shops or at the airport with various packages allowing for phone calls and/or data usage. Our accommodation offers free WiFi that enables you to make contact with home. Power and electricity supply can be intermittent in Livingstone and its surrounds so do bring your power banks and embrace patience if you encounter an outage. TIP: Ensure your cellphone is enabled to allow for a foreign SIM card if you intend to use one.

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Flights & Arrivals

Arrive at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula (Livingstone) International Airport (LVI) on your Monday start date, landing between 9am and 6pm in order to make the complimentary transfer service. Look for the African Impact sign – a friendly face will be there to welcome you!

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Staff

Our brilliant African Impact team, led by Base Manager Sander, will look after you during your time with us! Whichever project you choose, you’ll get to know everyone incredibly well both out on project and around the base. Our crew of changemakers are waiting to welcome you to Livingstone!

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Safety

Our projects are committed to safeguarding our interns, volunteers, staff, the communities we work in, and the environment. Our base has outsourced security staff patrolling 24/7, and our team is trained in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) competencies. The base is equipped with fire safety equipment and evacuation plans. All vehicles are well-maintained, and our licensed drivers know safe routes in the townships, where projects occur in enclosed venues.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is provided forthe public heath internship. We have comprehensive policies, including child protection, to protect all participants. Upon arrival, trained staff will induct you on our policies, procedures, and code of conduct to ensure your safety and awareness.

Ready to Apply?

From $2,395

Weekly costs reduce for stays longer than 2 weeks, booking with friends or return volunteers.

Exclusions

Price excludes flights, visas, insurance, weekend tours and personal expenses.

Age

The minimum age requirement for participation is 18.

Requirements

Please note you are required to bring your own medical scrubs.

PROJECT FEE INCLUDES

  • Backpacker style accommodation with swimming pool
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner (Mon - Fri)
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • All project transport, equipment and resources
  • Support from experienced local and international African Impact staff
  • Full orientation for responsible project contribution
  • Certain activities

PRICE

Your weekly cost will reduce if you stay for longer than 2 weeks, book with a friend or are a return volunteer.

Start day: 9 June 2025

PROJECT FEE INCLUDES

  • Backpacker style accommodation with swimming pool
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner (Mon - Fri)
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • All project transport, equipment and resources
  • Support from experienced local and international African Impact staff
  • Full orientation for responsible project contribution
  • Certain activities

PROJECT FEE EXCLUDES

Price excludes flights, visas, insurance, weekend tours and personal expenses.

PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS

Our minimum age for this project is 18 years of age.

DO YOU NEED SUPPORT?

Our experienced African Impact team is here to support you.

Project Enquiry

After completing the below project enquiry form, one of our Destination Specialists will get in touch to discuss your volunteer experience and any questions you may have. When you are ready to book, we can send you a booking form or you can book directly from this page too.

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STEP 1 - Personal Information

Let's collect some basic information to get started.

STEP 2 - When do you want to Volunteer or Intern?

Give us an idea of your travel plans, you can also choose ‘I’m not sure yet’ if you aren't sure about your preferred start dates.

STEP 3 - How long do you want to Volunteer or Intern for?

Select your preferred duration. Please note you are not required to pay this amount at this stage.
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Project Booking

Please complete the details below in order for us to provisionally hold a space on your preferred project. A deposit will be required to secure your position. By submitting these details you agree to our Terms and Conditions.

Project FAQs

WHAT KIND OF SKILLS WILL I DEVELOP THROUGH THIS INTERNSHIP?

This program offers a unique opportunity to:

Enhance your cultural sensitivity and communication skills;

Analyse public health challenges, explore potential solutions, and gain valuable insights from experienced professionals;

Participate in data collection and analysis, contributing to ongoing public health initiatives and;

Gain practical experience in public health settings.

HOW WILL THIS INTERNSHIP IMPACT MY FUTURE CAREER ASPIRATIONS IN PUBLIC HEALTH?

This immersive experience will equip you with invaluable knowledge, practical skills, and cultural understanding, making you a more competitive and well-rounded candidate for future endeavours in public health. You’ll gain valuable firsthand experience, develop professional networks, and potentially discover specific areas of public health that ignite your passion and guide your future career path.

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL IN AFRICA AS AN INTERN?

Africa is a vast continent with diverse cultures and safety considerations that vary depending on the specific country and region. We prioritise the safety and well-being of our volunteers and carefully assess each program location. Additionally, our project staff are available to support you throughout your placement, ensuring you have a safe and enriching experience.

HOW DOES THIS INTERNSHIP DIFFER FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH INTERNSHIP?

This internship offers more intensive medical exposure than the Public Healthcare Internship. Interns will develop technical skills and spend time on research as well as completing a case study, better preparing them for their future as a medical student. This internship also included several activities in Livingstone, which are not included in our other internships

Recent Reviews

Grant Mauthe, 25Pre-Medical Internship in Zambia, USA

I had quite literally the time of my life during my month here as a public health intern. I would definitely recommend one full month, if possible to any new volunteers. It takes several days to settle in, and several more to find your groove, but once you do, you'll be amazed at the huge variety of meaningful, impactful work you're able to do here. On any given day, I could be cleaning wounds in home-based care, supporting local 5-and-under clinics, teaching math or reading or rugby to after school clubs, and the list goes on. My primary focus here was as a public health intern where another volunteer and I worked under the guidance of staff to complete a pilot study on the local population. Fulfilling doesn't even begin to describe my experience. The only thing more enjoyable than my daily work was the incredible group of kind and selfless staff and volunteers that have become some of my best friends for life. I was nervous about what this experience would look like going in, and could not have been more pleasantly surprised.

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