Location
Multiple Locations +2
  • Swaziland
  • South Africa

Program Details

Language
English
Housing
Guesthouse Hostel Hotel Hostel Hostel

Pricing

Starting Price
2000
Jan 20, 2017
Sep 13, 2016
1 traveler is looking at this program

About Program

South Africa is renowned for its vigorous culture, sweeping landscapes and remarkable wildlife – but communities, children’s homes and wildlife reserves need the help of volunteers through organizations like International Student Volunteers (ISV) to address disadvantage and environmental concerns.

Through volunteering with ISV, you can be involved in life-changing community development projects, taking part in tasks such as building schools and playgrounds, urban renewal programs, water and sanitation development and classroom support. On ISV’s wildlife conservation and environmental management projects, you could be assisting researchers in surveying and monitoring of flora and fauna used for conservation management, or volunteering on a wildlife rehabilitation centre. Come join us to make a meaningful difference in South Africa!

This program is currently not being promoted on Go Overseas by its provider. Check with ISV (International Student Volunteers) for the most up-to-date information regarding the status of this program.

Program Reviews

4.96 Rating
based on 151 reviews
  • 5 rating 98.01%
  • 4 rating 1.32%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0.66%
  • Impact 4.85
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.4
  • Value 4.85
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 41 - 48 of 151 reviews
Default avatar
Amanda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I Fell in Love with Africa!!

This summer I went to South Africa with ISV. It was the first time I have ever left the country and it was the most terrifying and amazing thing I have ever done in my life! I was scared and worried about being in another country with people I didn't know, but all that anxiety went away after meeting my project leader and my fellow volunteers. By the next day I'd already felt at home. I still find myself missing the sounds of the birds on our early mornings, everyone laughing around the campfire, and even the cow bells down the road at night.

I got to experience what life is like out in the South African bush. It's amazing, breathtaking, and sometimes can even take you out of your comfort zone, but it's worth it. Every moment from those freezing cold mornings to those happy grinning faces of the kids was worth it all.

I did things I never thought I could do in my life. I freaked out about baboons, bartered with South African market men, pet a cheetah and a leopard, hugged an elephant, jumped off a cliff into freezing cold water, and even scuba dived with a shark!

South Africa changed my view of the world. It used to be small but now it's sooo big! I would go back in a heart beat but I think my exploring has just begun. South Africa has given me just a taste of what the world has to offer and I want to thank ISV for taking me there!

What would you improve about this program?
They tell you you'll need extra money for food and souvenirs but they don't tell you how much. Things aren't that expensive in South Africa but I ended up craving a lot of chocolate and wanting to buy EVERYTHING! I would have liked it if they would have warned me that while everything's cheap you will still want to bring a good amount of money with you.
35 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Miranda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trip of a Lifetime

South Africa was a life-changing experience. When we first got there, we were introduced to each other and our guides, and briefed on the schedule for the coming weeks. I immediately made several friends (from all over the world with whom I still have contact) and bonded with our amazing team of leaders who genuinely cared about all of the participants. I learned a ton about environment sustainability while out in the field collecting research, group discussions, and documentary films we watched together in the evenings. If I could, I would do it all over again!

32 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Natasha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A lifetime of change in 4 weeks

ISV was such a great program to be apart of. Administratively, they were always available to contact and were super useful to help with the questions. The program leaders were fun to be around and were very helpful. The experience as whole has showed me happiness comes from the smallest moments and not the material aspect of living in America. Being able to adapt to the culture and learn a culture that is not very known was an experience only few people get in their lifetime. If I could I would go back and make a bigger impact. It really helped me decide on my future career and life goals. ISV as a whole is such a huge impact and letting students to be able to enjoy and be part of this experience is one in a lifetime. Swimming with dolphins, playing soccer with the kids at the school and frisbee on the beach was something I could never describe to anyone.

34 people found this review helpful.
Tara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best summer ever

My volunteer project was based in the Masebe wildlife reserve. The first thing you need to know is, it's literally in the middle of no where. There are no shops, no internet, no phone service, no tvs - nothing. It was like stepping into a whole other world. A world I very quickly began to enjoy. In the morning we rose early to begin our volunteer activities: bird-counts, habitat assessments and visiting the local villages. All of the work we completed was done outside, in the sun and the fresh air. In the nature itself. One morning, my group had gone out to complete the bird count for that day; we were all very silent, listening to the different chirps and whistles of the local birds when suddenly we heard a twig snap about 20 ft from where we were standing. Standard horror movie stuff. Then came the sounds of feet on ground, and heavy breathing. The sounds were coming from no farther than 10 ft now. We didn't know what was going to come out and eat us, being in the middle of a reserve and all. Just when some of us were preparing to make a break for it, a herd of zebra come quietly out from behind the trees. ZEBRA. I can't put into words how exhilarating it is to come that close to such beautiful wild animals. We also encountered baboons, grey monkeys, giraffe, scorpions, impala, warthog, eagles and so many other amazing creatures. One time a rogue baboon actually managed to break into our camp. I've got to say, exiting the bathroom to find a fully-grown male baboon standing right outside the door was something I'll never forget.

The adventure tour was also amazing. Kloofing (the african word for canyoning) was definitely my favourite activity. It's basically 'following the river wherever it takes you'. And yes that includes off the side of cliffs and under waterfalls. Very adrenaline fuelled. Snorkelling alongside Manta-rays in the Indian ocean during our time in Mozambique was also another awesome experience. Oh and caving! Honestly, that was probably the most terrifying thing I have ever accomplished but it was so worth it. I'm pretty claustrophobic, so if you are too and you're considering not going for that reason, don't worry! The instructors were very helpful and reassured me several times that the caves were perfectly safe. P.s. Don't watch the movie 'The Descent' like the majority of us had before going underground.

Basically, the whole trip was probably the greatest experience of my life. I met sooo many people, and made friends I hope will last a lifetime. The experiences I have had have definitely changed me. My whole outlook on life has being widened. The program has made me want to see the rest of the world. I returned home a much happier and grateful person. I hope I can take part in more programs like this in the future. If you're hesitating on whether or not to go, just go for it. Trust me, you will not regret it.

What would you improve about this program?
The program is a little costly, but at the same time it was worth every penny.
35 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Samantha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ISV Shingwedzi trip

ISV was the best 4 weeks of my life, every day was a new adventure. I did wildlife programme in South Africa. You really make a difference when you're over there but you also have time for fun. We worked hard and made a real difference doing maintenance work but also got to help out on cheetah feeding rounds and spend time with the cheetahs. The staff and project leaders were awesome and become a second family and you make some life long friends.
The adventure tour is also not to be missed; safaris, scuba diving, swimming with dolhpins, cultural villages and lots and lots of fun!
This trip is defintely worth it you will have a great time and it's an amazing experience!

34 people found this review helpful.
Emilie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Summer that Changed My Life!

During my six weeks in Southern Africa with ISV I encountered so many different people, places, experiences. Learned so many different things, found myself in the process and ended up making some of the best friends Ive ever known! The memories and stories could go on for days, as everyday we pushed head first into a new adventure; from taking care of baby cheetah's, to diving with whales, eating a braai outside in the sand surrounded by friends and funny stories! To walking with elephants and hearing lions roar from our outside tent, to holding an orphan and donating money to buy them food. Diving into the unknown by going on a caving expedition and free jumping into waterfalls, eagerly holding our binoculars to get a look at the Big 5 on both of our Safari's. Sitting back with friends made, eating, laughing, crying and having to say goodbye to some of the group that were only there for four weeks! To finding myself doing the unthinkable by bungee jumping off of Victoria Falls and feeling the wind on my face and the rush of the pounding water beneath me and rafting on some of the most extreme rapids. The stories are endless and cause so much longing whenever I fondly remember them. This trip wasn't just a chance for me to help make a conservation different in Africa, but the chance to grow, to learn and to see the world in a unique and special point of view. But my favorite memory of all, had to have been the remaining part of groups last night all together, we decided to do a boat cruise, we all sat around telling stories and eating great food! We coasted along the shores of the Zambezi River and watched as the sun set and the beautiful stars of the African sky come out. It got quiet as we all sat back and processed the amazing 6 weeks we had spent together that felt like we had just started the day before. As we coasted by the shores, we looked upon elephants with their little ones, money's flying from the trees, birds flying in the distance and took in the beautiful songs of the African wilderness. At that moment I could have agreed more with Ernest Hemingway when he said, "All I wanted to do now was get back to Africa. We had not left it yet, but when I would wake in the night, I would lie, listening, homesick for it already."

What would you improve about this program?
There isn;t anything I would improve, the people, the places, the feelings and memories are what they were because of the program and the people who have put this amazing program together! Only thing I can think of is programs that are longer, as I never wanted to leave!
36 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Taylor
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The most amazing experience of my life

Traveling to Africa with ISV was a life changing experience that will always be close to my heart. I had the opportunity to learn what it means to be a true traveller and I did it with a group of amazing new friends by my side. I would recommend this program to anyone and everyone. It will change your life and teach you more than you could ever imagine.

What would you improve about this program?
I wish I could have stayed longer
34 people found this review helpful.
Tracy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Time of My Life!

Traveling with ISV was the best time of my entire life. I volunteered for two weeks on a conservation project on a nature reserve in South Africa and am so proud of the work that I did while on project. I also spent another three weeks on an adventure tour and excursion tour traveling around southern Africa. Traveling with ISV allows you to really get immersed in the culture rather than just being a typical tourist and you meet so many amazing people, both locals and fellow volunteers. The best part is that traveling as a volunteer really changes your outlook on life and what is really important. It has made me far more aware of how everything I do can have either a positive or negative impact on the world and has really inspired me to live a more environmentally and socially aware life. If you travel with ISV, not only will you have a blast, but you'll make a ton of new friends from all over the world and learn a lot about the world too!

What would you improve about this program?
I do wish the ISV recruiters were a little more upfront about the different volunteer options. I didn't even know my volunteer trip was an option until that was the one I was assigned. Also, the date of my trip got moved a couple of times for different reasons, so that was a little frustrating, however, the staff was very helpful with helping me through the changes.
35 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers