South Africa is a country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, known for its rich variety of landscapes, climates, and African animals and plants. The Kruger National Park, Cape Town with Table Mountain National Park, the "Garden Route," and the Winelands attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
Our two city locations, Cape Town and Gqeberha on the south coast, have a pleasant Mediterranean climate.
South Africa is the most developed economic area on the African continent. Many companies operate here at an internationally high level, making it an attractive destination for student internships.
South Africa is a multi-ethnic country. The consequences of racial segregation (Apartheid; from 1948-1991) can still be observed, and despite the high level of development, there is significant social inequality with extreme poverty and underdevelopment. Relations between ethnic groups remain sensitive.
77% of South Africans cite indigenous languages as their first language (23% of them Zulu; 16% Xhosa), along with 13% Afrikaans and 10% English. However, most South Africans speak two, three, or even four languages, so you can communicate in English almost anywhere, especially in urban areas.
Nature Sites
South Africa is renowned for its exceptional nature and wildlife. It is hosting an incredible array of plant and animal species, including a significant number of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. The country's numerous national parks and private game reserves offer exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing and safaris, including the Big Five game animals: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. With over 900 bird species recorded in South Africa, it is also a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. Furthermore, South Africa's coastline is teeming with marine life, providing opportunities for diving and snorkeling.
We arrange a variety of volunteering opportunities that allow you to join the protection and conservation of South Africa's exceptional wildlife and nature sites while experiencing the country's natural beauty. You can work alongside the predominantly female anti-poaching unit in the Greater Kruger Park Game Reserve, assist wildlife rangers at Kariega River, volunteer at a penguin and seabird rescue center in Cape Town or Gqeberha, contribute to a vervet monkey sanctuary, participate in habitat conservation in the urban Zanvlei wetland reserve in Cape Town, or volunteer on a horse ranch on the beach.
It's important to note that we do not work with any lion cub or other ethically questionable wildlife projects that keep wildlife in captivity for unclear reasons or allow petting and other unnatural forms of interaction with wildlife.
Accommodation at Nature Sites
Accommodation at Greater Kruger National Park
You will be living in a simple rustic chalet within a bush camp located in the middle of the game reserve. The property is not fenced, allowing wildlife to freely roam in and around the accommodation. Upon arrival, you will receive a safety-related introduction to ensure your well-being.
The chalets are constructed from stone and feature a thatched roof. You will be sharing a chalet with another participant (double occupancy). Solar lights are available, but there are no electrical sockets. For charging electrical appliances, you can use the solar charger in the communal area or the office at the reserve's entrance. The sanitary facilities are outdoors, offering a view of the scrubland, but they are equipped with privacy reed screens. The toilets and showers utilize water from a well, which is cold. Kindly be mindful that water is scarce, and it should be used wisely.
You will receive three meals per day, as well as drinking water. Breakfast (including cereals, bread, jam, peanut butter, and fruits) and hot dinners will be served at the camp. Lunch usually comes in the form of a packed lunchbox (e.g., sandwiches, hamburgers, salads) that you can enjoy while working in the bush. Dinner is typically enjoyed around the campfire, where you gather with your fellow camp mates under the starry sky, accompanied by the sounds of cicadas and the distant calls of hyenas. If you inform us in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian meals, but we cannot guarantee vegan meals. Additionally, you have the option to join a ride to Hoedspruit Town every Monday, where you can purchase additional snacks, drinks, etc.
WiFi internet access is available, but it may be limited. Mobile phone network coverage is present. Laundry will be done by hand in your chalet. Alternatively, you can utilize a laundrette in Hoedspruit Town; however, it will take approximately one week to receive your clothes back.
Please be aware that the camp does not have amenities such as a bar, pool, or air conditioning. Instead, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an authentic bush experience, which may include unforeseen and unexpected surprises that require adaptability, such as elephants damaging the water supply. Rest assured, the staff is always prepared to ensure your health and safety and will provide education on life and safety in the bush.
Accommodation at Kariega River
The accommodation provided for this South African Wildlife Project is of the highest standard: a lodge. You will share a double room with another program participant, or you have the option to stay in a single room (at an additional charge). Three meals, as well as water, tea, and coffee, will be provided.
The lodge features a 58-hectare garden area with a pond, short hiking trails, a pool, a TV room, WiFi, a pool table, table tennis, a squash court, and a barbecue area. Washing machines and tumble dryers are available for your use.
Accommodation at the Vervet Monkey Sanctuary
You will be accommodated in wooden cabins located on the sanctuary grounds, allowing you to experience the true "bush feeling."
The Standard Volunteer Hut is shared with a maximum of one other volunteer. It is equipped with two single beds, mattresses, a chair, and a table. These cabins do not have electricity or lighting, so it is recommended to bring a battery-powered or rechargeable lamp. Pillows, mattress covers, and pillow covers are provided, but you should bring your own sleeping bag. In the communal area, there is solar power available for charging or operating your electrical appliances. Single occupancy of the cabins is possible for an additional fee.
Additionally, there are two cabins of higher standard, which feature a double bed, their own solar power supply, and duvets.
All cabins share a central sanitary facility with hot, gas-heated showers, compost toilets, and sinks.
Vegan meals are provided and prepared by professional chefs who are also volunteers, and the kitchen staff may occasionally change.
Laundry service is available from Monday to Friday at no extra cost. Wireless internet is provided in the communal area without any additional charges. There is network coverage for mobile phones on-site.
Accommodation at the Horse Ranch on the beach
Participants will be accommodated in either a volunteer house or a high-standard cottage located on the grounds of the horse ranch. The accommodation consists of twin rooms, with each participant sharing a room with another volunteer. Whenever possible, the rooms are separated by gender. Couples have the option to share a room.
Breakfast and lunch are included in the rate, and the necessary ingredients will be provided for you to prepare your meals. The volunteer house features a fully equipped kitchen where you can cook your own dinner. You also have the opportunity to go shopping in the city with the owners. Additionally, there is a barbecue (braai) area outside the volunteer house.
The kitchen and sanitary facilities are shared among a maximum of four individuals.
Sheets and towels are provided, and your laundry will be regularly washed and folded.
WiFi internet access is available at the house.
Cape Town
Cape Town is a vibrant metropolis and serves as the urban and cultural hub of South Africa. If you enjoy an urban lifestyle, you won't be disappointed here.
Dominating the city is Table Mountain, with its top often covered by impressive clouds that cascade down to its slopes, vineyards, and beaches, boasting a unique flora and fauna. This area is part of the Table Mountain National Park, offering numerous opportunities for excursions and nature activities close to the city.
The city center, known as the "City Bowl," is surrounded by mountains and the beach. It features modern offices, shops, restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, tourist attractions, and a bustling harbor. Additionally, you'll find colonial buildings, including the renowned Long Street, which is home to many antique shops, hotels, restaurants, and bars.
The neighborhoods south of the university are popular among students, with more affordable bars and party locations compared to the city center, catering to a younger crowd.
Moving further south, beyond affluent residential areas, you'll discover the picturesque peninsula with its tranquil coastal villages. Cape Point, located at the southernmost tip of the peninsula (approximately an hour's drive from the city center), is where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Along the way, at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, you can observe a large colony of African Penguins.
To the north of the city center, you'll find predominantly middle to upper-middle-class residential suburbs. To the west lies the Atlantic Seaboard coastline, renowned for its white sandy beaches, scenic coastal roads, and trendy bars and restaurants that attract many vacationers. However, the ocean waters in this area tend to be rather cold for swimming.
The majority of Cape Town's 3.7 million inhabitants reside in townships, primarily located in the eastern outskirts and extending north along False Bay. These townships were established during the era of racial segregation to house the non-white population. Even today, many families in these areas live in poverty and face challenging living conditions.
Accommodation in Cape Town
Self-booked Accommodation
In Cape Town, we offer our placement and support services independently from accommodation.
The reason for this approach is twofold. Firstly, many participants prefer more flexibility in choosing their accommodation. Secondly, the prices charged by accommodation providers in South African Rand (ZAR) fluctuate significantly, making it challenging for us to guarantee fixed prices in EUR or USD.
Depending on the location of your placement, we will suggest various accommodations, typically backpacker hostels, and provide you with the booking links. You will then book the accommodation yourself online. If you prefer, you can also book accommodation independently through platforms like Airbnb.
We are happy to advise you in finding the accommodation that suits you best. For example, if your placement is in Table View, you can choose between quieter accommodation in a green area near the beach, close to your placement, or accommodation in the city center, where there is more nightlife but a longer commute to the placement via city bus. We will gladly discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different accommodations with you.
We have a list of recommended accommodations in the neighborhoods of Table View, Downtown, Woodstock, Oranjezicht, Muizenberg, and Hout Bay.
Gqeberha
Gqeberha is located on South Africa's southern Indian Ocean coast.
The city was called Port Elizabeth until 2021. The renaming was part of the government's initiative to restore indigenous names to cities, towns, and geographical features that had been given colonial names during the apartheid era. The city, which has around 240,000 inhabitants has the reputation of being the "friendliest city of South Africa". It stretches for 16 km along the coast of the Algoa Bay. The parts of the city you can find along the shore line with its attractive beaches, are tidy, clean, modern, chic, and have lots of open space.
Just next to this, you can however find the densely populated townships, of which only the Walmer Township is located within the official grounds of the city of Gqeberha and is therefore included in the city's official population count. Other major townships around Gqeberha are Motherwell, Zwide, Kwazakhele, KwaMagxaki and New Brighton, where many people live in very little space under poor conditions.
The Algoa Bay is of major ecological importance for many seabirds at the southernmost tip of the African continent. Approximately half of the entire global population of the endangered African penguin (African Penguin) live on the islands of the Algoa Bay.
Due to the tidiness of city, its high development level, our accommodation at the shared volunteer house of high standards, we recommend a placement in Gqeberha particularly to younger and less travel-experienced participants.
During your leisure time, you can relax at our cozy volunteer house or take long walks on the beach. Gqeberha is the perfect destination for excursions to the numerous National Parks and nature reserves of the Eastern Cape such as the Kragga Kamma Game Park, Shamwari Game Reserve or the well-known Addo Elephant Park.
Accommodation in Gqeberha
Volunteer House in Gqeberha
The attractive volunteer house in Gqeberha, built in a classical style, adheres to high standards and is spacious, featuring a garden, terrace with BBQ, and even a pool.
It offers dormitory rooms and single/double rooms. A maximum of 5 people share a dormitory room. The large living room is shared by the residents. Three meals are provided daily. A cleaning service operates in the house from Monday to Friday. There is WiFi internet at the house.
The property is well secured and within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, laundromats, and shops.
Our Team in South Africa
Oliver
Theresa
Questions?
your consultant for South Africa is
Kareen Leodgard
(she/her)
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