Location
  • South Africa
    • Cape Town
Length
1 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Hostel

Pricing

Starting Price
275
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $275 for 1 week - this includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Apr 25, 2023
Dec 20, 2023
129 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 125,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in South Africa and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 5 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in South Africa.

Our affordable projects start from $25/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-24 weeks. Choose from 10 projects, ranging from Childcare in the bustling hub of Cape Town, Sports Development in the picturesque Table View, and Wildlife Conservation in Kruger. Plus, you’ll stay with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Cheapest volunteer programs from $25/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 1-24 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy
  • Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Childcare Project

As a Childcare Volunteer based in Cape Town, you'll help enrich the lives of children by supporting day-to-day activities at a local childcare center. Tasks include teaching, tutoring and caring for children, organizing games and activities, and helping with general duties to ensure the center runs smoothly and efficiently. This is a unique opportunity to explore the stunning city of Cape Town while giving back to the local community.

Teaching Project

Many primary schools in Cape Town run off low budgets, with few teachers, high workloads and little chance for students to get close attention. As a Teaching Volunteer, you'll be placed in a low-income primary school helping to create better learning environments and education standards for children aged 7-14. You'll support teachers by teaching subjects such as basic Mathematics, English and more.

Sport Development Project

Are you passionate about sports and youth development? As a volunteer on this project, you can share this passion with children who don't typically have access to physical education at school. Based in either Cape Town or Table View, you'll have a chance to explore South Africa's beauty while helping local children develop their physical and social skills.

Surf Outreach Project

Regardless if you're a pro surfer or just a beginner, you can join IVHQ's Surf Outreach Project and help provide structure, learning and new skills to children from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Divided into two parts, you'll first work independently with a surf instructor to develop your own surfing skills, and then work with children from the community to help improve both their surfing abilities and general life skills.

Wildlife Conservation Volunteering in South Africa - Kruger

Love animals, the outdoors and want to be a Wildlife Conservation volunteer ? This is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to assist at Kruger - a reserve home diverse wildlife and scores of lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo. Volunteers will gain conservation experience and knowledge while being immersed in life on the reserve, enjoying the spectacular natural environment and making a meaningful contribution to its long-term sustainability and success.

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 89 reviews
  • 5 rating 95.51%
  • 4 rating 3.37%
  • 3 rating 1.12%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.75
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.8
  • Safety 4.5
Showing 1 - 8 of 89 reviews
Default avatar
Ada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

South africa childcare program

This was the best experience and opportunity I ever had, this company helped me make this happen, made me feel safe and I feel like this definitely made me grow so much as a person. I've met so many people who have also taught me a lot, we have made friendships for life and we saw many great places and did activities such as horse riding in safari which was an incredible experience, bungee jumping, swimming with sharks etc. And i feel like i've made an impact and helped those children i was working with.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Standing on the tallest bungee bridge, and I jumped and it was the best feeling!
Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Growing as a person
  • helping the children
Cons
  • spent too much money
  • packed wrong, not enough clothes
15 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Electra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I can’t wait to go back

Everything was so well organised and easy!! The checklist of things to do and things to bring made it so easy to focus on my main goal of helping the children. I loved my experience more than words can say and I will be returning as soon as money allows it! My program coordinators from both New Zealand and South Africa were helpful and replied very fast. The activities we did during the day, after program, were things I never would have done or experienced had I traveled alone. The people I met are friends for life

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would change the amount of time I stayed. I was there for two weeks and extended to three but I want to be there for longer!! I miss it so much
Pros
  • Friends
  • Food
  • Love for the kids
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Leaving so soon
22 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
William
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience

My trip was everything I dreamed it would be I am so grateful I found this organization on the internet I always wanted to do Peace Corp but it was to involved to do but IVHQ made it so easy pick location job time and your set My home in Muizenberg SA was big clean friendly great location my roommates were great The school was clean but needing everything so if you have it bring it The children were very loving and wanting to have fun My roommates and other volunteers were great they added so much to experience It was a tremendous experience

What would you improve about this program?
Have future volunteers talk to past volunteers just to know what to bring from home The programs your volunteers for need help
Pros
  • Roommates
  • Program
  • Adventure
Cons
  • Not much
  • Nothing
  • Have fun
25 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Amicie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience in South Africa

It's not easy to describe such an experience in words. Yes, it's unique, and I want to say that you'll never regret doing it. You receive and give so much love. The people you meet will make you grow. I did the teaching program in an primary school, I was in a class of 50 students, I'll never forget them. I did my best to teach them as much as possible and tried to spend as much time as possible with each of them. They're in my heart for the rest of my life. They drew me some really cute pictures :)

Muizenberg is a beautiful town and I've been lucky enough to visit as much of South Africa I could. My aim is to do that somewhere else now.

Pros
  • Love of children
  • Discover new culture
  • Open minded
Cons
  • Didn't meet so much local of my age
32 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Joyce
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cape Town

It was amazing! Eye opening. Well organized. Fulfilling. Would definitely do it again. I wish there were more organized events vs separate groups. There was also no heat so it got pretty cold during the winter months where we were staying. I’m very glad I was able to do this. The kids I worked with I’ll never forget. The food supplied was very tasty but also access to local restaurants were good too. Pickup from the airport was very smooth and not worrisome at all which is reassuring upon arrival

41 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trip to South Africa - Kruger Wildlife Conservation

I booked my volunteer program in the Krüger National Park with IVHQ and I did receive exactly what they described on their website. Yes, some of the pictures were not up to date, but overall it got what I expected, and it was one of the greatest choices I could make. The local team is super nice and you learn a lot during your stay, when you have an open mind and want to learn and be part of the program.
IVHQ is checking in on you during your stay, which I felt was very caring and reassuring and I had the feeling that I always had someone to go to if there would have been any problems. But the local team is also great.

A tip I would give future volunteers is: to read the program guide carefully and know what you can expect. This program is in a very remote area, with on and off internet access, and definitely not a party experience. You will do your part of the project, meet new people, and have a lot of new experiences, but it is not a cheap party vacation! It is part of research that you have to do carefully and responsibly, but you also have free time to socialize or just look at all the animals around.

I will come back to this program and I would recommend this program 100% with IVHQ I feel like I made a good choice, especially after hearing some of the experiences from other volunteers, who booked over a different agency.

Pros
  • Lots to see and learn
  • Great to get out of you comfort zone
  • meeting new people
39 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Chase
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

I had a great experience volunteering for IVHQ in South Africa. The volunteer trip was organized and IVHQ helped to ensure that I was prepared for the experience before I arrived. The volunteer work itself was very rewarding and it was cool to get immersed in the culture. The host family was friendly, the meals were better than expected, and the other volunteers helped to make the stay a lot of fun. There was plenty to do outside of volunteering and I am glad that I went. I would recommend IVHQ.

Pros
  • Affordable fees
  • Rewarding work
  • Fun
Cons
  • N/A
40 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jocelyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering through IVHQ in South Africa

My time volunteering in South Africa was the best week of my life. I learned so much through the kids and through the culture. I was able to experience things I would not have had the opportunity too if I had not had gone. Some of the activities I did included a safari, atv riding in sand dunes, and skydiving. The support from IVHQ ensured that I was completely prepared for my trip. Volunteering was amazing and the school I volunteered at needs the help from volunteers to create a lasting effect on the students.

Pros
  • immersing myself in a new culture
  • making a difference in people’s lives
  • making new friends
Cons
  • the food was not what was told would be provided
  • n/a
  • n/a
40 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Hi Georgiy, IVHQ has a fantastic range of options for teen volunteers - whether you are traveling independently or with a parent/guardian. You can check out this page to start exploring your options: www.volunteerhq.org/high-school-volunteer-abroad/ or reach out to our team directly for personalized recommendations: info@volunteerhq.org :)

Volunteers 18 years or older can participate on an IVHQ program alone. However, children under18 must be participating in a group with with a parent, guardian or family member who is 18 years or over.