SOUTH AFRICA - Welcome!
South Africans are the friendliest and most hospitable people in the world! If you're invited to dinner, don't eat for a week beforehand because you'll be overfed, especially if it's a braai (barbecue).

We have programmes in five different regions in the country: Cape Town, Knysna, Port Elizabeth, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. You can help the community in a wide variety of projects, from Teaching and Care for children in creches or orphanages, working with street kids or coaching sports to disadvantaged children. In conservation you can work with large and small wildlife, or marine conservation with dolphins, whales and sharks. You can help to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured wildlife and care for them in an animal sanctuary. You can also gain invaluable work experience and professional development on an Internship.

Please see our list of brief descriptions below, then click on the link to read all about the project. CAN'T CHOOSE? Call our South Africa Project Consultant, Jim Morel, for free advice on which Project would be best for you. +44 (0)1903 502595

NEW! Conservation with Big Cats in a Sanctuary near Cape Town
Lions, Leopards, Tigers, Caracals ... Get up close and personal with big cats! This is a truly unique and exhilarating experience to get involved behind the scenes in a big-cat sanctuary. Hear and feel a lion roaring up close, get love and recognition from a leopard, experience the loud ‘chuffing’ of a tiger and see these previously rescued cats appreciate the toys and enrichment you provide for their enclosures and everyday enjoyment.

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Whale and Dolphin Monitoring And Research in Knysna
Joining this Marine Research programme will expose you to conservation and research of Whales and Dolphins, to marketing, liaising with clients, crewing and guiding on the boats, doing Land to sea observations/spotting, assisting with community projects and educating the local children about the sea and lagoon.

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Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)
The best cage is an empty cage! Work in a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre that is also a wildlife hospital that cares for injured and orphaned wild animals and birds. Become part of an amazing team of wildlife experts specialising in the rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and release of various wild animals. You'll work with over 400 different animals and birds, and lots of monkeys!

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Care for Animals in a Wildlife Sanctuary near Port Elizabeth
Hands-on work with injured or abandoned animals of all types. This is a very popular project. You'll assist in a very caring Sanctuary set in a small private game reserve in the Eastern Cape. You'll help in hand-rearing, feeding and generally looking after many different animal species, This is a very hands-on experience and one that leaves you immensely satisfied.

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Vervet Monkey Care, Rehabilitation and Release Project
Help to care for, rehabilitate and release injured and abandoned Vervet Monkeys back into the wild to live a free and natural life. This project encompasses all aspects of Vervet Monkey Rehabilitation and Conservation! Only available during certain periods of the year, please check the web page.

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The Great White Shark Project, near Cape Town
Come face to face with the Great White Shark! Work in an organisation dedicated to the exploration and conservation of Sharks and the preservation of their environment. Help to gather accurate data on sharks to assist in management programmes for the ensured survival of the species. Definitely one for your Bucket List! You'll get lots of training and much of the work is out at sea. You'll learn a lot!

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Multi-Marine Project with Dolphins, Whales and Sharks near Cape Town
This placement is exciting! Work with Sharks, Whales, Penguins, Tourism, Research and Community Development, and you’ll also regularly see Dolphins and lots of Seals. You’ll be taught by skilled field teams, go out to sea frequently and get to observe behaviour and interactions of marine species around the boat ... White beaches, blue ocean and two hours from Cape Town.

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Veterinary, Wildlife Game Capture and Conservation in a Game Reserve in Northern South Africa
Your work will offer a variety of opportunities, including some veterinary experience, participation in some game captures (which are hugely exciting!), and some community work. You'll experience and witness some extraordinary sights, but also learn a great deal about African wildlife. You may also get involved in other conservation-related fields, including wildlife monitoring. The amount of time you will have in the different areas will vary depending on the length of time you're there and what type of work is taking place or required at that time.

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Wildlife and Game Reserve Conservation Expedition in KwaZulu-Natal
Work on four very different Game Reserves, each with their own unique beauty and attraction. You'll gain a wealth of conservation experience working under qualified conservation experts and on location out in the bush. This project is popular and gets booked up very quickly, so we strongly advise that you book early!

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Lion and Big Cat Sanctuary Conservation near Bethlehem
Volunteer with the king of the beasts and other big cats in South Africa's largest Lion Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to other big cats and a rich variety of game species, including Zebra, Wildebeest, Impala, Springbok and many more. You'll contribute to valuable rescue and rehabilitation work

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Graphic Design, Advertising, Publishing and Web Development Internship in Knysna
Learn about the business of Graphic Design and Advertising in a small friendly South African Advertising agency in one of the most beautiful and popular tourist locations. You'll have a hands-on role, this may be as part of a group or you may be given some tasks to work on by yourself.

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Hospitality, Hotel & Catering Internship in Knysna
Gain valuable work experience in a 5-star luxury Boutique Guesthouse set in an idyllic, prime position of the beautiful resort town of Knysna in South Africa. Its' panoramic views of the Indian Ocean are absolutely breath-taking, and one can often see whales and dolphins passing by! This is an excellent opportunity to work in a highly esteemed and professional environment and a perfect addition to your CV or Resume if you're currently in, or or planning to enter, a hospitality career.

This internship is on the famous Garden Route, one of South Africa’s most beautiful and popular tourist locations.

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Journalism Internship at a Newspaper in Cape Town
Work on a large daily newspaper located in the heart of Cape Town. The paper has a small, compact News Room, 10 full time news reporters plus photographers, who are always willing to share contacts and background information with visiting students, interns and journalists. You'll observe, learn and gain excellent hands-on and practical experience. This is a very popular internship, so early booking is strongly advised!

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Maintenance / Handyman / DIY Work Experience in a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
If you have any maintenance / handyman / DIY skills, this project would love to have you! The project is truly unique ... you'll be assisting an Animal Rehabilitation Centre that needs any help it can get and you'll be benefiting the animals at the same time! You'll use lots of energy and your own initiative to improve and expand the facilities in the Sanctuary.

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PR and Events Management Internship in a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Gain Public Relations, Events Management and Marketing work experience in a unique environment - an Animal Rehabilitation Centre. You'll be involved in planning and hosting of lots of promotional events and fundraisers, managing the donor database, approaching corporations for assistance, liaising with the media and coming up with new ways to promote a favourable relationship with the public.

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Psychology, Social Work and Counselling Work Experience in Knysna
This organisation focuses on providing Counselling services to people in need of support owing to emotional problems. These can include marital and family stress, depression, mid-life crisis, divorce counselling, HIV-related counselling, conflict management and parenting. This is Work Experience rather than an Internship.

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Sports Work Experience Internship in Knysna
Excellent, hands-on internship at a well-regarded sports school on the famous Garden Route. You'll learn all aspects of the daily running and management of a Sports School set up to help less advantaged children. Sports include Archery, Bowls, Cricket, Cycling, Football, Golf, Hockey, Squash & Tennis (subject to seasonaility). Also help with administration, organising sports festivals and developing sport in the poor communities.

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Veterinary Medicine Internship in Cape Town
Gain excellent hands-on experience in a delightful small veterinary practice under the supervision of an excellent vet who will endeavour to give you as much knowledge and experience as possible. The practice deals mainly with domestic animals, but you may also get an occasional opportunity to help out at the Blue Cross Animal/Veterinary Hospital, which is much bigger.

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Veterinary Medicine Internship in Knysna
Gain excellent work experience in a delightful Animal Welfare veterinary clinic and rescue centre that's inundated with work! You'll assist with field work, anything from rescuing abused or abandoned animals, to flea dipping. You'll also assist with the rehoming process of the many dogs and cats, who, after de-worming, dipping, feeding, and health checks, will be up for adoption.

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Veterinary, Wildlife Game Capture and Conservation in a Game Reserve in Northern South Africa
Your work will offer a variety of opportunities, including some veterinary experience, participation in some game captures (which are hugely exciting!), and some community work. You'll experience and witness some extraordinary sights, but also learn a great deal about African wildlife. You may also get involved in other conservation-related fields, including wildlife monitoring. The amount of time you will have in the different areas will vary depending on the length of time you're there and what type of work is taking place or required at that time.

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Care for Kids in a Children's Safe-House in Knysna
Assist the trained Carers in a children’s Safe-House in the local township by helping to care for children from abusive backgrounds. You'll work with a variety of ages, from assisting in the soup kitchen, general caring for the youngsters, and observing counselling to HIV sufferers. You'll help with basic Reading, Writing, Maths, games, homework and generally keep them stimulated and entertained by providing educational activities.

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Care for Children in the Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town
Children from a few months old to 12 years of age attend this Children's Hospital for specialised treatment. You'll visit the children, hand out toys, play and interact with them, and give them lots of comfort and love. The Matron says, “The kids love having volunteers from overseas" because even simply entertaining the children with stories lifts their morale and helps the healing process.

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Street Kids Project: Social Work / Care in a Youth Development Centre in Knysna (Sin)
You'll help out with anything from basic schooling, such as reading or writing, to community projects and life skills lessons. Your work will combine many aspects that all help to provide a caring environment where guidance and assessment is offered to children living on the streets and children at risk. The purpose is to prepare the youngssters to re-enter mainstream schooling and domestic home life again. A very worthwile project.

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Care for Children in a Creche in Knysna
Help prepare the children for primary school. Many come from underprivileged homes and therefore any help they can get from volunteers is greatly appreciated. You'll use fun activities and educational programmes to greatly benefit their social and mental development. You'll have a lot of freedom to set up your own day's activities, if you would like to, and also to paint murals to brighten up the class rooms.

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Teach and Care for Mentally and Physically Impaired Children in Cape Town [BP]
Help in a school that has just over 200 children with physical and intellectual impairments. The pupils are aged from 3 years old to 18. There are four sections covering nursery, junior, middle and senior. Work as a classroom assistant or class aide (helping children in and out of wheelchairs for different activities, or helping the teacher with various class activities, like painting, doing puzzles).

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Teach at a Deaf School in Cape Town
Help children with hearing difficulties. Work in a school in Cape Town that caters for partially and fully deaf children. You'll work with children from 3 to 13 years old, right from when they're first introduced to sign language. The content of the lessons is the same as a regular school, so any subjects you have some knowledge in would be most welcome.

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Teach and Care for Children with Physical Disabilities and Special Needs in Cape Town (VN)
Assist in a primary school for children with a variety of disabilities or special needs. Some of today’s pupils have cerebral palsy. Some children have other syndromes or conditions such as muscular dystrophy, multiple physical impairment, ADHD and specific learning disabilities. You'll work in five different areas, including class aide, 'scribe' administration, libary and generally filling in wherever you're needed

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Teach and Care for Children with Autism in Cape Town (Ver)
Work in a Centre and Hostel for children with Autism, as a classroom and hostel assistant. You may help where children need special attention, or work with a small group while the teacher works with another group. School work varies with different age groups, but is based on the normal school activities – a great deal of one-to-one attention is needed and children learn basic skills. You'll also be able to help with supervised activities like swimming, "play time” duty and indoor supervision of children

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Teach Children in Township Schools in Knysna
Teach disadvantaged children in township primary or secondary schools. Generally you'll teach conversational English or a variety of other academic subjects if you'd like to, as well as Sports, Drama, Arts and Music. The choice is yours. You'll stay in a volunteer house within walking distance of town and the waterfront marina with its restaurants, cafes and bars.

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Teach Children in Schools in Cape Town
Assist in a school in Cape Town that has many children from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.You'll work with children ranging from 5 to 13 years old. You can teach English and language enrichment, as well as coaching Sports, teaching Music, Art, Computers, or any other subject that you have particular knowledge in.

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Teach Drama, Dance and/or Music in Knysna
Work with children from very poor townships, giving them exposure to cultural activities and enabling their creativity to shine through. Some of things you could do include organising and putting on drama workshops, helping the local school children to put on a small-scale productions, devising and performing educational pieces of theatre (on issues such as bullying), giving Dance lessons and Music lessons, helping out with English classes

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Coach Sports in Township Schools in the Coastal Resort of Knysna
Combine sports coaching with some teaching in poor township schools in the coastal resort of Knysna. Sport classes are run in conjunction with the Life Orientation classes. The purpose of these classes is to develop Team work, Confidence, Self Esteem, Communication Skills and Leadership. You can coach a variety of sports, such as Cricket, Football, Netball and Rugby. The average class size is between 15 and 40.

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OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON YOUR PROGRAMME IN SOUTH AFRICA
Make the most of your time there! To help you do that, we've put together some exciting activities, courses and tours that you can add to your itinerary. These are designed to be fun, but also to enable you to learn, and expand your personal and professional development enjoyment ... but mostly for your enjoyment! :-)

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