South Africa: Travel guide, visas and free housing · 2026

NNataljanataljauk · Dec 26, 2025Read

🌍 Ready to make a REAL impact? Volunteer in South Africa and support kids, protect wildlife, help communities, and explore a country full of culture and adventure. ✨ Programs from 2–12 weeks — just enough time to change the world and yourself. This isn’t just a trip—it’s your chance to create real change from day one! Volunteering in South Africa | Agency IEC

ККсенияTrix33311 · Aug 10, 2012Read

Yesterday, August 9th, was a holiday in South Africa. Women's Day, or International Women's Day. I was wandering around, waiting for a call from the club where I wanted to get a job. It never came. My mood was really, really not great. Although, some nice guys at a shop gave me a pink badge that says "I am a super extraordinary woman!" It's a small thing, but it was nice. By the evening, I felt really sad because everyone around was celebrating, and I was just wandering the city alone. I got to the hostel and started complaining about life to my friends. It's embarrassing, honestly. I'm here in South Africa and still complaining. But what can you do! Anyway. A new roommate moved in. A very sweet girl from Brazil named Lígia. And what do you think? My sadness was blown away like the wind! Because she invited me to go out and have fun)) I'll tell you about our night out in the next post)

ККсенияTrix33311 · Aug 7, 2012Read

It is WINTER in Africa right now. Yes, winter. And it is quite cold here! It happens. When I first arrived, it was sunny and warm. When I went to explore the beaches, the weather was perfect) I was in shorts! The locals passing by in down jackets were giving me strange looks... oh well! Now it has gotten colder. It is impossible to go out without a leather jacket. There has been a very strong wind for the last two days! I was almost blown off my feet on the coast today. But the waves are so beautiful... the ocean is angry! It is funny that closer to our winter, the long-awaited warming will begin in South Africa, but I will be heading to Russia just then. Back to the cold weather) So, the weather is not great, it is too cold to swim and sunbathe. Consequently, there are no tourists. Almost. No tourists - no work! That is how it is. Adding my photos. By request of Irych, who seems to have missed me)

ККсенияTrix33311 · Aug 7, 2012Read

Hey guys! Sorry for the long break. I just couldn't bring myself to write anything. Right now, I'm sitting in a hostel, watching some silly horror movie with all my roommates. We're like one big family! We've all sprawled out on the sofas watching it. Nationalities? You name it! A couple from Poland, a Brazilian, a South African, a German, an Englishman, a Spaniard, and me, a Russian. It's all pretty funny, don't you think? Yesterday, I was cooking goulash in the shared kitchen, and a German, a Spaniard, and a South African were cooking there with me. It's so much fun talking to them; it's like talking to people from another planet! And imagine my feelings when suddenly, in a kitchen in South Africa, I heard the song "Dark Eyes" being performed by a Spaniard! Amazing! Then everyone got interested, I showed them the lyrics, and everyone decided to learn it. So, I'm promoting Russian culture, my friends! Now, a little about the English language. Once again, I'm convinced that knowing a foreign language is a miracle! I suddenly understand people who are completely unlike me or anyone I know. English unites us; I love this language! Of course, I realized that my upper-intermediate level consists mainly of knowing grammar and various nuances, rather than speaking. But that's okay, I think I'll catch up. Learn languages, my friends, learn them! That's my advice to you. And by the way, in South Africa, EVERYONE knows English. It's an official language. There are a million other languages here. As many tribes as there are, there are that many languages. BUT, everyone still knows English. Even the minibus drivers who came from Kenya!

ООльгаSouthAfrica · Oct 26, 2011Read

We received this list at the International Exchange Center when applying for the program, but Marina (our coordinator) warned us right away that the South African embassy is a bit strange and often asks for something new. We confirmed this later on, but here are the details about the documents: 1. Application form - nothing complicated here, just another form in English :)))) 2. 1 passport size photo - a passport-style photo; you will need 2 more later for the embassy. 3. Copy of passport - international passport + national passport (a copy of the registration page is mandatory). 4. Letter of motivation - time to use your imagination and write about how much you want to see penguins and get to know such a beautiful country as South Africa))) and don't forget to have someone check it, since it's all written in English. 5. CV - resume, write about how wonderful and hardworking you are, also in English. 6. Proof of student status (full time students) (if graduated copy of Diploma not later than half a year after graduation) - actually, I study in the evening department, so I asked them to just state 'full time student in evening' in the translation, and this certificate must also include the university graduation date. 7. Medical report - this is a very funny document. The form is provided by the International Exchange Center; it has a huge list of diseases and is all in English. You need to find a place where they can stamp it to confirm you aren't sick... yeah... doctors wave their hands when they see it =) 8. Copy of the police clearance report - this is one of the longest documents to get, it takes from 3 weeks, so as soon as you decide to join the program, run to get this certificate! You don't need an apostille, a translation is enough. 9. Insurance details - insurance, done at the International Exchange Center, costs about $300. 10. Bank statement about sufficient funds - a bank statement for the last 3 months, valid for 2 weeks, and it's only needed at the embassy. I want to note that the statement can only be from your own account or your parents' account... Meaning neither a brother, sister, nor grandmother can be your sponsors... Also, you need to provide a 2-NDFL form (also valid for 2 weeks) to the embassy, flight reservations, and at the time of visa issuance, you need to bring purchased tickets and a sponsorship letter (in English). I hope I didn't forget anything... It took me almost 6 months to collect all these documents, but I wasn't in a hurry. Thanks to Marina for not letting me give up in early September and cancel the trip!

АМАнгелина Мардоянmardoyanal · Feb 24, 2024Read

I have been a volunteer for over a year now, but I have always wanted to gain such experience abroad. My choice fell on South Africa. Quite unusual, isn't it? But there were reasons for that. Our university has many international students, including those from Africa. I have been their mentor for 2 years, I enjoy working with them and helping them adapt, which is why I became interested in Africa specifically. Besides, Russian citizens do not need a visa to go there, and the costs are much lower compared to Europe. It is also a great way to practice English and gain teaching experience! The journey is very long; unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Moscow to Cape Town, so I had to fly via Qatar.

KSKristina Sabelnikovasabelnickova.kristina · Sep 14, 2015Read

The program ended several months ago, and I've only just gotten around to processing all the materials, but as they say, better late than never. Here is the link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Sllo-8dDavk If you are planning to go to Cape Town for the Work in South Africa program, this video will be twice as interesting for you! Enjoy guys ;) And good luck to you all in your trips!

ККсенияTrix33311 · Jul 24, 2012Read

So much has happened to me today that I don't even know where to start. Cape Town! An amazing city. With right-hand traffic and funny traffic lights that locals for some reason call robots. The first thing that struck me was the politeness. Everyone around says hello, smiles, and tries to help. After our gloomy Russia, this seems somewhat unnatural. When I was looking for the office of my sponsoring company (SATS), strangers approached me several times to offer help just like that. And they helped as much as they could! One kind young man even called the SATS office to find out the way! Yeah, take note, people. The second thing is, of course, the view of Table Mountain. Its peak was covered in clouds, but even in that state, it seemed surprisingly beautiful to me. I lived in Zlatoust for most of my life, it is surrounded by mountains. And it seems I should have gotten used to them, but... Table Mountain is a miracle. Throughout the day, I dreamed of seeing the ocean. And for some reason, I just couldn't get to it. And then, almost at six in the evening local time, fate led me to the embankment. It was fate, because I couldn't have timed it for the sunset, but I arrived exactly for it. Here I run out of words... because I don't know how to describe this beauty. The bright, vibrant sun slowly sinks into the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The moment I saw this, I suddenly realized clearly: this is the reason why Ksyusha Doroeeva came to the other end of the world. To see THIS. The sky on the other side turned gently purple. And the mountains around darkened and stood out even more. It is incredibly beautiful. It's worth living for this. So what is the irony of fate, you ask? It lies in the fact that I met some Russian guys today. And they turned out to be not just Russians, they are my fellow countrymen! The Chelyabinsk region is conquering South Africa. Why are we drawn there?) Guys from Chelyabinsk, Magnitogorsk, Ust-Katav, and me, a girl from Zlatoust) It's quite funny. Cape Town attracts the Urals) And now some background information about my stay in Africa. I live in the safest area of South Africa, it's touristy, located on the coast. The ocean is a 20-minute walk from my hostel. The Atlantic, naturally. The hostel is a small hotel, the name translates to Russian as "Big Blue Backpack". There are no Russians here, except for me. It seems! I know there are Africans, French, English, Chinese, and Poles. Surely there are representatives of other countries too, but I don't know for sure yet. The atmosphere is quite cheerful and friendly. Everyone helps me all the time) And again - everyone always says hello! And asks how I'm doing) Half an hour's walk away live the Russian guys. From the Chelyabinsk region) In the other direction is the center. It's better not to walk there in the evening, but during the day... mmm! Interesting) Small streets, people everywhere, life is boiling) Today in the center, we accidentally heard Russian speech behind us. I was very happy) Our tourists! I will look for work in hostels and hotels. Our guys have already explained to me how everything works and why. I got fired up with the idea of buying a bicycle and riding it to work and around the city! I think it's very convenient. The streets here are suitable. Besides, a used one doesn't cost that much. I'll come back from South Africa with a bicycle) In the store today, I didn't find curd snacks! I'll check for dumplings tomorrow)) Oh yes, they also have three-hole sockets here. This is important information, I know)