Kruger to Coast: Safari, Beach & Community

Combine travel with giving back to others with our volunteer packages; help alleviate poverty, make new friends and experience the wonders and life in another country, all whilst supported by our experienced staff and staying in comfy accommodation.

The Kruger to Coast Volunteer Expedition will take you through some of the best that southern Africa has to offer in terms of wildlife, culture and beaches. Begin in Swaziland where you will get involved in grass roots community projects and make an active contribution to improve the lives of orphan and vulnerable children. 

Embark on a fiveday camping safari through the world famous Kruger National Park to spot big game. Venture to tropical Mozambique where you spend time on world class Indian Ocean beaches.  Not only will you’ll have the amazing opportunity to see some of African most incredible wildlife, snorkel with whale sharks and paddle to tropical palm fringed islands but you will also have the opportunity to participate in an important community development projects.

As a volunteer, the activities you might be involved in will include any of the following practical projects:

• Teaching basic English and maths to children
  
• Organising the children at meal times
  
• Organising creative games and craft classes to stimulate minds
  
• Organising sports days for exercise and fun
  
• Participating in swimming and horse riding lessons
  
• Making clay bricks and preparing land for structures to be build 
  
• Building structures including roofing

VOLUNTEER ROLE

Building which involves projects such as laying bricks for new classrooms or maintaining the gardens at our NCPs

The final week of your experience is spent on the beautiful golden sand beaches of sunny Mozambique. After two weeks of hard work in Swaziland it’ll be time to relax in this tropical climate and swim the blue waters of the warm and inviting Indian Ocean. Mozambique is a colorful and vibrant African country like no other and it is here that you will get to spend the last days of your trip -a wonderful finale to an inspiring tour.

ITINERARY: 

Day 1

Fly into OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg (more details in “Arrivals” section in the Swaziland Destination Brief) where you will be met by All Out Africa staff members who will transfer you by road from Johannesburg to the Kingdom of Swaziland. It is approximately a five hour journey from the airport to you to your accommodation in the Ezulwini Valley (Valley of Heaven).

Day 2

The second day begins with an informative presentation that will brief you on all you need to know about the culture and country, how to effectively contribute during your volunteer experience, and what to expect on the tours. 

In the afternoon you will embark on a Cultural Tour where you will visit the museum to learn about Swazi history and culture, and then will walk around a real Swazi village to experience day-to-day life in Swaziland. The tour finishes with a local culinary delight – a traditional Swazi braai! 

Day 3-7 Conservation tour, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is probably Africa’s most famous conservation area. Spanning nearly 20,000 km2 it covers a vast array of habitats and associated wildlife. It has an aura of ancient times and offers some of the best opportunities view Africa’s big game.

We venture on a five day tour into the heart of Kruger Park including four nights camping in the park and unlimited game drives exploring the vast wilderness with the expert guidance of one of our wildlife guides.

Previous groups have had great sightings of lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard, wild dog, giraffe, zebra to name just a few animals! There is an abundance of wildlife and birds to be spotted on your Kruger safari. You will also have the exciting opportunity to take part in a guided bush walk (optional extra) as well as experience a night drive where you’ll go in search of nocturnal wildlife.

On Day 7 you will depart Kruger for the beautiful Kingdom of Swaziland.

Day 8-20 Volunteer Projects, Swaziland

You will spend the next 10 days volunteering on your selected project (Orphan Care/Building/Sports Development).  

If you are a 4 weeks Kruger to Coast volunteer you will not be involved in the teaching and day to day care of children at the orphan care centres. As the children become very excited with new arrivals, the frequent change-over of volunteers disrupts the study and impacts on attachment issues experienced by the children. 6 and 8 week Kruger to Coast volunteers, however, will have the chance to participate in more hands-on teaching and direct care of the children. 

During this time you will also be supported to obtain your visa to enter Mozambique (the cost of visa is not included in the program cost) , and will also visit  the Mantenga Cultural Village where you will have chance to experience traditional Swazi culture and lifestyle as well as witness traditional dancing and singing. You will also be invited to participate in learning the local dance moves!

Day 21-26 Mozambique Beach and Whale Shark Tour

Mozambique is world famous for its idyllic tropical beaches on the Indian Ocean. As a former Portuguese colony that has come out of a prolonged civil war, it is now booming as quite possibly Africa’s top beach destination. Tofo is a laid-back beach village in southern Mozambique and offers some of the best opportunities in the world to snorkel in the wild with the world’s biggest fish – the whale shark. With diverse coral reefs, whales, manta rays, dolphins and nesting turtles Tofo is a marine paradise and yet it is relatively close to the vibrant historic trading port of Inhambane.

We venture on a 7 day tour to Tofo where you will experience the laid-back beach lifestyle of this colourful and vibrant country. You will take an ocean safari to snorkel with the magnificent whale shark and also have a full day kayak trip across the blue waters to the palm fringed islands in the Inhambane Bay.  If you are a certified diver you will have the opportunity of exploring the spectacular fish life of the coral reefs!  There is also the option to take part in an Internationally Accredited Open Water or Advanced Dive Course (extra cost) should you wish to dive. Here you’ll have the opportunity of exploring the spectacular fish life of the coral reefs and the chance to find the “Tofo Big 5” – whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, dolphins and humpback whales.  There are plenty of optional extra activities including beach horse rides, quad biking, mangrove kayaking, surfing, body boarding, deep sea fishing and catamaran cruises.  A beach party or two is par for the course and some chill time on the beach is guaranteed.

Mozambique is a true gem on the east African coastline, an unspoiled paradise waiting to be explored!

Day 27 Ezulwini (Swaziland)

Depart Mozambique, and transfer back to your backpacker lodge in Swaziland.

Day 28 Ezulwini (Swaziland)

At the Lodge in Swaziland you will have a full day to relax, pack up and make preparations for your departure the following day (4-week volunteers).

7:00 Wake up to see the sunshine, jump in a hot shower and get yourself started for the day with breakfast!

8:00 Travel to your placement and get ready to begin your day.

8:30 Participate in your volunteer project assisting with fun activities.

13:00 Time to either return to your accommodation for lunch, or eat the packed lunch you made that morning!

14:00 Begin your afternoon’s work with a full stomach & enthusiasm 

16:30 Return back to your accommodation and share your day’s adventures with other volunteers, maybe even a quick swim in the pool! 

18:30 Enjoy a delicious evening meal & relax...... 

Although during your tour you may be staying at several locations, your home base will be in Swaziland. Your evenings and weekends will be free time to explore the Kingdom of Swaziland! You will be staying in beautiful Ezluwini Valley, which translates to the “valley of heaven”. The area offers many amenities nearby such as a shopping centre with restaurants, shops, grocery stores, night life and a movie theatre! Swaziland also boosts many nature loving activities such as hiking and game parks for a chance to see African wildlife up close and personal. Your program includes some additional cultural activities to help settle you in to your new destination, such as local market tours, a cultural village and walking tour to name a few.

Along the tour you will have the opportunity to explore and participate in many more activities too!

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

You can also add one of the following to your adventure of a lifetime prior to or upon arrival:

• Internationally recognised Open Water or Advanced Dive Course
  
• Bush walk in Kruger, to see some of the smaller creatures that reside in Kruger up close and personal
  
• Zip lining weekend through the mountains, waterfalls and gorges of Malolotja Nature Reserve