Important information for your journey to South Africa

We hope you are getting prepared and excited for your trip. It’s not long now!

This page provides important information that explains what to prepare before departing and what will happen when you arrive at your destination. Please make sure you have a saved copy of this page on your phone, or a printed copy to refer to.

Travel Checklist

One week before departing you should go over the following checklist to make sure you have everything you need before heading to the airport:

Valid passport for 6 months after your return
A printed copy of your flight itinerary
Proof of Sufficient Funds (printed bank statement or a screenshot of your bank balance)
Local address in South Africa written down on a piece of paper and on your phone. Please use the accommodation address provided on your MYPA page.
Harry Kent's phone number +27 (0) 727582679 and other Emergency phone numbers (see below) added to your cell phone and written down on a piece of paper in case your battery dies.

If you are a minor you must also provide: Travel documents including parental consent, a certified copy of your birth certificate, ID of the receiving staff member

Arriving at the airport

Once you have landed at Cape Town Airport, make your way to the Immigration Desk.

Please state you are visiting the country as a tourist. Do not mention volunteering, voluntary work or community service. Volunteering counts as tourism for immigration purposes since you will not receive a salary for the work that you do.

Then move on to the baggage reclaim area to wait for your luggage to arrive. Once you have claimed your bags, head to the exit which is signposted in English.

Meeting our staff

Our driver will be waiting for you at the airport exit, holding an A4-sized Projects Abroad sign with your name written on it. Please make your way to them.

They will drive you to your host family which will take about 30-45 minutes. They will introduce you to your host family. Your Projects Abroad orientation will be the day after your arrival unless arranged otherwise.

If your connecting flight from Johannesburg International Airport (or elsewhere) is delayed or if there are any last minute transit changes that you would like to communicate with us, please call the staff member/driver that will fetch you. Their name is Desiree: +27 (0) 83 248 3651

In the extremely rare event that the staff member coming to meet you is late and you do not see anyone holding a Projects Abroad sign at the airport or if you experience any flight delays, please call Harry Kent +27 (0) 727582679..

For any other flight travel related emergencies please contact one of the phone numbers below:

European emergency numbers: +44 1273 007261 / +44 1273 007262

American emergency number: +1 917 8104520