The Volunteer South Africa Program begins on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday, so you are welcome to arrive on any Sunday, throughout the year. You will have your Orientation Day on the Monday, and begin at your project on the Tuesday.
Please note that things do get quiet at primary schools during the last 2 weeks of the term, with fewer learners attending school - you're welcome to switch to a kindergarten project during this period. All primary school volunteers will be placed at a childcare/kindergarten project during school holidays. Should you wish to take this period off, to do some tours, explore the city, or just relax at the house, you are more than welcome to do so - these weeks will still count as official program weeks.
School Terms for 2026:
Term 1: 14 January – 27 March
Term 2: 08 April – 26 June
Term 3: 21 July – 02 October
Term 4: 13 October – 09 December
*Most schools will focus primarily on the academic side of thing, during the last 3 weeks of each school term (due to exams/assessments), so sports lessons may not happen during this period - volunteers will then assist in the classroom with revision work.
We understand that flights may be expensive, and you may not always be able to secure a flight to arrive on set arrival dates, we are therefore happy to accommodate last minute bookings even participants who are only able to arrive on a day where they are able to secure an affordable flight.
