Yes, you can, but always check with your project coordinator and/or host family about the most appropriate means of transport, routes and local safety precautions. Please internalise and follow these tips and advice. Also remember that not all countries apply and follow the same traffic rules as your home country.
In many countries, local taxis or e-hailing apps such as Uber or Taxify are more expensive but safer than public transport. However, these services are often only available in cities. Make sure you find out locally which is the cheapest and safest way to get around. In many African countries there are minibus taxis, which are cheap but not always the best choice for getting from A to B. Drivers are often under extreme time pressure to make as many trips as possible each day and may drive unpredictably.
We also recommend that you use these means of transport only during the day and/or in groups. Try not to travel alone by public transport at night in unfamiliar areas, or only in an emergency. In this case, it is better to contact someone from the project or your host family to ensure safe transport. As already mentioned, the best advice you can get is from the locals, your project mentor and your host family. They will help you find your way around the area. Trust them and follow their advice.
As you will be placed in different areas and regions depending on your project location, it is not possible to list all the options here. A rural village in Kenya has different transport options and rules than a host family in a township in South Africa. Choosing the right form of transport is therefore very important. Find out about the different transport options in your area before you arrive in your project country.
Read more about “How to stay safe and manage risks when volunteering abroad“.
Under the individual country information, for example South Africa and Kenya, you will also find country-specific information on traffic and transport.