Affordable Volunteering in South Africa: African Wildlife & Social Projects

South Africa Volunteer Programs

Wondering how to volunteer in South Africa for cheap? Go for an African adventure with us, we dedicate ourselves in offering you some of the best and most affordable wildlife volunteer opportunities. Besides the fascinating wildlife projects with the Big Five conservation, caring for the Vervet Monkeys in the African Bush, there are as well rewarding social volunteer projects.

Choose from several fascinating projects to volunteer in South Africa! We offer both exciting wildlife volunteering opportunities in the African Bush, and educational projects in Cape Town. There are hundreds of reasons to volunteer in South Africa, may it be the fascinating volunteer projects, or hundreds of stunning leisure activities.

Cape Town with its Mediterranean Climate and Gently Rolling Waves to Surf

During your volunteer trip to South Africa, you’ll get to know charming Cape Town, a gem rich in culture. You will see the Table Mountain already on the ride to the volunteer house from the airport.

The large volunteer house in Fish Hoek will be your happy home for this trip. It features a garden and a pool. Rooms are shared dormitory style. There are three bathrooms with hot, running water, showers and regular flush loos.

During your free time, you can relax in the lounge area, balcony, lush garden and barbeque.

You’ll be only a short distance from the shops and beach.

Childcare Volunteer in South Africa: Teaching Children at Doreen’s Crèche

When you feel like sharing you love with children, try out caring gorgeous little kids in a township in beautiful Cape Town. The Crêche is located at Masiphumelele Township, only around 45 minutes from central Cape Town. While teaching the children, you will also have the opportunity to dive in the culture of the fascinating city.

Volunteer in South Africa: Volunteer Opportunities,  Wildlife Volunteering: Rewarding Experiences, Unforgettable Memories

Learn to Surf while Teaching Children as a Volunteer in South Africa

Since the volunteer project is located in Muizenberg, Cape Town, a place renowned for its gentle rolling waves just calling out to be ridden, you will enjoy learning to surf in one of the best places in the world. You will first learn the art of surfing, along with the addictive and electrifying feeling that comes with riding a wave all the way into the shore. Then you will be working as a volunteer in South Africa with the kids from the disadvantaged areas surrounding Muizenburg, teaching them how to surf.

Let a Dream Come True and Volunteer in South Africa, this Magic Place!

Travel to a magic place where you can watch the sunrise from the top of a mountain, catch a morning wave in the ocean and spot an elephant roaming at dusk all in the same day. There’s a reason former President Nelson Mandela proclaimed South Africa the ‘Rainbow Nation’ – the country is diverse and colorful in every way. It also happens to be the perfect volunteer destination!

The volunteer programs in South Africa are located all over the country, please check the specific program details below:

• Location: Masiphumelele Township, around 45 minutes from central Cape Town
• Arrival airport: Cape Town (code CPT).
• Shared dormitory room in volunteer house, same sex rooms
• Food is not included. You will need to purchase your own food (budget approximately US$50 per week)
• Available from 2 to 12 weeks.

Teach Sports to disadvantaged Children

• Location of the volunteer project: Southern Peninsula, Cape Town
• Arrival airport: Johannesburg – Cape Town (code CPT)
• Shared dormitory room in volunteer house, same sex rooms
• Food is not included. You will need to purchase your own food (budget approximately US$50 per week)

Wildlife Conservation Volunteer in South Africa

The wildlife volunteer projects in South Africa are available from 2 to 12 weeks.

Marine Conservation Volunteer in South Africa: Great White Shark and Ocean Conservation

• Location of the marine conservation project: Kleinbaai, 180 km south east of Cape Town
• Arrival airport: Cape Town (code CPT)
• Shared room in a chalet sleeping shared by four and six people. Each chalet has a kitchen, lounge, bathroom and 2 bedrooms.
• Food: Breakfast included (cereal, tea, coffee and sugar) and lunch if on the boat. All other meals are self-catering (budget approximately US$50 per week).
• Available from 2 to 4 weeks.

Wildlife Volunteering: Big 5 and Hyena Monitoring in the African Bush

• Location of the wildlife volunteer project: Limpopo province
• Arrival airport: Johannesburg (JNB)
• Shared dormitory room in volunteer house on the park section; a couples room with ensuite bathroom is also available on request if available.
• Food: Self-catering – food is provided. Volunteers will cook following a menu and do the washing up on a rotary basis with the other volunteers.
• Available from 2 to 12 weeks.

Animal Conservation Volunteer in South Africa: Save the Vervet Monkeys

• Location of the wildlife project: Near Tzaneen, 6 hours drive from Johannesburg.
• Arrival Airport: Johannesburg (airport code JNB)
• Shared wooden cabins at the park.
• Food: All meals included (vegan food only – prepared by an African maid trained by a professional chef).
• The food has had excellent reviews from non-vegans and vegans alike.
• Available from 2 to 8 weeks

Volunteer Work with Injured and Orphaned Wildlife

• Location of the wildlife rehabilitation project:  Animal sanctuary on South Africa’s world renowned Garden Route next to Port Elizabeth
• Arrival airport: Port Elizabeth (code PLZ)
• Shared dormitory style room in wooden lodge at project (2-8 persons per room)
• Food: All meals are included
• Available from 2 to 8 weeks

Learn to Surf & Help Children Reach for their Dreams as a Volunteer in South Africa

• Location of the surf project: Muizenberg, Cape Town
• Arrival airport: Cape Town (code CPT)
• Shared dormitory room in volunteer house, same sex rooms
• Food: Self-catering (budget approximately US$50 per week)
• Around 30 min to the project – a short multi-person taxi ride and a train journey (budget approx. US$20 per week).
• Available from 2 to 8 weeks.

Big Five Conservation Volunteer in South Africa

• Location of the wildlife volunteer project: Eastern Cape, South Africa
• Arrival airport: Port Elizabeth (PLZ)
• Same sex shared dorms with an awesome entertainment area. Very comfortable accommodation.
• Food: All meals are prepared for you.
• Available from 2 to 4 weeks.

Orientation

Orientation takes place at 5pm of the arrival day. You should plan to arrive before 4:15pm. If you can’t make it, we suggest you fly in a day early. We can arrange airport pickup and extra night of accommodation

Volunteer Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old at the start of your placement.

All participnats in our volunteer in South Africa programs must have adequate travel insurance and are required to provide a criminal background check to local staff on arrival in South Africa or during orientation,

Treat animals and humans with respect.

Most importantly, pack in energy, a positive attitude, love in your heart and a spring in your step!

Some projects also have specific requirements. Please check the description of your chosen program.

Language Requirements to Volunteer in South Africa

Fluency in English is required in all the volunteer projects.

Safety

During your stay as a volunteer in South Africa, you will have competent support and advice from the local team and project leaders. Someone will always be available in the case of any emergency. Please keep in mind that you are in a different country and should take some precautions to avoid exposing yourself to certain risks.

The local coordinators will give you all the information to have a safe and unforgettable experience as a volunteer in South Africa.

Most Affordable Program Fees to Volunteer in South Africa

Please Note:

• The program fee is paid directly to the host organization.
• All of the projects incur a registration fee of US$ 149.00  on top of the program fee.

What is included in the program fee?

• Airport Pickup
• Orientation
• Accommodation for all projects
• Meals are included in most programs (please check the description of your chosen project)
• Support from local staff & Program supervision
• In-country 24/7 support throughout your stay
• In-country administration costs
• Donation to support the local project

There are no hidden costs. Most of these projects are the most affordable to volunteer in South Africa.

Iko Poran is an NGO based in a developing country. We are dedicated to helping you help others, at the lowest possible price. We are interested in making volunteering abroad more accessible so that more people can help do really important work.

Participants in our programs to volunteer in South Africa normally find US$100 to be sufficient for weekly expenses in the country.

The program fee should be paid to the host country and it is due 30 days before the project start date.

Go ahead and start your volunteer experience in South Africa!

If you feel ready to go, hit the button and fill out the application form on our homepage Iko Poran Volunteer Abroad. We will take you through the volunteer enrollment step by step.