In Africa, volunteer opportunities are available in 13 countries, where you can choose from various programs. Many of them are related to childcare and teaching, as 43% of the world’s out-of-school children are in Africa.
Moreover, this continent has a hot climate, as the equator passes through it, hence a tropical climate predominates.
Africa practices a variety of religions, although Islam predominates in the north and Christianity in the south. Additionally, a large portion of the African population adheres to traditional religions.
Furthermore, this continent boasts great biodiversity of both flora and fauna. Some of the animals found in Africa include lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and zebras.
The countries where you can volunteer are…
1. Cape Verde
This country consists of 10 volcanic islands, with its capital being Praia, located on the island of Santiago, where the volunteer program takes place. It has an arid tropical climate, with temperatures ranging between 23 and 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
You’ll have the opportunity to appreciate the island’s great biodiversity, as it’s the greenest island in the archipelago, with frequent rainfall. If you want to enjoy panoramic views of the island, you can climb the mountains of Santiago, where you’ll see incredible scenery.
The available program on these islands is turtle conservation.
2. Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa, with its capital being Addis Ababa. One of its tourist attractions is the wonderful and unique rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. One of the most famous is Biet Ghiorgis, the Church of St. George, which is 15 meters high.
These churches are located below the surface, as they were carved out of rock. They have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, and are a must-visit in Ethiopia.
Most of the programs offered in this country are related to development, teaching, and childcare, as 50% of the population is illiterate. There are also construction and renovation programs, as well as sports programs.
3. Ghana
This country has a tropical climate, with periods of humidity and dryness depending on the season. Ghana has great biodiversity of both flora and fauna, with animals such as leopards, antelopes, buffaloes, monkeys, and elephants.
Additionally, Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, and a large part of its income comes from cocoa exports.
If you want to explore Ghana’s fauna and flora, a perfect place to do so is by visiting Mole National Park. This park is home to 93 mammal species, including hippos, elephants, antelopes, and monkeys, as well as crocodiles and over 300 bird species.
This country offers various types of volunteering, many of them related to teaching and childcare, but there are also medical and construction programs.
4. Mauritius Islands
Mauritius Island is located off the southeast coast of the African continent and is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Port Louis, located in the central-west of the country.
There are many incredible places on this island to watch sunsets, one of which is the Chamarel Road viewpoint, with indescribable panoramic views of the coast and the ocean.
If you want to immerse yourself in Hindu essence and customs, you should visit Ganga Talao Lake, the most important Hindu pilgrimage site on the island. It is located in a crater, and according to legend, this lake is connected to the Ganges River in India.
The volunteer programs available on this island are teaching and construction programs, which take place on the Le Morne Peninsula, located in the southwest of the island.
5. Kenya
The country is named after Mount Kenya, which is located within its borders and is the second-highest mountain in Africa. The capital is Nairobi, and the official languages of the country are English and Swahili.
There are over 30 national parks and nature reserves in Kenya due to the country’s great variety of fauna. One of the most famous is the Maasai Mara National Reserve, named after the Maasai tribe that inhabits these areas, and the Mara River crosses this reserve. In this area, you can see lions, hippos, black rhinos, and cheetahs, among many other species.
Kenya offers 12 different volunteer programs, some of them related to teaching and childcare, including women’s development programs, Maasai women’s programs, community assistance programs, conservation, agriculture, and medical programs.
6. Madagascar
This country is located on an island off the southeast coast of Africa, with its capital being Antananarivo, located in the center of the country. This island is known for its great biodiversity due to its isolation, as species have evolved and adapted differently. For example, there is an orchid that has evolved and adapted to the structure of a very common bird on the island to ensure the reproduction of its species. Since the butterfly that pollinates most orchids is not found on the island.
Volunteer programs available in Madagascar include teaching, daycare, lemur programs, and construction and renovation programs.
7. Malawi
Malawi is located in the southeast of the continent and has no coastline. The official languages are English and Chichewa, and the capital is Lilongwe. The climate in the south of the country is warm, and in the north, due to altitude, it is temperate.
One of the places you should visit is Lake Malawi National Park, which contains about 400 species of endemic cichlids, a family of fish found nowhere else on the planet. This lake was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Other places that will surprise you are Majete Wildlife Reserve and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. On the other hand, if you prefer to rest and enjoy incredible views and a relaxed atmosphere, we recommend Nkhata Bay.
There are different teaching and childcare programs available. For those with medical or health experience or knowledge, there is the medical program, and for nature lovers, there are conservation and fishing programs.
8. Morocco
You can discover the labyrinthine city of Fez, with narrow streets where it’s very easy to get lost. Entering this city is like traveling back in time to the Middle Ages. Of course, you can’t miss the incredible and famous Yamaa el Fna square located in the city of Marrakech, which is always bustling with people, vendors, dancers, and snake charmers.
We also recommend visiting the Souk, which is the traditional market, where bargaining is part of everyday life.
Here you can find all kinds of objects, food, and clothing; it’s a unique experience to discover the essence of Morocco.
The program offered in Morocco is teaching children, where volunteers can teach mathematics, geography, or a language, as well as engaging in activities to make learning fun.
9. South Africa
South Africa, as its name suggests, is located in southern Africa, with three capitals; the legislative one being Cape Town, where the volunteer program takes place, the executive one being Pretoria, and the judicial one located in Bloemfontein.
One of the most beautiful cities in the country is Cape Town, where one of the seven wonders of the world, Table Mountain, is located. As its name suggests, it’s shaped like a table, and you can also visit the beautiful and colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood. On the other hand, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a great option to immerse yourself in nature and discover the biodiversity of South Africa. Additionally, this park has the largest population of hippos in Africa.
The programs found in this country mainly involve children, where volunteers will care for, teach, and play with them. Additionally, there’s a cheetah conservation program where volunteers will prepare food for these animals, clean their living space, and carry out maintenance activities. Moreover, if available, volunteers can participate in the release of cheetahs into the wild.
10. Tanzania
Tanzania is located in eastern Central Africa and has access to the Indian Ocean. This country is known for having many conservation areas, natural reserves, and national parks, where you can see a large number of different species in their natural habitats.
One of the most famous reserves is the Serengeti National Park, where you can see the “Big Five” in the wild, namely lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes. Another tourist attraction is the Great Migration phenomenon, where over 2 million species, mainly wildebeests, cross the border between Tanzania and Kenya and reach the Masai Mara in search of fresh pastures.
There is also the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the famous and gigantic Ngorongoro Crater is located, home to many species such as zebras, wildebeests, lions, eagles, or the black rhinoceros, which is endangered.
There are many programs available in Tanzania, such as teaching and childcare programs, music programs, or sports programs. Moreover, those with medical or health knowledge can choose the medical program. Another very interesting program is the Masai tribal immersion, where you will discover how this tribe lives, its customs, and its culture. There’s also the women’s development program and the environmental conservation program.
11. Uganda
This country is located in East Africa. Although it has no coastline, it has several lakes, including Lake Victoria. Several islands in this lake also belong to Uganda.
During your stay, you can visit the capital, Kampala, which is a chaotic city with a lot of street life. To immerse yourself in its lifestyle, you can go to the central market where fruits and vegetables are sold.
Murchison Falls National Park is another tourist attraction, where you’ll find birds, reptiles, chimpanzee families, and the spectacular Murchison Falls.
In Uganda, there are many programs with children, such as teaching, sports, or childcare. Moreover, those with medical or health knowledge can choose the medical program. There are also community education and construction volunteer programs.
12. Zanzibar
This city belongs to Tanzania and is located in East Africa. Zanzibar consists of two islands, Unguja and Pemba, located to the east of the country to which they belong. These islands have incredible white sandy beaches and a great diversity of fauna and flora.
An essential place to visit is the capital of Stone Town, where you can walk through the narrow streets of this city. It’s also interesting to visit the Darajani market, where you can discover typical foods and ingredients of the country. On the other hand, another place you can visit in Stone Town is the slave market.
The available programs on this island are childcare programs where volunteers will play and engage in activities with children. There’s also the teaching program, the medical program for those with knowledge or experience in healthcare, and finally, for animal lovers, there’s the sea turtle protection program.
13. Zimbabwe
It is located in southeastern Africa, has a dry tropical climate, and has a dry season from April to September and a rainy season from October to March. The official language of the country is English, although Shona and Ndebele also have many speakers.
One of the most popular destinations is Victoria Falls, located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. They are one of the largest waterfalls in the world with a height of 108 meters. On the other hand, we also find Hwange National Park, where many elephants live, as well as herbivores such as zebras, giraffes, or buffaloes, and predators such as lions, leopards, or hyenas.
In this country, we find two available programs, the teaching program, and the community development program.
Don’t wait any longer, choose one of these wonderful destinations to enjoy your volunteer experience!