from 1,866€

Excellent 4.8rating (877)

Real Africa Encounter

location
6 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • 80% of PMGY volunteers are 18-22 years old
  • Take in the best of Africa in one trip
  • Exciting weekend travel opportunities available across each country
  • Embrace new cultures, adventures and communities with new friends
  • Visit Cape Coast, Serengeti National Park and Table Mountain in your free time

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Groups

About the program

Spend a life-changing 6, 9 or 12 weeks of volunteering across the world’s second-biggest continent in Ghana, fascinating Tanzania & epic South Africa! 🌍

PMGY’s Real Africa Encounter provides the opportunity to spend a life-changing 6-12 weeks volunteering across the world’s second-biggest continent. Get to grips with Ghana, travel the core of Tanzania and soak up the delights of South Africa. Something special about Africa touches the soul. For ...

About the program

PMGY’s Real Africa Encounter provides the opportunity to spend a life-changing 6-12 weeks volunteering across the world’s second-biggest continent. Get to grips with Ghana, travel the core of Tanzania and soak up the delights of South Africa. Something special about Africa touches the soul. For the reason that it is a continent of 54 immensely diverse countries. Some of these countries remain deeply troubled. On the other hand, other countries have been profoundly uplifted. On this 6, 9 or 12 week Africa Gap Year experience, you will undertake volunteer opportunities abroad in 3 of the continents most visited destinations.

Whether you’re a wide-eyed first-timer or a frequent visitor, Africa cannot fail to get under your skin. The canvas upon which the continent’s epic story is written is itself astonishing. Furthermore, Africa has few peers when it comes to natural beauty. From the endless rippling dunes of the Sahara to the signature savannah of the east, the continent will leave you amazed. In the same vein, jagged mountains, green-tinged highlands and 100s of years of culture are all to be explored. Volunteer in Africa on this once in a lifetime trip and choose the trip duration, volunteer projects and travel experiences that are right for you.

HOW IT WORKS

The Africa Gap Year experience has start dates all year round. Moreover, participants can choose the trip duration that is right for them when completing volunteer work in Africa. There is 6, 9 and 12 week gap year in Africa options to choose from on the online application. All programs commence on the first Sunday of each month, but alternate start dates can be considered on request.

Should you choose the 6-week option you will spend 2 weeks volunteering in each of Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa. In the same vein, should you choose a 9-week Africa Gap Year experience, you will spend 3 weeks volunteering in each destination. Likewise, the 12 week program will see you join us for 4 weeks in each of the three countries.

Volunteers will need to plan their flight schedules to match their country-specific trip dates. Therefore, you will need to arrange your inbound flight to arrive in Ghana for the beginning of the Africa Gap Year experience. Your outbound flight will need to depart out of South Africa once your time on the program is completed.

In addition, you will need to budget and plan your intermediary flights for your Africa Gap Year experience. More specifically, you will need to book flights from Ghana to Tanzania and then Tanzania into South Africa matching your specific trip dates. This may sound a little complicated, but rest assured, the PMGY team are on-hand for assistance.

Across your Africa Gap Year Experience, you will meet plenty of other travellers and volunteers along the way! The numbers and types of people you will encounter will change as you move from country to country. This will allow you to make many friendships and share experiences with a range of people on your Africa encounter journey!

You can choose any of the standard Africa volunteer programs in each country during the online application process. Please note, some volunteer projects may be subject to availability and you should only select one project to each destination. Additionally, there may be an additional cost associated with some projects. Any additional costs will be made clear next to the volunteer project option during the online application. You can explore your volunteer options in each destination below. It will be an unforgettable 6-12 weeks!

VOLUNTEER IN GHANA (2, 3 OR 4 WEEKS)

Your first stop will be Ghana. It is a friendly, energetic and culturally rich country. Moreover, it is full of diverse wildlife, amazing beaches and gorgeous hinterland. In addition, we cannot forget the affable locals who make Ghana what it is. It’s no wonder Ghana is sometimes labelled ‘Africa for beginners’. From the history of Cape Coast castle to the elephants at Mole National Park, your weekends in Ghana are never dull!

During your time here on the gap year programs in Africa, you will get to experience just how vibrant Ghana is. Most noteworthy, you will embrace all aspects of day-to-day life in Ghana. This is because you will make a positive impact through volunteering in local communities Monday-Friday. In evenings and weekends, you will have the chance to embrace the cultural understanding and further exploration of Ghana.

International volunteers support community projects based in Kumasi. You can choose to help care for Ghanaian children. Alternatively, showcase your teaching English skills to help children improve their future job prospects. In addition, you can choose your volunteer project in Ghana to be a hospital-based experience. Medical volunteering provides you with first-hand experience and insight into the Ghanaian health care system. In the same vein, join our mental health project to specialise in the mental health history and procedures of Ghana. You will be able to select your volunteer in Ghana project during the online application.

VOLUNTEER IN TANZANIA (2, 3 OR 4 WEEKS)

Your second stop is in Tanzania. Tanzania has many, many highlights but it’s frequently billed as ‘the’ place to safari. There is much to love about this magical country. For example, the country boasts idyllic beaches, world-class national parks and is topped off with the stupendous Mount Kilimanjaro. Furthermore, the exotic delights of Moshi Hot Springs and Zanzibar also await you in Tanzania. In short, the adventure travel opportunities of Tanzania makes it an unforgettable part of your Africa gap year experience.

Not only will you get the chance for adventure but also to volunteer in Arusha. As a result, you can make a huge difference in volunteering at one of our community-based projects. Teach in a school or volunteer in a children’s home in one of the most extraordinary places in the world. Alternatively, kick start your medical career combining learning with wide-ranging medical exposure in a hospital or clinic. You will be able to select your volunteer in Tanzania project during the online application.

VOLUNTEER IN SOUTH AFRICA (2, 3 OR 4 WEEKS)

Your final stop is South Africa. The second largest of nine provinces, the Eastern Cape is situated along South Africa’s eastern coast. It is the homeland of the Xhosa-speaking nation and birthplace of Nelson Mandela. The diverse landscape ranges from the dry, desolate Great Karoo to the under-developed, lush Wild Coast. In the same vein, the Eastern Cape offers an abundance of activities for your gap year travel in Africa. For example, enjoy surf experiences, take in a `Big 5’ game reserve safari or climb Cape Towns table mountain.

Your volunteer locations in South Africa are varied, but still within the Eastern Cape. We have community-based projects in Cape Town. Alternatively, we also have wildlife-conservation projects based in Port Elizabeth. Despite a number of years of relative prosperity, Cape Town still suffers from endemic social problems. More specifically, extreme poverty still persists today in Cape Town. Port Elizabeth is a more laid-back city. The centre is surrounded by wildlife reserves home to masses of flora and fauna.

You can choose your volunteer project in South Africa to help provide childcare facilities to struggling families. More specifically, working with children who come from some of Cape Town’s disadvantaged communities. In the same vein, you can have the opportunity to learn as a teachers assistant volunteering at a local school. Alternatively, move away from the hustle and bustle of Cape Town and choose to volunteer on a game reserve on a structured conservation project. Port Elizabeth is the only project location you can engage in wildlife conservation projects on the Africa Gap Year experience. You will be able to select your volunteer in South Africa project during the online application.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ON THE PMGY ENCOUNTERS

Different Experiences Across Different Destinations - The PMGY Encounter programs are designed to provide a varied experience across some fascinating and unique destinations. Although we try and design our program set ups in the same way your volunteer experience in each destination is very varied. For example, some destinations provide a more basic accommodation set up but a high impact volunteer role, others are more touristy and therefore your role at the project is more limited, teams have different safety policies depending on the local environment etc. Therefore, please remain open-minded when joining our program across different destinations as each country offers a completely individual experience.

Flights Not Included - None of the flights the itinerary are included within the Program Fee for this itinerary. You should therefore budget accordingly for the main international flights from/to your home location and then the relevant internal flights across the Encounter destinations.



Typical day

Almost every day you will be doing something different on this adventure, but here are three examples of what you might be doing in each country.

Ghana
Today you will have your main orientation. We’ll kick the day off with refreshing your knowledge of the local area, how to locate the nearest shop, ...

Typical day

Almost every day you will be doing something different on this adventure, but here are three examples of what you might be doing in each country.

Ghana
Today you will have your main orientation. We’ll kick the day off with refreshing your knowledge of the local area, how to locate the nearest shop, ATM, bus stop etc. We’ll then head into town to show you around Kumasi city centre to check out the Manhyia Palace and Armed Forces Museum (entrance fee costs is around £4 for both sites). We will assist you with any currency exchange, help you pickup anything you may need and show you around all the main points of interest such as western restaurants, banks and tourist areas. We will also visit the project that you will be working on and introduce you to the staff. After a traditional Ghanaian lunch in the city we will make our way back to the Volunteer House for the theoretical part of your orientation. In the afternoon we’ll go through the important safety and health information you should follow during your time in Ghana. We’ll teach you more about the Ghanaian way of life, cultural differences and teach you the basics of the main language in Ghana – Twi. We will then give you some tips on what to do in your free time. That evening, you’ll have a traditional drumming and dancing lesson with one of our local coordinators.

Tanzania

It’s time to start your volunteer placement. Our local team will travel with you to the project on your first day to ensure you receive a comprehensive introduction to the project. This will give you the opportunity to meet your new colleagues, learn about the project and exactly how you will fit in. We will also work with you to develop your weekly schedule and answer any last minute questions you may have. As the week continues your confidence will grow and you will begin to really come into your own.

South Africa

Welcome to South Africa! Volunteers will be picked up at Cape Town airport by a local backpacker bus. The driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals section holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be taken to our Volunteer House in downtown Cape Town. The journey will take around 30 minutes and will allow you to gather your first glimpses of this amazing country. The rest of the day is yours to spend relaxing and getting to know your fellow volunteers.


Free-time activities


Free-time activities



Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

You should also be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas then these must be declared to us during your online application.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 14:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Plan My Gap Year

Program fees include:
  • Accommodation 
  • Ghana Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
  • Tanzania Meals (Breakfast & Dinner)
  • South Africa Meals (Breakfast Monday-Friday)
  • Airport Pick Ups
  • In-Country Orientation
  • 24 Hour Support

Airport Pickup at Kumasi Airport

You should arrive into Kotoka International Airport (airport code ACC) on the Sunday. The airport pickup is available 24 hours. 

On arrival, a member of our local team will be at the waiting area for you holding a PMGY Ghana sign. They will drive you straight to our partner hotel where you can relax and settle in. The hotel is around 15 minutes away from the airport.

Accommodation

Ghana

  • Your first night in Ghana will be spent at a hostel near to Kotoka International Airport in Accra. Our partner hostel offers basic but comfortable accommodation. You will share a room with fellow volunteers. Rooms are air conditioned here. A member of the PMGY Ghana team will also stay at the hostel to ensure you have 24/7 support and will travel with you to Kumasi the following day.
  • During your time with PMGY in Ghana you will live in our Volunteer House located in a friendly neighbourhood, 45 minutes drive from Kumasi city centre. You will find restaurants, convenience stores and ATMs in the centre of town. There is a small shop opposite the Volunteer House. The local community are extremely friendly. As soon as you step out of the house you’ll be greeted by smiling children! Just one of the amazing experiences you’ll have with PMGY in Ghana.

Tanzania

  • You will stay at our Volunteer House in Arusha. This is a cosy house located just 5 minutes walk from central Arusha in a quiet neighbourhood.
  • Rooms are shared, up to 6 people per room. Each volunteer is provided with a mosquito net. The shared bathrooms have warm showers and western toilets. The house has a living area with a TV and comfy sofas to relax in during the evening. There is also a communal kitchen where you can prepare meals and store food in the refrigerator. Please note that power cuts are fairly commonplace in Tanzania although they tend not to last more than a couple of hours.
  • The house does not have Wi-Fi but there are internet cafes nearby where you can get online for around £1 per hour. Alternatively you can purchase a USB internet dongle for £15 and this will allow you to connect to the internet at all times via your laptop. A weekly laundry service available for £3 per person, or you can choose to hand wash your clothes. We have a cook who will prepare your meals and a cleaner who will maintain the house. There is also a night guard employed for extra security.
South Africa

  • During your time on the South Africa volunteer programs, you will live in our Volunteer House. This is located in Observatory - this is Cape Town’s most bohemian suburb; an arty district. The main entertainment area is located only a 10 minute walk from the hostel, along lower Main Road. During the day, this road is home to various boutique shops, restaurants and cafes. However, at night, the street comes to life, with a vibrant nightlife.

  • The house has a communal area for volunteers to hang out after completing volunteer work in South Africa. Moreover, the Volunteer House comes with sofas, a flat-screen TV and DVD player. In addition, there will also be fridge space and locker space.
  • The accommodation is basic but comfortable. Moreover, Wi-Fi is available free of charge. Each room has bunk beds with up to 8 people per room (on a single-sex basis). Bathrooms are shared, with showers and western-style toilets.

Food & Beverages

Ghana

  • Volunteers will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day during their time with PMGY. Breakfast and dinner are served at the Volunteer House, whereas for lunch we provide you with a packed lunch or the project may provide you with lunch.
  • Please note most meals will incorporate lots of carbs and not so much dairy or meat compared to the UK so please be open minded around this! It may take you a few days for your body to accustom to the local food as well.
  • Pork, lamb and beef are difficult to source in Ghana and usually quite expensive. The main meat is chicken, fish and goat. There is also a real lack of fresh dairy products, so you should be prepared to live without milk and cheese etc. Most milk is tinned.
  • There are a number of western restaurants around a 45 minute drive out from the accommodation should you fancy picking up some home comforts. There are also some Chinese and Indian restaurants in Kumasi. Our local team will tell you all about the options available to you during your in-country orientation.

Tanzania

  • Volunteers receive breakfast and dinner at the Volunteer House, which are freshly prepared on-site by our cook. Meals are a mixture of Tanzanian and western cuisine. You should budget around £2 per day for lunch if you plan to eat local meals or £4 to £5 for western food.
  • Generally, we have a two-week rotating menu, which offers a varied choice of meals. For breakfast, you will receive cereal, or fruit salad, or boiled eggs, or a Spanish omelet, or pancakes.
  • For your evening meal you may have pasta, lentils and chapatti, burgers (beef and veggie), or banana and potato stew.
  • There are western supermarkets in Arusha where you can purchase food and store it at the house if you’d like to prepare your own lunch/meals.

South Africa

  • You will be provided with breakfast from Monday to Friday. You will need to purchase your own lunch and dinner during the working week (Mon-Fri) and all meals at the weekend. Please note that although the Volunteer House has a kitchen, this is quite small and makes cooking meals difficult if the house is very busy, so it may be easier to eat out. You should budget around £40 per week for meals not included.
  • For breakfast we provide yoghurt, fruit, cheese, bread, jams, tea and coffee, peanut butter, eggs etc. Volunteers just help themselves – all cutlery and crockery etc is provided. Dinner is provided at a local restaurant where volunteers all eat together, the restaurant is a short walk from the Volunteer House. Typical meals include spaghetti bolognese, curry, burgers and chips, fish, salads, pasta and vegetables.
  • If you fancy eating out there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and local amenities in the surrounding area. Long Street, Cape Town’s premier nightlife destination is only 10 minutes away by public transport.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Kumasi Airport (KMS) in Kumasi. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ghana provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This program starts on the 1st Sunday of every month

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

6 weeks (min. stay) 1,866€
9 weeks 2,370€
12 weeks (max. stay) 2,874€
Average fees 275€/week

Program fees

275€ per week 6 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

6 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Plan My Gap Year during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Plan My Gap Year

Excellent 4.8 rating (877 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Josh

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK.

Meet your organization

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK. We provide safe, affordable, need-driven volunteer programmes from 1 to 24 weeks in 11 countries worldwide.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US…

Founded by volunteers for volunteers, Plan My Gap Year works with local communities in the developing world towards long-term sustainable goals. We know there is no better way to travel and make a positive impact on the world.

We work extremely hard to ensure that our opportunities are affordable for everyone who wants to make a difference. So fees are 100% transparent, something our volunteers really appreciate.

Plan My Gap Year structured programmes create the perfect platform for you to see the world, meet like-minded people and engage in meaningful volunteer work. We have teams in the UK and in our host destinations who will support you 24/7 throughout your time with us. Furthermore, every project on our network is regularly risk-assessed by our UK team to ensure our set up is safe and that our volunteers are making a positive impact.

There is also a great social element to our programmes. Plan My Gap Year puts you in touch with all your fellow volunteers via Facebook before you set off. Our projects receive volunteers from around the world throughout the year, so even if you’re travelling solo, you’re going to meet heaps of people along the way. Plus you’ll have plenty of opportunity to travel the country with your newfound travel buddies – it’s all part of the PMGY experience!

So if you’re thinking of doing something a bit different on your next trip abroad, then why not drop us a line and find out what extraordinary things you could be doing.

AFFORDABLE & TRANSPARENT FEES

Our aim is to make our programmes accessible to motivated travellers irrespective of their financial capacity. Plan My Gap Year focuses on providing the core requirements of a volunteer programme: safety, structure and sustainability.

We are 100% transparent with our fees. That way you know exactly how much of your money goes towards the local community.

Compared to the large majority of volunteer organisations out there, even most charities and not-for-profits, PMGY’s opportunities are significantly cheaper. Furthermore, as our reviews will testify, our support service and structured programmes are second to none.

SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

Your safety is our top priority. All of Plan My Gap Years' programmes have been personally inspected and vetted by the PMGY team – which is not an industry standard by any means. We carry out independent risk assessments on an annual basis and our local teams constantly review the safety precautions we implement. This includes regular staff and safety appraisals.

 Our local teams are made up of highly experienced volunteer coordinators. They have hosted international volunteers for many years and are prepared to react in the unlikely event of an emergency. Whatever the problem, big or small, our local teams are available around the clock.

As part of our commitment to your safety, we keep in constant communication with local embassies and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to ensure we can identify potentially dangerous situations and act upon them immediately. Our UK team are available 24/7 to assist volunteers and their families.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

We support our volunteers every step of the way. Before you go we will provide you with a detailed Volunteer Handbook, which will guide you through how to prepare for your trip. This Handbook contains literally everything you need to know – from what to pack, to how to obtain a visa, to local language guides.

Our experienced UK team are always available to provide assistance. Plan My Gap Year is always available to answer our questions and support you in anyway we can. 

On arrival, a member of our in-country team will collect you from the airport and help you settle in. Your orientation course will teach you everything you need to know about the country, how to stay safe and what to expect from your upcoming volunteer experience. 

Our local team are on-call 24/7. Whether you’ve lost your passport or just want some help in planning a weekend trip, our friendly in-country coordinators provide that safety net to ensure you are well looked after.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

Plan My Gap Years' responsibility is not limited to our travellers but also the projects we support. That is why all our volunteers must provide a Criminal Background Check before they travel.

It is essential that our projects are need-driven and sustainable. We work closely with our local partners to ensure that our volunteers are contributing to bring about long-term development.

PERSONAL TOUCH

We really know our programmes. Our UK team have stayed in the accommodation, volunteered at the projects and met the volunteers. We carefully assess each application we receive so that your personality and skills are suited to the project. Whatever your query, you can feel assured that you will be speaking to someone who can tell you exactly what to expect.

HAVING FUN

One of the best aspects of volunteering is meeting some amazing like-minded people. We place over 2,000 volunteers every year so wherever and whenever you go, you have the peace of mind in knowing you will be living and working alongside other PMGY volunteers. In many of our destinations, we run our own Volunteer House accommodation, which ensures all volunteers live together, and therefore guaranteeing a strong social element. In addition, our local team are always there to help you plan any independent travel or give you some tips for what to do at the weekend.

877 reviews · rating4.8

Laura Gracia rating5

2023 at Real Africa Encounter

I did the Real Africa Encounter for 6 weeks, so visited Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa for 2 weeks each. I felt safe in all of the three countries, PMGY really offers you the best local team, you get to become friends with them and you feel protected. I did the teaching programme in Ghana, ...
Sophia Hölscher rating4.6

2023 at Real Africa Encounter

I did the Real African Experience, meaning I visited three different countries in Africa. Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, each beautiful in their own way. That way I got to get to know a lot of different cultures, see the beautiful landscape and nature and meet amazing people from all over the world. ..
vivien Pink rating4.4

2022 at Real Africa Encounter

The time in Ghana was amazing! I already noticed that the stuff is very nice, when I arrived at the airport. It took us a long time to get out of the airport, so we were a little bit late, but the coordinator who was waiting for us was just happy that we are here and smiled all the time. The other ...
Kamiel van Kooten rating4.6

2021 at Real Africa Encounter

Last three months I went to Ghana and Tanzania with PMGY. Everything well organized and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if you ask me. My trip was a perfect combination between supporting the community with the voluntary work and going on day trips to explore the wonderful landscapes of Africa. For ...
Arthur rating5

2021 at Real Africa Encounter

I travelled the Great Africa experience over 6 weeks with PMGY. I started in South africa at the kwantu reserve which was so amazing and great for animal lovers. However if you are there longer than 2 weeks it can get repetitive unless you do the 8 week ranger program. I went to tanzania where the ...
Lucy rating5

2021 at Real Africa Encounter

I just want to first say a massive thank you to everyone at PMGY for making my experience in Ghana so amazing! The team went above and beyond to ensure we were supported through every step of the process. The multiple to opportunities PMGY gave me during my 4 weeks allowed me to fully submerge ...

Location

Africa > Western Africa > Ghana > Kumasi

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