My time volunteering in Cape Town with IVHQ was truly life changing. Working with the children was the highlight. Their energy and resilience are unforgettable. The program also excels at fostering community. I met incredible people from around the world, and sharing a living space made the experience even richer. From impactful volunteer work to exploring the stunning city and coastline, every moment felt meaningful. I highly recommend this for anyone looking to give back and grow all whilst exploring a new place!

I taught in South Africa and did the surf outreach also. What a life-changing experience to be part of making a difference to strengthen people's lives.

Working with other volunteers from around the globe is amazing. On the weekends, I had many adventures learning about the cultures. Everyone should give back for once om a lifetime experience. Incredible lasting friendship, since of wanting more travel. Love of many languages was a blast. Having new food. Different means of transportation. And the clothes from the area are colorful.

And the different tribes playing music in the city. The beautiful mountains and ocean are stunning

Life is made of moments. And this moment lasted two weeks. Two weeks during which I forgot to breathe. I was too focused listening to the sound of nature, to the alarm of a baboon, to lions roars, to elephants trumpets, to hyenas, to birds songs and my friends laughs to jokes that I cannot repeat here.

I was too focused filling my eyes with beauty, a beauty I have never seen before. The savanna and the Olifant river. I was too focused paying attention to our guide’s instruction on how to move, how to not make a sound, how to freeze if we would have encountered danger, how to read animal tracks on the beautiful red soil we were walking on. How to check for the wind direction in order for the animals not to spot us.

Learning that if there are hyenas there is probably a leopard somewhere as they follow him. That if there are lions there are no hyenas. That if an elephant is sweating is probably stressed by our presence. That you should never look a leopard in the eyes, while you should never turn your back on a lion.

Sometimes it feels like I am still there: I close my eyes and I am sitting in the dark with my friends and we are quite, so quite that breathing sounds noisy. We were focused on waiting for the lions to come pass in front of us. In those moments we were just one, deeply connected by the excitement of what could have happened from a moment to another. Asking Africa for a sign. And let me tell you, Africa would always take the call.

Rusermi is not just a place, it’s a home built with love. The owners put their heart into every detail and make you feel like part of the family from day one. And the guides are simply amazing. They don’t just teach you about the bush, they share their passion in a way that makes you feel safe, curious, and completely connected to nature.

It was the most incredible experience I had in my entire life and will definitely go back!

Thank you Rusermi

I recently completed the 2 Week Animal Care Program with IVHQ in Muizenberg, South Africa and it was an incredible experience. From the moment I arrived I felt welcomed and supported by the team. I met so many other volunteers from different part of the world and I had an amazing time with them. I had the opportunity to work with amazing animals. I gained valuable skills and experience and the program’s flexibility allowed me to tailor my experience to my interests. It was a life changing experience that I’ll always treasure.

This was my first time volunteering abroad and from the beginning.. while just considering the program, the program director was very helpful in my decision making.
She was there for all my questions and esp after I committed to the program, I was given a check list and also helped through the process.. this continued all the way to my pick up at the airport and even after being made to feel comfortable at the volunteer house, I always felt safe. My actual work project was a compassionate and meaningful experience with an amazing staff..it wasn't easy saying goodbye to anyone or the city itself.. I'm already excited for my next trip and my son will be joining me as well 😊

South Africa was such a great mix of volunteering along with being able to try different volunteering options. It was filled with the best local team. They always asked if we need anything and would always provide support and guidance on any issue. The kitchen staff was amazing and always accommodating everyone needs and making sure everyone was fed and happy. The school was beyond grateful to have my presence and treated me so kindly. Walking during the day was so safe and people were very kind.

Volunteering in Cape Town was one of the most meaningful and enriching experiences. From learning about the local culture and education system to building connections with the students at the schools and the people in the program, every moment offered deep insight and growth. The opportunity to engage directly with the community made the experience more impactful.

Safety was never a concern—every aspect of the program felt completely secure. The local team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable and cared for. Transportation to and from our volunteer placements was always well-organised, and we always felt completely safe. The overall location of our accommodation in Muizenberg was great, being a short walk from everything we needed. Muizenberg felt extremely safe and had a great community vibe, which made it even easier to enjoy our downtime. Every activity we participated in outside of volunteering was incredibly well-planned and professionally run. There were never any issues, and we especially appreciated the variety of fun and engaging options available. As well as the layout of the communal living room and eating areas created a welcoming atmosphere where everyone could easily connect, relax, and spend time together.

The local team’s local knowledge, the fun and engaging activities they organised, delicious meals, spotless cleaning services, and their general friendliness created a warm, welcoming environment. They were easy-going, full of energy, and a joy to be around, which made the entire experience 100 times better. The communication throughout the program was outstanding. The WhatsApp group chat was incredibly helpful as it kept us up to date with activity schedules, meal plans, transport times, and even shared group photos from activities/fun moments. It helped us stay organised, informed while also feeling connected as a team.

Honestly, I cannot think of a single improvement for the local team. Everything was run so smoothly and efficiently; you could tell how much effort and care they put into the experience. I would 100% recommend this program to anyone. Everyone should take part in some form of volunteering during their life—the personal growth and perspective you gain are truly invaluable. I will forever cherish the memories made in Cape Town and am deeply grateful to IVHQ and the local team for creating such a powerful, fun and unforgettable experience.

IVHQ has projects in many countries. I wanted to travel to Africa not as a tourist but to see the ‘other side of Africa.’ I choose wildlife conservation in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. I found the program was run very professionally. Each day we had meaningful work tasks and a chance to learn from our excellent guides balanced with personal downtime to explore and share our time with the other volunteers. I learnt that stepping out of my comfort zone enabled me to grow a person and found I was up for the challenge. Volunteering is a wonderful way to travel with a purpose and I left knowing that I left something positive behind.