Volunteering in Africa
Africa is an incredible destination for a gap year trip, challenging, diverse and definitely an opportunity to broaden your horizons. There are also many opportunities to take part in voluntary projects in Africa, whether these involve building, working with children, environmental work or conservation projects. Budget to get voluntary work through an organisation, as you won't find paid work in Africa, and by paying to go with one of the organisations on this site, you will get the back up of the volunteering placement being organised for you. This will be invaluable as it means you will have someone to meet you when you arrive, your accommodation will be sorted, and you will be working with other people with similar interests.
Working with animals is a popular option. Africa is home to some of the world's most vulnerable species, and some of the gap year companies featured on this site can offer you conservation work on projects with animals, conservation and wildlife. Different organisations offer placements in different parts of Africa, from one week to six months. Use the information on this page to help you make your decisions about which organisation to use on your year out.
African Conservation Experience have a range of projects on offer in South Africa, including working with experts tracking leopards, or marine biology studying whales and dolphins. If you are interested in getting work experience in this area, then these do offer you an amazing opportunity to work with zoologists and marine biologists on conservation projects.
Another organisation offering placements in South Africa is Khaya. Their voluntary projects include working with children as well as sports development and wildlife conservation, and involve working closely with local communities. Volunteering projects are a great way to meet local people and really understand the issues that affect other people's lives.
Personal Overseas Development (PoD) offer some great projects in South Africa and Tanzania, with the emphasis on ethical volunteering. They match local projects with overseas volunteers, working with wildlife as well as community based projects.
If it is more of a internship, teaching abroad or work placement you are looking for, GapGuru have a range of projects in Africa which could be ideal, including teaching English in Tanzania. If you want to explore Africa, GapGuru have a fantastic trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, for a once in a lifetime opportunity.
So if volunteering in Africa sounds like something you would like to get involved in, find out more through our volunteering section, or if you are specifically interested in conservation or community projects elsewhere in the world, take a look at the range of options available.
