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Location
Multiple Locations +2
  • Swaziland
  • South Africa
Project Types
Community Development Conservation

Program Details

Language
English
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Guesthouse Hostel Hotel Hostel Hostel

Pricing

Starting Price
2000
Jan 20, 2017
Sep 13, 2016
Wish List
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.

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ISV South Africa
ISV South Africa
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Program Reviews

4.96 Rating
based on 151 reviews
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  • 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 73 - 80 of 151 reviews
Cassidy
29
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Simunye. We are One.

Dec 9, 2015

When you travel abroad, you expect to see the popular sites, take pictures, and make memories. However, the most important thing for a traveler like myself is to make a difference every place you go. Change someone's life. Leave a place better than it was when you entered. Make an impact on the world. My ISV program in Chintsa, South Africa allowed me to do just that, and I learned more than I realized I would. I didn't just touch the lives of those around me, but they touched mine. I had young children not only teach me how to do the "clicks" in the Xhosa language, but they taught me to appreciate the little thing. An older man, Tata Goodman, taught me more than just how to plaster walls; he taught me a good work ethic. In South Africa, I learned the power of sustainable energy, and I witnessed the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. My volunteer experience left me with a passion to help those in need, and I learned that I didn't just help them, but they helped me become a better person. And I owe that knowledge and gratitude to the opportunity ISV gave me.

34 people found this review helpful.
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Ceily
32
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best decision I've ever made

Oct 20, 2015

This was the best experience of my life! I learned so much about the South African culture, met so many wonderful people and saw so many amazing sites! I would do it a second time in a heart beat! My favorite moment was while we were in Ponto do Ouro, Mozambique and I had the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins. I got so close to three adult dolphins and one "child" dolphin. I got so close to each dolphin. It was one of my favorite experiences. The Dolphins were so playful and friendly. Our guides told us it was one of the best encounters they've had. The whole time I was in Mozambique, I never had to wear shoes, the whole town has super soft and white sand in place of roads. ISV made my trip so wonderful. I'm so glad I chose them to explore South Africa. I want to go to one of their other destinations now!

20 people found this review helpful.
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Conner
30
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime opportunity. Don't miss out on this amazing experience!

Aug 27, 2015

Traveling to South Africa and getting to spend a month working with animals and becoming immersed in the culture was unbelievable. I met some amazing people and the memories from this trip will last a lifetime. Bottle-feeding baby antelope, sitting by a watering hole for hours watching the wildlife, going on safaris, making friends, swimming with dolphins, cave exploring, spending the day with elephants, and going kaloofing are just a few of the awesome things we got to do on this trip. Coming home after being in Africa for a month has changed me forever in a positive way and my hope is that I can use these experiences to enlighten and encourage others to experience this for themselves.

What would you improve about this program?
The program was fairly expensive but for an opportunity like this, who knows if you'll ever get to go back! So it's definitely worth it.
30 people found this review helpful.
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Paul
29
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible Experience!!

Aug 11, 2015

I enjoyed my volunteering trip to South Africa. I am excited about working with animals and it is something that I will remember forever. The staff were helpful and we worked hard. Next time I would like to go for the adventure as well. Thank you.

20 people found this review helpful.
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Lauren
29
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An experience I will never forget

Aug 6, 2015

This experience was so amazing and was one I will never forget. Boarding the plane, I knew I would be making a difference but never knew how much this trip would shape me and change my perspective on life. This trip made me realize so much. Coming out of this experience with a new perspective, a better understanding for new cultures, amazing stories and new friends that I will cherish for a lifetime are all things I have ISV to thank for. Watching the children run to the finished playground for the first time is a moment I will never forget. Their faces lit up and they all ran so fast. It was finally the first time they had a playground big enough for them to all play on. The children at the daycare and the village of Chinsta East have taken a piece of my heart. I made some of my best friends along my journey and wouldn't change my experience for anything. Walking down before volunteering one morning to see the sunrise was one of my favorite memories, along with all the fun activities we got to do the second two weeks! I definitely went out of my comfort zone but it was all worth it. I recommend this trip to everyone. I can definitely say I left a part of me in Africa and I cannot wait to go back one day!

What would you improve about this program?
This program is so amazing but one thing I would change is the amount of information they give you before you go. They needed more concrete information. Before we all boarded and started to meet everyone, no one really knew where we were going or where we were staying the first two weeks. We also did not know that we were going to be pairing up with the host organization there, VA32. I think they just need to be more specific about some things. The visa was also a big problem, myself and many others had to get two passports, some even two visas, because we did not get them back in time. Next time, I think ISV needs to set a certain date for when the passports need to be shipped out, that way everyone is on the same page and no one would have to get a second passport. Overall I think ISV is great and because of this organization I got to experience so much.
20 people found this review helpful.
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Fatima
31
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trip of a Lifetime!

Mar 5, 2015

This trip was one of the greatest experiences of my life! It was so easy to get along with the other volunteers on the group, and we all bonded very well. I loved meeting all of the beautiful locals in the amazingly stunning town of Chintsa in East London. Going down to the beach every morning and taking in the spectacular scenery was so much fun. Playing sports with the children was also so much fun, as you could really see the enjoyment in their faces. The work done on the volunteer site was very hard and rewarding. We did the work on the creche whilst the children and carers were there, which allowed to really see just how much they appreciated it. The children even became involved by grabbing a paint brush and painting the mural. This was definitely my favourite part of the program, although the adventure tour I must admit was pretty incredible!! I got to bungee jump off the highest bridge bungee in the world, abseil off table mountain, and do cliff jumps at Blyde River, things I never thought I'd get the chance to do in a million years. I particularly enjoyed the atmosphere at Island Vibe in Jeffrey's Bay and in Cape Town. The locals were so friendly and chilled out, I never wanted to leave!!

I would 100% recommend this program to everyone! It is the most life-changing experience and leaves you ready to help and explore the world!!!

What would you improve about this program?
I think its important to make the extra costs more clear beforehand. Other than that, everything was amazing! Wish it could have been longer!
19 people found this review helpful.
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Harry
31
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ISV Shingwedzi

Mar 5, 2015

A truly amazing experience. While on project we had the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of amazing animal species, and we were able to see the benefits of the work we were completing first hand. Not only fulfilling, but a life changing experience. Could not recommend highly enough!

What would you improve about this program?
Maybe more free time/down time on project, was quite intense. To be honest though I wouldn't change anything
19 people found this review helpful.
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Madalyn
31
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Take me back!

Mar 5, 2015

I have travelled the world to nearly 30 countries and my experience with ISV was my all time favorite experience yet. The Volunteering aspect was filled with hard labour, learning new things, laughter, friendship, townships and an extremely rewarding outcome. Our arms ached, bodies sweated and got tired but I wouldn't change it for the world. That was the best part! We knew what we were doing was getting done for the right reasons as we were surrounded by children who would be using the facilities we were creating around their childcare centre.

The Adventure tour was full of facing fears, fun and exploring new cities. This was an experience where I reconnected with myself and those around me to get out what I put in. I then have the privilege of traveling to Zambia and Botswana to be faced with lions while camping in Chobe National Park and swim on the edge of Victoria Falls. Does it get any better than that? It sure did!! I flew over Vic Falls in a microlight flight and rafted down the Zambezi.

This trip was a life changing experience where I learnt about the world we live in, unique individuals and found myself through daring, challenging and testing myself.

Thank you ISV and your incredibly commited, passionate and enthusiastic leaders.

* I completed this in 2015

What would you improve about this program?
I honestly couldn't fault it
20 people found this review helpful.
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Questions & Answers

So I have a job that starts June 16th and I want to know how reliable the flights are from South Africa time wise?

I had no delays on South African Airways.

By Arianna Eigner on July 17, 2016
See all 11 answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Kenzie Thomas

Program
ISV - Volunteer Projects in South Africa
Kenzie is a student at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, pursuing a degree in environment and business. She is passionate about conservation and sustainability and hopes to pursue this as a career path after graduation. In her spare time she loves hiking, reading, and spending time with friends.
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Why did you choose this program?

I have wanted to go to Africa since I was little, and the idea of living and traveling there for five weeks was something I could not pass up. I looked into many volunteer programs prior to choosing ISV, but what really appealed to me about the ISV experience was that I would be able to see more than just my volunteer site. The two weeks of travel that followed volunteering really stood out to me!

I was looking forward to the hands on experience and work, but was not leaving without doing some exploring in the continent that I had been so anxious to see for most of my life. Also, as someone who has never traveled on my own, I was looking for an organized experience where I knew I was going to see and do as much as possible in a short period of time. I could leave all concerns of timelines and transport aside and just enjoy!

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Before I left for South Africa, I had to have all of my travel documents in place (travel insurance, travel visas, and passport), I had to look into all medical requirements (vaccinations and medications) and book my flight. ISV gives you the option to join the group flight, which is organized through their travel agent, so all I had to do was pay!

Apart from that I did not have to worry about anything! They provided transportation, an itinerary, packing lists, tons of information about my host country and volunteer project, most meals, accommodation, and entry to parks and other venues. They were really easy to work with!

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

My one piece of advice is to take on the entire experience with an open mind. Upon arriving I found myself living in some pretty adventurous accommodations, and eating some crazy foods. I met locals that told me about norms in their countries that were so different from my life at home and learned about cultures that are unheard of in my small town. But I found that by being open minded about everything that came my way, I was able to enjoy the experience so much more!

I did not pass up any opportunity to see or do something I wouldn't have otherwise had the chance to do. It led me to making friends all over the world; to scuba diving in the Indian Ocean (something that terrifies me to no end); to dancing with Swaziland children in traditional wraps; to bungee jumping off Victoria Falls Bridge. I never lived so much until I did it with an open mind.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Every day we would wake up to the sound of the "handy-daas" birds in the trees above our hut. We would roll out of bed, still half asleep, and get ready for the day ahead. We packed the trucks, grabbed some snacks for the day and headed out to the reserve as the sun was rising. The first part of our morning routine would be 'bird-point-counts'. We learned to recognize a variety of birds both by sight and sound and we would watch and record the birds in the area. After completing this we would move onto 'Veld Condition Assessments' or VCA's.

In teams, we would assess random plots of land for grazing levels, insect and fire damage and species identification. As the temperature rose we would head back to camp for lunch and some free time. We often had lectures in this time as well. Our leaders, all extremely educated in the field, led us in discussions about poaching, hunting, conservations and sustainability. The topics were usually controversial, so we were able to get perspective from other students interested in the topics. We would head back to the reserve when the heat became bearable and finish one or two more VCA's before dinner.

Our other duty on the reserve was giraffe IDing. Whenever we saw a giraffe we would record its location and other unique information. All of the work we did was put toward maintaining the reserve. This work would otherwise be paid or not done at all, so it was extremely important for the surrounding communities to have our volunteer group there. In an area of Africa where extra money can be put toward bettering the lives of the locals, it made all the difference for us to be there. After work came dinner, followed by a fire to end the night. We would sit and talk about our lives at home, our interests, our friends and our adventures to come.

Weekends were a time off. We spent these days doing game drives, exploring the reserve, hiking and visiting the neighboring communities. I really loved how our ISV leaders understood that even though we had come there with the purpose of volunteering, we also wanted to experience South Africa. They filled our free time with activities that allowed us to learn about the cultures and the natural aspects of the area.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it and/or how did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was that Africa would not be what I expected. In reality, this should have made me even more excited. I was worried that after so many years of wanting to see the land and the animals I would be disappointed by what I found. What a crazy concern! It was much different than what I envisioned, but this made me eager to see more. Every place we stopped was distinctly different from the one before.

Would you recommend staying the optional two or three weeks, after two weeks of volunteering?

ABSOLUTELY!

After two weeks of volunteering, ISV offers an optional two or three weeks of travel. Very few people leave after two weeks and I am so glad I was not one of them. Most students choose to stay four weeks, but I went all in and decided on five. So, after two weeks on the reserve we traveled around South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique, then boarded a plane bound for Zambia for a week, where we also got a taste of Botswana as well. By the end of five weeks it was pretty incredible to look back on everything we had done. None of us would have been satisfied leaving for home without discovering what Africa had to offer.

In five weeks we did more than most people can say they have done in a lifetime.

We saw the Big 5, went scuba diving and surfing, caving, hiked mountains, looked out over God's Window of Blyde Canyon, camped in tents in the middle of Chobe National Park, jumped off cliffs, bungeed off bridges, played volleyball with Swazi children, stargazed, rafted the Zambezi and so much more. Had I decided to stay two weeks I would most definitely have left with a smile on my face and more than a few stories to tell, but I also would have regretted not making the most of my time abroad, and would have been booking a flight back to South Africa faster than you can say "Mufasa".

My experience in Africa was more incredible than can be described in a few short paragraphs. The only way to really know what is like is to get on that plane yourself!

About ISV (International Student Volunteers)

ISV’s mission is to support sustainable development programs around the world through life changing student volunteer programs designed to positively impact our world and to educate, inspire and result in more active global citizens. Destinations include South Africa, Costa Rica, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and the Dominican Republic. ISV has...

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