Planning Your Trip
Visa stuff
South Africa
You can volunteer in South Africa on a tourist visa for a duration of up to three months. A tourist visa can be extended once while in South Africa. For longer stays, like long-term volunteering, you will need to apply for a volunteer visa at your nearest South African Embassy.
Whether you can receive your tourist visa upon arrival at the airport in South Africa or whether you need to apply for a tourist visa at an Embassy depends on your nationality. For the latest details and more information visit www.dha.gov.za or contact the South African Embassy in your home country.
Namibia
A new online application form for the visa-on-arrival process is being finalised and will be available soon.
The new visa policy is set to be implemented on 1 April 2025.
The fee for a visa-on-arrival will be approx. N$1,600 (around EUR 80,-)
You will need to have a passport which is still valid for 6 months after your date of arrival in the country. Your passport will also need at least two blank pages for visa stamps. All visitors must also have a valid return ticket.
Usually, you can volunteer in Namibia on a tourist visa for up to 90 days. You will receive the visa at the airport when entering the country. Extensions for a further three months are available from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek. However, some nationals need to apply for a visitor’s visa at a Namibian Embassy in their home country before travelling.
For the latest information, contact the Namibian Embassy in your home-country.
Botswana
You are allowed to stay and volunteer in Botswana on a tourist visa for up to 90 days. Days that you spend on arrival and departure in South Africa count towards the 90 days for Botswana as well.
A tourist visa is given to citizens of most European and Commonwealth countries and a few more.
Countries include: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, UK, USA.
If you are from any other country, you may need to apply for a tourist visa at the embassy in your home country. Visas can be extended in Botswana at the Home Affairs office one month before your visa expires.
The point of entry into Botswana is the Platjan border post between Botswana and South Africa. Passports must be valid with at least six months remaining until expiry, and at least two blank pages left in them.
Tanzania & Zanzibar
Please note that regulations of entry permits, fees, conditions, etc. may vary from country to country. Generally, but not necessarily applicable to every country, the visa for Tanzania and Zanzibar is obtained upon arrival.
It is in everyone’s own interest and responsibility to inform themselves about visa processes of their own country when travelling.Please request a volunteer visa. The visa fee is usually $50.
Visa process at the airport and documents needed:
The visa fee is usually paid in cash (you may pay in dollars, euros or Tanzanian schilling) In rare cases only, credit cards are accepted. It is advised to bring some extra cash.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 (six) months from the date of entry.
- 2 empty pages in your passport for visa stamps.
- Return ticket/itinerary.
- Bring a printed copy of the invitation letter we send you.
- Fill out the form you receive upon entry. Make sure to also include the information indicated on your invitation letter.
To guarantee entry into Zanzibar, you also need to show proof of your special travel insurance – purchased through the Zanzibar Insurance corporation as stated under “Insurance”. This does not apply to stays in Tanzania.
Pay attention to the travel information we send out before your departure!
