Volunteer Projects in Africa

Volunteer 4 Africa offer a wide variety of cheap volunteer projects in Africa including numerous opportunities to volunteer for free.

The projects we offer are diverse and range from Penguin conservation to working in a backpacker’s hostel. We offer volunteer projects that go beyond the usual scope of volunteering with animals or working in orphanages such as teaching yoga and choreographing dance productions. Whether you are interested in wildlife conservation, volunteering with children or simply volunteering for free, we make it easy to find volunteer opportunities in Africa via our eBook and online project database.

The following is a small selection of volunteer projects that are currently seeking international volunteers and interns. The actual listings within our eBook are comprehensive and provide all the information you need to find suitable volunteer projects (e.g. the specifics of volunteer opportunities and internships, web and email addresses, the duration of the project, details of any benefits such as training opportunities or free time activities, etc).

If you would like to view more volunteer opportunities in Africa or be alerted about any new volunteer projects, connect with Volunteer for Africa on Facebook. We are regularly approached by organizations wanting to utilise our free advertising platform, and if their project(s) meet our selection criteria our Facebook fans will always be the first to know.

Volunteer at Eco-Friendly Children’s Village

This project is looking for long term volunteers to help establish an eco-friendly children's village with education, social and health facilities for vulnerable women and children. Volunteers receive free accommodation and a monthly stipend.
Cheetah Outreach

The aim of this project is to make as many people as possible aware of the plight of the cheetah and to campaign for its survival. The daily duties of volunteers include working hands-on with the public, food preparation, cleaning and various other tasks. Accommodation and food is provided.
Volunteer Camp Manager

This project is looking for a volunteer camp manager for an on-going long-term study of Kinda baboons from August, 2013 to August, 2014. The volunteer camp manager receives free board and lodging plus reimbursement of airfare upon successful completion of 12 month contract.
Volunteer Research Assistant for Zebra Study

This project is looking for a student or graduate to lead a study on a population of plains zebra in a small community wildlife reserve. The volunteer research assistant receives free accommodation but is responsible for his/her own food.
Volunteer Rehabilitation and Release Coordinator

This project is looking for two full-time carers for two young and orphan colobus monkeys. The work will be shared between the two volunteer rehabilitation and release coordinators. Volunteers pay 70 Euros per week for accommodation and are provided with three meals daily.
Volunteer at Backpackers and Nature Lodge

This backpackers and nature lodge is looking for help with hospitality related tasks, construction, gardening, cooking and art work. Volunteers receive free board and lodging or cover part or whole of their food costs (dependent on the skills and commitment of volunteers).
Camp Manager

This riverside camp is looking for an organised and motivated individual to manage around 10 local staff. The camp manager receives free board and lodging, the use of a vehicle and £325 per month.
Community-Based Conservation Research Programme

This project is looking for volunteers for the monitoring of several lemur species as well as a grassroots reforestation effort. There is no cost to participate and volunteers just need to take along basic field equipment. Food, in-country travel costs and permit fees are covered.
Help Vulnerable Teenage Orphans

This project is looking for international volunteers to work hand-in-hand with local staff and families to help teenagers who have lived through great trauma. Volunteers receive room and board, a monthly stipend, comprehensive medical and evacuation insurance, and round-trip airfare.
Guest Relations Officers

This hotel is looking for female guest relations officers who can speak English (native), Russian (native) or French. Candidates must be customer service oriented with a warm personality and a positive attitude. Volunteer for free with complimentary accommodation and meals.
Volunteer with Children

This project works to advance the education of gifted but deprived children. It needs volunteers to help with English lessons and homework, sports and other activities. No formal qualifications required, just lots of energy and enthusiasm. Volunteers receive free accommodation and food.
Animal Loving Marketing

This project is looking for volunteers/interns for PC work and animal shelter visits. Volunteer/interns get the opportunity to see a lot of the country when visiting animal shelters and experience lots of wildlife. The project costs £363 per month which includes accommodation and food.
Organic Fruit and Wine Farm

This farm specialises in organic farming techniques, producing wine, brandy, port, olive oil, nuts, dried fruits, etc. Work entails viticulture and other agricultural work, the development of hiking trails, etc. Volunteer for free with complimentary accommodation and a small stipend.
Advance Education in Rural Communities

This project is looking for volunteers who have some experience of working with children to teach English, run drama/dance workshops, and raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, conservation issues and techniques. Volunteers will spend around £5 per day on accommodation and food.
Volunteer at Primate Sanctuary

This project is currently looking for multilingual rangers/guides, students with photography/film making skills for documenting primates, IT specialists, PR and marketing experts. Volunteers receive free accommodation with a fully equipped kitchen to prepare meals.
Volunteer at a Retreat Centre

This small forest retreat centre is looking for volunteers to help out with various tasks, ranging from office work and helping out in the garden to getting involved in jewellery production and community work. Volunteers receive free accommodation, yoga and meditation classes.
Creative Recycling

This social enterprise project collects plastic trash from the streets and transforms them into stylish and fashionable bags. It welcomes volunteers with a background in IT, design, env. education, photography, business or social sciences. Volunteer for free but cover your own living expenses.
Overland Expedition Volunteers

This project is looking for young, adventurous media volunteers to document a journey that will reveal the challenges and celebrate the successes of sustainable development in South Africa. Volunteers may join the expedition at a cost of £25 per day which includes accommodation, etc.
Conservation Volunteer

This project seeks university graduates who would like to gain practical hands-on experience and pursue a career in conservation. Volunteers work on a range of wildlife projects with endangered species. Volunteer for free with complimentary accommodation, work permits and field transport.
Rehabilitating Human Trafficking Victims

This project recovers and rehabilitates young female victims of human trafficking and offers them skills training. Volunteers are greatly appreciated and can teach (e.g. English, maths, etc) or work in a child care centre. Volunteer for free but cover your own living expenses.
Volunteer with Animals

This project provides accessible and effective health care for working and domestic animals, plus animal welfare education. It seeks the assistance of veterinary professionals and veterinary students/graduates. Volunteers contribute £6 per day which includes accommodation.
Teachers, Builders and Sports Coaches

This project welcomes volunteers of any age and level of experience to work at a school and community sports centre. There is no cost to participate but volunteers cover their own living expenses. There are several hostels nearby which start at £3 per day.
Student Program Leaders

This project is seeking enthusiastic student program leaders for upcoming 3 month undergraduate conservation programs (application deadline: 24 May, 2013). All expenses paid (room/board, travel costs, visa fees and insurance) plus a £4900 salary.
Orphanage Volunteer

This project creates inspiring educational opportunities for orphaned, rescued and abandoned children. It is looking for chefs, writers, filmmakers, artists, teachers, dancers, musicians and singers. Volunteers can stay at the orphanage for free. Food is provided during working hours.
Penguin Conservation Centre

Volunteers at this sea bird rehabilitation centre assist with the rescue, rehabilitation and release of many seabird species, including the endangered African penguin. No skills necessary as training is provided. The project costs £86 for the first 6 weeks and £14 for every week thereafter.
Volunteer at Wolf Sanctuary

This project is looking for volunteers to help out with various activities which include feeding the wolves and reporting on wolf behaviour. No experience necessary. Volunteers receive free accommodation with basic bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Volunteer at Cape Town Backpackers

This new and stylish backpackers' lodge is looking for female volunteers to help out with reception work, organising events, bar work, general guest relations, and social media management. Volunteers receive free board and lodging in exchange for their work.
Volunteer at Conservation Base Camp

This is a unique opportunity to live at a base camp just outside a spectacular National Park and be part of an effective conservation project. The project costs £365 per month which includes food and accommodation in an en-suite safari tent overlooking the Zambezi River.
Volunteer at Lion Sanctuary

This project provides the unique opportunity to become a part of a team of dedicated animal carers and experience the day to day running of a lion sanctuary. Volunteers pay £72 per week for private accommodation and are responsible for preparing their own meals (kitchen provided).
Paragliding/Tourism Project

This outdoor adventure company is looking for someone to assist its team in their work (administration, accounting, marketing, public relations, etc). This is a fabulous opportunity to gain experience in the tourism industry. Volunteer for free but cover your own living expenses.
Organic Farm Volunteer

This family farm seeks volunteers with skills in construction, agri-business, livestock farming, bee keeping, and anyone with the technical knowledge to help develop and advance the farm. Volunteers receive free board and lodging in exchange for approximately 4 hours work per day.
Tour Leaders and Drivers

This company seeks tour leaders and drivers for all its tours in East and Southern Africa throughout the year. These positions require professional and self-motivated people. Most expenses are covered including a contribution towards flight costs after a set period of employment.
Meerkat Research Project

Volunteers learn a range of valuable skills and field techniques including observation, radio-tracking, research design, data handling and analysis. Volunteer receive free accommodation plus a monthly allowance to cover their food and travel costs.
Bar Person / Windsurfing Instructor

This windsurfing centre is currently looking for a bar person / windsurfing instructor for the 2013 summer season. A windsurf instructor qualification is preferred but this position is also available to non windsurfers with a keen interest in the sport. Free accommodation and a salary.
Barmaid/Waitress

A beautiful castle perched above a private beach is looking for an experienced barmaid/waitress. The role includes all aspects of bar work such as serving food and drinks, cash handling, supervising cleaning, stock control, etc. Volunteer for free with complimentary accommodation and food.
Volunteer Healthcare Professionals

This project provides opportunities for trained healthcare professionals - not just doctors and nurses, but also social workers, health educators, lab technicians, etc. All expenses covered including airfare, accommodation, travel insurance, vaccinations and visa/work permits.
Volunteer Lawyers

This project is looking for volunteers with a passion for social justice to provide legal counsel, advice and advocacy on behalf of refugees seeking asylum, resettlement or the assertion of other legal rights. Volunteer for free but cover your own living expenses.
Short Term Volunteer Vets

This project has exciting opportunity for a volunteer veterinarian to work with the resident veterinary assistant. The site is home to 110 chimps, 20 gorillas and a whole variety of monkeys. Volunteer vets receive free on-site accommodation and a daily meal.
Volunteer at Chimpanzee Sanctuary

This project seeks volunteers at its sanctuary and release site. Duties include food preparation, feeding chimps, going on bush walks with the younger chimps, tracking the released chimpanzees using VHF. The project costs £39 per month which includes accommodation and food.
Eco Guides and Scientific Eco Guides for Humpback Whale Project

Volunteers get involved in daily whale-watching / scientific boat surveys, data management, responsible tourism activities, etc. Participants pay £185 or £300 for training course and equipment but once certified receive free board and lodging, etc.
Volunteer English Teacher

This project is dedicated to sending graduates and under-graduates to teach English at schools, colleges and universities. Volunteers receive free accommodation plus a £160 per month stipend in the local currency.
Help Orphans and Underprivileged Children

Volunteers give assistance, care and comfort to orphans and vulnerable children living in an orphanage. Volunteers provide the children with the adult attention they crave and deserve; teaching them languages, computer skills, games, music, etc. Free accommodation and meals.
Assistant Director for School

This school is currently looking for an assistant director to support the director in guiding and managing all in-country activities. In addition to free board and (beachfront) lodging, the assistant director will receive a modest monthly stipend and reimbursement of airfare.
Football Project

This project runs football training workshops to educate children and young people about HIV/AIDS. The activities are designed to raise awareness and promote prevention. It seeks volunteers to help coach and run the workshops. The project costs £38 week which includes board and lodging.
Socio-Ecology of Small Mammals

This project is looking for biology, zoology and veterinary students for a behavioural and physiological study of African striped mice. The project costs £95 per month which includes accommodation at the research station. Volunteers buy and prepare their own food.
Volunteer in Boutique Hotel

This small and cosy hotel offers individually themed Arabian-style rooms just a short distance from the beach. The hotel is looking for young, energetic and positive volunteers ready to cover shifts in areas such as cleaning and room service. Volunteers receive free accommodation and food.
Help with Horse Trails, Animal Care and Teaching

This project is looking for able horsemen/women to help out with various activities on the farm (e.g. working with horses, caring for animals, general maintenance, etc) as well as teaching rural preschoolers. Volunteers receive free accommodation and food (vegetarian).
Volunteer with Children in South Africa

This project is looking for volunteers who are passionate about working with children and young people. Volunteers get involved in various activities that benefit orphans and vulnerable children. Volunteer for free with complimentary accommodation and an allowance to purchase food.
Teach English

This school is looking for enthusiastic and motivated English volunteers for a minimum period of 3 months. Some experience in teaching English and working with children is preferred. Volunteer for free with complimentary accommodation and food plus some pocket money.
Yoga Teacher

An experienced yoga teacher is required to teach mixed level classes at various beach front locations and help run yoga retreats. You will receive a monthly wage, accommodation, all meals, flights from Europe, and the opportunity to live by the ocean, learn or improve your surfing.
Volunteer Wildlife Rangers

This project offers various ways to contribute to the conservation of marine turtles, depending on your experience and the time you have available. Long term wildlife rangers (2 months minimum) receive free accommodation and a food allowance.