Voluntourism

Enjoy all the attractions of Cape Town, while helping local communities by building houses, knitting blankets, playing soccer or just listening to a child read.

If you’re looking for a quality holiday during which you can make a difference Cape Town is ideal. With impoverished communities nestled in between luxury and opulence, Cape Town allows you to not only enjoy a world-class luxury holiday, while providing the scope to give back to the people of the Mother City. In addition, with Cape Town’s abundant nature and wildlife, there are opportunities to get involved with organisations concerned with the environment.

For those of looking to do a bit of exercise as part of your trip, the Backpack and Africa Travel Centre offers a soccer coaching and teaching volunteer programme in Cape Town’s townships, while providing accommodation in their popular backpackers. Visitors are also encouraged to donate their old gear. Another great operator is the Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN) who work to alleviate poverty through the promotion of environmentally sustainable transport (bicycles) so as to enhance low-cost, non-motorised, transport and improve health through linking exercise and mobility and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

However, if running around is not your thing, the backpackers also offers visitors the opportunity to knit warm blankets for a local crèche while relaxing at the hostel. Visit their website www.backpackers.co.za for more information.

Make a direct positive impact on the local community and environment, while enjoying first hand exposure to the colorful heritage, cultures and traditions, plus all the sights and activities this beautiful country has to offer. EDGE of AFRICA is committed to ethical volunteering and responsible travelling - providing volunteer and internship placements in South Africa for gap years, career breaks, university internships, school groups and corporate team building projects. We comfortably accommodate all ages, genders, races and religions.

Building homes is another great volunteer activity. A great non-profit organization that has been building houses in needy communities since 1996 is Habitat for Humanity South Africa. Many tour operators can setup an itinerary for you that incorporates visiting key attractions and sites. Contact Cape Town Tourism to request information on operators that run accredited programmes or book a volunteer holiday directly through us. We are happy to put you in touch with excellent operators on our database such as Daytrippers, Ukubona Africa, Cape Capers, Andulela, Tribal Meetings and many others.

Another excellent non-profit organization is the Tourism Community Development Trust (TCD Trust). This group was setup to try to unify the community upliftment efforts of individual tourism businesses and maximize their effectiveness in bringing the benefits of tourism to the community at large. Today they support nine programmes and have an amitious and successful track record. They are supported by key tourism businesses in Cape Town as well as Cape Town Tourism. Contact the TCD Trust to find out how you can volunteer or assist.

If nature and wildlife is your thing, what about volunteering to assist with whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins? One of our Fair Trade in Tourism accredited nature tour operators, Dyer Island Cruises and Marine Dynamics, offer responsible tourism trips and opportunities to get involved in marine concervation and community programmes. Contact Cape Town Tourism to request information on operators that run accredited programmes or book a volunteer holiday directly through us.

AVIVA – widely regarded as one of the world’s leading volunteer organisations – is a member of Cape Town Tourism and many of its projects are based in the greater Cape Town area. AVIVA is committed to supporting sustainable community, wildlife and conservation projects while providing international volunteers with rewarding, life-changing experiences in South Africa.

As an AVIVA volunteer, you can…

• Make a vital contribution to a world-famous children’s home
• Rehabilitate oiled, sick and injured penguins at a leading marine centre
• Learn to surf and pass on life skills to local youngsters

For more information, visit AVIVA’s website.

Flickr Images

An automatic feed of all Creative Commons-licensed images on Flickr using the text “ Volunteer Cape Town ”.

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