Determine your goals. It's important to consider why you want to volunteer in Africa before you start making concrete plans. Think about your motivations. Maybe you want to help others less fortunate than you, or perhaps you want to conduct research for your professional or educational endeavors. Understanding your goals will help you narrow your volunteering focus.
Research organizations that offer volunteer opportunities in your chosen country or specialization. Many international aid organizations offer volunteer trips to any person interested in volunteering. In addition, many for-profit companies offering volunteer excursions have formed in the past several years.
Locate African volunteer trips by searching online. Most volunteer organizations now have websites that clearly spell out their volunteer trip options and the associated costs. If you aren't comfortable finding an organization online, consider contacting international aid organizations in your area. It's likely that a few of these organizations will have volunteer opportunities that you can participate in, or they can refer you to other reputable organizations that do.
Consult other volunteers about their experiences. Most volunteer organizations are willing to put you in contact with past volunteers, so take the opportunity to find out about their experiences.
Finalize volunteer plans. Register for your volunteer trip as soon as you make your decision. Many volunteer trips fill quickly, so you might not be able to sign up for your trip if you wait too long. Also, registering early gives you more time to pay for your trip, since most organizations require their volunteers to pay and certain costs, which can run several thousand dollars. Be sure to find out if your fee includes your airline flight. If not, you'll have to purchase that in advance as well.
Schedule vaccinations. Many African countries have high rates of disease, so it's likely that you'll need to obtain several vaccinations before traveling. You can find out the required vaccinations through the Centers for Disease Control or your doctor. Some vaccinations require more than one dose, so you'll want to start the regimen well in advance of your trip.
Prepare for trip. Your volunteer experience in Africa will likely bring you incredible experiences that will change your life. However, it's important to be prepared both mentally and physically before you travel. For the physical aspect, be sure you purchase any supplies you'll need (the volunteer organization will be able to tell you what you'll need for your trip). To mentally prepare, do as much research on your chosen country and volunteer area as you can so you'll have an idea what to expect. Also, be sure to bring a journal or another way to record your experiences and memories.
