Baobab trees, stunning topography, and enough cultural diversity to make your head spin! This is Africa and you’re ready to experience its power yourself through a volunteer abroad in Africa program.
These days, the top Africa volunteer trips are serving some of the best opportunities to make a sustainable difference in communities overseas. With 54 countries, volunteers in Africa have a wide range of dynamic projects and African experiences to pick from.
Over the years, there have been some problematic aspects to the Africa volunteering world. Some programs have little impact on the lives of the people they’re supposed to be helping. Others rack up coins selling less than stellar Africa volunteering experiences. That’s why choosing a first-rate organization for volunteering opportunities in Africa is crucial. And we’ve got the 411 on exactly which programs make the list. Here’s our roster of the best Africa volunteer programs of the year!
What makes these the “best” Africa volunteer programs?
Before we give you the scoop on these best Africa volunteer program MVPs, here’s why they nabbed a spot on our list:
- Proven results. The best Africa volunteer programs have measured results of their impact on African communities. They constantly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their projects and have tangible proof to back it up!
- Partnerships with locals. With these programs, working together with local communities is a key component of operations. They value the input of natives to best identify what areas need the most volunteer assistance.
- They carefully analyze each volunteer placement. The better matched a volunteer is with their project, the more effective their work will be. The top volunteer programs in Africa evaluate volunteer skills and interests and tailor them to regional needs. This majorly bumps up your chances of having both an awesomesauce volunteer experience and being successful with your project.
- Raving reviews. You know a volunteer program in Africa is killin’ it when 95 percent of their former alumni rate a five star experience!
What will you discover while doing volunteer work in Africa?
Our roundup for the best Africa volunteer programs in 2024-2025
Now you know what makes an Africa volunteer program the greatest of all time. Check out who made tops on our best Africa volunteer programs list:
Our roundup for the best Africa volunteer programs in 2024-2025
1. Connect-123
Are you ready to plunge into South Africa and it’s incredible beach life too? As a Connect-123 volunteer, you can make a difference in the lives of marginalized Capetonians through one of nine development projects. Cape Town has a rep for being one of the planet’s most beautiful cities. However, it’s also dealing with the effects of massive inequality. Are you up for this challenging yet stimulating volunteer trip to Africa? Every Connect-123 volunteer program in Africa is tailor-made to the volunteer’s schedule, so you can start your service any time of year.
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Popular projects: Environmentalism, community service, education, health, human rights, social work, youth development
- Program cost: Flat fee of ~$2450
- More info: Read Connect-123 reviews
2. Volunteering Journeys
What do you do when an Africa volunteer program has overwhelmingly positive reviews? Sign your name on the dotted line, that’s what! When it comes to partnering with local communities in a safe, socially responsible, and impactful way, Volunteering Journeys is a pro. They’re working with organizations in South Africa, Philippines, India, and beyond to fill needs through quality volunteer projects. Volunteering Journeys is a fantastic choice if you're looking for medical volunteering placements in Africa.
- Locations: South Africa
- Popular projects: Dental, Nursing, Health, Medicine
- Cost: From $1095 for two weeks
- More info: Read Volunteering Journeys reviews
3. GoEco
When it comes to volunteering in Africa, properly vetted projects are a must! That’s why as a GoEco volunteer you’ll be in good hands. This organization is known for being a top notch eco tourism company that thoroughly screens all its volunteer projects. Another win for GoEco? They’ve managed to offer super affordable programs to top it off! Wanna volunteer in the Masai Mara or at a Zimbabwean health clinic? Pick your favorite volunteer trip to Africa from their projects in ten countries and leave your meaningful mark on the development world.
- Locations: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, the Seychelles Islands
- Popular projects: Youth empowerment, wildlife, conservation, education, health
- Cost: Starting at ~$600 per week
- More info: Read GoEco reviews
4. African Impact
Maybe you’ve wondered how locals will welcome you as a volunteer. With African Impact, you’ll be happy to know that the org doesn’t run projects for volunteer work in Africa unless the community says it wants volunteers there. And that’s why these guys are experts in all things Africa volunteering. Here’s some impressive stats: in over ten years, African Impact has placed over 12,000 volunteers in twelve African nations!
- Locations: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Seychelles
- Popular projects: Community volunteering, conservation
- Cost: ~$700 per week
- More info: Read African Impact reviews
5. International Volunteer HQ
How does having your very own personal volunteer travel expert sound? That’s just one of the perks you’ll get by volunteering in Africa with International Volunteer HQ. If your pockets are tight, but your heart is in the right place, this program is renowned for being a leader in affordable volunteer travel. They manage a range of volunteer projects all over Africa that match just about any skill set.
- Locations: South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Zambia, Morocco.
- Popular projects: Teaching, childcare, construction, wildlife volunteer projects, healthcare
- Cost: From ~$250 per week
- More info: Read International Volunteer HQ reviews
6. Volunteering Solutions
Aka ‘VolSol’, these guys offer projects that will have you livin’ like the locals! As you volunteer, you’ll get to visit the homes of natives and share meals. With VolSol, you’ll get a 360 degree volunteer in Africa experience which will make your work even more effective. Their most active projects include medical volunteering in South Africa and working at an orphanage in Ghana. Projects are operating in six African countries covering a variety of volunteer assignments.
- Locations: Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda
- Popular projects: Medical, childcare, women’s empowerment, wildlife and conservation, sports coaching, community development, education, disabled care
- Cost: From ~$250 a week
- More info: Read Volunteering Solutions reviews
7. Projects Abroad
Quick: what’s two decades of volunteer projects + United Nations development goals equal to? A bangin’ volunteer abroad in Africa experience! Projects Abroad offers tons of flexible volunteer and humanitarian trips to Africa for as little as one week to a year. You’ll live with a host family which means deep insight into local life. And, since Projects Abroad holds its projects to UN sustainable development benchmarks, the success of your volunteer project will start with a strong foundation.
- Locations: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo
- Popular projects: Childcare, conservation, teaching, construction, sports coaching, agriculture, performing and creative arts, culture, community work
- Cost: From ~$2000 per week
- More info: Read Projects Abroad reviews
8. Global Vision International (GVI)
GVI has invested over ~$35 million in their projects globally—35.million.DOLLARS! Plus, on their website, they have actual stats to back up their impact on specific United Nations development goals. If you’re looking for excellent humanitarian trips to Africa, this organization has the volunteer Africa abroad game on lock. GVI is a beast in the Africa volunteer program world. When you pair their results with an over 95 percent approval rating and their pledge to help you develop professional skills, you know your volunteer work in Africa will be a win.
- Locations: Ghana, Seychelles, South Africa
- Popular projects: Wildlife conservation, community development
- Cost: From ~$1800 per program
- More info: Read GVI reviews
9. The Real Uganda
If education and volunteering in Africa opportunities are your passions, the Real Uganda is a dope opportunity. You’ll get to collab with Ugandan teachers in their teacher training program. Through the program’s in depth volunteer stages of learning, co-teaching, and planning, this project really fleshes out the process of building sustainable education. On top of what the teachers learn, you’ll be learning as well and making lifelong Ugandan friendships.
- Locations: Uganda
- Popular projects: Teaching
- Cost: Varies
- More info: Read The Real Uganda reviews
10. Kaya Responsible Travel
When it comes to responsible travel, Kaya means business! With a theme of ethics and community impact, Kaya offers volunteer programs around Africa with a mission of empowering communities through sustainable development projects. And, here’s a fun fact: ‘Kaya’ translates to “my spiritual home” in Zulu, “the enlightened one” in Buddhism, and “I can do it” in the Filipino Waray language. How cool is that?!
- Locations: Namibia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Popular projects: Arts, business, community, conservation, healthcare, education
- Cost: Varies
- More info: Read Kaya Responsible Travel reviews
Get matched with 5 volunteer programs in Africa for FREE
Next steps to volunteer in Africa
Need some help figuring out how to become a volunteer in Africa? Here’s what you can do NOW to kickstart epic Africa volunteer trips!
- Read our in depth guide on volunteering in Africa to learn even more about what you’re in for!
- Check out our latest rundown of the best countries to volunteer in Africa this year.
- Don’t drive yourself crazy sifting through the millions of “volunteer abroad Africa” results in Google. Just reach out to our free online advisor for help narrowing down the best volunteer in Africa program for you.
- One of the major hurdles to international volunteering is the cost! Here’s our take on how to fund your volunteer adventure in Africa—scholarships, fundraising, and more.
One final nugget of wisdom
Want to know one of the biggest #volunteerAfrica guru! Now THAT’s how to become a volunteer in Africa and kill it!
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With so many proven ways to make an impact, the only thing stopping you from getting out there and making a difference is you.
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