Location
  • Ghana
    • Accra
    • Cape Coast
    • Kumasi
Length
1 to 52 weeks

Program Details

Age Min.
18
Age Max
70
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Apartment Host Family Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
65
Price Details
This price is for a 1 week stay with us. Some education placements require a 4 week minimum duration with us to ensure a high social impact and chance for you to experience a new way of life.

This weekly program fee covers your pre departure support, accommodation, utility bills, support staff and orientation day.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities
What's Not Included
Some Activities Airfare Airport Transfers Equipment Meals SIM cards Transportation Travel Insurance Visa Wifi
Jan 04, 2023
Nov 22, 2023
21 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Atlas offers the lowest volunteering fees in Ghana and various volunteering placement types providing a high and meaningful social impact. Our projects are located around the Abetifi district which is based on top of the Kwahu mountain plateau and Akwidaa coastline. The shared volunteer houses and surrounding rainforests offer breathtaking views. We focus our placements across Education, Sports Development, Renovation, Eco Protection and Sea Turtle Conservation.

Our placements run throughout the year and there's always a team of volunteers out with us, so you can plan when fits best with your schedule to join us. As previous volunteers in the local area we set this organisation up to remove the business element out of volunteering and work with the local community to assist in their development, one step at a time.

Ghana is often referred to as Africa for beginners and offers a safe, serene environment for your trip whilst experiencing new cultures and warm welcoming people.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Low Cost - Lowest available weekly fees in Ghana. Starting from only $65 per week.
  • Support Staff - A wide range of support staff will be on hand to answer any question you may have, from drivers to project coordinators.
  • Shared Housing - You will stay with your fellow volunteers in a shared volunteer house overlooking the rainforest - the perfect backdrop to create friends for life.
  • Sustainability - We work alongside the local communities in all our projects to ensure that our impact has a long and lasting affect.
  • Free Time - Weekends are free to travel the local waterfalls, national parks, safari and canopy walks.

Program Impact

You will be working directly alongside the local communities and authorities to provide assistance and further development where we can. Depending on your placement and area of focus we aim just a small travelling distance from some of the most remote communities off the beaten track. Projects and proposals are Ghanaian led to ensure that we are making as strong and relevant an impact as possible.

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Program Reviews

4.97 Rating
based on 74 reviews
  • 5 rating 97.3%
  • 4 rating 2.7%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.85
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 4.95
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 74 reviews
Default avatar
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Adventure

To put it simple my stay with Atlas was amazing. I tried out a lot of different projects and I can proudly say now that I fell in love with Ghana and the incredible people I met there. There wasn't a minute where I regretted my decision of going to Africa. The scenery is beautiful, the people welcomed me wholeheartedly and I've made friendships, that will hopefully last for a lifetime.
Whenever I needed something Sam and his team were ready to help, so I was able to enjoy my stay to the fullest and help the community as much as possible.
So don't hesitate and pack your stuff and get ready for your adventure with Atlas. It definitely won't disappoint you, I promise :)

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
There were quite some things I didn't expect...
For example is Ghana a much greener country, than I ever thought.
Easter is not just a one or two day long event for your family but it will be celebrated for a whole week in Kwahu with all of your friends. There even is the option for paragliding!
Bat season is something incredible to watch. Although it makes sense, that there is a bat season, it never came across my mind before.
Church isn't boring at all, as I know it from home but similar to a party with a lot of dancing and singing.
Pros
  • Friendly people and a wholeheartedly welcome
  • Lovely kids at school
  • Incredible nature
1 person found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jakob Duus
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best thing to do in a gap year

It was an amazing trip. You had a lot of freedom to do whatever you wanted. If there were any problems the team were very quick to help you. The kids at school and the Ghanaian people were very welcoming and it was an experience I will never forget. In your spare time, you could go on small trips to see the beautiful area and in the weekends you could go on trips further away. I did not feel unsafe during my trip in Ghana and it is something I would consider doing again. At last, the other volunteers are very welcoming and you get to learn them very quickly as well with the team behind Atlas volunteers, who lives in the same house as you.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Just do it. I travelled to South America afterwards and it could not compare to this experience. At this program, you are meeting the culture a lot more than if you are travelling normally, so it is 100% one of the best things I have ever done. My advice would be to just be open and not be scared of anything. Everyone is there for the same reason and ready to meet some new people, and everyone is so nice to you (the volunteers, locals and the people in the organisation)
Pros
  • You get closer to the culture than if you travel normal
  • Everyone is so sweet
  • It is something unforgettable
1 person found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Felix
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trip to Ghana with Atlas

My two initial placements were PE and Reading Club. As I arrived during Easter time, my trip started with a lot of fun and partying because the region is known for its huge Easter celebration. After that beautiful time, work really began. I focused early on Reading Club and only did a few PE lessons whilst my time in Ghana. I always had fun with the kids from class 2 (7-9 years) and started bonding with them early on. The best times in school were the breaks, when all the kids come and talk, play and have fun with you. After a few weeks, Frank offered me to choose another placement to take part in so I decided to work on the farm once a week. There, I was lucky to meet Atobi, one of the purest hearts I have ever met which made it so easy to be on that farm even though it was hard work every week. The farm work was even more rewarding than school but also in a different way as you immediately notice the progress you made. Besides from work, I had a lot of freedom to do what I wanted to and the volunteers were always encouraged to organise weekend trips. I saw a lot of Ghana, such as the Wli Waterfalls, Cape Coast, Kokrobite and more. If there was no weekend trip planned, we often went partying with everyone and sometimes made spontaneous trips to lakes or pools closer to the volunteer house in Aduamoa. During my time in Ghana I also had the great opportunity to meet a lot of locals and not only did I spend a lot of time with them but also made friends for life with some of them. I am still in contact with them and hope to see them again soon. I will try my best to come back to Ghana as it was one of the best times of my life.

Pros
  • Authentically experience life in Ghana
  • Meaningful projects with direct impact
6 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ulysse
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Just loved it

Thank you. I loved my time in Ghana, from the moments spent teaching the kids to when we travelled across the country on weekends, our "family nights", and of course Dom's famous Twi lessons. Day and night, the support team was there to make sure things ran smoothly, always listening and making sure we were confortable. Getting to learn from other volunteers, as well as discovering a country rich in culture, traditions (and with delicious food) will make your trip to Ghana unforgettable! Don't hesitate anymore, join Atlas Volunteers!!

Pros
  • Impactful
  • Family-like environment
  • Cheap
7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
INGRID
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience with all the Atlas team

These 4 months were so nice!
I could test a lot of placement : turtles, plastic, teaching and reforestation!
I really enjoyed being part of this adventure and get to interact with the local life in a safe environment.
The team is always making sure we feel confortable in placement. They are proactive to find ways to improve how we feel about our impact but also the community life in the house. We are also free to bring our own ideas.
There is lot of activities planned in free time (twi lessons, family night, ...) The team also help us to organize weekend trip.
I also loved the environment surounded by trees and bird sing, when it is season you can even harvest lemons.

Pros
  • The relationship built with kids at school is so special
  • Nice environment
  • Family atmosphere
Cons
  • i wish we could eradicate plastic :)
6 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Saman
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Forget IVHQ, choose Atlas Volunteers for a local experience!

It's more than volunteering, the people are what made this experience so enjoyable! Such great value for money and the work you are doing IS making a difference. Forget IVHQ, choose Atlas Volunteers for a local experience! By far, the most genuine and honest NGO I've volunteered for.
From the moment I stepped off the plane, everything was taken care of. The volunteer house was basic yet had everything you needed. The staff were incredible and a joy to be around. There was plenty of opportunities to travel and sightsee on weekends and weekdays after volunteering. There's something real special about Africa and Atlas volunteers encompasses that so well.

Pros
  • Value for money
  • Authenticity of the volunteering programme
  • Staff are supportive and super fun
11 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Atlas

I was a bit nervous about eventually getting to the atlas home because of the multiple hours drive in the taxi but as soon as I met Asare the driver I felt relieved as he is such a nice guy,he even bought me food on the way home. When i got to the house i was surprised.Atlas home is a really good maintained and clean place.But it was not the house itself that made me feel welcome and safe but the people there. Rhi,Dom,Frank,Lydia and of course Sam were really there for whatever the volunteers needed ,big plus they are great people i had the best time with them, definitely a reason to go back.The kids and all the teachers in the hweehwee school ,where i was doing reading clubs ,were absolutely amazing and so loving. I really miss Ghana and the chill,warm and friendly people there, hopefully i will manage to come back!Thank you atlas team for everything!

Pros
  • Wonderful people
  • Supportive team
14 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Siona
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Simply incredible projects, people and location

I was volunteering in Ghana with Atlas Volunteers for two months. This was my first time volunteering abroad and I really can only say positive things about my experience. First off, the support throughout was great. Whenever I had any inquiries, even before starting my journey, the team was always there to help promptly. You will be briefed on everything you need to know to find your way around. So if you are worried about traveling alone to an unknown country - don't be. You will be in very good hands and will be staying in a safe and welcoming setting. Furthermore, the type of placements is really well thought through and adequate. It's evident, that the focus of Atlas is to provide effectual and sustainable ways for people to come and help out. Additionally, there is a great effort to build a feeling of community with various optional weekly activities bringing everyone involved together. In general, activities during off-time don't come short. Despite the location being very rural, there are lots of things to see and do on weekends, free afternoons, or a night out. The Atlas team was of great assistance here too, always happy to give some recommendations. To sum up, I will say this - if you are looking for a way to donate your time in an impactful, affordable, and fulfilling way, you have definitely come to the right place and will not be disappointed!

Pros
  • Truly meaningful and impactful projects
  • Great support and wonderful people
  • Lovely location
18 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers