South Africa Volunteer Programs from $25/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

It was amazing! Eye opening. Well organized. Fulfilling. Would definitely do it again. I wish there were more organized events vs separate groups. There was also no heat so it got pretty cold during the winter months where we were staying. I’m very glad I was able to do this. The kids I worked with I’ll never forget. The food supplied was very tasty but also access to local restaurants were good too. Pickup from the airport was very smooth and not worrisome at all which is reassuring upon arrival

I booked my volunteer program in the Krüger National Park with IVHQ and I did receive exactly what they described on their website. Yes, some of the pictures were not up to date, but overall it got what I expected, and it was one of the greatest choices I could make. The local team is super nice and you learn a lot during your stay, when you have an open mind and want to learn and be part of the program.
IVHQ is checking in on you during your stay, which I felt was very caring and reassuring and I had the feeling that I always had someone to go to if there would have been any problems. But the local team is also great.

A tip I would give future volunteers is: to read the program guide carefully and know what you can expect. This program is in a very remote area, with on and off internet access, and definitely not a party experience. You will do your part of the project, meet new people, and have a lot of new experiences, but it is not a cheap party vacation! It is part of research that you have to do carefully and responsibly, but you also have free time to socialize or just look at all the animals around.

I will come back to this program and I would recommend this program 100% with IVHQ I feel like I made a good choice, especially after hearing some of the experiences from other volunteers, who booked over a different agency.

I had a great experience volunteering for IVHQ in South Africa. The volunteer trip was organized and IVHQ helped to ensure that I was prepared for the experience before I arrived. The volunteer work itself was very rewarding and it was cool to get immersed in the culture. The host family was friendly, the meals were better than expected, and the other volunteers helped to make the stay a lot of fun. There was plenty to do outside of volunteering and I am glad that I went. I would recommend IVHQ.

My time volunteering in South Africa was the best week of my life. I learned so much through the kids and through the culture. I was able to experience things I would not have had the opportunity too if I had not had gone. Some of the activities I did included a safari, atv riding in sand dunes, and skydiving. The support from IVHQ ensured that I was completely prepared for my trip. Volunteering was amazing and the school I volunteered at needs the help from volunteers to create a lasting effect on the students.

I had an amazing 5 weeks in Cape Town. I will miss all of the kids and the other volunteers immensely as well as all of the locals! I was initially a little apprehensive to travel alone but living in such close quarters with everyone you instantly become best friends. I would recommend to budget a little more than recommended as although the cost of living is cheap there, expenses add up extremely quickly, especially if you are keen to socialize at night and do all of the exciting activities available. There is so much more to experience outside of the program such as amazing hikes, sunsets, safaris and more. I would love to go back!

It was an amazing experience, having met so many new people and done so many things that I never would have expected to do! The volunteering aspect was well run and allowed for a full immersion into the culture and to do your little bit for the bigger picture.
The local program were always on hand for support and were also very knowledgeable with what the best places to do things were. The schools and staff there were very grateful of the help they received from the volunteers which was nice to feel valued as well as being able to make a contribution.

It was such a rewarding experience!
It is a real immersion into the wildlife that allows us to challenge ourselves and to discover another way of living, fully in the moment.
I will not forget the amazing view on the olifant river where i could stay hours, watching the animals walking and drinking all the day long.

The lectures given by the local team are extremely interesting ! I've learned so much in 2 weeks! Much more than I expected: tracks, sounds of birds, way to behave with wild animals, problems of poaching...
The activities of conservation are truly amazing : cameras tracking, transect, roads… i felt a little bit like a baby ranger !
There is even a little tracking competition on friday, with pancakes made by the losers on saturday : what a motivation!
There is also a real implication in the life on the camp, which I really liked because it allows the volunteers to become friends more easily and to share more moments together. We were organised by team for cooking, dishes, datas, cleaning and it was really efficient !
The ambiance on thé camp was amazing, the staff is really here to help you and to make you enjoy the experience as much as possible.
To conclude, it was truly a Life changing experience, and i think i’ll think about it for a long time. It made me realise a lot of things about our way of living and thé necessity to understand more the nature and thé Wildlife even in our countries, and to not live next to it but with it.

It was an amazing trip accompanied by amazing staff, amazing destination and smoothly ran program. I would definitely go again and maybe try a different program. However the Sports program was amazing, the school staff was very welcoming, especially the principal, and made me feel welcome. Our program leader was very nice and super fun to be around. I’ve even used the warm-up songs we did with my students since i’ve returned. It was an unforgettable experience that I would do again in a heartbeat (but i’d stay longer than a week)