Intern & Volunteer in Africa
The African continent is famous for its incredible scenery such as Victoria Falls and Mount Kilimanjaro, its varied wildlife including the famous Big 5, and the challenges that its varied populations are facing from access to education to underfunded healthcare and various climate crises.
African identity and culture is as diverse and varied as its climate, wildlife and landscapes. The vast regional differences, indigenous tribal traditions and languages help to set this continent apart from the rest of the world. Africa is the only continent that is in all 4 hemispheres and home to the largest remaining populations of lions, African elephants, cheetahs and leopards. From the shorelines to the desert, this continent is a haven for environmental and wildlife conservation. Work with animals in Africa, volunteer as part of community & development work, sustainability projects or hospital work & healthcare. Whether you are looking for a gap year, a chance to be a sustainable volunteer or gain experience on an internship abroad, there is something for you.
Why Volunteer or Intern Abroad in Africa with Kaya Responsible Travel
- You can travel to Africa on our projects for anywhere between 2-12 weeks.
- Kaya’s volunteer and intern abroad programmes are available to start throughout the year.
- All of our projects work towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Kaya provides all volunteers and interns accommodation and on-the-ground support for the duration of their trip.
KEY FACTS ABOUT AFRICA
- There are 54 countries in Africa – The most populous country is Nigeria and the least populous is Seychelles.
- Languages spoken – Africa is home to ⅓ of the world’s languages. There are anywhere between 1000 and 2000 languages spoken.
- Religions – There are many religions across the countries in Africa, however the three main religions are African traditional religion, Christianity and Islam.
- Currency – There are 42 different currencies across Africa.
- Climate – Africa has VERY diverse climates, including deserts, tropical rainforests, savannas, Mediterranean, temperate and even alpine climates.
FUN FACTS ABOUT AFRICA
- Most of the world’s cocoa beans come from Africa – 70% to be exact. That’s why foundations like Fair Trade are so important to ensure farmers and workers are treated fairly.
- Africa is home to about 25% of the world’s wildlife, and many of its species cannot be found naturally anywhere else.
- Modern smartphones rely on minerals mined in Africa, such as cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
African countries with intern and volunteer projects
Volunteer or Intern in Botswana (coming soon)
Under development: an amazing project in Botswana is coming soon!
Volunteer or Intern in Morocco
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects in or internships in Morocco
Volunteer or Intern in Tanzania
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects or internships in Tanzania
Volunteer or Intern in South Africa
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects or internships in South Africa
Volunteer or Intern in Eswatini (Swaziland)
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects or internships in Eswatini
Volunteer or Intern in Mozambique
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects or internships in Mozambique
Volunteer or Intern in Uganda
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects or internships in Uganda
Volunteer or Intern in Zambia
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects or internships in Zambia
Volunteer or Intern in Ghana
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects or internships in Ghana
Volunteer or Intern in Namibia
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects or internships in Namibia
Volunteer or Intern in Kenya
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects or internships in Kenya
Volunteer or Intern in Zimbabwe
Click here to checkout our varied volunteer projects or internships in Zimbabwe
Our Volunteer Projects & Internships in Africa
Africa Travel FAQs
Do I need to arrange my own flight & accommodation?
Accommodation is fully provided by Kaya for all participants interning or volunteering in Africa. Kaya Responsible Travel will organize a guest house, homestay or shared accommodation for all volunteers and interns. However, your flight is not included in programme fees, so you’ll be responsible for arranging your travel independently. We’ll be here to give you guidance on your travels if needed!
How do I apply for a visa for Africa?
Don’t worry, your placement advisors will help you every step of the way for applying to any visas necessary to volunteer or intern in Africa. Visa requirements vary for each country, so it is important to research each destination individually – feel free to ask any questions on which programmes require a visa for your nationality. We’ll advise you in the steps you’ll need to take, should you require a visa. Ultimately, you are responsible for arranging the correct visa and confirming current guidlines with the embassy of the country you plan to travel to.
How do I know what Intern or Volunteer in Africa programme is right for me?
When choosing between Africa volunteer programmes and internship opportunties, ask yourself these questions:
- Do you feel connected to a certain aspect of one of our programmes?
- Are you drawn to a specific country in Africa?
- Is a programme related to a course you are taking at university?
- Do you wish to gain valuable experience in the field of your career, but through a different culture?
- What cause are you passionate about using your personal or professional skills to uplift?
We have a range of opportunities, but it’s ultimately about what feels best for you and your responsible travel goals.
Is it safe to Intern or Volunteer in Africa?
We understand going to another country can spark some health and safety concerns. But rest assured, hundreds of Kaya volunteers travel to Africa every year and we pledge to keep them safe. Our local project managers are fully trained in first aid, a pre-departure information pack is sent to our interns and volunteers before leaving and all projects are up-to-date on the latest safety best practices. With us, you can travel to Africa with confidence. You can consult our safety information for more details, or if you’re a parent, read our resources for parents.
How to Volunteer in Africa or complete an Internship in Africa?
We’re excited that a Kaya volunteer programme or internship has sparked your interest! Follow these steps to get started:
- Apply online and pay a small application fee to reserve your space, then our trusted advisors will contact you to guide you through the next steps.
- Once we receive your application, we will email you to arrange a call with your Kaya Placement Advisor.
- Following the interview, your advisor will provide you with a placement offer. Once you’re ready to confirm your desired dates, you will pay the remaining balance and officially confirm a spot on your selected project.
- Once all details have been confirmed, Kaya will send you a Welcome Pack with a variety of helpful information to assist you in preparing for your journey.
We can’t wait to see you! Whether it be in Zambia, Uganda or another one of our amazing destinations, our Africa programmes do important work that matters. Apply now!
If you’re not yet ready to apply, fill out our enquiry form and we’ll get in touch to chat further about opportunities for volunteering and interning in Africa.
Easy 4-step application process
APPLY ONLINE
Apply online and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.
TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.
CONFIRMATION
Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.
GET PREPARED
When you have confirmed your project dates we’ll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.







