Volunteer Opportunities Abroad - Why Africa?

By Jeff Seams

There are hundreds, possibly thousands of volunteer opportunities abroad. Maybe you're thinking of spending part of your gap year volunteering. Perhaps you are taking a career break. Maybe you're a seasoned traveler looking to add volunteering to your list of world experiences. Anybody can get involved in volunteering abroad. But why particularly choose an African volunteer placement?

For many people it's the wildlife volunteering. Places like the famous Antelope Park where you can help with vital work reintroducing the African lion to areas where its population has been dramatically reduced. There can't be much more exciting work for wildlife fans than walking through the bush with a near-adult male at your side!

Of course lions aren't the only African animal in danger and there are many other volunteering opportunities. You can work with rhino, elephants, hippos, cheetahs, wild dogs, etc. The list is almost endless. The huge variety of African wildlife is one of the country's biggest draws whether that's for tourists who are just on safari or others who are part of a voluntary organisation's efforts.

Africa is much more than a volunteer destination for animal lovers though. Although blessed with great natural riches in terms of landscape and ethnic diversity it is, sadly, one of the poorest areas of the world. There is a great need for all kinds of help, be it medical assistance, teaching, infrastructure development or dozens of other tasks. In fabulous destinations like Zanzibar there are startling differences between holiday resorts and the homes of local children who need your help in many different ways.

Likewise South Africa. The Cape has stunning, seemingly endless golden beaches - but you can't eat sand. Across the city of Cape Town there are children living in little more than cardboard boxes. Yet you can help change their lives by teaching volunteering or community assistance. You don't need qualifications, just a willingness to lend a hand.

Volunteering in Kenya offers similar opportunities and challenges, Likewise Zimbabwe..There are volunteer opportunities abroad where you can make a real difference whether you have several months or just a couple of weeks.

If you are considering African volunteering let's not forget your own time. The adventure you can have when not helping others. Sometimes you might want to just go and lie on one of those sun-drenched beaches but Africa is also one of the adrenalin capitals of the world. Imagine bungee jumping at Victoria Falls or white-water rafting down the Zambezi. What about a trek through the bush on an elephant? How about whale watching off the Cape?

Volunteer opportunities abroad don't come with more options than Africa. Whatever you want to do, whatever your skill set or your age, Africa has a place for you where you'll make a really positive impact. You'll have great fun too!

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities abroad you can't make a more positive impact or have a more exciting and rewarding experience than in Africa. Check out Volunteering Africa for loads of info and the chance to get all your questions answered. There's free one-to-one help if you need it.

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Seams

 

© 2010 EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved Worldwide.