About South Africa

South Africa is one of the most diverse and incredible countries on this planet. It is home not only to South Africans but also to immigrants from all over the world. Eleven languages are recognized in South Africa some of which are Afrikaans, English, isiXhosa and isiZulu. Located at the southern tip of Africa the country is famous for its sunshine and beautiful beaches. The climate is subtropical, moderated by the Atlantic and Indian oceans on both sides of the country and the altitude of the interior plateau. The exotic mix of breath taking landscape, different ethnicities, history and culture makes this country a unique and unforgettable experience for every traveller.   Programs Available Internship South Africa Social Volunteering Animal Volunteering   To learn more about the programs we have available use the links at the top of the screen.

Click on the PDF icon to download program details

Internship Program

 

The internship program offers candidates the opportunity of visiting and learning the South African way of life while improving their professional career in a renowned company in or around Cape Town. There are many different internship areas and a vast range of organizations to choose from. We have a position that suites each profile, interest and skills.

 

There are many available areas to choose from such as:

Accounting/bookkeeping Administration Conservation and animal protection Graphic design Human resources Import/export IT and computer science Law

Marketing Media – TV Politics Print media Sales Social work Sport and leisure Tourism

 

The objective of the program is to find a place which matches the candidate‟s profile, considering the information supplied in the registration form.

 

Length:

from 8 to 24 weeks

 

Lead Time:

3 months

 

Application Requirements

• I 21 years old and over

• Qualifications/background: Good qualification in the area of placement

• The application form signed and completed

• Current resume, letter of motivation, enrolment form

• 1 passport picture

 

Included in the Program Fees

• Creating a tailor-made program according to individual needs
• Assistance in finding long-term accommodation from hostels to furnished apartments
• Assistance in long-term car hire if required
• Airport transfer service
• Escort and introduction on first day
• Advice, assistance, and guidance before, during, and after your stay
• 24 hr emergency number
• A complete information package including a South African SIM card
• A GHS student card which allows discounts at tourist attractions, restaurants, etc.
• Participation in the GHS Social Club (fees apply)

 

Program Fees*

• Application Fee: US$500

• +

• Placement Fee: US$800

 

 

*Please note that payments in different currencies will be charged in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate of the day. You can check the accurate conversion rates at the time of payment at www.xe.com/ucc. Please also note that an international transfer fee of AUD$35 will apply.

 

Coming Soon...

 

Coming soon...

 

Social Volunteering

 

Volunteer Training is a great opportunity to enjoy an authentic adventure with friendly people in a country with a lot to do in community, preservation and cultural projects. The program is opened all year round and is available in different areas of the country. The following are example of some of the projects volunteers work on:

 

There are many available areas to choose from such as:

Heart for Orphans Hope Journey – Children‟s Recovery Hospital Youth at Risk Enabling Disabled Children This Way Up Teach Kids on the Beach

 

Length: Min. 4 weeks

Lead Time: 3 months

 

Application Requirements

• Completed and signed application form

 

Included in the Program Fees

• Placement at a project of choice
• Orientation package
  • Airport transfer
  • 3 nights accommodation
  • Cape Point 1 day sightseeing trip
  • Orientation
  • Hop on Hop off Bus Cape Town sightseeing bus pass
  • Moola Backpacker Discount Card
  • Transfer to accommodation (around Cape Town) or help with transport to Projects countrywide
• All paperwork, placement procedures and liaison with the Volunteer program, appointment of a supervisor for the duration of the program
• A monthly donation to the Volunteer Project, to assist in their funding
• A counsellor, assistance and support during the stay
• A South African SIM card
• Monthly social functions for volunteers to get together and meet other volunteers
• A certificate and report on the volunteer's program should this be required for studies or other purposes
• Accommodation and food or meals for the duration of the volunteer's participation

 

Program Fees*

Please click on the pdf icon in the introduction page to download the prices for the various programs.

 

*Please note that payments in different currencies will be charged in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate of the day. You can check the accurate conversion rates at the time of payment at www.xe.com/ucc. Please also note that an international transfer fee of AUD$35 will apply.

 

Animal Volunteering

 

Australians Abroad offers a wide range of animal volunteer programs in South Africa. These projects are especially interesting for students of Veterinary Science, Biology or Zoology, but students of other fields can also participate.   We have three categories which differ slightly in price and features included:

 

CATEGORY A

 

 

1. Cheetah, Wild Dog & Vultures Project

 

This project is one of the oldest wildlife care and conservation projects for cheetah in Africa. Set in the foothills of the beautiful Magaliesberg Mountains, only an hour's drive from the Pilansberg National Park and the "Lost City". Volunteers will assist with the daily care of many animals found at this 37 year old wildlife care centre. The team at this project will ensure a lifetime experience which involves caring for a variety of animals such as cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena, serval, suni antelope, blue and red duiker, bontebok, riverine rabbit and vultures - including the very rare Egyptian vulture. Many of these have been successfully bred to be released back into the wild, in order to reintroduce such species where they have disappeared, or are no longer abundant.

 

Volunteers will rotate through 3 different project areas and will be involved in many tasks. Some Volunteer duties include:

- Rebuilding & maintenance of animal enclosures

- Visits to local schools with the Cheetah Ambassador

- Data collection (Questionnaire method, Capture-recapture using remote camera trapping, range use)

- Preparing food and feeding the animals

- Snare sweeps, fence inspections and repairs with anti-poaching unit

 

2. Wildlife Care Project

 

This project is based in Hoedspruit, South Africa. The Wildlife Care Centre was established in 1991 and is a haven for sick, injured and problem animals. From lions to hyenas to honey badgers, vultures, cheetah and many more are cared for at this project. It was a heartfelt initiative that could no longer sustain itself, so the idea to raise money from visitors arose. This was done by asking an entry fee to generate income in order to meet the demands of cost to feed animals, to acquire medical supplies and the constant improvement and building of new cages. At this Wildlife Care Centre, volunteers will gain lots of hands-on experience and direct involvement in caring for the animals. Time and day cannot be dictated, for we never know what surprises the day or the animals hold for us.

 

Volunteer involvement:

- The day begins at 7am and all our Volunteers meet at the animal clinic for briefing and daily tasks are allocated.

- The priority of the day will be feeding of all the animals and the cleaning of their enclosures, to prevent contamination and possibilities of getting any sort of illnesses.

- During the day there are lots of general Rehab tasks that need to be taken care of.

-There is no typical day at the Wildlife Care Centre...anything can happen!

 

3. Monkey Project

 

This project is based 120km from Kruger National Park in South Africa. The research begins by studying and documenting the behavioural activities of captive vervet monkeys, baboons and other wildlife species. The results are correlated with studies performed in the wild; on free-ranging vervet monkeys and other species. Once rehabilitated and ready for the wild, these animals are then released back into nature. The results of these research projects have proved that domesticated pet monkeys and other species of wildlife casualties can be rehabilitated and can successfully reintroduced back into the wild.

 

Volunteer involvement:

- Collection and preparation of the animals' food

- Feeding the animals at regular intervals

- Planting and growing fresh vegetables to serve as a source of food for the animals.

- Alterations on existing and building of new enclosures.

- Regular cleaning of the enclosures to prevent any contamination or spread of diseases.

- Caring for sick or injured animals in the on-site clinic such as stitching and dressing wounds, administering medicine and performing regular check-ups on these animals.

- Assisting wih the release of monkeys back into nature and monitoring their progress.

- Volunteers also get the opportunity to communicate with the day-visitors to the park and show them around the facility.

 

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Length: 4 weeks (other project durations are possible, please contact us to find out the prices for different durations)

Lead Time: 3 months

 

Application Requirements

• Completed and signed application form

 

Included in the Program Fees

• Placement at a project of choice
• Airport pick-up and transfer to project
• Accommodation and food for the duration of the volunteer's participation at the project sites
• Transfer back to airport for flight home

 

Program Fees:

Please click on the pdf icon in the introduction page to download the prices for the various programs.

 

 

CATEGORY B

 

1. Great White Shark Internship & Volunteer Program

For more than 20 years, this marine project has been dedicated to the conservation and protection of this critically important marine area where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet at the tip of Africa. This is a rich and uniquely diverse area for research which offers easy access to the "Marine Big 5" – sharks, whales, dolphins, seals and penguins – providing numerous opportunities for research and conservation. The project strives to link responsible eco-tourism including the world’s finest shark cage diving and boat-based whale watching, with our responsibility to conserving and protecting this fragile marine environment. Everything the project does combines research and education with the pleasure of introducing visitors from all over the world to this very special area of the ocean. Programs: 1. Great White Shark Internship Program (Field Research) 2. Great White Shark Volunteer Program (Shark Diving Operations)

 

Length: 1-3 months

Lead Time: 1-2 months

 

Application Requirements

• Completed and signed application form

 

Included in the Program Fees

• Placement at a project of choice
• Transfers between Cape Town and Gansbaai on arrival and departure
• Self-catering accommodation (incl. bedding, coffee, tea, cereals etc)*
• Internet access at accommodation
• Lectures and related activities
• Trips on the boat (weather dependant)
• Program materials
• Welcome pack including 2 x Project t-shirts, 1 x Project cap, 1 x Project jacket (return after completion of pro-gram. This can be purchased at an additional cost.); 1 x pair of water boots (please state shoe size), 1 x DVD of a trip of your choice as well as a bonus and promotional DVD of company.
• Certificate of contribution towards Penguin Nesting Project, Faces of Need, should you stay 2 weeks or longer.
• Volunteer certificate for program participation
• Tour of Gansbaai and surroundings including a Township Tour as well as visit to famous Danger Point Light-house.
• There will be a co-ordinator that will take care of you during your stay.

*Note that meals are not included.

 

 

Program Fees:

Please click on the pdf icon in the introduction page to download the prices for the various programs.

 

 

CATEGORY C

 

1. Animal Charity

Volunteers work with a team of vets who assist animals in townships, enabling communities living way below the breadline to care for their animal. Volunteers will help out with receiving animals that come in from the townships, caring for the animal before and after operations, with fund-raising and office duties, and possibly you could even hold an animal while it is being operated on. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who loves animals with an interest in veterinary science.

Arrival City: Cape Town

Start of Program: any Thursday for Orientation; start volunteering any Monday.

 

2. Healing Through Horses

Volunteers will assist this non-profit organisation which provides free riding instructions and other activities associated with riding for people with disabilities. All pupils ride for free, thus volunteers are the backbone of the program.

Arrival City: Cape Town

Start of Program: Only 4 possible start dates per year; any Thursday for Orientation; start volunteering any Monday.

 

3. Big 5 Wildlife Program

Volunteers will experience a hands-on conservation project in one of South Africa's most scenic Big 5 game reserves. While getting involved in every aspect of conservation management on the reserve, you will grow your skills in conservation and have the experience of a lifetime. The work of the volunteers will include habitat rehabilitation, elephant impact monitoring, game counts, telemetry tracking of lions and much more.

Arrival City: Port Elizabeth or Grahamstown

Start of Program: Any Monday of the month.

 

4. Penguine Rescue

This is an exciting nature conservation opportunity, ensuring the survival of endangered seabird (including penguins) who are victims of oil spills.

Arrival City: Cape Town

Start of Program: any Thursday for Orientation; start volunteering any Monday.

 

5. Chimpanzee Conservation Program

Volunteers will learn about the history and behaviour of chimpanzees and will assist the curator with daily observations of the animals in their wilderness enclosures, and will also patrol the fence line against poachers.

Arrival City: Johannesburg or Nelspruit (take bus or connecting flight from Johannesburg)

Start of Program: First Monday of the month.

 

6. Game Ranger Course

This program is designed to give the learner an in-depth knowledge of the fauna and flora and covers both theoretical and practial training. The theoretical and practical training is covered in one month and allows the participant to spend the maximum possible time in the wilderness, whilst learning about what this beautiful are offers. The theoretical part of the course takes place at our training venue overlooking the Kruger National Park. All practical training is done inside the Kruger National Park on our private concession. This one-month program is accredited with the Tourism Hospitality and Sport Education Training Authority (THETA) of South Africa and endorsed by the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA). The training courses are presented by experienced and highly qualified ex-rangers and field guides.

Arrival City: Johannesburg or Hoedspruit

Start of Program: First Monday of the month.

 

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Length: Min. 2 weeks

Lead Time: 3 months

 

Application Requirements

• Completed and signed application form

 

Included in the Program Fees

• Placement at a project of choice
• Orientation package
  • Airport transfer
  • 3 nights accommodation
  • Cape Point 1 day sightseeing trip
  • Orientation
  • Hop on Hop off Bus Cape Town sightseeing bus pass
  • Moola Backpacker Discount Card
  • Transfer to accommodation (around Cape Town) or help with transport to Projects countrywide
• All paperwork, placement procedures and liaison with the Volunteer program, appointment of a supervisor for the duration of the program
• A monthly donation to the Volunteer Project, to assist in their funding
• A counsellor, assistance and support during the stay
• A South African SIM card
• Monthly social functions for volunteers to get together and meet other volunteers
• A certificate and report on the volunteer's program should this be required for studies or other purposes
• Accommodation and food or meals for the duration of the volunteer's participation

 

 

Program Fees:

Please click on the pdf icon in the introduction page to download the prices for the various programs.

 

*Please note that payments in different currencies will be charged in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate of the day. You can check the accurate conversion rates at the time of payment at www.xe.com/ucc. Please also note that an international transfer fee of AUD$35 will apply.