Itinerary

DAY 1 CAPE TOWN TO OUDTSHOORN
We meet at the Nomad office in Cape Town for a short briefing over coffee. Your guide will be assessing everyone’s skills for the volunteer projects ahead as well as answering any questions you have. On our way to Oudtshoorn we will stop at a wine farm to taste some of South Africa’s excellent wine while getting to know one another. In the afternoon we will be travelling to Oudtshoorn along the longest wine route in the world on Route 62, before we get to our first camp, where we learn about the vehicle and how to put up the tents.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

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 travelling to the coast of the Garden Route at Knysna, the site of our first volunteer project.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 creche’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. On Day 4 we depart late in the afternoon to the Tsitsikamma Forest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Judah Square Rastafarian Community
NB: It is extremely important to note that as we are volunteering at a Rastafarian Community you need to be aware that all alcohol is strictly forbidden and that the tabernacle needs to be respected as holy ground.

On the morning of day 3 and the whole of day 4 you will enter the surrounding community in order to become involved in a variety of activities. Those of you who go to the Creche will assist the in teaching and caring for the children. Those that go to the orphanage will change nappies, bath babies, make lunches and help with the rest of the duties involved in bringing up children. Clients helping out on the river trail will help maintain the paths and bridges, remove alien vegetation and clean out litter. Those at the health garden will help with the weeding, watering planting and harvesting or help in the workings of the community centre. Clients with teachable skills, such as mechanics, cooks, seamstresses and the like will be able to assist in training the townships youth at the Sinethemba youth centre. In the evenings, members of Judah squares bands often practise in the music room which interested parties can attend.

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 worlds 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 kilometres of South Africa’s famous Otter Trail. Optional Activities: Bungy jumping (highest in the world), treetop canopy tours, hiking, mountain biking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 / 8 / 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. One of the community projects is involved in the production of leather sandals, you will learn how to make these sandals while spending a day with the workers, at the end of the day you will get to keep and wear the sandals you have made. Tree planting, teaching basic English skills and alien vegetation clearing can all form part of your contribution to this impoverished area. Optional Activities: Abseiling, Hiking and Zip-line
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lusikisiki Community Project
This project lies right in the heart of the traditional Xhosa homeland and as such we need to be extremely sensitive about our level of impact. You need to be aware that in this extremely remote rural area we are ambassadors of western culture, which is much aspired to. As difficult as it may be, you are required to meet any requests for physical goods, even water, with a polite and firm no. We do not want to create a village of opportunists. Our camp is on the verge of the community and there is no separation between us and them, so overt displays of wealth are not advised. The ablution facilities are basic and you will need to carry your own water from a nearby spring for ablution purposes. As we have 2 days here there will be different activities on each of the days. On one day we will plant trees and on the other we will assist with the leather workshop.

DAY 10 / 11 DRAKENSBERG
On day 10 we depart Lusikisiki and have a fairly long drive to the Drakensberg in Kwa Zulu 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 gullys need to be filled.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Amphitheatre Donga Reclamation Project
A Donga is basically a large hole or gully that has been gouged out of the land by water and erosion. This is caused by over-intensive land usage that has stripped the land of the essential vegetation required to keep the land strong enough to withstand the natural weather elements. Our project for the day will be on the outskirts of a community at the base of the Drakensberg. Their proximity to the world heritage site has restricted the community grazing lands and the intensive land use has resulted in massive erosion that threatens the sustainability of the community. Today we will be repairing the dongas, this is not a glamorous project, shovels will be well used!

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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 14 TOUR ENDS
After breakfast your tour has ended, please let us know if we can arrange any further travels for you.
Meals: Breakfast

Included

Accommodation: Two man large dome tents with plenty of extra space for your bags, plus a foam mattress is provided to ensure your comfort.

Max Group Size: no more than 22 passengers

 

Transport in specialised vehicle

Service of two qualified guides

Meals, accommodation and activities as per itinerary

Most National Park fees

 

Wine Tasting

Cango Caves

Judah Square Rastafarian Community

Tsitsikamma NP

Hike in Hogsback

Lusikisiki Community Project

Drakensberg

Donga Reclamation Project

Excluded

Optional Activities
South Africa - Oudtshoorn - Tour of Ostrich Farm R100 to R150
South Africa - Bloukrans - Bridge World Highest Bungee Jump R590 to R650
South Africa - Tsitsikamma NP - Treetop / Canopy Tour R395 to R495
South Africa - Knysna - Lagoon Cruise R80 to R150
South Africa - Knysna - Knysna Forest Entrance Fee R10 to R40
South Africa - Lusikisiki - Zip Line R150 to R200
South Africa - Drakensberg - Horse Riding - Per Hour R120 to R150
South Africa / Lesotho - Drakensberg - Day Trip to Lesotho R350 to R400
South Africa - Drakensberg - Mountain Biking R100 to R130
South Africa - Drakensberg - Rock Climbing R800 to R850
South Africa - Durban - Dinner at local restaurant R150 to R300

 

Visas

Vaccinations

Items of a personal nature

Alcohol and snacks

Sleeping bag and towel

Departures

Starts: Cape Town - Finishes: Durban

21-Oct-2009 - 03-Nov-2009
18-Nov-2009 - 01-Dec-2009
16-Dec-2009 - 29-Dec-2010

Departures 2010

12-Jan-2010 - 25-Jan-2010

09-Feb-2010 - 22-Feb-2010

09-Mar-2010 - 22-Mar-2010

13-Apr-2010 - 26-Apr-2010

11-May-2010 - 24-May-2010

21-Sep-2010 - 04-Oct-2010

19-Oct-2010 - 01-Nov-2010

16-Nov-2010 - 29-Nov-2010

14-Dec-2010 - 27-Dec-2010

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