There are enough experiences to last several lives, and many individuals are naturally drawn to explore the world. However, it’s possible that you’re looking for a deeper reason for your trips.
That is the allure of mission trips.
The advantages of mission trips are numerous. You’ll get to see new cultures and breathtaking locations, but you’ll also have the opportunity to positively impact those in need.
Why Would You Go on a Mission Trip to Africa?
It’s understandable why Africa has long been a popular location for outreach visits. With a huge diversity of people, languages, faiths, artwork, music, cuisine, and culture, it is an extraordinarily varied continent.
So, what are a few things you should anticipate?
Individuals who have been on mission journeys to Africa have written about their encounters with the divine, the simplicity of the country life, and the numerous adventures they have had while traveling.
Put differently, Africa is a continent brimming with limitless opportunities.
Mission travelers have also shared how working together with others has resulted in friendships that last a lifetime and how the difficulties of lending a hand when required have shaped their personalities. For instance, mission traveler Sarah Graefe describes how, upon returning from her mission trip, she came to appreciate bottled water and air conditioning.
Which Places Make the Greatest Africa Mission Trip Destinations?
You may be wondering where in Africa to go if the idea of going on mission trips to the continent appeals to you. With 54 distinct countries to select from, Africa is the second-largest continent in the globe.
Five locations that are diverse and rich in culture are listed below. However, each of these nations also has particular difficulties, such poverty and limited educational opportunities. They are the perfect locations for your mission trip because of these difficulties.
1. Uganda
Uganda is a landlocked nation with plenty of lakes, highlands, and savannas located in east-central Africa. The nation is well-known for its extensive agricultural sector, which generates tobacco, tea, and cotton.
Why Is Uganda the Best Place to Go on a Mission Trip?
Uganda is home to unique wildlife and friendly, energetic people, yet poverty has a terrible toll on many of its people. The average Ugandan earns a little $1.80 per day, and many lack access to modern medicine and qualified medical professionals.
Mission visits to Uganda usually center around three main goals: empowering women, helping orphans, and offering life-saving medical treatment.
2. Africa
Discover the breathtaking Cape Town, the imposing Table Mountain, or the energetic city of Johannesburg. A mission trip to South Africa offers a plethora of opportunities to witness and participate in various initiatives.
Why Is South Africa The Best Place to Go on a Mission Trip?
South Africa is becoming a more significant player in the global economy due to its wealth of natural resources. Nevertheless, development is being impeded by elevated unemployment rates and deteriorating infrastructure.
Mission missions to South Africa frequently center on reducing the problems that impoverished populations confront, such homelessness and overcrowding.
3. Kenya
Look no farther than Kenya if you’ve ever fantasized about beautiful scenery. It is one of the best locations for conservation initiatives of all types because of its many wildlife preserves.
Why Is Kenya the Best Place to Go on a Mission Trip?
Kenya is afflicted by illnesses like HIV/AIDS and malaria despite having a diversified environment and resources. Additionally, a lot of the people in the area lack basic necessities like newborn formula or shoes for their kids.
Building and construction projects are the main emphasis of many mission trips to Kenya, with the goal of assisting the several orphanages that are underfunded.
4. The African nation
Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa, is located in Tanzania. This land in the west central region offers a wide range of experiences, from lush rainforests to high deserts.
Why Is Tanzania the Best Place to Go on a Mission Trip?
Tanzania’s amazing biodiversity has led to a thriving tourist economy. However, there is also a persistent HIV/AIDS epidemic and a significant wealth gap. Rural dwellers have little to no access to food, supplies, medical care, or education.
There are many of mission trips to Tanzania that help with rice growing and quilting, as well as helping to feed the orphans.
5. Nigeria
Warm, welcoming people and a tropical atmosphere may be found in Ghana. The country has made enormous progress toward democracy in recent years, routinely placing among the top three African nations in terms of press and speech freedom. In addition, Ghana is a popular destination for people from other African nations seeking better medical treatment.
Why Is Ghana the Best Place to Go on a Mission Trip?
Ghana still has a high rate of poverty in spite of all of its accomplishments. Food, housing, and clean water are in short supply for many families.
labor in local orphanages, where many of the children have been abandoned, orphaned, or forced into child slavery, and construction labor are common tasks for mission trips to Ghana.
What Kinds of Mission Travel to Africa Are You Able to Take?
It’s time to consider the kind of project you would like to work on now that you’ve seen some of your alternatives. Numerous underdeveloped places will need everything from building to preservation. Explore the various kinds of mission trips to Africa that are accessible to you by reading on.
1. Building
Do you have good manual dexterity? Then you ought to think about going on a mission trip that involves building. Help the engineers, surveyors, and architects in your community construct a better future.
Building churches, clinics, schools, homes, and camps for the local community are common construction projects.
Organizations doing mission trips with a lot of building work frequently look for volunteers with skills in the following fields:
- Electrical, plumbing, masonry, and carpentry work
- Eco-friendly construction
- Taking Stock
- Engineering and architecture
- upkeep tasks
Regardless of your skill level, the majority of mission groups will welcome your assistance.
2. Instruction
In the mission area of education, a degree or teaching certification might make all the difference in the world. Assist children and youth in the area to enhance their abilities and opportunities in life.
Teaching initiatives frequently concentrate on teaching English to locals so they may work abroad more easily. However, you are not need to hold a teaching certification in English. Administrators, resident assistants (RAs), and support personnel are frequently required by mission organizations.
3. Daycare
Locals in underdeveloped areas may find it more challenging to care for their children because workdays are often considerably longer than in other countries. You can work at a nearby childcare center or support local families in raising their kids.
Many African children become orphans at a very young age as a result of poverty, fatal illnesses, and civil conflict.
For this reason, child-focused mission organizations frequently collaborate with nearby orphanages to:
- impart fundamental life skills
- Participate in outdoor and sports activities
- Deliver food
- Link kids with long-term caretakers
Empathy and empowerment are the most critical abilities you’ll need while interacting with youngsters.
4. Health
One of the most valuable things we have is our health; without it, everything else falls short. If you’re a medical student or recent graduate, Africa is in dire need of your skills and knowledge.
Not only do many African nations struggle with illnesses like malaria and HIV/AIDS, but several of these countries also lack the resources and knowledge necessary to prevent and cure these illnesses. For this reason, a lot of medical mission missions aim to both heal and educate the local people.
Healthcare organizations are always seeking experts and students in the following areas:
- Nurses
- Speech-language pathologists
- Surgeons
- Medical professionals
- Physiotherapists
5. Preservation
Some of the world’s most diversified fauna may be found in Africa. Regrettably, poachers and climate change are putting African animals at danger. Join a mission trip focused on conservation to aid in the preservation of the local animals.
Here are a few creatures you may assist with safeguarding:
- Lions
- Elephants
- Lemurs
- frogs
- Turtles
- Dolphins
- Giraffes
- chimpanzees
There is an almost infinite variety of species on the African continent, many of which are vulnerable and in need of your assistance, therefore this list is by no means comprehensive.
Which Organizations Make the Greatest Mission Trips to Africa?
You have so far learnt about the many project kinds you may participate in and found some of the top places for mission trips. However, as you cannot do this alone, it is a good idea to look into organizations that lead mission trips. To get you started, these are a few of the most well-known:
1. Volunteer Headquarters
Since its founding in 2007, Volunteer HQ has been widely regarded as the world leader in volunteer travel. They assign thousands of volunteers annually to over 50 nations’ worth of projects.
Which African nations is Volunteer HQ present in?
Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Victoria Falls, Madagascar, and Zambia.
2. Volunteers of Love
Love Volunteers was founded in 2009 by two people who thought previous mission trips and organizations were too costly. To make mission trips to Africa affordable for young people, they concentrate in low-cost options.
Which African nations are covered by Love Volunteers?
Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania Falls, and Cameroon.
3. GoEco
Since 2006, GoEco has focused on volunteering initiatives that are morally and environmentally sound. There are 14 locations in Africa that you may pick from to contribute to the preservation of the local ecosystem and animals.
Which African Nations Is Covered by GoEco?
Cape Verde, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
4. African Influence
In 2004, African Impact was established in Zimbabwe. An award-winning organization that strives to better the whole African continent was born out of a modest family-run effort.
Which African Nations Are Included in African Impact?
The Seychelles, Namibia, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Zanzibar.
5. Establish a connection 123
Young people may find possibilities with Connect-123 in five major cities worldwide, including Cape Town. Connect-123 provides volunteer opportunities in the areas of human rights, social service, animal conservation, and economic development.
Which African Nations Is Covered by Connect-123?
Africa.
What Is the Price of a Mission Trip to Africa?
You’re undoubtedly thinking now how much it will cost to travel to Africa on a mission trip. These kinds of service missions are unfortunately not inexpensive.
The cost of a program might vary greatly, from $180 to $3200 for a quick vacation. The typical cost for lengthier journeys is around $3,000.
And that only accounts for the program’s expense.
This type of encounter is inexplicable, but we’ve included some additional costs you may want to take into account below.
1. Management
The program cost may or may not include admin expenses, depending on the organization you have selected. A background check, immunizations, and mission trip medical insurance are usually included in admin expenses.
2. Tools
The kind of project you take on will determine what tools you require. This might contain tools and safety equipment for the job site, supplies for cooking and camping, and any supplemental items like sunscreen.
3. Transportation
Most programs demand that you cover the cost of your own airfare. Your destination and the time of year you book will determine how much your flights will cost. In addition to any incidentals incurred while route, there can be an immigration charge to pay upon arrival.
4. Individual
You will have the chance to see the nation and partake in tourist activities, including safaris, on several mission trips—all at your own cost. Personal costs might also include things like alcohol, food, and medication.
Five Pointers for an Effective Mission Trip to Africa
Make sure you conduct thorough study before to traveling overseas to avoid any errors or unpleasant shocks after arriving.
An overview of some of the most crucial things you should put on your to-do list in advance of your mission trip to Africa may be found below.
1. Examine the Company
Before committing to an organization, it’s advisable to learn as much as you can about your alternatives because not all organizations are made equal. Go over prior volunteers’ reports and reviews on the internet.
Advice: Visit Mission Trip Reviews to get objective evaluations of mission trip providers.
2. Study Up on the Location
The entire history of your destination won’t be covered by a Wikipedia article. To obtain a thorough grasp of the local customs and culture, purchase or borrow a book about the nation you’re visiting, or read through internet blogs written by past travelers to your location.
Here are a few fascinating facts about African nations to get you going.
3. Obtain a Vaccine
It shouldn’t hurt to look into health issues in the country as well, but the group you travel with should advise you of any vaccinations that are recommended or necessary for your location.
Tip: Learn vital health information about your location, including what diseases are prevalent there and whether vaccinations are advised or necessary, by using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Travelers’ Health” tool.
4. Assess Whether You Require Medical Insurance for Your Mission Trip
I hope everything about your outreach trip overseas goes as to plan. However, in the event that it happens, mission trip medical insurance can cover you for unanticipated illnesses, accidents, mishaps during your trip, and other medical emergencies linked to your trip.
Find out if the international coverage offered by your normal health insurance is adequate for your needs and if it offers any coverage at all.
Advice: Learn why you might require medical insurance for mission trips or investigate the advantages of Atlas Travel insurance.
5. Assemble Properly
You will find that many groups will provide you a list of things to pack. Looking through internet packing lists and advice from past mission travelers to your destination could also be beneficial in order to find out what they wish they had packed and what they wish they had left behind. –
Tip: Make sure you have everything you need for the trip by checking off our mission trip packing list.