The 9 [Best Cheap] Africa Volunteer Programs Providers 2024

Are you looking for a chance to visit Africa in a responsible and impactful way? Are you worried that the organization you choose to volunteer with is little more than a scam? This list of the 9 best affordable providers of volunteer programs in Africa will help guide you and make sure your time as a volunteer in Africa is as impactful and life changing as possible.

Once you’ve made your decision to volunteer abroad, it can be extremely intimidating to search through the countless organizations that offer volunteer programs and decide which can be trusted and which can’t. Indeed, there are many organizations that overcharge and outright scam well-meaning volunteers, greatly detracting from the impact and experience they are able to have.

This is especially true if this is your first time volunteering, as without having any experience in what is to be expected of a volunteer abroad organization, it can be difficult to judge the quality of providers. With so many volunteer opportunities in Africa, you can easily get lost and end up booking someone you wished you hadn’t.

This is where we come in! Here at TravellersQuest we have done extensive research on hundreds of organizations and selected 9 of the very best and most affordable providers, as well as a few runner ups. With the information gathered here at hand, you’ll be able to make an informed choice on which volunteer program in Africa you want to participate in.

Use this list to find the best and most affordable volunteer programs in Africa to help you make the biggest positive impact you can.

African Impact

African Impact is a highly-reputed volunteer organization that was founded in 2004 by a group of travelers who wanted to introduce others to the Africa that they knew. Over the years, the organization has grown significantly and is now headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. Their stated core values are transparency and honesty, and they seem committed to providing a real service to both – the people they help in Africa as well as the volunteers they inspire to volunteer in Africa.

African Impact Top Volunteer Programs in Africa

African Impact offers volunteer programs in 7 different countries across the continent, but we’ve picked out the 3 that we thought stood out the most to us. Check them out below:

Volunteer in South Africa – South Africa is a truly stunning country to visit, and anyone who loves spectacular views, gorgeous nature and fascinating wildlife owe themselves a trip there at least once. African Impact offers a truly stunning range of different projects to commit to in South Africa; anything from veterinary support to female empowerment to teaching English. They also cover a range of destinations all over South Africa including Cape Town, St. Lucia, the Greater Kruger Area, and more.

Volunteer in Kenya – Kenya is a prime destination, filled with beauty, diversity and nature, if you’re planning to volunteer in South Africa. Africa Impact has many diverse programs in Kenya – you can help in the conservation of Big Cats and other wildlife species, help out in reforestation efforts, or do hospital and clinic-based work (whichever suits you best!).

Volunteer in Zambia – Zambia is home to the majestic Victoria Falls and one of the best places to volunteer or to travel to in the world! There are many community as well as conservation projects in Zambia. You can help out in areas such as teaching, community work, female empowerment, sports, waste management and gender equality.

African Impact Fees

While the company’s fees are a bit higher than others, they charge no registration fee, and from what we can tell – you get an absolutely outstanding quality of service for a somewhat higher price. Their prices can range anywhere from $1,900 to $2,700 depending on your placement, duration of stay and type of project.

African Impact Reviews

Online review platforms are filled with positive, satisfactory comments and reviews about African Impact and the work they do. The company is, regarded by many, as one of the best volunteer providers in Africa. African Impact has 194 reviews on Go Overseas and 2,731 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of African Impact on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of African Impact on Go Abroad.

IFRE International Volunteers

IFRE Volunteers Top Volunteer Programs in Africa

IFRE Volunteers has a ton of volunteer opportunities in different parts of Africa that you can be a part of.

Volunteer in Kenya – Home to the famous Serengeti, not to mention the giant herds of wildebeests, lions, and many more animals, Kenya is every nature lovers’ dream, and you owe it to yourself to visit this cradle of humanity at least once in your lifetime. Starting at a very affordable $200USD, you can join IFRE in making Kenya a better place to live even if you’re on a limited budget. Among their incredible programs in the country are opportunities for orphanage work, teaching, and more.

Volunteer in Tanzania – Tanzania, home of the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain on the continent, as well as Lake Tanganyika, the world’s second deepest lake, is an excellent choice for Africa volunteer opportunities. IFRE’s programs in Tanzania include teaching English, empowering women, and training local kids in how to use a computer. Starting at the low price of $205 USD, these programs are attainable for almost anyone, making IFRE and Tanzania excellent choices for your Africa volunteer work.

Volunteer in Namibia – You can get involved in a wide variety of volunteer programs in Namibia. There are 3 main options – volunteering at a wildlife rescue and research center, a teaching English program where you teach English to underprivileged children and a medical volunteer program that lets you help out at local clinics and shadow local doctors. Every one of these programs is an excellent choice should you choose to visit this excellent country.

IFRE Volunteers Fees

Fees begin with a $299USD registration fee, followed by incredibly low project fees. This means that you can join a volunteer program with IFRE on almost any budget, no matter how limited, and the organization is happy to help you fund-raise even this amount.

IFRE Volunteers Reviews

We have come across a lot of past volunteers that thank IFRE volunteers for planning their volunteer trip to Africa. According to them, IFRE Volunteers is excellent in planning, delivery and execution – making it one of the best volunteer providers in Africa. IFRE Volunteers has 116 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of IFRE Volunteers on Go Overseas.

Plan My Gap Year (PMGY)

Plan My Gap Year (PMGY) is founded by volunteers, for volunteers. They have committed themselves to sustainable long-term development in their projects and affordable fees that are 100% transparent, ensuring that almost anyone can afford to volunteer in Africa in one of their programs. PMGY also offers a focus on the social aspect of volunteering, which is a significant part of the experience and connects you with your fellow volunteers well in advance of your departure, giving you the chance to get to know them even before you leave.

PMGY Top Volunteer Programs in Africa

Down below we have mentioned two of the top volunteer programs in Africa – our personal favorites! A volunteer trip to any of these two countries will definitely be worth your while.

Volunteer in Ghana – Ghana was the first black African country to achieve independence from colonial rule and its home to a highly diverse set of people and tribes both ethnically and religiously.  PMGY’s Ghana programs are varied and you can engage in a number of rewarding projects such as caring for disabled children, working in the medical field or even mental health, teaching various subjects, and more. This is one of the best Africa volunteer programs while also being very affordable.

Volunteer in South Africa – South Africa is considered the most beautiful country in the world by many.  PMGY’s South Africa volunteer work consists of three main projects focused on childcare, education, and animal conservation. When working with childcare or teaching English, volunteers stay and work in Cape Town, allowing impoverished kids a chance at better employment in the future. Their wildlife conservation project focuses on the famous big 5 and will take you to a massive 6000-hectare game reserve in the Eastern Cape.

PMGY Fees

There is a $249 USD registration fee for all of the organization’s programs, and the individual project fees are all affordable ranging from $285 USD to $555 USD for the programs featured here.

PMGY Reviews

PMGY has received excellent reviews all across the board. Volunteers are quite pleased with the level of quality and services that PMGY provides on their volunteer trip to Africa. You can read more of these volunteer reviews on their website. PMGY has 404 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of PMGY on Go Overseas.

Love Volunteers (LV)

Love Volunteers is a highly-rated non-profit volunteer organization that has been serving volunteers since 2009. Their core values consist of transparency, security and affordability. What you see is what you get with Love Volunteers. They have been highly rated, earning an average rating of 96%, on several review platforms. With Love Volunteers, your volunteer trip to Africa can be much more meaningful and impactful than you imagined.

Love Volunteers Top Volunteer Programs in Africa

We decided that their programs in Zimbabwe, Uganda, and South Africa were of particular note, but their volunteer work in Africa also includes Cameroon, Rwanda, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Morocco. So, check them out if any of these countries are of particular interest to you.

Volunteer in South Africa – Love Volunteers offers 9 separate projects in South Africa, most taking place in Cape Town but also an animal rescue project in the Philippi farming area and a wildlife conservation project in Port Elizabeth. Projects in Cape Town include childcare, education, environmental work, developmental work both social and sports, and a medical internship. All these projects work hard to combat the serious social problems facing the poor parts of the city today.

Volunteer in Zimbabwe – Love Volunteers has some well-crafted volunteer programs aimed at tackling social issues in Zimbabwe. Poverty has also contributed to a widespread HIV epidemic, and your volunteering with Love Volunteers can take the form of childcare and development, providing educational support, or working to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and care for its victims.

Volunteer in Uganda – Uganda is a diverse country filled with many different cultures and rich history and heritage. All three projects offered by Love Volunteers in this country aim to combat the effects of poverty in the city by providing education and childcare to struggling families and offering a medical internship to those qualified to help relieve the healthcare system. Love Volunteers’ Ugandan volunteer programs in Africa run for 2 weeks, with the childcare and education projects starting at $399USD and the medical internship at $429USD.

Love Volunteers Fees

Love Volunteers is one of the most affordable volunteer providers that you can find on the Internet. Their fees are generally low, with a fairly standard $299USD registration fee. Program fees for their Africa volunteer programs being as low as $259!

Love Volunteers Reviews

Many past volunteers view Love Volunteers in a positive light and are thankful towards them for providing many excellent services during their volunteer trip. If you don’t believe us, check out these volunteer reviews on their website by yourself. Love Volunteers has 140 reviews on Go Overseas and 271 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of Love Volunteers on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of Love Volunteers on Go Abroad.

RCDP International Volunteers

RCDP International is a well-known international volunteer provider with well-established operations in many different countries. The company was founded in 1998 and offers volunteer trips abroad to more than 20 different countries. They’ve facilitated the successful volunteer journey of more than 18,000 volunteers, and through their special focus on incredible in-country support, they have earned themselves a trusted reputation in the business. In short, RCDP is a great choice for those looking to volunteer in Africa.

RCDP International Top Volunteer Programs in Africa

Featured in this list are their programs in Tanzania, South Africa, and Kenya, but they also run a range of programs in Uganda and Botswana, which you also can’t really go wrong with.

Volunteer in South Africa – RCDP’s projects in South Africa all take place in poor areas of the city of Cape Town. Here you can work with underprivileged children, teach English, engage kids in sport, work with healthcare and help conserve animals threatened by the rapid expansion of the big city into their habitats. RCDP’s South Africa volunteer programs start at $450 and all last from 1 to 12 weeks.

Volunteer in Kenya – As we’ve covered in this article, Kenya is filled with stunning nature in the form of dense forests and is home to the famous Serengeti Plain.  If you choose to take your volunteer trip to Africa in Kenya with RCDP, you can commit yourself to one of four different projects. You can work with HIV prevention, teach English, provide healthcare, or work in an orphanage. All these programs take place in the country’s capital Nairobi, start at $200 which is very affordable and runs from 1-12 weeks.

Volunteer in Tanzania – RCDP’s volunteer programs in Tanzania are held in the cities of Arusha and Moshi. Here, you can involve yourself in bettering the lives of underprivileged children by doing some orphanage work or teaching them English. Sine Tanzania lacks a good healthcare system; eager medical students can also contribute to a local health project as well as raise HIV/AIDS awareness.

RCDP International Fees

The company is also very affordable, as all you need to pay is a $299USD registration fee followed by individual project fees that go as low as $150USD. Clearly, this affordability combined with the rave reviews proves that RCDP is an excellent provider of volunteer programs in Africa.

RCDP International Reviews

RCDP International has received high praise from a lot of its alumni volunteers. Many exclaim that their volunteer trip to Africa has become a core memory thanks to RCDP! RCDP International has 62 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of RCDP International on Go Overseas.

International Volunteers HQ

International Volunteers HQ (IVHQ) is one of the world’s leading volunteer organizations with more than 300 projects in more than 44 countries. They are at the absolute top in terms of quality services, placements and impact on community. IVHQ’s founder, Dan Radcliffe, was inspired to launch the company after a volunteer trip to Africa. So you can expect some absolutely amazing and impactful volunteer programs in Africa that will be well worth your time!

IVHQ Top Volunteer Programs in Africa

IVHQ has well-maintained and well-funded volunteer projects in most destinations across Africa. Our person favorites are those mentioned below:

Volunteer in Zambia – Zambia is a gorgeous country that struggles to provide adequate facilities, services, and infrastructure to its people, especially in rural areas. IVHQ’s volunteer projects are based in Livingstone and include teaching English, working in a kindergarten for poor children, doing medical work, caring for the elderly, and helping with construction and renovation. In addition, IVHQ also offers a rural teaching project that will take you the rural village of Makumba.

Volunteer at Victoria Falls – The roaring Victoria Falls are known worldwide for their raw ferocity and natural splendor. If you’ve dreamed of seeing the magnificent falls in person, volunteering with IVHQ is a great way of doing it. The only way to spend your volunteer trip to Africa by the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with IVHQ is to work in animal conservation, which is a truly worthwhile and rewarding cause to champion. The project is more expensive than IVHQ’s other ones, starting at $1000USD, but the amazing location makes up for this increase in price.

Volunteer in South Africa – South Africa is featured again in our list, this time with IVHQ offering volunteer programs. With IVHQ you will get to live and work in Muizenberg, located 30 minutes from Cape Town. The South Africa volunteer programs offered here are varied and include offering childcare, teaching English, facilitating sports, and training computer skills.

IVHQ Fees

IVHQ’s program prices are very affordable, with all their projects listed here being very inexpensive with the exception of the ones at Victoria Falls which, due to its location in a game reserve, is somewhat more expensive. Volunteers must first pay a $329 registration fee, followed by project fees as low as $285.

IVHQ Reviews

Their reviews are great, and there are an astounding number of people who have returned from their volunteer program in Africa or elsewhere and left their feedback. You can also head on over to IVHQ’s website and read some volunteer testimonials there. IVHQ has 2,227 reviews on Go Overseas and 1,675 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of IVHQ on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of IVHQ on Go Abroad.

GoEco

GoEco is a familiar and well-renowned name in the field of ‘voluntourism’. They are an eco-tourism company that takes delight in providing its customers a mix of vacationing and volunteering. As a volunteer, you’ll make quite an impact on local communities while still getting to enjoy the sights and culture of a place of your choosing. With more than 150 exceptional initiatives, GoEco invites you on a volunteer trip to Africa that you’ll never forget!

GoEco Top Volunteer Programs in Africa

GoEco’s volunteer programs in Africa are both community-based and conservation-focused. Down below, we have listed the countries that we were the most fascinated by in regards to volunteer programs offered by GoEco.

Malawi – If you’re a nature and animal lover then you’d do well joining volunteer programs in Malawi. They offer 2 distinct programs, both at a wildlife sanctuary, where you’ll work with specialists to tend to orphaned and injured wild animals. This is a splendid opportunity to get some hands-on experience regarding veterinary care while also exploring the diverse flora and fauna of Malawi.

Ghana – GoEco’s volunteer program in Ghana is based in the small town of Accra. You’ll work as a teacher in a local school where you’ll organize various activities and games, plan lessons and teach English. In your free time, you can engage with the soulful culture of Accra and visit museums and marketplaces for a wonderful trip abroad.

Zambia – There are some excellent volunteer opportunities in Zambia provided by GoEco. There is a superb environmental impact program where you’ll work to reduce plastic waste near the Victoria Falls. You can also work as a healthcare intern, hold outreach programs to raise awareness, help in sports and youth development and of course, work as a teacher in a community school.

GoEco Fees

All of GoEco’s fees are compiled into a single price. They don’t charge a registration fee, and most of their program fees can range anywhere from $850 – $1,600 for 1-2 weeks of volunteering. We assure you that GoEco is one of the most legit and affordable Africa volunteer organizations on our list.

GoEco Reviews

GoEco is a well-reputed company that has earned the approval of its past volunteers, the media and also some of its own contemporaries! GoEco has a separate reviews and awards section that we highly recommend you check out. Without a doubt, GoEco is one of the best volunteer providers in Africa. This spectacular organization has 89 reviews on Go Overseas and 729 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of GoEco on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of Go Abroad on Go Abroad.

GVI

Founded in 1998, GVI is one of the most critically acclaimed and most talked about volunteer abroad organizations in the whole world. GVI’s dedication to placing volunteers in prime locations for growth and change is unmatched in the industry. The organization teams up with local partners to provide their volunteers with a meaningful and impactful volunteer trip abroad.  With many awards and commendations from various organizations and publications, they offer trips for those looking to volunteer in Africa, as well as pretty much anywhere else on the planet.

GVI Top Volunteer Programs in Africa

Featured on this list are the programs in South Africa, Seychelles and Tanzania but GVI also hosts programs in Ghana or Madagascar, so if you’re interested in these specifically you should check them out too.

Volunteer in South Africa – There’s a reason why South Africa appears for 7 of the 9 companies listed in this article, and if you’ve read this far, you’re probably well aware of all the benefits of visiting the gorgeous country. GVI’s South Africa volunteer opportunities will take you to a picturesque coastal village 45 minutes from Cape Town where you can work in more than 30 different projects. These include everything from wildlife and shark conservation to teaching English, community development and medical internships.

Volunteer in Tanzania – If you’re fascinated with the famous Mount Kilimanjaro, then GVI’s volunteer program in Tanzania are the perfect fit for you. GVI’s program in Tanzania is related to micro finance and business enterprise for women. You’ll work partly to empower the women run their own weaving and sewing business and help them gain independence and some economic value out of their skills.

Volunteer in Seychelles – The Seychelles is an absolutely gorgeous tropical island and volunteering on a conservation project would be a dream come true for many nature-loving volunteers. Currently, GVI provides marine and island conservation programs where you will work to restore marine life and protect the ocean from pollution and exploitation. The island conservation programs, specially, will have volunteers exploring the island and monitoring the variety of endemic birds, shrimps, fish and corals that live there. This is a must-do volunteer in Africa project.

GVI Fees

GVI’s prices may see high at first – until you realize that it is just a single sum without any registration or hidden fees. Their program in Tanzania costs a mere $645 while their conservation programs in the Seychelles are a bit pricier, clocking in at $2,995.

GVI Reviews

GVI is a well heard of name in the volunteer community and any experienced volunteer will tell you that this organization is 100% trustworthy and reliable. Volunteers in Africa have documented their supremely memorable experience on the volunteer reviews section of GVI’s website. Be sure to check those out too. GVI has 706 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of GVI on Go Overseas.

Atlas Volunteers

Atlas Volunteers was first created when a bunch of experienced volunteers got together. Astounded by the high prices in the volunteer market, they decided to launch Atlas Volunteers – a truly affordable volunteer company with high impact programs and low program prices. The organization has been placing eager volunteers in needy communities so that both sides can benefit from this meaningful experience. Atlas Volunteers only operates in countries where they have local experienced staffs available 24/7 for support. This makes their programs truly secure and it is definitely worth taking a volunteer trip to Africa with Atlas Volunteers at your side.

Atlas Volunteers Top Volunteer Programs in Africa

As we have established, Atlas Volunteers only runs programs in countries where they have direct on the ground partners. Most of their programs are located in Ghana (where the team first met) and these programs are worth considering. Let’s take a closer look.

Ghana – Atlas Volunteers’ programs are based in two locations around Ghana, Abetifi and Cape Three Points. In these locations they offer a variety of meaningful projects ranging from reforestation, sea turtle conservation and teaching to sports development, plastic recycling and renovation. Notice that, their community projects are very different from those provided by other companies. This is because Atlas has gone above and beyond to ensure that development comes from within the community. All programs are supported by locals so you can rest assured knowing you’ll make a difference on your volunteer trip to Ghana.

Atlas Volunteers Fees

Atlas Volunteers is what we would call a truly affordable organization. Being locally based, their program prices are the most affordable of all the companies on this list. They charge a registration fee of just $50! Even more, their most inexpensive program in Ghana’s Abetifi costs just $89 per week! You’ll even get accommodation and in-country support although you’ll have to plan your meals yourself.

Atlas Volunteers Reviews

Atlas Volunteers has received high praise from its volunteers and some well-meant recognition from the media. Many have claimed that they are a go-to organization for volunteer trips to Africa and Ghana. This well-established organization has 79 reviews on Go Overseas and 136 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of Atlas Volunteers on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of Atlas Volunteers on Go Abroad.

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