Spaces can only be reserved for individuals who submit their registration form and non-refundable trip deposit of $250. Each trip has a maximum number of spots available, and they are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the completion of the registration process. Select “REGISTER NOW” from the mission trip menu to complete and submit your registration.

SOUTH AFRICA SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIP DATES:

June 26—July 7, 2026 - (Booked)
July 24—August 4, 2026 - (Booked)
August 21—Sept. 1, 2026 - (Booked)
January 22—February 2, 2027
February 5—16, 2027
February 19—March 2, 2027
March 5—16, 2027
March 19—30, 2027 - (Booked)
April 2—13, 2027
April 16—27, 2027
April 30—May 11, 2027
May 14—25, 2027
May 28—June 8, 2027
June 11—22, 2027
June 25—July 6, 2027
July 9—20, 2027
July 23—August 3, 2027
August 6—17, 2027
August 20—31, 2027
September 3—14, 2027
September 17—28, 2027
October 1—12, 2027
October 15—26, 2027
October 29—November 9, 2027

Registration Occurs 6+ Months of Trip Date
REGISTRATION FEE: $250 - Due 2 Weeks After Registration
FIRST PAYMENT: 40% of Total Balance - Due 6 Months Before Trip Date
FINAL PAYMENT: Full Remaining Balance - Due 30 days Before Trip Date

Registration Occurs Within 6 Months of Trip
REGISTRATION FEE: $250 - Due 2 Weeks After Registration
FIRST PAYMENT: 40% of Total Balance - Due 2 Weeks After Registration
FINAL PAYMENT: 100% of Remaining Balance - Due 30 days Before Trip Date

Registration is considered complete only after the application and registration fee has been received and officially accepted by TEL International. Until this confirmation is granted, no contractual agreement or obligation exists between TEL International and the participant, (or any individual or entity associated with the participant).

NOTE: Trip payments can be made by credit card or check. Please note that a 3.5% transaction fee will be applied for credit card payments.

Absolutely! We offer an open-enrollment mission trip option designed for individuals and small groups who desire to serve but may not be traveling with a large group. These trips provide a meaningful opportunity to join others in ministry, build community, and make an impact together.

Yes! We schedule private mission trips for groups of 15 or more, creating opportunities for churches, organizations, and ministries to serve together in a focused and intentional way. Each trip is planned to align with your group’s vision while partnering with local leaders for lasting impact.

Special permission from TEL International is required for children outside the specified age range for the trip (Junior High, High School, Adult, etc.). If a child does attend, they must be accompanied by a parent, who will assume full responsibility for the child at all times. Children under 10 may receive a price reduction on a case-by-case basis.

TEL International is an interdenominational Christian non-profit organization. We are not affiliated with any specific denomination, and participants from all Christian denominations are welcome to join our mission trips.

In each country, we collaborate with our partners where teams serve. Ministry partnership assignments are typically finalized 6-8 weeks before the mission trip dates. Throughout the planning process, your consultant will be assessing the best location(s) for the team and will inform you of your assigned ministry as soon as the details are confirmed. Typical assignments include the following ministry outreach activities:

1). Worship with a local church and get involved by offering music, delivering sermons or short exhortations, teaching.
2). Tutor students, observe classes, assist teachers with arts and crafts, games, storytelling, singing, or participate in recess activities.
3). Use sports and group games as a way to build relationships and share the gospel.
4). Offer medical services and support to the community and healthcare system and general counseling on health issues.
5). Work alongside a local builder on various projects, including painting, roofing, cement work, tiling, or landscaping.

Team members will be staying at the guesthouse or hotel depending on the size of the group. In most cases, you will share the room with at least one roommate of the same gender. No sleeping bags, pillows or sheets are necessary. Private rooms are also available depending on availability. However, married couples usually get priority for single rooms.

Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided, featuring a mix of local cuisine and some American-style dishes. During the consulting process, we will identify team members with allergies or dietary restrictions. While we can accommodate vegetarian diets, we are unable to accommodate other dietary restrictions. We recommend that team members with specific dietary needs bring additional food to supplement their meals. Bottled water will be readily available at the guesthouse, all worksites, and service locations. Food and drinks outside of mealtimes are the responsibility of the volunteers.

All airline travel and in-country transportation are fully arranged by our team and included in the total mission trip cost, removing the stress of planning and logistics. From international flights to ground transportation within the host country, we handle every detail to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient travel throughout your journey. This allows you to focus wholeheartedly on your mission experience—preparing spiritually, building relationships, and serving with purpose—while we take care of getting you where you need to be every step of the way.

To participate in a mission trip to South Africa, you will need the following travel documents:

1). Valid Passport – Your passport must be current and valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.

2). South African Visa – Most travelers, including U.S. citizens, do not require a visa for short-term stays (usually up to 90 days). However, travelers from some countries may need a visa, so check requirements based on your nationality. TEL International can provide guidance if a visa is needed.

3). Additional Documentation – While not always required, it’s recommended to carry proof of onward travel, accommodation details, and any mission trip letters or identification provided by TEL International.

Securing these documents in advance ensures smooth travel and entry into South Africa.

None for travelers from the U.S. or most other countries.

Yellow Fever vaccination is required only if you are arriving from a country with risk of Yellow Fever.

Recommended: Anti-malarial medication (must be prescribed by your physician) Tetanus (up to date); Hepatitis A and B; and Typhoid

We strongly encourage you to consult your personal physician or a travel health clinic well in advance of your trip to receive appropriate guidance and prescriptions. Our staff can assist you with information related to required and recommended vaccinations and medications for international travel. Please note that vaccination and immunization costs are not included in the total trip cost.

In many of the countries we serve, local communities are bilingual or trilingual, with English being one of the languages spoken. However, in some areas, English is not widely spoken, and a language barrier may exist. In these locations, local staff members serve as assistant trip leaders and are available to translate for the team.

Our staff is fully trained and prepared to ensure a safe and incident-free mission experience. TEL International staff members will accompany the team throughout the entire trip and will have access to transportation, cell phones, hospitals, and first aid kits at all times. In case of an emergency, a staff member will guide the team and assist with the necessary steps to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.

Our staff includes a blend of full-time employees, local staff, and seasonal interns. We deeply value the contributions of our local staff, recognizing the positive impact they have on the ministry we carry out.

If payments have been received and processed, and no airfare has been booked or other trip-related expenses incurred, individuals or groups who cancel and withdraw from a mission trip will be eligible for a full refund, less the $250 non-refundable registration fee.

If an individual or group elects to cancel or withdraw from a mission trip after trip-related expenses have been incurred but prior to the scheduled departure, TEL International must be notified immediately in writing via mail or email. If written notice of cancellation is received more than 30 days prior to departure, the following provisions apply:

1). A credit will be issued for a future mission trip. This credit must be used within two calendar years of the original trip date (not including the year the credit is issued); and 2). Any non-refundable expenses already incurred by TEL International will be deducted from the credit.

If the participant or group does not plan to use the credit for a future trip, they may choose one of the following options for the funds already paid:

1). Allocate 50% of your payment to support ministry projects in the community where your team was originally scheduled to serve, with the remaining 50% directed to TEL International’s ongoing ministry efforts; or 2). Contribute 100% of your payment to TEL International’s ongoing ministry efforts, ensuring your support continues to fund vital programs and make a lasting impact.

This policy ensures that your contributions continue to support meaningful ministry, even if you are unable to attend, helping sustain ongoing projects, empower local leaders, and extend hope and resources to the communities we serve.

If an individual or group chooses to cancel and withdraw from a mission trip within 30 days of the scheduled departure, TEL International must be notified immediately by phone and also in writing via mail or email. Upon cancellation, a credit will be issued for a future mission trip, which must be used within two calendar years of the original trip date (excluding the year the credit is issued). A $100 per participant change fee will be deducted to cover preparation and expenses already incurred by TEL International.

If your team does not plan to use the credit for a future trip, the following options are available: 1). Allocate 50% of your payment to support ministry projects in the community where your team was originally scheduled to serve, with the remaining 50% directed to TEL International’s ongoing ministry efforts; or 2). Contribute 100% of your payment to TEL International’s ongoing ministry efforts, ensuring your support continues to fund vital programs and make a lasting impact.

This policy ensures that your contributions continue to support meaningful ministry, even if your team is unable to attend, helping sustain ongoing projects, empower local leaders, and extend hope and resources to the communities we serve.

When you join TEL International on a mission trip, our staff team invests real time and energy preparing for your mission trip and supporting the team. Non-refundable amounts not only allow us to cover all organizational costs associated with your trip, but also to cover upfront expenses already committed to the community and on-field partners prior to the team’s arrival. Below are a few ways we support you and the team to make mission trips a meaningful experience for all:

1). We take the time to plan all the logistics, including housing setup, meal planning, safety protocols, team training and debrief materials; and recruiting and training field staff to lead and run each trip.

2). Our staff and local Community Partners work well in advance of each team’s arrival, setting up work projects and areas of service within the local community. Last-minute withdrawals from a trip within 45 days of the trip start date have a direct impact on our ability to maintain commitments to Community Partners, community members, local churches, schools, service organizations, and ministries, while no leaving enough time to adequately fill spaces vacated by team members.