Volunteer Programs in Cape Town, South Africa

This project is an adventure club for 12-14 year old children focused primarily on extramural surfing and swimming lessons. The adventure club provides children with a valuable opportunity to take part in a range of outdoor activities from surfing and swimming to hiking and even sandboarding. An orientation in Cape Town is provided before the start of the project. There are anywhere from 5 to 20 children participating in the club every week. Volunteers are able to take free surf lessons during the school day and then help teach and lead groups of children after school. There are also opportunities to assist in community development or to help teach computer skills in schools during the day. Activities include teaching kids to swim, skate and surf, helping on hikes and running fun days and sports programs. so far over 300 children have learned to swim and over 80 have learned to surf!

Give your creativity an outlet in this media and graphic design internship with an NGO in South Africa. Committed to urban greening, reforestation and eco-education in Sub-Saharan Africa, this award-winning NGO in Cape Town works to empower communities through tree planting, fighting deforestation and spreading environmental awareness. Since being established in 2010, they have already planted 18,000 trees as well as created exciting initiatives for children and the local community. The organization is always looking for new promotional materials and methods for their online media. As a media and graphic design intern, you will have an opportunity to be involved in the process, from conception to design and delivery. To be eligible for this internship, you need to have some experience in marketing and knowledge of social media platforms. You must also have eyes for a new approach to media and graphic design. Experience in Photoshop, illustrator and Mac are required, while videography and editing skills are greatly appreciated. You must have strong conceptualizing, branding, and creative skills. It is recommended that you bring your own laptop.

Take on an 8-month trip of adventure, community service, and community development across the globe. Join a gap year program that will take you to enchanting destinations filled with cultural immersions, impactful volunteering, and an unforgettable summer experience. Your journey will begin in Costa Rica, where you will work with local communities in addressing social and economic challenges. You will then travel to South Africa to help lead sports development, followed by a summer of learning and practicing the Spanish language in Spain. Finally, you will volunteer in teaching and community building and development in Thailand and Cambodia while enjoying the sun, sand, and sea. Eligibility requirements: - Must be in good physical and mental health - At least 18 years old during travel - Have a fluent understanding of English - Have a clean background check if working with minors Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the communities you will serve. Visit our website or inquire today for complete details about this program.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Gain practical social work experience during this exciting internship program in Cape Town, South Africa. You'll be part of a community center in Masiphumelele, a township on the outskirts of the city that provides a safe and stimulating space for up to a hundred children every afternoon. Many of these children have experienced different levels of trauma, and as an intern, you'll assist the program in providing stimulating activities and counseling sessions for groups of children when needed. This internship is a great opportunity for getting practical experience in social work while supporting an important social development program. Your tasks will include offering individual or group counseling sessions to children with troubled backgrounds; helping create stimulating, educative, and fun activities for the children in the aftercare program; and helping cook for and feed the children at the center, among others. Preferably you'll have an academic background or experience in sociology, social work, community development, education, pedagogy, or something similar.

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

South Africa is often referred to as the Rainbow Nation, for representing numerous cultures, subcultures, 11 official languages, and several more sublanguages. It’s a land with an impressive reserve of natural resources and wildlife and rightfully holds eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Contribute to education initiatives in one of Cape Town’s vulnerable communities where local youth often grow up in high-risk environments. This project contributes toward their educational development in a safe space to encourage their full potential. Through dedicated one-on-one tutoring sessions, you’ll assist student’s literacy and numeracy skills development and conversational English. Your contributions support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. In addition, you could be managing large class sizes where teachers conduct lessons in English, which is often not the students native language. Therefore, GVI has partnered with a local primary school to help improve the overall standard and quality of English lessons. In your free time, travel around the city and coastline, or visit one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, the city’s very own, Table Mountain.

This program makes a truly positive impact on vulnerable children, including those with physical and mental challenges, and people from local communities. Volunteers are desperately needed to support numerous projects: providing care and love to impoverished children, day-to-day care of people facing challenges in their everyday lives, and assisting in older adult facilities. Duties vary depending on individual interests and skills. Volunteer help is crucial to the viability of these projects and, thus, greatly appreciated. The role requires a love for working with children and those who need it, and a high level of patience. Volunteers must be flexible and willing to assist wherever needed. They should also understand local community situations and the challenges associated with such placements.

Applications are now open for our award-winning Child Life Practicum Program in Cape Town! Our 4-week Child Life practicum program is open to child life students as well as to those interested in the field and is led by Certified Child Life Specialists. The practicum is designed to meet the Association of Child Life Professionals’ standards. While practicums are not required for becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist, the ACLP encourages students to pursue practicums in order to be better prepared and more competitive when applying for child life internships. During the program, through experiential learning and observation, students will increase their knowledge of basic child life skills related to play, developmental assessment, and integration of child life theory into interventions with children and families. The program fee covers training, secure housing, 24/7 on-the-ground support, and some local events with the Connect-123 Cape Town team. We also offer an optional overnight safari experience, where you can see Africa’s big five!

Experience firsthand the healthcare challenges facing South Africa where, under the Apartheid regime, the vast majority of people had limited or non-existent healthcare until the 1990s. Since then, South Africa's healthcare system has made great strides under majority rule, especially in efforts to reach underserved communities. Today, the country is emerging as a critical battleground for the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Child Friendly Health International's program in Cape Town offers students the unique opportunity to observe alongside healthcare professionals in an idyllic setting surrounded by Table Mountain in one of South Africa's most beautiful cities. Participants will get the opportunity to understand how the healthcare system has dealt with a public health crisis that has fundamentally altered the state's social and economic fabric. This program will allow senior level clinical students to rotate alongside physicians at a hospital, located in the southern suburbs of Cape Town in Wynberg. Pre-medical students will be able to rotate in a variety of community clinics associated with a hospital in the Cape Flats.

Volunteer in South Africa and experience all the different colors of the "Rainbow Nation"! Visit vibrant and multicultural cities and work with underprivileged children in the townships of Cape Town and Johannesburg. Do you want to use your language skills? Great! Teaching English in local schools is perfect for you. Not a fan of big cities? The endless plains and plateaus are home to the most famous wildlife, and the coastlines offer amazing beaches and plenty of marine life. Get ready to work with the Big 5, such as elephants, lions, and rhinos, with big cats in general, or even the great white shark! What makes this African country particularly interesting for volunteers is the variety of areas you can volunteer in, such as helping projects with wildlife conservation, protecting nature and the environment, getting involved in marine conservation, teaching disadvantaged children, and working for a healthcare project.

Cape Town, known for its diverse and growing population, is rated as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Opportunities to serve all year round include daycares for lower-income families, education centers for disadvantaged learners, and human rights organizations. Partnering with community-based organizations and completing a reflection-based curriculum will allow you to learn how local experts address these issues in their communities while gaining intercultural leadership skills. Each of our community-based organizations is unique, so please visit our website to learn more about your options. Our Cape Town program is recommended for anyone interested in the education and/or disability service fields.

Apart from the normal struggles of living with a disability, social stigma and discrimination surrounding disabilities mean that People With Disabilities (PWD) face even greater challenges. In many instances, PWDs are not afforded the same opportunities as regular members of society, and this, in turn, means they are often unable to contribute productively to their communities. Your role will be based in a local care centre, which provides social activities, food, assistance with day-to-day life, and vocational training. You will work alongside centre staff, assisting them and taking on responsibilities as your skills and experience allow. As a volunteer, you will help with daily activities that involve: Social interaction Income generation through the creation and sale of arts and crafts Vocation and skills-based training Kitchen work and gardening to provide nutritious meals This project is located in Hout Bay, a bus ride away from central Cape Town with all the city has to offer tourists. Accommodation is at a lodge located right by the beach and with a bus stop just outside. Project work is from Monday to Friday, with the weekends free to explore and have fun.

The non-profit organization TLC Outreach Projects supports individuals from socially challenging backgrounds through several initiatives: - The "Street Ministry" program involves social work professionals traveling through the three informal settlements (Radar Bush, Wolwerivier, The Village) to provide care and refer individuals to other organizations for additional support. - The "Preventative Program" for children and young people provides basic educational activities and playful education on topics like drugs, crime, HIV, and homelessness. - The "Independent Living" and "Skills Development" programs focus on prevention by providing access to education and training opportunities. - The "Crazy Daisy" program distributes free hygiene products to girls, ensuring they do not miss school during their periods. As a volunteer, you will contribute to all of TLC's programs. Tasks may include assisting with outreach activities, supporting social workers in their efforts, helping with educational programs for children and teenagers, participating in various workshops, assisting with team meetings and maintenance, sorting donations, administrative tasks, and more.

Join our Journalism Internship in South Africa, and get the chance to develop professionally while basking in the vibrant atmosphere of Cape Town. You will work as an assistant to a Magazine Editor, taking on a position that lets you jump right into big responsibilities on the first day! For four weeks to 12 weeks, you will join the publication team and apply your skills in journalistic research as well as basic design and editing. You could also choose an internship placement geared toward marketing and journalism. Throughout the duration, you will create, write, and edit blog posts, photos, and short videos. You will use innovative and creative ways to reach out effectively to the media, public, and donors. You will also help with social media activities, learning to create press releases and other content types for such platforms. This program is also open to volunteers.

Join our mission to protect one of the world’s fastest and most endangered animals- the cheetah. Once thriving across Africa and Asia, cheetahs are now under serious threat. As a volunteer, you’ll work alongside experienced conservationists to care for captive-born cheetahs and support efforts to return them to the wild. This hands-on experience offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the survival and future of wildlife conservation. - Prepare and serve meals to cheetahs (involves handling raw meat). - Clean and maintain enclosures, refill water stations, and ensure a safe environment. - Design and deliver enrichment activities to keep cheetahs mentally and physically active. - Assist with visitor education, including public tours and conservation talks. - If fluent in English, guide tours to educate others about cheetah preservation. - Participate in the release program if your stay is four weeks or longer. - Help with general camp upkeep, repairs, and safety inspections.

Volunteering Journeys South Africa programs are extremely popular as there are a diverse set of volunteering opportunities, ranging from teaching English, sports coaching & medical electives to animal & wildlife conservation programs such as the Big 5 animal conservation program. A big draw to volunteer in South Africa is the range of other activities that you can undertake whilst you are participating on our volunteering programs. Programs in South Africa are ideal for gap year volunteering, family volunteering and anyone looking for an adventure filled volunteer experience! South Africa is aptly named the “Rainbow Nation” for its fight for several decades to overcome aparthied and other racially discriminatory practices. Although aparthied is a thing of the past, the country still suffers from economic disparities, gender-based violence, and illegal wildlife trade. Our volunteer programs tackle some of these issues. As in any other developing country, South Africa needs volunteers who can help with achieving the short and long-term objectives of humanitarian & animal welfare programs. Volunteering programs are in Cape Town and wildlife is in Kruger National Park!

Surfpop takes you on an unforgettable surf travel experience that includes volunteering your time and skills to coach and mentor children from disadvantaged communities around Cape Town. You will assist Surfpop children in the water through interactive surf sessions as well as help them with their homework, English and Maths. You will design life skills activities and fun games to expand their horizon. If you have unique skills or ideas that you would like to share with Surfpop before, during, or after your stay, please let us know. We are always open to new and cool ideas! Some examples of skills and ideas that previous volunteers contributed include the following: - Organization of photography and painting workshops - Production of Surfpop video clips - Assistance with social media, PR, and advertising - Initiation of fundraiser among family and friends for Surfpop Foundation

You don’t have to break the bank to learn a new language, explore a new culture, or acquire compulsory work experience in another country. Whether you seek an internship or a volunteering opportunity, Magister will help you realize that dream trip to South Africa. At Magister South Africa, we have matched and placed participants in various programs – from internships in companies to volunteer projects with local communities – since 2000. Besides offering a wonderful experience, we guarantee safety and security as well as immersion through regular events and activities. If you are seeking a challenging internship or simply wishing to experience a cosmopolitan lifestyle while contributing to a good cause, we can definitely lead you in the right direction!

The great white shark - the notorious villain of the sea - is often the world’s favorite misunderstood animal. Join the program to spend your time monitoring these magnificent creatures and do your bit to help with their conservation. Cage diving with sharks is an amazing experience. It gives you the opportunity to see sharks in their natural habitat. They are graceful and powerful animals; unfortunately, their survival is under threat like a lot of marine life. This program will also give you an insight into marine conservation and, if you join from June to December, you will get the opportunity to see whales. You can even help at a penguin rescue center! Each day, volunteers will go out on boat trips with a team of expert researchers and help to identify and track sharks. Plenty of training and development opportunities are provided, so an ideal volunteer will get stuck in and learn what life as a shark researcher is all about. Volunteers live together in a lodge, which is a 10-minute to 15-minute walk from the boat launch station. With plenty of braais (South African BBQ), a swimming pool, and a large garden area, there are lots of things to do on volunteers’ time off.