Affordable Low Cost Volunteer Opportunities in Africa

AIRPORT COLLECTION
The collection from the airport was well arranged, and very helpful in showing me where to exchange currency. The project briefing was informative and clearly explained the main objectives of the project and how activities were carried out.

ACCOMMODATION
Very good, any issues/problems I had with the homestay were dealt with professionally. Amir was a great help in supporting everyone with any queries. Location was great, could walk to work (if the sun wasn't trying to melt me that day) and was even walking distance to the city centre - but again I’m lazy and relied on Taxis. Our home mother at the homestay made the place very special, and the family was wonderful. Really appreciated the cold shower. Bring extra money for your own meals though, breakfast is very basic - toast. Dinner is interesting, a bit different but any future volunteers should push themself to try it all! Nothing ever tasted bad and even meat eaters were asked if they wanted seafood or not which was greatly appreciated - I feared, I would be eating fish with heads the whole time I was there but it was largely vegetarian meals.
The food and living conditions were much better than I expected and overall, I had a brilliant time and thoroughly enjoyed my time on project.

WORK
I worked with school in Dar-es-Salaam. The school is a little all over the place, but you get used to it and settle into TZ time - aka, slow paced life. The school project for me was very rewarding I made a real connection with the kids and was really sad to leave. Ubungo is a lovely town and all the people are so welcoming I didn’t feel unsafe once throughout my whole time on project.

SUPPORT
10++ for this one, Amir kept an eye on any illness or injury I had, from the tiniest little scrape to a suspected case of strep throat. My health seemed so important here and had a high priority as did my safety.

OVERALL
Amazing experience. So much free time and flexibility for you to go and explore the Tanzania. You learn so much about the culture here. I'd recommend it to all, just be prepared for a difference in setting as it is a low-income nation. This was my first ever time in a low-income (developing) country and it has really opened my eyes but in a positive way. The entire project for me was an experience I will never forget I loved every minute of it. I couldn’t tell you the best aspect as it was all amazing.

I volunteered for three weeks in August at a children’s centre and hospital in Masaka, Uganda with go volunteer Africa. I had an incredible experience! During the planning stages I was a bit apprehensive but my contact Paul was very professional.

We lived in a small accommodation (but very comfortable beds) with other amazing volunteers from all over the world (we were 6 solo travelers). We lived as a family and we had two incredible local people living with us, who took care, shared moments and cooked for all of us. The local meals were delicious and their generosity and support made us feel right at home.

I worked in a hospital every morning. I took an easy ride with a funny bus to the hospital. I could go to operating room and help also in some operations. I spent some time in the emergency department. It was a good learning experience. I could share knowledge with local doctors, learn from them and try to do my best in order to help the patients.

Afternoons I often went to the children’s centre and play with the children and also take care of them. Then evenings and weekends we spent most of our time with the other volunteers. Going to karaoke and having a beer and chatting with locals was one of our main hobbies.

My first day at the children’s centre was kind of overwhelming but at the same time it's was an incredible experience. It is a life experience that I strongly suggest to anyone that want to spend some time abroad and want to have an amazing experience!!

Go Volunteer Africa offers a fantastic opportunity to both people who are looking to make a difference in their own way, but also to people who want to progress further into their chosen fields of study and to have the opportunity to practically implement this in the field.

I was in Tanzania with Go Volunteer Africa for two months and working within the rural education development program there has been an absolute eye opener and one which has allowed me to experience many new things.

From the moment I arrived in Tanzania I was taken away by the beauty of our surroundings- the green forest surrounding the back of the home and our views out over the mountain and the surrounding areas.

Living within a local community has also been a real eye opener, seeing their way of life and how they have adapted to live in this paradise has been amazing- specially the way that they have allowed us to fit into their village and are willing to help us with anything we may need.

I have genuinely enjoyed every day of my stay there. The school staff are also extremely fun to work with and the mixture of people means that there is plenty to learn and never a boring moment.

I would recommend Tanzania to anyone, but be prepared for basic living standards! This is genuinely not a problem and I believe it has added to my experience there- but maybe bring a few luxuries from home with you!! Enjoy!

For the record, I went to Tanzania recently and loved it. The program was everything I expected. The orphanage I worked at was amazing and I would highly recommend this program to anyone.

Tanzania is a beautiful country full of wonderful people. I learned a lot about myself as well as about another culture. The work was full of challenges, but was incredibly rewarding. Overall Go Volunteer Africa offered great support and is connected with a very good organization. If you are considering, just go!

I volunteered with two other companies in the past but Go Volunteer Africa was by far the best. Best program and best value for money - DO IT! Best experience of my life. I'm guessing the other volunteers rubbishing GVA probably didn't even volunteer with them.

The orphanage and the kids have been my highlight. Before I got to Tanzania, I was worried there would be no other volunteers but I have met a lot of really nice people from around the world. GVA having a big program (lots of volunteers and placements) is another big benefit of going with them.

Although they were some glitches here and there, overall, I had a great experience and would recommend the program 100%!
Chloe

I spent three weeks volunteering with Go Volunteer Africa in Rwanda after hearing about the organization from a previous participant in Botswana. Cindy had spent two months with Go Volunteer Africa and was full of great stories and enthusiasm for the project. I had wanted to visit Rwanda since 2018 and after returning home from Botswana, Cindy's tales stayed with me. As a keen photographer of wildlife, I also wanted the opportunity to photograph Gorillas in the wild and see them roaming freely.

I was met in Kigali by the very friendly John and Agatha and immediately felt at ease in their company. We set off on the 2-hour journey to Musanze, where I worked with the women training them about financial literacy and computer skills.

John was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions about the country and the projects. The project was a new experience. A lot of hard work but I think it's something that builds character. I'm happy I did it, I feel a lot more world wise. After this I can do anything and eat anything!

Sitting down with women and talk about women-matters was by far the most enjoyable activity of my stay. Visiting the local schools was also a great highlight. The kids were so gorgeous, with friendly, open and curious smiles.

John showed them some nature videos as well as one about the work that Go Volunteer Africa does. The headmaster seemed very pleased the whole exercise and was also keen to have the children exposed to things outside of their daily lives.

He became very interested in my practice of yoga and so we decided I would teach about 50 of the students a thirty-minute yoga practice. Agatha and I put together a short video presentation about yoga, its history etc., to show them before the practice.

On the day the kids were great, although the girls remained in their skirts which meant a quick rethink of poses! But they were very enthusiastic, and eager to please, and did really well. It was great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to give something to the school.

Everyone on the project was so accommodating and friendly and I felt very well taken care of. The food was absolutely delicious and I don't think there was a single dish that I didn't love. And our trips into the lovely national park provided lots of great wildlife photography and viewing.

All in all, it was an unforgettable experience and I left feeling that I have contributed just a little to the great work that Go Volunteer Africa does. I will definitely be back.

Ever since I was really little, it has always been my dream to travel to Kenya because of its wildlife, and with Go Volunteer Africa I was given the perfect opportunity.

In July 2022, I spent three weeks at the conservation program in Mombasa in Kenya. I had the most incredible time of my life. The volunteer placement is located in a beautiful, very safe area of the island and was walking distance from beaches which all us volunteers loved.

Mombasa itself it is a lovely place. The locals are extremely friendly and after a day you feel like you've known the coordinators and other volunteers for your whole life. Participating in the wildlife conservation was a unique experience, especially releasing them back into the wild on my last day there.

My only regret is that I didn't stay longer. Paul my Program Supervisor at GVA did an amazing job organizing the trip and getting me in contact with the local team before I left. They answered all questions quickly and provided modules to prepare for the trip and make it easier. I was nervous since it was my first trip alone, but I loved it and plan to return next summer.

The accommodation is lovely and so is the food. The beach is just a five-minute walk away, and there's a medical centre right next to the accommodation in case of an emergency. Overall, GVA is an incredible and affordable option for people like me who love adventure and traveling with a purpose. Its indeed the best volunteer program in Kenya and Africa.

Everything was well-organized and I felt supported throughout. I felt that it was all worth the money and was by far the cheapest volunteer program out there! I would strongly advise anybody to travel with Go Volunteer Africa, especially on the Kenya wildlife project, its awesome!

I volunteered in Rwanda for 2 weeks with Go Volunteer Africa. Paul was our coordinator and he did a fabulous job with everything planning. He was very supportive and always available for help.

Before I made my decision to volunteer I managed to talk with some of the past volunteers through a connection. I received varieties of feedbacks some were very positive and some were partially positive.

But one thing I learned from all participants is that the projects associated with GVA are positive life changing and the hosts are very nice and honest. They will go out of their way to help you and make your stay smooth.

I really enjoyed my hospital experience because I got to rotate through all the different departments in the hospital on different days including surgery, pharmacy, pediatric care, primary care etc.

It was great to have this hands on experience. Since I had already traveled to Uganda and Kenya for safari, I spent the weekend volunteering with children. It was a lot of fun playing with the kids. Our host family was great.

I shared a room in the same host family with another volunteer. It was also pretty easy to navigate the bus system between the family, the school and the hospital. I highly recommend this program.