SOUTH AFRICA

A World in One Country

The tapestry of images that unfold when visiting South Africa form memories that will last a lifetime.  From the heritage of African traditions, to the influences of Europe and Asia, to its diverse population, plus varied scenery all make up a special treasure that will surprise you.

On this tour, you will be welcomed by a brilliant array of flavors, textures, colors, scents, sounds and sights that describe South Africa’s culture and people. A perfect combination of a city visit in Cape Town, South Africa’s Winelands, a special four-day African Safari in famous Kruger National Park plus your volunteer program.

Your Volunteer program will include working with Volunteers at the EWVP program in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, near the Kruger National Park assisting with ecological projects, giving valuable assistance to local community initiatives and visiting their local community school and assist teacher in the classrooms, or working to preserve the wildlife in the National Park.

Tour Includes:

  • Airfare to South Africa
  • Inter-South Africa Flights
  • Other tour-related transportation in South Africa
  • Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, including luggage handling
  • Accommodations in first class hotels in Cape Town and while on safari
  • Comfortable accommodation with private bath while on the Volunteer program
  • Hotel service charges and taxes
  • Daily breakfast
  • Other meals as per itinerary
  • All site entrance fees
  • Pre-paid gratuities

Special Added Features

  • Full Day Cape Peninsula tour to the Cape of Good Hope
  • Full day excursion to South Africa’s famous Winelands
  • A special 4 day/3 night Kruger National Park African Safari
  • Welcome Dinner
  • Farewell Dinner

Some of the Volunteer Projects that will be included depending on the group’s interests:

Community Service Program

  • Helping the Caregivers at Hosanna Day Care Facility to care for the children whose families have been affected by HIV AIDS.
  • Educational programs visiting  the local community school and assist teachers in the classrooms
  • Helping out at local community events (sports days, fund raisers).

 Conservation Program         

  • Anti poaching patrols – looking for snares and poacher presence
  • Census of animal, insect, bird, and tree species
  • Clearing of waterways and road maintenance
  • Electric fence maintenance
  • Fire control – creating fire breaks.
  • Invasive species plant control and eradication

Working with Animals Program

  • Interact with our elephant by accompanying our trained and certified elephant handlers with the elephant whilst they conduct their daily activities such as free-range feeding, interactions and rides.
  • Assisting with the caring of the elephant and horses by cleaning out stables, cutting Bhana grass and invasive plants for the elephant and horses to feed on during the night whilst they are in their stables.
  • Riding horses (lessons provided if needed). Fence patrols and anti-poaching will be conducted on horseback

 Day 1: Depart USA

Depart USA today for our connecting flights to Cape Town.

Day 2: In Cape Town (D)

Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to our hotel. Time to relax and freshen up before our welcome dinner this evening.

Day 3: In Cape Town (B)

Morning sightseeing tour including a visit to Table Mountain (cable way included – weather permitting). Take the cableway to the top of Table Mountain for an unsurpassed vista of Cape Town and surrounds.  Continue to the heart of Cape Town’s city center and stroll down government avenue past Parliament, go bargain hunting at Green Market Square and visit the famous Bo-Kaap Malay Quarters & District Six museum  Afternoon free for independent exploration and shopping. Dinner on your own.

Day 4: In Cape Town – Excursion to  (B/L)              

A full day Cape Peninsula tour as we depart for the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve along one of South Africa’s most scenic and popular routes, passing Hout Bay and onto Cape Point, the most southern point of Africa and where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Time is made for a relaxing. Lunch a local restaurant before being presented with a certificate to commemorate our visit On our return we see, Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch before coming to our hotel in the late afternoon. Balance of the day and evening on our own.

Day 5: In Cape Town – Excursion to the Wine Lands (B/L)

Full day of touring as we visit the historic towns of  Paarl, Franschhoek. Continue to the spectacular vineyard covered valleys and along scenic country roads to Stellenbosch, the second oldest European settlement in South Africa which has some of  the best preserved historical buildings in South Africa.  The scenery is combined with lunch, a wine tasting and  cellar tour plus the opportunity to purchase the local wines.  Return to our hotel in the late afternoon. Free time tonight to try some of the local restaurants.

Day 6: To Hazyview – (B/L/D)

We transfer to the airport for our flight to Kruger Mpmalanga International Airport. Upon arrival, we are met and escorted to the small village of Hazyview. This afternoon, we meet with the local project director to go over the Volunteer programs followed by dinner and our overnight in Hazyview.

Day 7: In Hazyview – (B/L/D)

Day spent on one of the Volunteer Service programs (Community, Conservation or working with Animals) programs including lunch and dinner and our overnight in Hazyview.

Day 8: In Hazyview – (B/L/D)

Day spent on one of the Volunteer Service programs (Community, Conservation or working with Animals) programs including lunch and dinner and our overnight in Hazyview.

Day 9: In Hazyview – (B/L/D)

Day spent on one of the Volunteer Service programs (Community, Conservation or working with Animals) programs including lunch and dinner and our overnight in Hazyview.

Day 10: To Johannesburg, Hoedspriut & Karongwe Private Game Reserve– (B/L/D)

We transfer to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg where we are met and continue to the Karongwe Private Game Reserve to start our safari. Check-in for lunch followed by afternoon game drive including a snack and sundowner drink.  The park boasts a huge variety of animals which is protected and guarded here. Your wildlife drives will allow ample wildlife viewing Dinner will be served after the game drive.

Day 11: On Safari –  Karongwe Private Game Reserve– (B/L/D)

Early morning  game drive in the reserve looking for the Big-five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino).  Breakfast and some time at leisure until lunch and your afternoon game drive.  Dinner and sundowner snack/drink is included.

Day 12: On Safari –  Karongwe Private Game Reserve– (B/L/D)

Early morning  game drive in the reserve looking for the Big-five.  Breakfast. Check out of our hotel to start a Panorama Route tour including entrance to the Blyde River Canyon, Bourcke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window. Check-in at the hotel in the late afternoon for our overnight at the edge of the Park.

Day 13:  To Johannesburg Airport and flight back to the USA (B)

Morning at leisure to relax before we transfer to Johannesburg International Airport to board our flight back to the USA.

Day 14:  Arrival USA

Morning arrival in the USA