You choose when to leave and for how long

Flexible dates

Leave whenever you want, choose the duration and join a project already running. On the ground you will find our local team and international travellers!

Home›Our projects›Flexible dates

What it means to travel with the flexible option

The flexible option is how roughly 80% of HeyLocals travellers set off. Our projects are not designed "on paper": they are already existing realities, managed by local teams and active for most of the year, often 12 months out of 12.

This means you can choose which project to join, when to leave and how many weeks to stay. There are no fixed dates or pre-formed groups: you enter a real, already running context and become part of it.

Days are split between project activities and free time, exploration and extra activities, often together with local people and other volunteers on site.

When you land, our local team meets you and takes you from the airport to your accommodation. Meals and lodging are covered, and you have 24/7 support throughout the trip.

The advantages of the flexible option

Flexible dates, you decide

No fixed dates: you choose when to leave. Just respect the minimum notice period and you are in.

Tailor-made duration

From 1 week to 12 weeks (or more). You can adapt the duration to your time, your budget and your goals.

More destinations, more choice

Not just Kenya and Zanzibar: with the flexible option you can access all available destinations.

Same support, same quality

Even if you travel alone, you have the same level of support: onboarding, local team, pre-departure guide.

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How it works

Four key elements that make the experience flexible without compromising on quality

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Flexible dates, you decide

No fixed dates: you choose when to leave and how long to stay. Just respect the minimum notice period and you can join the project.

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More destinations, more choice

Not just Africa: our projects are also active in South-East Asia, South America and many other countries.

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International community

Many projects welcome volunteers from all over the world. Even if you travel alone, on site you always find other people to share accommodation, meals and free time with.

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24/7 support and safety

Even if you travel independently, you are never left alone. You always have our local reference team, continuous assistance and selected and verified projects.

Flexible vs Group: which one to choose?

Flexible dates

  • Leave whenever you want (with 4 weeks' notice)
  • Duration from 1 to 12+ weeks
  • All available destinations
  • International community at the accommodation
  • Maximum autonomy in planning

Group trip

  • Fixed dates (2026 calendar)
  • Fixed duration: 2 weeks
  • Pre-set locations
  • Small group (4-15 people)
  • More structured experience

What is included (in flexible dates)

✅ Included in the price

Accommodation, meals and daily essentials included
Airport pick-up (in dedicated time slots)
Orientation day + onboarding
Dedicated local team + 24/7 support
Pre-departure guide + document support (visas/vaccines/checklist)
Your fee directly supports our local partner
International community at the accommodation
Official certificate of participation

❌ Not included

International flight
Entry visa (if required)
Travel insurance
Return transfer
Extra activities and optional tours

FAQs

With a flexible-dates trip you choose when to leave and for how long. You have no fixed dates or a group travelling with you. However, at the accommodation you will still find other international volunteers.
Yes, with at least 4 weeks' notice. Some destinations have closure periods (e.g. local holidays), but otherwise you are free to choose.
The weekly cost is similar, but with the flexible option you can choose different durations. The more weeks you book, the lower the average weekly cost.
No. Even if you travel without a group, at the accommodation there are always other volunteers from all over the world. The international community is an integral part of the experience.
Yes, if there is availability. Just let the local staff know in advance and arrange payment for the additional weeks.
All active destinations. With the flexible option you have access to more choices compared to group trips, which are currently only active for Kenya and Zanzibar.

Not sure where to start?

Take the questionnaire: in 2 minutes we figure out together what kind of experience is right for you, which destinations suit you best and whether the flexible or group option is the right choice.