Will I need a visa and is it included in the cost?

Most nationalities will receive a 90 day tourist visa on entry into South Africa. Your Volunteer Coordinator will provide you with all the relevant information.

How many people will be on Expedition with me?

The number of volunteers can vary (up to 60) but you will be in group sizes of no more than 20.

What vaccinations will I need?

Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers, especially after sunset, and using insect repellents on exposed skin. Check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

How much free time will I have?

There will be breaks during the day to recharge. In the African bush, we tend to get up early to get work done before it gets too hot. We then have a break over the heat of the day and lunch, then get back to work in the afternoons. In between your projects, you will have five days of rest. Camps are remote and therefore venturing out of camp is not always safe. We will go on excursions as a group.

VOLUNTEER IN SOUTH AFRICA

Q: Where will I be staying?

You will stay at our base camp on arrival and in between projects. Our base camp is a tented camp with ablutions and social areas. The camp is basic, with no electricity apart from our solar charging station for charging phones. On our community project, you will setup a camp with shared sleeping tents and a basic kitchen.

Renowned for it’s wildlife, you’ll work to take action on development in local communities and conservation projects while exploring breath-taking landscapes.

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Home | Raleigh Expeditions | Volunteer in South Africa

“I definitely feel that I’m more open to new experiences and that my comfort zone has considerably expanded”

Steve | Raleigh Volunteer

Why volunteer in South Africa?

A word you will hear a lot in South Africa is Ubuntu. It means ‘I am because we are‘. South Africans are all about the people and how we can all work together.

Despite being one of the most developed countries in Africa there are still large percentage of people living below the poverty line. It’s ranked as one of the most biodiverse areas in the world but that is constantly under threat.

Our South Africa Expeditions focus on working together on projects which protect and restore the delicate balance of eco-systems and help communities struggling with access to education and sanitation.

This Raleigh Expedition will take you to the heart and soul of South Africa, and it will change your life forever.

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Expedition life in South Africa

You can get involved in up to 3 phases: Community, Environmental and an Adventure Challenge. You’ll also spend time at Fieldbase for your induction, ‘changeover’ between phases and to say your goodbyes at the end.

Partner talking about Raleigh Community project

Community Phase

This community-led project is focused around finding sustainable solutions to issues such as poverty, low levels of education, food insecurity, and unemployment.

You will work on these solutions from the ground up, partnered with the community and a local NGO, Nourish Eco Village. Each day you will work in and around the community village, working as a team on projects such as building sustainable food gardens, playgrounds and essential infrastructure.

You will get the chance to interact with local community members and children, gain an appreciation for the local culture and learn some of the Xitsonga language (one of the 12 official languages of South Africa).

Raleigh Venturer at environmental campsite

Environmental Phase

We work in partnership with Cape Vulture Conservancy to create sustainable solutions to environmental issues, whilst also supporting community empowerment and education.

You’ll involved in invasive species removal, soil erosion control, bush encroachment thinning and data collection. You will also support the local community through education initiatives with the aim to enhance and increase vocational skills for both young people and adults.

The work will be physical, dirty, and fun, making a difference to the health of the habitat.

Venturers with ruck sacks in south africa

Adventure Challenge

Supported by our local experienced trek facilitators and Raleigh leaders, your trek will take you through incredible landscapes and biomes, with stunning routes across the mountains that tourists don’t get access to.

You could be trekking up to 200 km through the Northern Mpumalanga Drakensburg of South Africa that will take you on a journey of personal growth that will continue for the rest of your life. No matter what trekking experience you have, everyone starts and finishes trek together – come rain or shine!

Supporting one another, not giving up and sharing your achievements together will be some of the most memorable and defining moments of your Expedition.

Fieldbase

Induction
At the start of your Expedition you’ll arrive at Fieldbase and have time for training – including safety briefings, codes of conduct and plenty of teambuilding activities to get to know each other.

Changeover
During each phase you’ll return to Fieldbase to ‘changeover’ groups, wash and sort out your kit, learn about your next project and pack up again for the next phase.

Endex
This is when you’ll get the chance to reflect on all your experiences, receive some final feedback from our Venturer Managers and other staff members which should help you continue your personal development and time to say your goodbyes (or plan your next adventures together).

Example itinerary for South Africa

Everyone’s Raleigh Expedition is slightly different – depending on how long you stay and what time of year you go. This is an outline of what you can expect from a 10-week Expedition to South Africa. For a information on camp life and project info, download a sample itinerary.

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Arrive at Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport

You will be met by the country team

Induction and training (3-4 days)

Get to know your fellow volunteers and prepare for Expedition life. You’ll receive essential training on topics such as health and safety and cultural awareness.

Community Project (19- 21 days)

Each day you will work in and around the community village, working as a team on projects such as building sustainable food gardens and playgrounds.

Debrief at Fieldbase (2-3 days)

At the end of each phase, everyone returns to the training centre for a few days before moving on to your next project. You’ll catch up with the rest of the Expedition team and start to prepare for your next project. This is when project groups will change between phases, if possible, as this is an important part of the Expedition experience.

Adventure Leadership Project (19 – 21 days)

For this leg of your adventure, you will head to the Drakensberg mountains. Every day is different, including the weather and the accommodation. Go from camping on top of a mountain, sleeping out under the stars to swimming in beautiful waterfalls.

Environmental Project (19 – 21 days)

Take part in physical conservation work in the reserve. The work will be physical, dirty and fun, making a difference to the health of the habitat.

Final review at base (2 days)

All Expeditions end with everyone coming together for a final few days back at the training centre. Catch up with friends and celebrate all you have achieved together.

Departure from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport

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Price overview

10 weeks

£4800$5990$5990$5990

7 weeks

£4150$5260$5260$5260

5 weeks

£3499$4599$4599$4599

All dates and prices

Where will I be in South Africa?

The Greater Kruger area is nestled between Mozambique, Eswatini and the world-famous Kruger National Park itself. In comparison to Cape Town, this area encapsulates Africa at its heart.

Experience year-round sunshine and share this land with all of the Big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard). Experienced rangers will accompany you at all times who will share with you their knowledge of the wildlife, plants and landscape throughout.

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South Africa Expedition gallery

African-Impact-Volunteer-Wildlife-Conservation-Big-5-27

Admiring view South Africa Expedition Raleigh

Four Raleigh Volunteers on mountain in South Africa

Venturers helping each other environment project

Venturers enjoying the view Raleigh International

Venturer clearing trees in Environment in South Africa

Environment project Raleigh South Africa working

Environment project Raleigh South Africa

Environment project Raleigh South Africa VM working