Volunteering in Africa
You have decided to Volunteering abroad afford to? Then Africa is definitely a great continent for you! Because there is something for everyone here. No matter whether you want to get involved socially, get to know the wild animals of Africa in a project or support nature conservation - you can experience it all here. And while you help others and provide them with important help, you also get to know a new country with its exciting cultures and traditions.
The continents also offer you further useful volunteer opportunities Asia, South America, Oceania and Europe.
Popular projects
Zimbabwe | wildlife
from 2 - 12 weeks
from 18 years
Ghana | childcare
from 4 - 52 weeks
from 16 years
Namibia | big cats
from 2 - 12 weeks
from 18 years
Tanzania & Zanzibar | marine protection
from 2 - 52 weeks
from 18 years
South Africa | surfing
from 4 - 12 weeks
from 18 years
Uganda | Primates & Monkeys
from 2 - 12 weeks
from 18 years
South Africa | Dolphins & Whales
from 2 - 12 weeks
from 18 years
Tanzania & Zanzibar | Hospital & doctor's office
from 4 - 52 weeks
from 18 years
Tanzania & Zanzibar | People with disabilities
from 4 - 52 weeks
from 18 years
Frequently asked questions about volunteering in Africa
How do I find the right volunteer project for me?
- Get an overview of our projects on our website.
- Narrow down the selection by considering what your strengths and interests lie and in which area you can use these skills particularly well.
- Then make a note of your favorites and find out more about your possible assignment - tip: read through reports from other volunteers to get a particularly good impression of the projects.
- If you find it difficult to narrow your selection down, just combine two projects!
- You can also use ours Get RGV advice. Our program coordinators will be happy to help you with any questions you may have and support you in finding your volunteer project.
- As soon as you have decided, you can easily register for your project(s) via the online registration.
- Also, take a look at ours Volunteer guide, which gives you many more details and information on project selection, travel preparation and your stay on site.
Where in Africa can I do volunteer work as a volunteer?
Africa was the birthplace of Rainbow Garden Village over 20 years ago. Since then we have included more and more projects in different countries and can now offer you a large selection. In these countries you can volunteer in Africa with RGV:
Who can take part in volunteer work?
In many cases, participation in the RGV programs abroad is already possible from 16 years possible. Many of our participating volunteers either just have this Successfully completed high school diploma or are already there in studies.
More and more people with life and work experience are coming to our programs, for example as part of a Sabbatical take a break from work.
Where do I live while volunteering in Africa?
In our projects we always ensure that you are in good hands and feel comfortable in your accommodation. The types of accommodation usually differ depending on the project or location.
Normally you will either come to one of our volunteer apartments, volunteer houses or a host family and usually share your room with one or more other volunteers. Sometimes you can choose between different accommodations or live in different accommodations and move around during your project.
In some projects in Axim, in Ghana, you even live in an entire volunteer and staff village. This consists of well-equipped bungalows and is located directly on the sea. In projects that take place in a nature conservation or wildlife reserve, you usually live directly on site, either in a farmhouse or a camp.
How long can I volunteer on site?
Basically, at RGV we believe that the longer you stay, the more useful your stay will be. Because it takes a few days to get used to your new environment, your work and your colleagues.
When planning the duration of your volunteer work, you should always keep in mind that you are taking part in a project primarily because of the good cause and this is of course particularly important if you are involved for a longer period of time. In addition, a certain work routine must first develop and is ultimately necessary so that both you and your project can benefit most from your efforts.
For this reason, we recommend a minimum stay of four weeks for most projects. This is extremely important for social projects in particular, since it can often be difficult for children to deal with constant changes of confidants. Only animal and nature conservation projects are an exception and can be booked from as little as two weeks.
Is it possible for two to register for a volunteer project in Africa?
You are welcome too together with a travel buddy register for a project. It is important that you both register separately for your desired project. When registering, you have the opportunity to provide the name of your companion so that we can accommodate you both in the project and in accommodation.
Should I observe certain security measures?
Security is a recurring issue in African countries, which volunteers should therefore consider before they leave. It is clear that your safety is our top priority. We would like to give you a few tips so that you can have peace of mind during your stay abroad in Africa.
In general, we recommend that you keep personal items close to you. A money belt or a fanny pack, for example, are particularly suitable for this, as they also allow you to keep a close eye on your things at all times. Nevertheless, it is better to leave valuables at home and only have a small amount of cash with you.
This means that when you go on a trip, only take what you really need with you. It's best to explore the area with the other volunteers. Working together as a group gives you more security and is also more fun.
In order to be particularly well informed about the security situation in your country of assignment, it is best to take a look at the page of the Foreign Office. Here you get a good impression of the security conditions on site.
What can I do during my free time?
During your time as a volunteer, you also have free time that you can use in different ways. Many volunteer accommodations offer you a few leisure activities. For example, in some houses there are billiard tables, table tennis tables or a pool for a little cooling off.
Team leader Ama also likes to organize social events at the Student House in Accra, Ghana. If your accommodation is located directly by the sea, you can of course take wonderful walks on the beach or go swimming.
Explore the area around your location or the nearest city with the other volunteers. There you can enjoy local delicacies in restaurants and bars and discover new places while sightseeing.
In what areas of activity can I volunteer in Africa?
Voluntary work in the social field
Africa is a continent that has been shaped by many historical events. Colonization in particular still affects most countries today. Due to economic and financial problems, educational systems are often weakened. Due to an additionally growing population, school classes and other facilities are often overcrowded and there is usually a lack of enough staff. Kindergartens, schools and other institutions therefore need more staff support and are happy to accept the helping hands of volunteers.
Volunteer work in medicine and nursing
Growing populations across Africa are increasing demand for medical care. Particularly in rural regions, structural health care is usually worse than in large cities. As a nursing intern, medical student or with completed training in the medical field, you can help the medical staff. But also without pre-knowledge you can be a great support by being a Internship completed at a local medical facility.
Volunteer work in environmental and nature conservation
Climate change and soil erosion are also having a major impact on nature in Africa. The resultant droughts and water shortages lead to far-reaching problems for the population. Rivers dry up or suffer from high levels of pollution, heat and floods reduce agricultural yields and Kilimanjaro's glaciers recede dramatically. All of this has a strong impact on people, animals and their ecosystems. While the population is increasingly driven into poverty and hunger, the habitats of the animals are changing.
Environmental and nature conservation in Africa
Volunteer work in animal welfare
Not only does climate change affect wildlife in African countries, but also poaching. Elephants are hunted for their ivory, rhinos for their horns, and the pangolin for its scale-like carapace. But other animal species are now also severely threatened by human impacts.
