Volunteer in Africa and focus on long-term, sustainable development in African countries. Through voluntary work in Africa, you’ll gain a deeper insight into people’s lives and the challenges they face. You’ll also be immersed in a new culture, contributing to your own education and personal growth.
On our volunteer opportunities in Africa, you can do things like:
- Volunteer with animals in Africa and work with wildlife conservation experts to protect endangered species like elephants, giraffes, and lions.
- Volunteer with children in Africa and help caregivers with Early Childhood Development.
- Teach in Africa and support education by working with teachers in local schools.
- Build a school in Africa and ensure that disadvantaged children have access to basic education.
No matter where you go in Africa, our Project Experts can help you find the volunteer project or internship that suits you. We can also help you plan the ultimate gap year in Africa!
With our volunteer programs in Africa, we take care of all the details and have local staff available to help you 24/7. This means you can focus all your energy on making a real impact in the local community, developing your skills, and having an incredible experience.
Choose from our Africa volunteer programmes
1-3 of 56 Projects
Medical Internship for High School Students in Tanzania
See this project- Price: $4,095 AUD for 2 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $595 AUD
- Start Date: During school holidays
- Minimum Stay: 2 weeks
- Age: 14-18
Medicine Internship in Tanzania
See this project- Price: $3,695 AUD for 2 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $520 AUD
- Start Date: Anytime
- Minimum Stay: 2 weeks
- Age: 16 or over
Gap Project: Kenya & Tanzania
See this project- Price: $8,725 AUD for 6 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $1,120 AUD
- Start Date: Throughout the year
- Minimum Stay: 6 weeks
- Age: 17-24
Frequently asked questions about internships abroad
Why should I volunteer in Africa?
Our Africa volunteer programmes are among our most popular, and for good reason. As a volunteer in Africa, you’ll provide resources, offer your skills, and work directly with local people towards long-term goals and initiatives that directly impact their community.
Plus, volunteering in Africa is a great way to develop professional and transferable skills to help build your future. These experiences are excellent for university or job applications and can even help you decide on or change careers.
Volunteers in Africa do things like:
- Treat wounds for leprosy patients and test for malaria in Ghana
- Build classrooms in Maasai villages in Tanzania
- Protect endangered species of giraffe in Kenya
And so much more!
No matter which African volunteering project you choose to join, you will support local leaders in developing long-term solutions to the challenges affecting their community. At the same time, you’ll explore some of the world’s most unique landscapes and cultures.
Every African nation we work in speaks English to a high degree, and most have direct flights from airports in Australia.
How to volunteer in Africa
Want to know more about how to volunteer in Africa? The good news is that we make it incredibly accessible! Just follow these steps to make your Africa volunteer travel dreams into a reality:
- Think about the work you want to do, whether that’s helping children, protecting endangered wildlife, or building houses. If you have your heart set on a particular country in Africa, then choose your favourite from the projects we offer in that destination.
- Reach out to our Project Experts, who can provide more information and help you make the right choice for your interests and goals.
- Decide how much time you have to travel to Africa, how flexible your dates are, and if you’d rather travel alone or as part of a group. This will determine what kind of trip is right for you, whether that's an independent Flexi Trip, Team Trip, or a High School Special for students aged 14 to 18.
- Once you know which African country you want to visit, what type of work you’d like to be doing, and how long to travel for, there’s nothing left to do but fill in the application form and book your place!
How old do I have to be to volunteer in Africa?
Our volunteer opportunities in Africa are open to people aged 14 and over. To join a project, all you need to do is check you meet the requirements and apply.
The majority of our volunteer projects in Africa require no prior skills or experience, meaning they are open to anyone. Some volunteer work in Africa have minimum requirements which are stated clearly on the project page.
We also offer volunteer programmes in Africa exclusively for high school students aged 14 to 18. Our High School Specials give teenagers the support and care they need as young travellers.
And there’s no upper age limit! We believe you’re never too old to do volunteer work in Africa. In fact, your experience and skills are much needed to support development in African countries.
Is volunteering in Africa ethical?
By joining one of our volunteer opportunities in Africa, you guarantee that your experience will be both impactful and ethical for the local community. Every project we develop is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
We hold our volunteers to a high standard, especially when working with children, animals, or in a medical setting. All our Africa volunteer trips are managed in partnership with local leaders, helping us target the specific challenges that affect them, their wildlife, and their communities.
Do you offer short-term volunteer opportunities in Africa?
Looking to do a one-week volunteer programme in Africa? We encourage you to maximise your impact by volunteering in Africa for longer. But, if you prefer, you can volunteer in Africa for a week.
Find a volunteer project in Africa that allows for a minimum of one-week to get started.
Why do I need to pay to volunteer in Africa?
We charge a fee for our Africa volunteer projects so that we can organise everything on your behalf. That includes three meals a day, your accommodation, domestic transportation, and 24/7 support from our staff.
We want you to have an experience abroad that is safe and impactful. We also can’t achieve our long term sustainable development goals without adequate funding.
The price you will pay depends on which volunteering project in Africa you choose to do and how long you want to go for. If you are a teenager, the price will also include social activities and excursions.
The best bit? You can take advantage of our flexible payment plans. We understand that paying in one go isn’t always possible. That's why we just ask for an initial deposit. Then, you can pay as much or as little as you like in a series of small instalments.
We’re completely flexible, but the full fee does need to be paid in full before you leave for your project.
We also offer advice and support for volunteer fundraising, so you can get the funds for the adventure of a lifetime! Our staff and alumni are experts in raising funds. We’ll ensure that you’re able to secure the required amount.
Read what others have to say about their experiences with Projects Abroad and find out why we’re rated ’Excellent’ on Trustpilot.
Is it safe to volunteer in Africa?
Many people ask if it’s safe to volunteer in Africa. The answer is a resounding yes.
We’ll place you in African countries that are politically stable and safe to visit. Our local staff will be there to support you throughout your volunteer trip in Africa, and constantly keep a close eye on changing situations.
We only work in the safest countries in Africa to volunteer. This means that you can really get stuck into making a positive change in the local community.
Local staff will be on hand to offer tips and advice on keeping yourself and your belongings safe. They’re contactable 24/7.
All our Africa placements are fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
Where to Volunteer in Africa
Our volunteer opportunities in Africa include the following countries:
Embark on your dream African volunteering adventure
Get in touch with our Project Experts to discuss your options. They know our volunteer projects in Africa inside out, and are on hand to help find the perfect project for you!
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