Since 2004, African Impact has been at the forefront of delivering life-changing and responsible volunteer and internship programs across Africa. These destinations are full of natural wonders and rich cultural heritage.
We are award-winning experts who live and breathe everything Africa. Our mission is to create long-lasting change and shape our volunteers and students into global citizens who understand the unique political, social, economic aspects of the continent.
The African Impact Story
The year was 2004, and a group of well-traveled individuals gathered in the heart of the Zimbabwean wilderness. With backgrounds in tourism, development, and conservation, they shared a common vision: to create a travel company that truly made a difference. They aimed to introduce people to the authentic Africa they knew - its people, wildlife, and magic.
When we opened our doors to our first batch of international volunteers, we were a small, family-run organization with big dreams. We grew and opened new volunteer projects in new countries across southern Africa. We eventually set up home in the most beautiful city in the world, Cape Town.
As the industry grew we recognized that doing the right thing, being responsible, doing good, and still providing travel experiences was, at times, complicated. We grappled with what we were… a travel company? A tourism company? How was the volunteer experience related to the impact they made? The industry was evolving, and so were we.
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We are incredibly lucky to have an amazing team of people behind African Impact, most who started as volunteers and have been on this journey since the beginning. This is our strength and what has allowed us, over the years, to go beyond volunteering, to focus on what it does best; provide an exchange of ideas and mindsets. We’ve learned that if a community has total buy-in and ownership of a project - and a volunteer is truly informed about their own role and contribution to this - volunteering has the power to transform both a community and a volunteer. That is a beautiful thing and what we witness every day on our projects.
Ultimately, our goal is to take volunteering, internships and group travel as far as it can go, combining genuine impacts with extraordinary experiences. Our story isn’t over, we haven’t even scratched the surface. So, learn more about us, ask the right questions and if we’re the right organization for you, we’re excited to welcome you on our journey.
Why Volunteering in Africa might be a Bad Idea | Nikolay Nedyalkov | TEDxAUBG
The Experience
We believe in the spirit of Africa and that your experience is just as important as your impact. Volunteering is a two-way thing. It’s not just about the help and skills that you can bring; it’s also about what this amazing continent, its people and its wildlife can give you in return. An experience filled with adventure, learning, and breathtaking moments will make sure you go home, share the magic of Africa, and come back. Ultimately, we combine extraordinary experiences with genuine impacts.
The Impact
We know Africa, we live and breathe it every day. We know our communities, our families, our tribes and our staff. We have built every project hand-in-hand with them, meaning it is led and directed by them. We measure every single thing we do, so if you are looking for a part-time, sit-around in the sunshine kind of deal, we’re not for you. Our team of international and local staff live and work with you and will help you contribute to our long-term goals.
The Transformation
This lets us go beyond what the world thinks of as ‘volunteering abroad’ and provides an experience that truly transforms communities and volunteers. Forget the savior complex; it’s out of the door by the time we’re through with our volunteers. We know you go home richer and worldlier. You are better friends, better neighbors and better people. Volunteering in Africa helps to change perceptions and stereotypes about Africa, its people, and its problems, while it provides local communities with an exchange of culture, mindsets and ideas.
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Programs and Destinations
African Impact offers exciting and diverse volunteer and internship programs in 6 different destinations in Africa, each with its own impact areas:
- Kenya: This East African country is a favourite travel destination for many travellers - with world-renowned sites like the Maasai Mara Game Reserve on your doorstep, you can see why!
- Zanzibar: Think endless white sandbanks, crystal clear turquoise waters and breathtaking marine life.
- Zambia: With one third of the country made up of national parks as well as being home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Zambia holds everything that there is to love about Africa.
- Tanzania: This tropical island paradise, located just off the coast of Tanzania, boasts palm tree-lined beaches, crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, and a unique blend of cultures.
- South Africa: A beautiful setting that boasts an abundance of diverse wildlife and varied landscape - ranging from vast grassy savannas to tropical forests.
Ethical Impact and Responsible Travel
Ensuring that our projects are making a viable impact in local communities and contribute sustainably to conservation is our priority. Responsible travel is about travellers making informed and responsible choices, and planning trips which have a positive impact on the country they’re visiting.
Through careful planning, we seek to have a positive and sustainable impact on the social, cultural and physical environment at each of our project bases. African Impact strictly adheres to a non-discrimination policy that prohibits any form of bias or discrimination based on race, color or ethnicity within our projects. African Impact prides itself on being an inclusive organization, and we welcome all members of the LGBTQIA+ community to join our projects.
Volunteer Opportunities
African Impact provides opportunities to contribute to various projects:
- Protecting Africa’s iconic wildlife
- Restoring fragile marine ecosystems
- Empowering young learners in classrooms
- Advancing healthcare in underserved communities
- Teaching English in rural schools
- Promoting gender equality
- Coaching sports that inspire teamwork and confidence
Whether you’re tracking lions across the savannah, supporting marine research beneath the waves, planting trees that fight climate change or capturing the beauty of the wild through photography, your journey leaves a lasting footprint of positive change.
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Reviews and Testimonials
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs:
Participant 1: "I had the best time in Livingstone on the teaching project. You can connect with the students and really see them get better. Also the connection with the community is cool. The house and the staff is amazing. Love these people! They will make you feel at home and the after project activities are amazing. Together you will make a difference in the community. Together you can make a amazing experience for everyone."
Participant 2: "This experience is one of a kind. The people, the placement and the projects! I was volunteering in Livingstone with AI a year ago, but had the chance to come back here once more and I absolutely loved it. I truly am grateful for every moment spent here. Everyone is super welcoming, so encouraging and full of warmth. The projects are well organized and you'll get all support needed to be in your comfort zone. Being able to teach the kids, for the small amount of time I could, at the teaching project has given me so much more in return than I could ever imagine. The time just flies by here with projects during the days, social gatherings in the evenings and weekends full of opportunities for different activities. I made memories that will last me a lifetime and that I dearly will hold on to."
Participant 3: "I fell in love with Africa the first time I visited 20 years ago and have been back several times. I wanted to do volunteer work on my next trip there. My daughter is an environmental science student and also wanted to volunteer doing animal conservation. The African Impact program was recommended to her by one of her professors. They had everything planned once we arrived (airport pick-up, lodging, volunteer activities, optional weekend trips, etc.). They offered guidance with other things like visas, shots, etc. If you go in the winter, bring warm clothes to wear on the early morning game drives. Advice for friends traveling overseas: Be ready to have the adventure of a lifetime and open yourself to new ideas and cultures. Other days, you will go on a game drive, then input data into the computer and have time to listen to talks on animal behavior, poaching, and African culture. Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? I've been abroad several times, so I'm pretty comfortable, but one fear I had was being older than a lot of the participants since the pictures showed a lot of young people. A lot of people at home ask me if going to Africa on a safari is safe. I felt very safe in this program. The people of South Africa are some of the kindest, friendliest people I've ever met. They have the biggest hearts and smiles. As far as being safe from animals, our guides explained that the animals are used to cars being around them and view the car as one large solid object. Countless times I have had close encounters with lions, rhinos, elephants, and cheetahs in a safari car and never had any trouble with them."
Table: Summary of African Impact Programs
| Program Type | Locations | Impact Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Volunteer | Kenya, Zanzibar, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa | Wildlife conservation, community development, education, healthcare, gender equality |
| Internship | Various locations in Africa | Research, conservation, community projects |
