Affordable Volunteering in South Africa: African Wildlife & Social Projects

Accommodation & Meals

The details of these services vary according to the volunteer project, please check the specifics of your chosen program to volunteer in South Africa.

Start & Duration

All the projects to volunteer in South Africa start on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. In order to be in time for the orientation, please make sure you arrive before 4:15pm at the airport. If you can’t make it, we suggest you fly in a day early. We can arrange airport pickup and extra night of accommodation.

Program length also varies according to the project.

Childcare and Sports Volunteer in South Africa: Caring for Children and Teaching Sports

Township Teaching with Doreen

Cris Queiroga teaching English in South Africa - Kids saying goodbye

• 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

Volunteering protecting Vervet Monkeys in South Africa

• 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$ 199.00 – only U$ 100 for payments before March 31st – 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.