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Cape Town Community

4.9(31 reviews)
Experience
Volunteer
Destination
South Africa
Duration
2 to 12 weeks
Ages
18 to 85

Limited spots. Earliest available arrival is currently May 2025, and closing very soon.

Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

Cape Town is one of the most scenic cities in the world. Nestled at the foot of the famous Table Mountain and sandwiched between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, Cape Town is defined by its relationship with nature. And on this trip, you can make a real difference in previously disadvantaged communities in Cape Town. 

Break out of your day-to-day routine and embark on an adventure that will make the world a better place and help you grow as a person. 

On this all-inclusive volunteer trip, not only do you get to live and volunteer with a trusted partner organisation in South Africa. When you go with Global, you get:

  • Volunteer project placement – Guarantee your spot at our screened and vetted project partner in South Africa. Start your volunteer journey without spending months searching for a reputable organisation on the other side of the world. 
  • Comfortable accommodation – Relax in a shared guest house overlooking Lion’s Head (part of Table Mountain), with 24/5 security, and a few minutes from the trendy Kloof Street in the heart of Cape Town.
  • Meals – Three typical South African meals every weekday. Prepared for you by the on-site cooks. 
  • + way more

Can you picture it? You’ve spent the morning helping out at an emergency foster care. The children come from difficult backgrounds, but your contributions will empower them to make a better life for themselves. 

It’s tough work, but empowering someone to make a meaningful change in their own life is always worth it. And learning to surf at the beach down the road on your day’s off is the perfect way to balance meaningful volunteer work with enjoying your stunning new location. 

For a lot of people, visiting Africa is a bucket-list experience. Let alone Cape Town. 

Although most people don’t get the chance to experience something like this. Contributing to meaningful change to previously disadvantaged communities in one of the most beautiful cities in the world is a once-in-a-lifetime experience

And when you book with Global, you book with the best. You get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle. Your volunteer placement and accommodation is sorted before you leave, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Inclusions

Tap to expand

Volunteer project placement
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip visa guidance
Personal Travel Concierge
Return airport transfer
Comfortable accommodation
Meals
‘Welcome to Cape Town’ orientation
Certificate of completion
Ongoing local team support
Global Emergency Line
gWorld access
Global Academy
Marketplace deals
$250 off your next trip

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-85 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Get more info!

Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mo-Fr.

Trip details

Our Cape Town Community Volunteer trip in South Africa is designed to get you volunteering overseas in a safe and fun environment, and with a genuine and rewarding purpose.

Our expert team and local partners take care of everything you need to start making a positive impact, from volunteer placement and meals to accommodation and ongoing support throughout your entire journey.

Whether you’re doing gap year volunteering or taking a volunteering holiday from work, you’ll arrive in Cape Town with the confidence that absolutely everything has been pre-arranged for you.

You’ll be able to jump straight into your volunteer duties, relax into the Capetonian lifestyle and start making new friends with all the logistical details sorted, from airport transfers to accommodation.

Channel all your energy into immersing yourself in your volunteer placement, as well as taking time to get to know the local area. Explore world-famous Table Mountain National Park, learn to surf at the beautiful beaches and mingle with the friendly locals instead of sweating the logistical stuff - that’s exactly why we’re here.

Feel confident and proud you are contributing much-needed help to a meaningful cause and save yourself the time, money and even the risk of being stranded in a foreign country by having us on your side.

Make your time count on this life-changing opportunity to volunteer in Cape Town and arrive home knowing you've made a lasting impact on local township communities.

Requirements

Be aged 18+.

What extra costs will I have?

Flights, travel insurance, $300 USD visa payable upon entry, vaccinations, criminal background check, souvenirs, optional excursions & spending money.

Purpose & impact

South Africa has a turbulent past. 

While the worst is over, the scars of years of discrimination and segregation are still apparent in South African society today. 

The worst affected are often the children – the most innocent of victims. By empowering the next generation to improve their own lives and make the world a better place – you’re contributing to long-term positive change across the world. 

As a volunteer, you have options for how you want to spend your mornings. They generally fall into 2 categories: 

Emergency foster care: You could be implementing fun activities to help the children with basic development needs. Like social play, gross motor skills, language, numeracy, and rhythm. 

Community pre-school care: Your duties may include story time, music and movement sessions, theme-based lessons, structured play, and lesson planning. 

You have a choice for how you spend your afternoons, too. Choose between:

An after school care program: This may include implementing educational games, supporting children with their homework, craft-making, gardening, computer literacy, or reading. A life skills program: You may be helping children from challenging backgrounds with important life skills and improving their chances of completing their education.

Accommodation & meals

When you arrive at Cape Town International Airport, a driver will be waiting for you. You’ll be taken straight to your initial accommodation at a shared guest house. 

With your accommodation in South Africa sorted and your volunteer placement organised, what will you do about food? 

You’ll be given three meals every weekday, prepared fresh by the on-site staff.

On weekends and days off you can sample some of Cape Town’s cuisine – which ranges from world-class and pricey, to super affordable if you stick with the local ‘hole-in-the-wall-serving-the-best-food-ever’ joints.   

Trip itinerary

Day 1

Once you’ve touched down at Cape Town International Airport, your pre-arranged transfer will take you straight to your volunteer accommodation in Muizenberg, situated only 3 minutes away from the beach. Relax, settle in and meet some of the other volunteers. Head to your orientation with the other volunteers, where you’ll be introduced to Cape Town and the surrounding areas, as well as to the project staff and volunteers. You’ll also receive a comprehensive overview of the project, the communities in which you’ll be working and your role as a volunteer.

Day 2+

7am: Rise and shine, it’s time to start your day! Enjoy a hearty continental breakfast served at the volunteer lodge, consisting of cereals, toast, tea and coffee.  8.30am: Head to your chosen volunteer project for your morning shift. If you are helping out with emergency foster care, your responsibilities could include implementing fun activities to help the children with their basic development needs, such as social play, gross motor skills, language, numeracy and rhythm. If you’re heading off to community pre-school care, your duties will include story time, music and movement sessions, theme-based lessons, structured play and lesson planning. 12.30am: Head back to the volunteer accommodation for lunch, try some local dishes nearby or eat a packed lunch at the amazing viewpoint! 2pm: In the afternoons, you’ll be supporting an after-school care program or life skills program.  When contributing your time to after-school care, you could be implementing fun and educational games, supporting them with their homework, craft-making, gardening or helping them with their computer literacy or reading. In the life skills program, you’ll be helping children from various challenging backgrounds with important life skills and helping their chances of completing their education. 5pm: You’ll be taken back to the volunteer house where you’ll evaluate the day and discuss the schedule for the following day. 6pm: Enjoy a well-deserved dinner back at the volunteer house with the other volunteers. After dinner, relax and unwind around the house, go to trivia nights, watch movies, head to one of the local pubs or join in on a workshop based around topical issues. Weekends: You’ll generally have weekends off, which gives you the perfect opportunity to explore. Make the most of your time off and partake in some of the optional excursions on offer. These activities include a ‘big 5’ private game reserve safari, a hike to the top of Table Mountain, a hop-on, hop-off Cape Town city sightseeing bus tour, and much more.

Ongoing

We’ll constantly keep in touch with you throughout your stay. If at any point during your trip you need advice or support, our team will be on hand to answer all your questions. Don’t forget you can jump on our social media pages too or buzz our 24/5 emergency support line for urgent matters.

Why choose us

When you travel with the best we take care of pretty much everything so you don’t have to. You’ll arrive to South Africa totally prepared with a plan of action and trusted people helping you along the way. 

Our volunteer trips are designed to help you make a real change in critical causes around the world. All while experiencing off-the-beaten-path locations with passionate locals.

Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it: 

We’re on your side from the moment you get started. 

You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions.

They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave. 

Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here. 

We maintain relationships with a huge network of screened and vetted partner organisations all over the world. We know they’re trustworthy and that you’re in good hands because of all the successful trips Global Travellers keep having with our partners. 

Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way. 

Join 75,000+ travellers – giving us 10,000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true. 

Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance. Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited. So if you’re serious about volunteering in Namibia, don’t delay. 

With our Book Now, Decide Later feature, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take a full year to choose your dates. 

We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and setting you up with our partner in Namibia. 

This is the trip for you if you’re after the ultimate volunteering experience in Namibia, complete with everything you need and 24/5 support.

Click the red button to check dates & prices.

Reviews

Bianca M
The customer service is great. Friendly, helpful and enthusiastic staff. Explained everything clearly and made sure I was comfortable with each part of the process. Really looking forward to my trip.
Zoe C
It was great to hear about what I had read about online and have my questions answered.
Kellie S
Making my life long dream come true!!!!!
Emily T
Such a helpful and lovely team, can't wait for my trip!
Brandon K
Lauren was very helpful and answered all the questions I had and was very very lovely. I am very thankful for all the help Lauren gave me and she helped confirm that this trip was a great idea for me

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

Why do I have to pay to volunteer?

The trip fee covers all the essential trip inclusions that ensure you have a meaningful and safe volunteering experience. It includes comprehensive pre-departure support to assist you throughout your journey. Once you arrive at your destination, the fee covers transportation, accommodation, and in most cases meals and some amazing excursions you'll do alongside other international volunteers. This comprehensive support is essential to provide you with a positive and secure volunteering experience, which is of utmost importance to us. Your trip fee allows us to ensure your well-being while making a meaningful impact, and it contributes to the sustainability and effectiveness of the volunteer projects we support.

Will I receive guidance and support before starting the volunteering trip?

Absolutely! Before starting your volunteer placement, you will receive comprehensive pre-departure support, which includes project-specific information, cultural orientation, and advice on preparing for your journey. Additionally, most trips include on-site training and an orientation to ensure you are well-prepared and confident in your volunteer role.

How do I choose the right volunteer trip for me?

With so many incredible options, we understand that selecting the perfect volunteer trip can be tricky. That's why we recommend booking your favourite one, and your dedicated Trip Coordinator will guide you through the project details. They will consider your interests, skills, desired location, and the impact you want to make. If we find another trip that better suits your preferences, we can easily swap you over to ensure you have the ideal volunteer experience. Rest assured, we're here to help you find the right fit!

How long should I volunteer for?

We offer flexibility in our volunteer trips, allowing you to choose the duration that best suits your schedule and desired experience. While most volunteers join us for 3 or 4 weeks, our trips accommodate durations as short as two weeks or as long as 12 weeks, and even extended stays. The choice is yours!

What ages are most volunteers?

The ages of our volunteers can vary depending on the project, but we have a wide age range. Our volunteers typically range from 18 years old to 85 years old! Our Trip Coordinators ensure that all volunteers are vetted before embarking on their journey. While age may differ, what unites our volunteers is their shared passion for travel and their dedication to making a positive impact in the community or wildlife conservation efforts they are involved in. Regardless of age, anyone with a passion to contribute and explore is welcome to join our volunteer trips.

Is it safe to volunteer overseas?

Safety is our utmost priority, and it drives our thorough trip planning process and comprehensive inclusions. With a successful track record of safely sending tens of thousands of travellers overseas since 2008, we prioritise your well-being throughout the journey. Before you depart, we provide full support, ensuring a smooth and secure experience. Upon arrival, we take care of every detail, including secure airport transfers, comfortable accommodations, usually meals, and dedicated project supervision. Additionally, our 24/5 emergency line ensures immediate assistance whenever needed, providing peace of mind throughout your entire volunteer experience.

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

Still have questions?

Why go Global

Flexible trips

The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.

Worldwide support

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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