The 6 [Best Cheap] South Africa Medical Volunteer Providers 2024

Are you planning to volunteer abroad in medical field? Is volunteering in South Africa in medical program in your radar? Are you searching for the best-rated medical volunteer program providers in South Africa?

Future and current medical professionals can gain valuable experience while also giving back and making the world a better place by joining South Africa medical volunteer programs.

However, there are so many providers out there that selecting the best one can be a challenge. If you make the wrong choice, you could end up in a dangerous situation without the support you expected, or spending way more money than you need to. To help you out, TravellersQuest has selected the most reliable and affordable options and compiled them here.

African Impact

Founded in 2004, African Impact is focused solely on community development and wildlife conservation projects on the African continent. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, this is a local grassroots initiative. More than just a volunteer agency, African Impact has built their own projects hand in hand with local communities.

About the volunteer in South Africa medical program:

At this South Africa medical project, you’ll be observing and offering much-needed support in a rural Zulu village. With some of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the country, this area is in desperate need of medical assistance, and you’ll also help provide vital education and awareness on this terrible disease. You’ll be staying in lovely St. Lucia.

Fees:

African Impact charges $900 per-week for this medical program in South Africa. This fee includes airport pickup and drop-off, accommodations you’ll share with staff and fellow volunteers and interns, three local meals a day during the week, and the full support of the African Impact team.

Reviews:

Helping others is likely your primary goal as a Medical Volunteer South Africa, but you also want to build valuable medical skills to help you in your future career. This former African Impact volunteer said, “The program was excellent, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I have gained many new skills and learnt a lot.” Read reviews on Go Abroad and Go Overseas.

IFRE Volunteers

IFRE was founded in 2006 in Dallas, TX. They have helped over 20,000 volunteers make a big impact in 20 countries around the globe. They offer low rates and have a focus on cultural immersion. You’ll learn all about the local culture and language and immerse yourself while helping poor communities in need.

African Impact’s South Africa medical volunteer program:

The local government-funded clinics that serve impoverished citizens are always lacking resources and manpower, so your help is greatly needed. You’ll work alongside local doctors treating patients, may help in a baby clinic, and you will also join in much-needed HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns.

Fees:

IFRE charges a standard registration fee of $299, and only $450 for a 2-week program. Your fee includes a safe and secure airport pickup, accommodations in a fun volunteer house in an artsy, bohemian neighborhood, 2 meals a day during the week, and the dedicated support of the helpful and experienced IFRE team.

Reviews:

You’ll want to get as much experience as possible in medical Volunteer South Africa, and IFRE is known for its hands-on programs. This is evidenced by this past review, “We were looking for a true hands-on experience that was affordable and educational. It was all that and more!” Read reviews on Go Overseas and Go Abroad.

Love Volunteers

Love Volunteers is based in New Zealand and was founded in 2009. A brother and sister, former volunteers themselves, set out on a journey around the world to find non-profits that needed help. They have since won awards and helped thousands make a difference, offering great programs and low rates.

Love Volunteers’ Medical Volunteer Program in South Africa:

You will be placed in a variety of government-funded medical clinics in Cape Town that lacks the staff and resources to adequately serve all of the disadvantaged South Africans who can’t afford private care. On this South Africa medical program, you will be observing, and as the doctors get to know you may take on more responsibility based on your knowledge and skills.

Fees:

You’ll pay a registration fee of $299, and 2 weeks of volunteering will cost you $449.This includes an airport pickup, your accommodations in a volunteer house, a self-service breakfast, and dinner served at a local restaurant during the week. You’ll also have 24/7 support and an online dashboard to help you plan your trip.

Reviews:

Love Volunteers has rave reviews, something worth considering as you compare South Africa medical volunteering programs. One former volunteer said, “Great projects. Awesome service.  Lowest fees. Love Volunteers is the REAL deal.” Read reviews on Go overseas and Go Abroad.

Global Crossroad

This impactful non-profit, Global Crossroad, was founded in 2003 and has very low rates. They’ve sent over 20,000 volunteers to 18 countries around the globe and offer a variety of unique programs including international volunteering, meaningful travel tours, and language programs.

Global Crossroads’ South Africa medical program:

GCR’s medical program in South Africa a great program for medical students to observe local doctors and nurses in a local clinic in Cape Town. You will learn primarily through shadowing and will assist in basic tasks such as taking blood pressure, temperature and pulse measurements, weighing patients, etc., and helping with public awareness programs.

Fees:

Global Crossroad offers very reasonable rates, with weekly fees that go down considerably the longer you volunteer, meaning you can save and make more of a difference. You’ll pay a registration fee of $299, and a 2-week volunteer program costs only $450. This includes housing, meals, airport pickup, and 24/7 support.

Reviews:

Be sure to carefully go over reviews when looking for your medical volunteering program in South Africa. This former Global Crossroad volunteer reports, “It was such a touching and eye-opening experience for me.” Read reviews on Go overseas.

Eli Abroad

Eli is short for Experiential Learning International, and this reflects the philosophy of this hardworking organization founded in 2001. They believe that experiencing meaningful experiences abroad will change the way you see the world, and their programs help you make a difference while you’re at it.

About the South Africa medical program:

Eli Abroad offers three different and totally unique medical volunteer programs. The first is in public health, addressing the terrible epidemics of HIV/AIDS and TB, spreading awareness, and doing research. The second is an internship in psychiatry. The third is a physical therapy program serving ill and injured kids in need.

Fees:

Eli’s fees are a bit different than other organizations. You will begin by paying a $200 registration fee, and all programs have a fee of $795. On top of this, you’ll pay a monthly rent for your housing, which is approximately $350. Included is airport pickup, orientation, and 24/7 support. You will buy and prepare your own food.

Reviews:

If you have a particular skill set or specialty, Eli is a great choice for your Medical Volunteer South Africa.  A former volunteer said, “It’s rare to find an organization that matches the need of the volunteer to the needs of the community, and at such an exceptionally affordable rate.” Read reviews on Go overseas and  Go Abroad.

Go Eco

Go Eco was the brainchild of two former volunteers and was originally founded in 2006 to bring volunteers to a sea turtle project in Greece. It has now grown to include 150 projects around the world and has the unique focus of promoting projects which are environmentally and ethically responsible.

Go Eco’s South Africa medical program:

Go Eco offers two different medical programs in South Africa. The first is volunteering in rural healthcare and HIV/AIDS awareness in the areas around St. Lucia. The second is a medical internship that is carried out in a busy Cape Town hospital. You will shadow doctors in the triage, pharmacy, and maternity units.

Fees:

Go Eco does not charge a registration fee, so be sure to factor that in when comparing program costs. This program has a 4-week minimum, for which the cost is $1890. This includes your airport pickup, accommodations in a shared room in a hostel, and 24/7 support. Meals are not included except for an orientation breakfast.

Reviews:

With Go Eco you can count on making a big difference and having a meaningful experience as a Medical Volunteer South Africa program, as evidenced by this past volunteer’s comments. “Being there and feeling the positivity of the work you’re doing and the impact you have on other people’s lives is indescribable.” Read reviews on Go Overseas and Go Abroad.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned all about our top picks for medical program providers in South Africa, you should be well on your way to selecting the option that is just right for you and your own particular needs. By selecting one of these carefully vetted options, you’ll save yourself money, ensure your safety while in Africa, and have an amazing time abroad. There’s always more to learn, so keep checking back in at TravellersQuest as new and informative articles like this one are added all the time.