DAY 1 : CAPE TOWN TO OUDTSHOORN We meet at our Cape Town office. On our way to Oudtshoorn, we will stop at a wine farm to taste some of South Africa’s excellent wine. We will continue our trip along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, before we get to our first camp.
DAY 2 : CANGO CAVES AND KNYSNA After an early breakfast we will be visiting the world-famous Cango Caves for a guided tour of this magnificent natural wonder. In the afternoon we will be traveling to the coast of the Garden Route at Knysna, the site of our first volunteer project. DAY 3 - 4 : KNYSNA AND THE JUDAH SQUARE RASTAFARIAN COMMUNITY For the next 2 days we will be assisting the local Rastafarian community in Knysna. Based on your skills assessment you can volunteer with one of the following tasks: Assisting in the crèche’s or orphanage, youth training, maintenance of the Health Garden, Community Centre or the upkeep of the Khayaletu River Trail. As we have 2 full days here, you will get to experience more than one aspect of this vibrant community upliftment project. DAY 5 : TSITSIKAMMA FOREST Tsitsikamma is one of South Africa’s most famous natural heritage areas and there are many different ways in which to enjoy this scenic destination. For the brave, there is the world’s highest bungee at 216m, but for the rest of us there are some wonderful hiking trails and also the opportunity to rent Mountain Bikes or ride a horse through the forests here. Many people choose to walk the first few kilometers of South Africa’s famous Otter Trail. Optional Activities: Bungee jumping (highest in the world), treetop canopy tours, hiking, mountain biking. DAY 6 : HOGSBACK From Tsitsikamma to Hogsback is a fairly long drive, but extremely scenic. We will arrive in the late afternoon in time for a hike (weather dependant) in the mountains. DAY 7 - 9 : LUSIKISIKI COMMUNITY PROJECT The Eastern Cape is one of the least developed provinces in South Africa, and Lusikisiki is one of the least developed areas in this province. The project in this community will change from trip to trip as we assist with building and providing necessary infrastructure. Optional Activities: Abseiling, Hiking and Zip-line DAY 10 - 11 : DRAKENSBERG Depart Lusikisiki and have a fairly long drive to the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal. On reaching this magnificent mountain region we have a day free to relax, or take a day trip in to neighbouring Lesotho, the Mountain Kingdom. Optional Activities: Day trip to Lesotho, mountain biking, Heritage site hike, rock climbing and horse riding. DAY 12 : AMPHITHEATRE DONGA RECLAMATION PROJECT No high-level skills are required today, just enthusiasm and the knowledge that you will be making a positive environmental impact. The Gully (Donga) Reclamation project aims to return the land to a more sustainable state, where the ravages of erosion have been repaired and native plants reintroduced. Fencing needs to be erected to keep livestock out of sensitive areas, vegetation needs to be re-introduced and gullies need to be filled. DAY 13 : DURBAN Durban is one of South Africa’s largest cities and is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline. We will arrive in the late afternoon and visit one of the colourful local markets before we check in to our hostel. This evening we will go out to one of Durban’s many superb restaurants for a meal and for those that want to check out the local nightlife there will be ample opportunity. . Optional Activities: Dinner and night out in the city. DAY 14 : iSIMANGALISO (GREATER ST LUCIA) WETLAND PARK We will leave Durban and drive north towards one of South Africa’s most well known World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park. In the afternoon we will go on a boat cruise on the lagoon in order to experience the natural beauty of this wonderful park.
DAY 15 : HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI NATIONAL PARK AND SWAZILAND Today we will get up very early in order to take a Game Drive in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park. During our drive we will have the first real opportunity on this tour to see some of Africa’s breathtaking wildlife. After our game drive we will enter the smallest country in the Southern Hemisphere, Swaziland.
DAY 16 : SHEWULA COMMUNITY-BASED NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAMME Today we will spend time with the Swazi women of Shewula at their craft and perma-culture projects. You will assist and learn about how these women are supporting the community through these endeavours. In the evening you will assist the ladies in preparing a traditional Swazi meal for everyone.
DAY 17 - 18 : JANE GOODALL CHIMPANZEE PROJECT We will spend 1 and ½ days working with the Jane Goodall project for Chimpanzees. Your assistance will mainly consist of scientifically monitoring the behavior patterns of the Chimpanzees living here and acting as a support team for the full time rehabilitation team.
DAY 19 - 20 : KRUGER NATIONAL PARK We take a break from volunteering to experience the wonderful animals that live in the Kruger National Park. The big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino) are all to be found here as well as many other beautiful African creatures. On the night drive it will also be possible to see some of the less well known inhabitants such as the Honey Badger or Porcupine.
DAY 21 - 22 : LEJUMA ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROJECT After the morning bushwalk we will leave Kruger and travel to the Soutpansberg in Limpopo province. On the way to Lejuma we will be traveling on the Panorama Route to see God’s Window and Bourkes Luck Potholes. While in this unique environmental region we will assist in compiling research data about the different species of flora and fauna. We will also be assisting with Global Warming research.
DAY 23 : JOHANNESBURG – TOUR ENDS On our final day of the tour we drive south to Gauteng province where we end our tour in Johannesburg in the late afternoon. Optional Activity: Dinner out in Johannesburg.
