A Life-Changing 3, 6 or 9 Month Volunteer Programme
Wild Coast - South Africa
Adventure • Skills • Growth • Community
A Life-Changing 3, 6 or 9 Month Volunteer Programme
Wild Coast - South Africa
Adventure • Skills • Growth • Community
About the Wild Coast Volunteer Programme
3, 6 or 9 Months of Challenge, Growth & Contribution in South Africa’s Eastern Cape
The Wild Coast Volunteer Programme is more than just a Programme; it's a transformative experience designed to equip young men and women with the practical skills and personal resilience needed for a successful life.
Located at Mtakatyi, in the heart of the rugged and beautiful Wild Coast region of South Africa, our unique environment combines hands-on vocational training with real-world community engagement.
Our philosophy is simple: True Growth happens through Challenges and Meaningful Work.
We provide a safe and structured environment where you will learn to manage your own projects, work as part of a team, and discover your potential away from the distractions of city life.
The Wild Coast Volunteer Programme is a 3, 6 or 9 Month Adventure Journey for young men and women that combines outdoor adventures, practical training across multiple disciplines, involvement in sustainable farming projects and community upliftment initiatives all while living in one of South Africa’s most breathtaking regions.
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Why Join
Live & Work Differently:
3, 6 or 9 Month Volunteer Programme
Live & Work Differently:
Our mission is to empower young adults, to step confidently into adulthood through a transformative 3, 6 or 9 month journey in the heart of South Africa’s unspoiled Wild Coast region of the Eastern Cape.
We believe that Growth happens when Challenge meets Purpose.
That’s why our programme combines adventure, skills development, cultural im
Our mission is to empower young adults, to step confidently into adulthood through a transformative 3, 6 or 9 month journey in the heart of South Africa’s unspoiled Wild Coast region of the Eastern Cape.
We believe that Growth happens when Challenge meets Purpose.
That’s why our programme combines adventure, skills development, cultural immersion, and community service in arguably one of the most breathtaking coastal regions of the world.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – MARK TWAIN
Our Team
3, 6 or 9 Month Volunteer Programme
Live & Work Differently:
Our Team is led by an experienced group of Educators, Adventurers, and Community Leaders dedicated to guiding young men and women through a transformative 3, 6 or 9 month journey in South Africa. Our experienced Team comprises the following:
Programme Director – Oversees the full experience, ensuring safety, structure, and life-changing ou
Our Team is led by an experienced group of Educators, Adventurers, and Community Leaders dedicated to guiding young men and women through a transformative 3, 6 or 9 month journey in South Africa. Our experienced Team comprises the following:
Programme Director – Oversees the full experience, ensuring safety, structure, and life-changing outcomes for every Volunteer..
Operations Manager – Oversees the daily Volunteer Programme logistics, staff coordination, and volunteer welfare. He also
ensures delivery of training, community projects, and safety standards manages budgets, reporting, and stakeholder relationships for smooth operations.
Adventure & Skills Co-ordinator – Supported by the Operations Manager and his team of Instructors, leads Volunteer outdoor expeditions, training, and accredited skills development programmes.
Academic & Career Mentor – Provides personal growth, career guidance, and support to Volunteers.
Community Engagement Facilitator – Connects Volunteers with local projects, cultural immersion, and social impact opportunities.
Well-being & Support Team – Ensures physical, emotional, and social wellbeing for all Volunteers throughout the Programme.
Together, this team combines International Best Practice with deep local knowledge to deliver a safe, challenging, and rewarding 3, 6 or 9 month Volunteer Programme experience in the Wild Coast region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
3, 6 or 9 Month Volunteer Programme
3, 6 or 9 Month Volunteer Programme
3, 6 or 9 Month Volunteer Programme
Our 3, 6 or 9 month Volunteer Programme in the Wild Coast region of South Africa’s Eastern Cape offers the perfect balance of adventure, structure, and personal growth.
For young adults, it’s a chance to step out of the ordinary and into a world of discovery.
The Volunteer Programme blends adventure travel, eco-tourism, volunteering and sk
Our 3, 6 or 9 month Volunteer Programme in the Wild Coast region of South Africa’s Eastern Cape offers the perfect balance of adventure, structure, and personal growth.
For young adults, it’s a chance to step out of the ordinary and into a world of discovery.
The Volunteer Programme blends adventure travel, eco-tourism, volunteering and skills training—all while exploring one of the most beautiful and culturally rich coastlines in Africa.
For parents, it’s peace of mind. We provide a safe, structured, and value-driven experience guided by experienced leaders, with an emphasis on personal development, responsibility, and future-readiness.
By the end of their Programme, each Volunteer will gain confidence, independence, practical skills, and lifelong friendships—leaving them ready to take on university studies, careers, or entrepreneurial paths with clarity and purpose.
Earn & Learn Programme
3, 6 or 9 Month Volunteer Programme
3, 6 or 9 Month Volunteer Programme
As part of the Wild Coast Volunteer Programme, all Volunteers have the unique opportunity of learning to dive for East Coast Rock Lobster alongside experienced local divers. All catches are sold directly to neighbouring, Phumalali Seafoods, providing Programme Volunteers with the opportunity to earn real income while gaining practical ski
As part of the Wild Coast Volunteer Programme, all Volunteers have the unique opportunity of learning to dive for East Coast Rock Lobster alongside experienced local divers. All catches are sold directly to neighbouring, Phumalali Seafoods, providing Programme Volunteers with the opportunity to earn real income while gaining practical skills.
While local seasoned divers in the region earn on average R4,000 per month, active diving Programme Volunteers can potentially earn an average of R1,500 per month during their stay, adding financial independence to their journey of growth, adventure, and discovery.
This additional income can be used to either fund their extended stay on the Volunteer Programme or meet their travel and accommodation costs when visiting other regions of South Africa, during their mini-breaks of the Volunteer Programme.
Programme Highlights
Adventures & Outdoor Skills
The Wild Coast Volunteer Programme provides significant benefits, including personal growth through physical challenges and independence, enhanced life skills like resilience and problem-solving, a chance to clarify future goals in a less academic environment, and improved career prospects due to boosted confidence and a stronger CV.
Participants also benefit from a mental reset, gaining a fresh perspective and new energy for their future studies or work.
Practical Skills
The Wild Coast Volunteer Programme is far more than a break from education; it's a strategic period for acquiring and refining a host of practical skills that are invaluable for future academic and professional success.
These skills are often best learned through hands-on, real-world experience, which is the core of our well-planned Volunteer Programme.
Community Upliftment
Community Upliftment
Community Upliftment
The Wild Coast Volunteer Programme participants can be a significant asset to our local Community Upliftment Projects, offering a variety of benefits that go beyond the simple provision of their labour and knowledge.
Their contributions can be transformative for both the community and for themselves.
What You'll Do
Community Upliftment
Community Upliftment
As part of a 5 person Volunteer Team, you’ll rotate through projects designed to balance learning with impact.
- Sustainable Farming: vegetable growing, beekeeping, free-range chicken rearing, tilapia fish farming.
- Seafood Economy: collect and deliver East Coast Rock Lobster to the Phumalali Processing Facility, and assist with processing & packaging, getting product ready for export.
- Construction Skills: carpentry, plumbing, tiling, painting, electrical work, roofing and brick-making.
- Technology for Development: help establish rural community Wi-Fi networks (software and hardware).
- General Estate Maintenance: gardening, grass & hedge trimming, swimming pool care, property upkeep across a private secure 4-hectare estate.
Every task is designed to give you hands-on experience while contributing meaningfully to the estate and community.
Get Ready For Your Wild Coast Volunteer Programme
Make your child's 3, 6 or 9 Month Wild Coast Volunteer Programme unforgettable with an affordable investment. Secure their place with a R15,000 deposit with further monthly payments — this allows them to focus on the adventure, and you to easily budget.
A Secure Sanctuary Rooted in Community
Experience the Wild Coast with complete confidence.
We stand apart as a fully secured private campus estate, an environment of safety cultivated by more than just fences and gates. Our security is fundamentally tied to our strong commitment to the local area.
We play an integral role in the lives of over 300 community members, offering essential services that support their livelihoods.
This strong, mutually beneficial partnership means the community both relies on and actively protects our existence, ensuring a safe, stable, and welcoming atmosphere for all our visitors and volunteers, attending the Wild Coast Gap Year Programme.
The 3, 6 or 9 Month Wild Coast Volunteer Programme
Your 3, 6 or 9 Month Curriculum: Skills for Life.
Our comprehensive, 3-month Programme runs three times per year. Programme dates each year are as follows:
- Intake 1
- Start Date 1 February / End Date 30 April
- Intake 2
- Start Date 1 May / End Date 31 July
- Intake 3
- Start Date 1 August / End Date 31 October
At the end of the initial 3 month Programme period, Volunteers can request month to month extensions as desired.
Our Volunteer Programme is meticulously crafted to blend essential life skills with specialised vocational training.
Each of the exclusively selected 20 young men and women in our Volunteer Programme intake will gain a diverse skill set, culminating in completed projects and practical experience.
Activities include the following:
Leisure: Kayaking, Snorkeling, Surfing, Swimming, Spear-fishing, Hiking, Angling (River and Rock & Surf), Birdwatchting, Outdoor Games, Trail running etc.
Skills & Education: Quad Bike Driving, Tractor Driving, e-Learing Courses of Choice, Cooking Courses, Public Speaking, Presenting and Leadership, Self-Defence.
Community Projects: Brick-laying, Tiling, Plumbing, Carpentry, Water Harvesting, Electrical, Wi-Fi Networks.
Sustainability Projects: Rock Lobster Processing, Aquaponics, Bee-Keeping, Aquaculture, Tilapia Fish farming, Free-range Chicken rearing, Vegetables cultivation.
Income Generating Activities: East Coast Rock Lobster Diving, Spearfishing, Angling.
Safe, Secure, and Peaceful Living
Your Safety and Peace of Mind comes first at The Wild Coast Gap Year.
At The Wild Coast Volunteer Programme, your safety and peace of mind come first. Our 4.2-hectare gated Estate at Mtakatyi in the Wild Coast region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, is designed to provide a secure environment where young men and women can live, learn, and thrive with confidence.
Our security measures include:
- Fully Fenced Perimeter surrounding the property for complete Estate Protection.
- Controlled Vehicle Gate Access with limited entry.
- Network Camera Surveillance strategically placed onsite and along access routes to and from the campus estate.
- Patrolling Security Guards on duty day and night to ensure around-the-clock protection.
With these measures in place, Participants and Parents can rest assured that the The Wild Coast Volunteer Programme offers not just an Adventure-Filled Programme, but also a Safe and Nurturing Environment for learning and personal growth.
Campus & Facilities
Our Campus has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate all our Volunteer Programme participants.
At Mtakatyi, our Wild Coast Volunteer Programme campus site offers a comfortable, inspiring, and well-equipped environment to live, learn, and connect. From modern amenities to social spaces, every detail supports a balance of education, community, and relaxation.
Facilities include:
- Swimming Pool & Deck – Relax by the pool or gather at the bar and deck area, complete with outdoor showers and changing rooms for privacy and convenience.
- Indoor Bar & Games Hall – A vibrant social space featuring a pool table, dartboard, and casual lounge for downtime with friends.
- Outdoor Pizza Oven & Kitchen – Perfect for group cooking and shared meals, with a fully equipped outdoor kitchen for practical use.
- Community Indoor Kitchen – A welcoming space for group dining and meal preparation.
- Sheltered Gazebo – Spacious and ideal for group gatherings, workshops, and outdoor learning sessions.
- Lecture Hall – A dedicated, fully equipped learning space for structured courses, talks, and presentations.
- Participant Accommodation – Comfortable bedrooms (communal and some private with adjoining bathrooms. Thhoughtfully designed conversation spaces to encourage social interaction and community living.
The Wild Coast Volunteer Programme campus is more than a place to stay—it’s a vibrant hub of activity, learning, and connection, where every space is designed to support growth and create lifelong memories.
Apply Here
Applications are now open for the 2026 and 2027 Wild Coast Gap Year Volunteer Programme.
The Mtakatyi Clinic
Essential Health Care Services available when Needed.
At the clinic, Wild Coast Volunteer Participants can receive:
- General Consultations for common illnesses and minor injuries
- First Aid and Wound Care
- Screening and Testing for common conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and allergies.
- Essential Medicines for routine treatments
- Health Advice and Referrals for specialised care at larger hospitals if required
The clinic offers care for everyday health needs while providing an important safety net for emergencies until further treatment can be arranged.