Health and Safety Tips: Volunteering in Africa

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Keeping Safe & Healthy in Africa

At African Impact, we take great care to ensure the health and safety of our volunteers from the moment you arrive and throughout your volunteer experience.

You will be guided through your placement booking process by one of our friendly Destination Specialists who will answer all your questions and equip you with the knowledge that will prepare you for your volunteering adventure.

On arrival at your destination an African Impact staff member will meet you at the airport and transfer you safely to the project accommodation. You will also be safely transported from the volunteer base to projects in local communities, national parks or towns for volunteer activities.

On arrival all participants go through a comprehensive induction program to prepare you for project work and you’ll also be briefed on the local culture, people and wildlife; and of course, how to stay safe! You will be based in volunteer accommodation with our team who are there to offer you 24 hour support.

Our Safety Measures

Our projects prioritize the safety of participants, staff, communities, and the environment through comprehensive measures.

We employ dedicated security personnel and conduct regular risk assessments.
Our staff undergo continuous HSE training, and we maintain a live reporting system for incidents and near-misses.
Safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, is readily available, and staff are trained in its use.
We have established fire escape and full evacuation plans, which are regularly drilled.
Emergency contacts and communication systems, including satellite phones for areas with poor reception, are in place.
Crisis management teams stand ready for immediate activation when needed.
We enforce child protection policies and maintain well-serviced vehicles operated by experienced, licensed drivers.
Weather conditions are closely monitored to ensure activity safety.
Upon arrival, participants receive a thorough induction on policies, procedures, and conduct.
For water-related projects, we enforce strict water safety measures.
We also provide guidance for off-time activities to ensure participant safety.

Our comprehensive approach demonstrates our commitment to creating a safe environment for all involved in our projects, balancing prevention, immediate response, and ongoing risk management.

Safety Tips for Volunteers

Our staff are trained to efficiently handle any medical emergencies; but we encourage you to abide by the simple safety tips below:

Always listen to your Base Manager, Volunteer Manager or Project Coordinator.

Do not go anywhere alone. When leaving the volunteer accommodation (to visit the local town or go to the shops) let an on-site member of staff know.

Be sure to let your Destination Specialist and the project team know if you’re on any medication.

Do your research on what vaccinations are necessary or recommended before traveling to Africa. Your Destination Specialist can also supply this information to you.

Check with your Volunteer Manager whether it is safe to drink the tap water where you are staying; in some countries only bottled water is advised.

When drawing money from the ATM, withdraw in smaller amounts and don’t carry too much cash around with you.

Make a photocopy of your passport, insurance information and other important stuff to keep with you.

Always obey your Field Guides and project staff when interacting with wildlife.

Keep hydrated and wear sunscreen – the African sun can be very hot so be sure to bring sun protection and a water bottle.

Behave responsibly and adhere to the Code of Conduct so that you don’t endanger yourself or your fellow volunteers.

Planning Tips For Your Volunteering Trip Abroad

Are you unsure where to start? Not sure how to choose the project that’s right for you? No idea what to pack? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you make the right decisions and give you plenty of advice on packing for your volunteering trip abroad.

PACK LIGHT & PACK RIGHT

We know packing can be a challenge – that’s where we can help! As your volunteer trip draws closer, filling your suitcase with all the essentials becomes an increasingly daunting task. Will I need more jeans? Should I pack a scarf, hat, mittens?

How do I respect the local culture as a visitor while being comfortable enough to work with kids or on conservation activities? Volunteering can mean working hard and quite often you’ll wear the same clothes over and over. Our project bases all have laundry services or facilities so rather pack less and wash often.

Having less luggage also makes getting through airports a lot easier. We’ve got plenty of tips and tricks for how to pack for your volunteer trip, including a list of must-have gadgets.

ECO-FRIENDLY GUIDELINES

We recommend packing environmentally-friendly items where possible e.g. cloth shopping bags, reusable water bottles and eco-friendly toiletries.

If you’d like to bring any extra items to donate to the project or community, we can send you a wish-list for your chosen project – this includes items that are requested and used by local community members all year round.

Across our projects we have banned balloons and glitter, and we ask volunteers to refrain from bringing such items.

WEAR THE RIGHT STUFF

When working in foreign countries it is respectful to wear suitable clothing and be sensitive to their cultural beliefs. Some of our projects have very strict dress codes so be prepared for what’s appropriate to wear.

VISAS & VACCINATIONS

Many countries in East and Southern Africa do not require visas or vaccinations; however, there are a few exemptions you must be aware of. Countries such as Zambia and South Africa will provide most visitors with a visa and adequate documents upon arrival, but for others you may need to apply for your visa before you leave home.

Our Destination Specialists can help you with extra information but you are still encouraged to check your requirements with the nearest consulate or embassy of the country you’re intending to visit.

For countries such as Zambia and Kenya, you’ll be required to show proof that you have gotten a Yellow Fever vaccine.

Consult with your doctor about other recommended vaccinations such as hepatitis and tetanus as precautionary measures.

GUIDE TO GADGETS

Just because you’re volunteering in Africa doesn’t mean you have to leave all your electronics behind! SIM cards for your phone are readily available in most towns near our project locations, so you can keep in touch with family at home. Getting a 5G enabled eSIM is a great option if you are going to more than one country or you want to be sure you will have coverage during your trip.

Keep in mind to bring extra memory cards for your camera, as well as a USB, which may come in handy for exchanging photos with your fellow volunteers. There are also some great gadgets on the market that we recommend you consider, which might make your volunteering stay just that much more of a success.

GETTING TO AFRICA

Many international airlines have weekly and sometimes daily flights to many destinations in Africa. Popular airlines include KLM, British Airways, South African Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa.

There are even flights directly to some African destinations from the USA, Australia, the Middle East and Asia, although many cheaper flights will take travelers through major European airports such as Heathrow (London) and Schiphol (Amsterdam).

Don’t be alarmed if your flight to Zimbabwe or Zambia goes through Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport. This airport is a hub for many flights to other destinations in southern Africa and flights such as these are commonplace. Make sure you check whether a transit visa is required.

Once you arrive at the airport designated for your project, you will no longer have to worry about transport as we will meet you at the airport and provide all transportation while you’re on project!

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Prior to your trip you will need to arrange travel insurance that will also give you full cover for any medical requirements that may arise during your trip, including cover for full air evacuation in the unlikely event that this is necessary. Your medical cover also needs to include repatriation.

Travel insurance is also good to have in case anything happens to your camera equipment or other belongings. We suggest World Nomads* but you are welcome to use whichever provider you find suitable.

If you are working on a conservation or research project and will be working with wild animals please ensure that your insurance covers you adequately.

*World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.