African Impact is a multi-award winning volunteer travel organisation operating responsible and sustainable volunteer projects and internship programs throughout Southern and East Africa.
Founded in 2004 in Zimbabwe, we have 10 years’ experience and have facilitated over 10,000 volunteers in 12 countries across the continent, making us the largest on-the-ground African specialists in volunteer tourism. We seek to maximise the positive impact of voluntourism in Africa, both for volunteers and for communities and conservation efforts.
We truly believe in making a difference and seek to maximise the positive impact of voluntourism in Africa, both for volunteers and for communities and conservation efforts. To us, volunteering is a two-way thing. It’s not just about the hands-on help and skills that volunteers bring; it’s also about what this amazing continent, its people and its wildlife can give those volunteers in return.
To ensure the sustainability of our projects, we thoroughly evaluate each potential project with a detailed scorecard before setting up a volunteering program. This involves analysing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of a project as well as its long-term viability and impact. Also, every single one of our projects has community stakeholders. We won’t run a project unless the community not only wants us there, but actually has ownership of the project. Community buy-in is essential.
At African Impact we take a holistic approach to the implementation and running of our projects. We always aim to integrate ourselves into every level of the community working from grass roots to local governments. We have a core emphasis on learning and empowerment for all involved – changing the lives of people in the communities we impact, our volunteers and all African Impact staff.
We offer volunteer projects and internship programs all year round. Our volunteer fee covers all food and accommodation, airport collection and transfers, transport to and from projects, 24 hour support from trained staff on the ground and comprehensive orientation sessions.
My feedback gives high and lows for the group as a whole. I was not a fan of the experience. There are certain activities I hoped to follow through on instead of supporting other conservation programs especially since I wasn’t there long, it will be good to see data being used in a journal that conservationists will be able to access. I think some of the procedures are misleading.
In 2014 I went to volunteer in South Africa and arranged the experience through The Global Work & Travel Co. When I arrived I found out I was actually volunteering with African Impact and that Global Work & Travel were just a booking agent. It worked out more expensive than applying direct with African Impact so make sure you book direct with AI if you are going to apply. If you are looking to volunteer in Africa I really recommend African Impact, I loved my experience!
For years, I wanted to go to Africa to help with wildlife conservation. One day, I decided to stop sitting around and to make this a reality. I researched which organizations to go through, and the highest rated was African impact! They were so helpful and understanding, and made the process smooth. I spent one month in South Africa and was fortunate enough to go at a time where we traveled to two different reserves, and even travel through Swaziland! The guides are so knowledgeable about the cultures and wildlife, and I learned so much about the plants and trees too! My life changed when I was able to meet a bull elephant. Thank you African Impact, I only hope I was able to make my impact too. <3
Hi, I'm Martina and I'm from Milan, Italy. I decided to go to Tanzania with African Impact to do my best to help, as much as I could, the beautiful community of the island of Zanzibar. I spent just two weeks there but I wish I could have stayed longer: I had an amazing time and the project was wonderful. We spent time helping the local teachers at the nursery schools and then, in the afternoon, every volunteer had to teach an english class to a group of young students with a great motivation.
I'd really like to return to Zanzibar for a longer period, because the experience of volunteering with African Impact was just amazing. I loved every second I spent there and I miss Africa, Zanzibar and especially its people and their smiles every single day.
My time at Antelope Park was filled with unforgettable memories I will always cherish. The time flew by and I wish I could have stayed longer than 3 weeks. This is a great program for animal lovers but be prepared to work hard so that you can give the most back. I chose to work everyday aside from my 4 day trip to Victoria Falls (a huge highlight of my entire trip and something I highly recommend!) I worked with the horses weekdays and then on other projects on weekends. I loved how flexible African Impact was at allowing you to experience so much. It was incredible to get to work with the lions and learn more about the program. Early morning walks with the elephants was one of my favorite activities and perhaps most rewarding was working on the community project. As a stables volunteer, you will no doubt lead many safaris for the guests but there was less riding time than I thought there would be coming in. I spent a lot of my time doing the daily chores around the stables, which I did enjoy. My last week we got to choose some activities to do which included: fast sunrise rides, jumping the cross country course, going on a horse swim and playing polo cross. Make sure you take advantage of all the once in a lifetime opportunities and perhaps most of all get to know those around you. The people I met are some of the most interesting, inspiring and awesome people I have ever had the chance of knowing. I am so grateful to walk away with friendships around the world and many many many priceless memories!
