South Africa Volunteering Programmes

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Use your English to make an impact: Volunteer in South Africa

Looking for meaningful ways to improve your English? Volunteering is a great way to experience a new culture while making a difference. Working with trusted partner organizations throughout South Africa, we offer a range of service opportunities—from working with elephants and large cats to tracking marine life to helping disadvantaged children. No matter which option you choose, volunteering in this diverse culture amid stunning natural beauty will be lifechanging. Anyone with an intermediate English level can sign up for our volunteer abroad programme, although we recommend a two-week English course at EC Cape Town, first.

Choose how you want to make a difference

At EC Cape Town, we offer animal-based and community-based volunteer opportunities. In each case, we work directly with trusted partner organisations based in Cape Town or elsewhere in South Africa.

Animal-focused projects
Help with the rehabilitation and care of wild or domestic animals—from big game to birds, marine creatures to cat rescues. Click on the links to learn more.

African Elephant Encounter

Get up close and personal with the largest land animals on the planet. Live and work onsite with other volunteers on a preserve located about 6 hours outside of Cape Town.

African Marine Encounter

Assist with data capture for studies aboard a shark cage diving vessel or whale-watching vessel. Learn how eco-tourism can benefit conservation on a project located just over 2 hours from Cape town.

African Wildlife Encounter

Help out at a sanctuary for injured or orphaned animals and birds, located close to one of the top surfing areas of the world, Jeffrey’s Bay.

Coastal Birds Encounter 

Work to reverse the decline of seabird populations on this conservation project, helping a non-profit organisation with rescue, rehabilitation and release efforts.

Wildlife research & conservation

Get involved in conservation, research and wildlife management on a free-roaming wildlife preserve based in Hartenbos, Western Cape.

Domestic animal shelter

Assist in a shelter for rescued domestic animals in Hout Bay, Western Cape. Help in a cat sanctuary, cat garden, and outdoor and indoor kennel areas.

Marine Dynamics Academy

Help out at the Marine Dynamics Academy is based in Gansbaai, South Africa. Work to protect the Dyer Island ecosystem and the marine world off the Cape coast.

Exclusive to EC Cape Town

This programme is only available at EC Cape Town. Cape Town is a city famous for its landscapes, history and culture. EC Cape Town is in the city centre, with easy access to beaches, Table Mountain and colourful markets. Study in an exciting and friendly environment where students from around the world come to learn and experience life in one of Africa’s most exciting cities.

EC CAPE TOWN

EC Cape Town 30+

Conservation and Community projects

Work at a school or creche helping children from disadvantaged communities with their education or work on projects that promote their well-being. Click on the links to learn more.

Hout Bay Kids

Work with children at a day care facility in Imizamo Yethu township, helping with daily activities and schoolwork.

Surfing project

Mentor children from disadvantaged communities around Cape Town through surfing, education and nutrition.

Conservation and Community 2025

Tackle administrative tasks, conservation efforts and ecology projects on a Game Reserve on the Eastern Cape. Plus, help with community support projects like teaching and mentoring.

Hout Bay Football

Help bring communities together by through football. Tasks vary from coaching to teaching to administrative duties, and volunteers are given a great deal of responsibility.

What you can expect from your volunteer abroad programme

Improved English skills

On your volunteer programme with EC Cape Town, you’ll be surrounded by English speakers in everyday situations, so you can count on improved language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Since our programmes require a B1 or B2 English proficiency level, we recommend combining your volunteer experience with a short English language course at EC Cape Town before volunteering.

The right match

Select from a wide range of animal-based and community-based volunteer opportunities to find the perfect fit for you. Perform a range of tasks in bird sanctuaries, big game preserves or marine environments. Help at an animal rescue. Or work with disadvantaged and vulnerable children in South African townships.

Broader cultural awareness

Volunteer abroad programmes allow you to immerse yourself in a new culture and community and gain a deeper understanding of the history, culture and traditions of those you serve. In the process, you’ll develop a global perspective you didn’t have before, along with a greater appreciation for diversity.

Valuable new skills

Volunteering to support animals or children helps you build important skills that are transferrable across a wide range of careers. In addition to the specific work skills, you’ll gain experience with teamwork, time management and organization—all skills that will help your CV stand out to employers.

Meaningful relationships

Volunteering connects you with others in meaningful ways—as a care giver, as a community member and as a teammate. With English as your common language, you’ll gain extraordinary, shared experience with others from all over the world, resulting in treasured memories and lifelong friendships.

Positive impact

In addition to improving your English, exploring the world and having unforgettable experiences, you’ll be giving your time and energy to children or animals wo desperately need your help. You’ll become part of a global network of people committed to making a real difference.

Reasons to choose our volunteer abroad programme in Cape Town

You are age 18+, have intermediate English skills and want to volunteer in South Africa while improving your English
You want to volunteer with animals or in disadvantaged communities
You have enrolled in an EC Cape Town English course (2 weeks+) prior to volunteering
You can spend at least two weeks, full-time, on a volunteer project
You have the agility and energy to engage in physical, hands-on work
You enjoy working as part of a team

Frequently asked questions

What are the accommodation options on EC Volunteer Abroad Programmes in South Africa?

Each project is unique in its mission, focus and duration (from 2 weeks to 6 months), as well as its location and accommodations. Projects that are based outside of Cape Town offer their own accommodation, either on-site, or within easy walking distance. In some cases, volunteers are shuttled daily between where they stay and the project. Cape Town-based volunteers are free to book their own accommodation or make use of EC Cape Town’s student residence or homestay options.

Are the EC Volunteer Abroad Programmes available only to EC Cape Town students?

Our volunteer programme is designed to help student at EC Cape Town extend their stay in South Africa and further improve their English skills by joining one of the many projects with which EC has partnered. However, the programme is also open to anyone whose level of English is already at a minimum level of Intermediate (or higher). This means that a non-native English speaker who is at the appropriate level need not first come and study English at EC Cape Town (although a 2-week course prior to volunteering is recommended).

EC Volunteer Abroad Programme: Are all the projects located in Cape Town?

Some of the projects are located in or around Cape Town, while others are situated in other parts of South Africa. EC has set up direct partnerships with these projects and therefore provides personal attention and service to everyone who participates in the programme. Those volunteers who work in Cape Town are also allowed to join any of the activities that are arranged for the school’s English students.

What are the benefits of volunteer abroad programmes like EC Cape Town?

Volunteering is an incredible way to develop and grow as a person, while at the same time contributing in meaningful, lasting ways to various communities and the broader environment. Here are just a few of the ways that volunteering can benefit you:

Learn new skills—Develop hard as well as ‘soft’ skills in demand by employers

Boost your CV—gain work experience that can help you stand out on your resume

Build cultural awareness—Learn about other cultures and gain a deeper appreciation for diversity.

Make an impact—Contribute to social and environmental projects that improve lives

Develop global friendships—Create lasting bonds with other volunteers

Enhance your English study with our Volunteer Abroad Programme in South Africa

At EC, we know that immersive experiences help you learn language faster and retain it longer. So we developed our volunteer abroad programme to extend your language learning journey outside our Cape Town school, with unique service opportunities in English-speaking communities throughout South Africa. Working with trusted local partners, we provide you with the chance to work with African elephants, track marine life, care for large cats or help children in disadvantaged communities. If you have at least an intermediate English proficiency level, you can sign up directly to volunteer without having taken one of our English courses, although a course prior to volunteering ins recommended.

Boost your CV with our Volunteer Abroad Programme

Experience volunteering abroad—especially when combined with mastering a second language—makes your CV more appealing to prospective employers. A survey of employers found that 75% say volunteering helps applicants stand out in the hiring process. Not only does it help you develop ‘hard’ skills (office and administration skills, animal care skills or teaching skills that may align with your degree, for example), volunteering helps you develop highly desirable and easily transferrable ‘soft’ skills, like teamwork, time management, adaptability and cross-cultural communication. 

Experience one of the world’s most amazing destinations

Improve your English in one of the most incredible English-speaking counties in the world. EC’s volunteer abroad programme in South Africa provides students with lifechanging immersive experiences in a stunning country filled with vibrant culture, scenic landscapes and friendly locals. If you choose an animal-focused programme, you can work with a wide range of animals, from elephants to birds to sharks and penguins. If you choose a community-focused programme, you’ll be helping support and educate underprivileged children in local townships.

develop a global perspective you didn’t have before, along with a greater appreciation for diversity.

Raise your happiness level through volunteering

Studies have shown that people who take advantage of volunteer abroad programmes feel stronger and report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Helping others activates the bran’s reward center, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin This is often called a ‘helper’s high’. Volunteers experience a sense of purpose and belonging, reducing stress and contributing to long-term happiness.

Volunteer in with EC in South Africa and broaden your horizons

No programme will immerse you in a country’s language, culture and customs more completely than volunteering abroad programmes. On EC’s volunteer abroad programme in South Africa, you’ll gain new perspectives and build cultural awareness through daily interaction with locals and other volunteers from all over the world. You’ll make meaningful contributions to the global environment by providing assistance to vulnerable populations, and supporting nonprofit organizations. And in the process, you’ll get a better idea of your personal and professional path.

Count on EC to support you in your volunteer abroad programme

At EC, we know that a supportive learning environment is key to your success. You can be sure you’ll have the support of a nurturing community at EC Cape Town during your English courses. And we extend that into your volunteer abroad programme in South Africa. EC partners closely with our trusted volunteer organizations, providing personal attention and support to everyone who participates in the programme. Those volunteers who work in Cape Town are also allowed to join any of the activities that are arranged for the school’s English students.