Africa is the second-largest continent and contains one-fifth of the earth’s entire land surface. African landscapes and resources vary regionally, and it’s one of the most undiscovered parts of the world. Volunteer programs in Africa are a great way to experience another country. It allows you to give back to a local community through conservation efforts while immersing yourself in a new culture. It helps you gain a more profound sense of a place you wouldn’t experience as a typical tourist. Given the vast variety of landscapes in Africa, there are many ways to volunteer here. We’ve summed it up in a guide for you below.
Can I Volunteer in Africa for Free?
Finding free volunteer programs in Africa is almost impossible. Chances are, if you see a program advertising this, then it’s probably not coming from an ethical source or background. That being said, it’s still possible to volunteer at a low-cost, and there are plenty of opportunities for this in Africa. We’ve got a great list of low-cost volunteering opportunities.
You’ll struggle to find free programs in a country like Africa because it is still a developing nation. This means that the priority for resources goes towards supporting the communities instead of sponsoring volunteers. Your impact should be to help and support a project, not deepen the holes in their pockets!
The best Africa volunteering programs have volunteering fees. The most ethical places break down these costs for you too. Money goes towards accommodation costs and any financial burdens that the local community incurs for hosting volunteers. The intention is to cover all these costs in the initial fees.
Finally, Africa is an offbeat destination. Travelling here can be expensive, so be prepared to pocket out some cash for the flights. It’s likely to be one of your most significant expenses, so we’d suggest budgeting in advance for this. Furthermore, it’s essential to make sure you have a good source of emergency funding while you’re on the ground volunteering. You never know what surprises life might throw at you, so it’s best to be prepared as much as you can before travelling!
How to help fund your trip
So how do you fund volunteer programs in Africa? If you’re struggling, it’s possible to find some resources online. Some agencies and associations offer scholarships that allow you to have these meaningful travel experiences. You can search our list of Africa volunteer opportunities.
You can also try fundraising for your experience. If it’s for a meaningful project, others will get behind. Fundmytravel is an excellent platform for promoting your experience. It’s full of like-minded individuals who may be willing to get on board in supporting your volunteering experience. Another site that will help you plan and fund your meaningful travel is Volunteer Forever.
How to be a Volunteer in Africa
There are many volunteer programs in Africa. The importance is finding a project that resonates most deeply with you. There is so much opportunity on this continent. The ways in which you can volunteer are pretty much limitless!
An important aspect to note is that volunteering in Africa opportunities often contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Your efforts will be part of a global exchange while gaining a more profound sense of a unique culture we are sure you will grow to adore.
You can volunteer in many different ways, either independently or through a programme. If you’re looking for a bit more advice on how to do this, then we’d suggest reading our volunteering guide here. Before you get started, it’s important to think about what sort of volunteering you’d like to do. This will carve the steps toward organizing your volunteering experience. Do you want to help children? Save endangered wildlife? Or perhaps you want to do handiwork and build houses in small communities? What you want to do will significantly define how you experience volunteering in Africa.
Where Can I Volunteer in Africa?
Africa is an incredibly wide, diverse and exciting content rich in cultural heritage and natural landmarks. Your volunteering location depends on where the type of work you’re interested in doing is needed the most. This is where it can be handy to have the assistance of volunteering aids as they have already identified the needs of local communities and created programmes around this to support them in overcoming these challenges.
With over 54 countries, you have a wide range of dynamic projects to explore in Africa. The important part of the where is ensuring that you are partnering with a reputable volunteering association. Africa is also a location where you should proceed with caution when picking your programme. Unfortunately, Africa has a history of programmes that have little impact on the development of communities. This is where planning becomes essential in finding a first-rate organization where volunteering opportunities are proven to make a difference. You can read about how to plan a volunteer opportunity through our guide page here.
Picking your programme
So, what should you look out for when picking a volunteering program? Check to see if the agency already has proven results. What has their impact been on the community so far? A good programme will continuously be monitoring this and have a strong track record! It’s also essential to be sure that the association is partnering with locals. The value of input from natives is critical for identifying the gaps in the community that need your support and assistance. Finally, a good association will be able to tell you where to go. Most volunteering programmes start with an interview. This is so they can place you in a project that will have a meaningful impact on not just you, but the initiative you’re working to support that surrounds you.
What sort of volunteering can you do? We’ve already highlighted some favourites in our blog. We’ve also defined the two most popular initiatives below.
Volunteer in Africa with Animals
If you’re a bit of an animal lover and want to be involved in meaningful projects where creatures cross your path, then Africa is an excellent destination for volunteering! Africa’s has all types of animals, from lions to penguins. There’s certainly a place on this giant continent where your help would be very much needed and appreciated.
Some challenges in Africa regarding animals are community expansion, poachers and climate change. Your role can help to mitigate the problems relating to these. More recently, we have seen species reaching extinction due to these challenges. Volunteering is a great way to protect these species while also helping local communities manage their needs.
There are many ways in which you can volunteer with animals in Africa. Due to its rich biodiversity and landscapes, you could be doing anything from working in wildlife sanctuaries to conducting research or teaching local communities about the importance of maintaining wildlife habitats. All of these are rewarding experiences and allow you to forge a deeper connection with the local community, culture and stunning environment. If you’re looking for some inspiration on the types of animal volunteering experiences in Africa, you can check out some suggestions here.
Volunteer in Africa Teaching
Volunteering by teaching in Africa is very popular amongst volunteers. You directly support children’s education in rural areas and the work of locals teachers who struggle with challenging teaching conditions. The great thing is that you don’t necessarily have to have a teaching qualification to volunteer this way. Some programmes even offer qualifications as part of the programme. So, you can develop skills and certifications that you can take home with you.
Volunteering in education is one of the most powerful and sustainable ways to support community development in rural settings. With more than 60% of adolescents no longer in school by age 15 in Sub-Saharan African countries, closing this gap is essential in meeting sustainable development goals. Your impact can go a long way in supporting this.
Do you need to be qualified?
So how can you teach without a qualification? Your role varies per programme. But generally, you will be involved in assisting underfunded or understaffed schools. You’ll work with local teachers providing one-on-one support to students that struggle in class-based environments. You’ll also assist by teaching English. This is another essential skill for community development and is a great way to directly help in improving the literacy of students. If you want to play a direct role in the community development of children and adults, then teaching is a great way to do this.
Now you’ve got the down-low on volunteer programs in Africa, what are you waiting for! You can check out our list of reputable programmes here, or feel free to send a message and we’ll be happy to suggest a programme that might be best suited to your interests. Happy travels!