Sports & Community Development in Zambia
VOLUNTEER
SPORTS
Coach confidence through sport in Livingstone, Zambia
Swap sidelines for real impact. In Livingstone, you’ll step into lively school yards and community spaces where many children don’t get formal Physical Education, and help change that through energetic sessions built around teamwork, confidence and fun. From morning Physical Education to afternoon clubs, you’ll bring structure, encouragement and fresh ideas that help young people fall in love with movement.
Why this experience matters
In rural and community schools around Livingstone, Physical Education often isn’t part of the curriculum. That means fewer chances for children to build fitness, learn teamwork, and develop the self-belief that comes from trying, practising, and improving. Your time here helps fill that gap, creating positive routines and life skills that can ripple far beyond the sports field.
Project highlights
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Sports Class Design
Create innovative sports classes, including games and fitness challenges.
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After School Clubs
Help run after-school clubs that keep children active, motivated and learning.
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Dynamic PE Sessions
Set up games, obstacle courses, and coach sports like football and hockey.
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Inclusive Coaching
Adapt activities so everyone can take part, whatever their ability or experience.
Available: Year Round
Duration: 2 Weeks+
Price From $1,950 This cost covers your accommodation, meals, project fees, transfers, 24/7 support and in-country orientation.
Project impact areas
Here’s how you will create significant impact through the Sports & Community Support project in Zambia.
SPORTS
Sports Education
If you have any particular sports and outdoor hobbies you would like to share, we would love to try and accommodate them! The children at the schools are always keen to learn new activities. We can set up a class for you to teach netball, yoga, athletics, cricket, baseball, or whatever your interest is during your time as a sports volunteer in Zambia. Equipment is very difficult to come by, so please keep that in mind; if you are able to acquire donated sporting equipment, the community will greatly appreciate it.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Quality education
4. Gender equality
SPORTS
Physical Education (PE) Lessons
You’ll work as a sports volunteer across a number of different community schools, leading engaging classes, introducing new games, and crafting innovative lessons that blend theory and practice, fostering deeper understanding and skill development. These sports coaching sessions will be your opportunity to unleash your creativity and initiative, perhaps relating them to exciting events like the Olympics or sharing your expertise in a specific sport.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Quality education
4. Gender equality
SPORTS
After-School & Holiday Clubs
Join other community volunteers in Livingstone in running after-school and holiday clubs school vacations, offering a safe environment for students to catch up on learning and have fun. Combine educational lessons with recreational activities, emphasizing healthy lifestyles. You’ll lead 2-hour sessions that cater to around 20 students, giving you the change to transform important education, health and safety topics into engaging, interactive lessons. We encourage your unique insights and welcome suggestions for new topics to explore
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Quality education
4. Gender equality
Example Daily Schedule
Monday - Friday
Morning
07:45 – 11:00
Sports Coaching at Local Schools
11:00 – 12.00
Free time
Lunch
12:00 – 12:30
Afternoon
12:30 – 13:00
Preparation for Afternoon Activities
13:30 – 16:00
Community Development Activities (Dependent on Community Needs)
Dinner
18:30 – 19:00
Evening
19:00 – 21:00
Free time, games night or movie night
Accommodation & Meals
Livingstone, Zambia
Your home away from home in Livingstone is a friendly, secure volunteer base with comfortable shared rooms and social communal spaces.
You’ll stay at Victoria Falls Backpackers in a comfortable, social volunteer set-up with shared rooms (4–8 beds), hot-water shared bathrooms, and access to facilities like a dining area, bar and swimming pool. It’s also an easy walk to Livingstone town centre for shops, cafés and restaurants.
You’ll be supported by African Impact staff throughout, with a full orientation on arrival. The base has 24/7 security, clear safety procedures, and robust participant and child-protection policies in place.
Life at the Base
Livingstone, Zambia
Livingstone is a vibrant, soulful town with a friendly atmosphere. It is known as the adventure capital of Africa, situated close to Victoria Falls. Adventure isn’t all that awaits female empowerment volunteers in Zambia – Livingstone’s heart beats with the rhythm of a rich culture and history. Enjoy dinner overlooking the Zambezi river and take in the most spectacular sunsets you’ve ever seen.
On the weekends, you can chase adrenaline at Victoria Falls with white-water rafting, bungee jumping or a gorge swing, take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, join a game drive in a nearby national park, explore local markets and culture, or simply unwind by the pool with your volunteer crew.
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.
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!
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!
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. 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.
Project Destination
Livingstone is a vibrant, soulful town with a friendly atmosphere. It is known as the adventure capital of Africa, situated close to Victoria Falls. Adventure isn’t all that awaits female empowerment volunteers in Zambia – Livingstone’s heart beats with the rhythm of a rich culture and history. Enjoy dinner overlooking the Zambezi river and take in the most spectacular sunsets you’ve ever seen.
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.
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!
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!
Safety
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. 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.
...the joy of making a real impact...
“Volunteering with African Impact in Livingstone has been an incredible experience. Upon arrival, I could not have imagined that I would train with the Zambian national rugby team, walk with rhinos and zip-line across the falls before my stay was complete. The hands-on nature of the projects is a great way to develop useful skills for the future. On the sports project, we quickly became familiar with some useful phrases in nyanja (much to the amusement of the children) and days out like the village tour allowed us to experience the village way of life and taste the local delicacies. In short, we have met some incredible people in an incredible place, and have had an incredible time.”
Sam Bishop, UK
Pricing
Rates
| Duration | Program Fee |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,950 ($975 per week) |
| 3 weeks | $2,800 ($934 per week) |
| 4 weeks | $3,650 ($913 per week) |
| 5 weeks | $4,500 ($900 per week) |
| 6 weeks | $5,350 ($892 per week) |
| 8 weeks | $7,050 ($882 per week) |
| 10 weeks | $8,750 ($875 per week) |
| 12 weeks | $10,450 ($871 per week) |
| 2 weeks | £1,560 (£780 per week) |
| 3 weeks | £2,240 (£747 per week) |
| 4 weeks | £2,920 (£730 per week) |
| 5 weeks | £3,600 (£720 per week) |
| 6 weeks | £4,280 (£714 per week) |
| 8 weeks | £5,640 (£705 per week) |
| 10 weeks | £7,000 (£700 per week) |
| 12 weeks | £8,360 (£697 per week) |
| 2 weeks | €1,794 (€897 per week) |
| 3 weeks | €2,576 (€859 per week) |
| 4 weeks | €3,358 (€840 per week) |
| 5 weeks | €4,140 (€828 per week) |
| 6 weeks | €4,922 (€821 per week) |
| 8 weeks | €6,486 (€811 per week) |
| 10 weeks | €8,050 (€805 per week) |
| 12 weeks | €9,614 (€802 per week) |
| 2 weeks | $2,886 ($1,443 per week) |
| 3 weeks | $4,144 ($1,382 per week) |
| 4 weeks | $5,402 ($1,351 per week) |
| 5 weeks | $6,660 ($1,332 per week) |
| 6 weeks | $7,918 ($1,320 per week) |
| 8 weeks | $10,434 ($1,305 per week) |
| 10 weeks | $12,950 ($1,295 per week) |
| 12 weeks | $15,466 ($1,289 per week) |
Inclusions
- 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
Exclusions
- Flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Weekend tours
- Personal expenses
Requirements
- The minimum age to join this project is 18 years old
- The minimum stay for this project is 2 weeks
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Volunteering in Africa means travelling with purpose- joining meaningful community or conservation projects, where you pay to cover your stay and project costs, turning your trip into an immersive, impactful experience rather than a traditional holiday.
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Project faqs
DO I NEED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE OR COACH TO VOLUNTEER?
While prior experience in sports coaching is a plus, it’s not essential to become a sports volunteer in Zambia. We welcome individuals with a passion for sports, a willingness to learn, and a desire to make a positive impact on young people’s lives. We provide comprehensive training and ongoing support throughout your sports coaching placement, equipping you with the necessary skills to effectively engage and motivate young athletes.
WHAT IMPACT WILL I HAVE ON THE YOUNG PEOPLE I COACH?
Beyond teaching them sports skills, you’ll be a positive role model and mentor, fostering teamwork, leadership, and essential life skills in a fun and engaging environment. Your dedication can inspire them to pursue their dreams, develop a healthy lifestyle, and become responsible members of their community. You’ll also contribute to creating a safe space for them to play, learn, and socialize, fostering positive development and well-being.
HOW WILL THIS EXPERIENCE BENEFIT ME PERSONALLY?
Volunteering as a sports coach in Zambia will be an enriching experience on both personal and professional levels. You’ll develop valuable leadership and communication skills, gain firsthand experience working in a cross-cultural environment, and broaden your understanding of global issues. Additionally, the joy of seeing young people grow and thrive through your coaching will leave a lasting impact on you!
Our favourite weekend activities in Zambia
Africa’s adventure capital offers no shortage of ways to spend your weekends as a volunteer. There’s something for everyone – from the adrenaline junkie to culturally intrigued traveller.
