GoAbroad.com

Description

Have you got a spirit of adventure?

This is a big tour for a big place! After all, if you're going to visit Southern Africa you may as well do it properly. We start in the Kruger National Park where you'll spend nights out under the stars before enjoying game drives and guided bush walks. Before you've had a chance to catch your breath, it's off to Swaziland where you'll put a smile on the face of orphans and vulnerable children using a little tender loving care. We save the best until last though, and round off the trip with a visit to Mozambique, the largely undiscovered gem on the south-east coast. Ride the waves that break off the coral reef and lap the tropical beaches before a quick ocean safari, a spot of horse riding and a beach party bring the curtain down on your trip.

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*Day 1 - 2 Arrival into Manzini (Swaziland)
Arrival at Manzini International Airport (MTS), Swaziland. You will be met in the arrivals area by a member of staff holding an i-to-i sign. For the rest of the day you will have time to relax and enjoy the surroundings as well as meeting the rest of the tour group you will be traveling with. On day two you will have an orientation and presentation on your trip itinerary.

*Days 3 to 6 - 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 holds a rich assortment of indigenous wildlife. It has an aura of ancient times and offers some of the best opportunities in the world to view Africa's big game.

We venture on a five day tour into the heart of Kruger Park including 4 nights camping in the park and unlimited game drives exploring the vast wilderness with the expert guidance of one of our wildlife field guides. Previous groups have had great sightings of lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and wild dog. You will have the opportunity to take guided walks through the bush in search of big game on foot as well as take part in a night drive to look for nocturnal wildlife.

*Day 7 - Ezulwini (Swaziland)
Pack up camp in the Kruger and head for the Kingdom of Swaziland, its friendly people and breathtaking landscapes

*Day 8 to 20 - Community project, Ezulwini (Swaziland)
Swaziland is Africa's last remaining true monarchy and in its unique laid-back way is steeped in Swazi culture and tradition. The Ezulwini valley of Swaziland is known as the valley of heaven and is both home to the King and royal family and most of the country's tourism facilities and attractions. It is a scenic Kingdom with a friendly age-old way of life that endears anyone who takes the time to experience it.

Despite its beauty Swaziland faces a major social crisis in the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and it is helping with this crisis that forms the foundation of your project work. We will spend ten days working with one of a number of small day care centers in the Ezulwini valley who are assisting orphans and vulnerable children. The AIDS pandemic in Swaziland is devastating families and leaving many children desperate for support. These little centers provide underprivileged and orphaned children with basic food, care and education. Some have local gardens where food is grown and there are various small but vital jobs that need doing. During your time working at the care centres you will get involved with a number of difference projects that aim to inspire and uplift the lives of these children. The activities you may get involved with include:

* Playing with the children offering care and support
* Organising creating games and craft classes
* Organising sports days
* Basic teaching at homework clubs
* Planting fruit tress and vegetables
* Painting educational murals

*Days 21 to 26 - Tofo Bay, Inhambane (Mozambique)
Mozambique is world famous for its idyllic tropical beaches on the Indian ocean. Being an old Portuguese colony and having come out of a drawn out civil war it is now booming as a beach destination. Tofo Bay, which is the base for this part of the trip, is a laid-back beach village in southern Mozambique and offers some of the best opportunities in the world to swim in the wild with the world's biggest fish - the whale shark. With diverse coral reefs, whales and nesting turtles, Tofo is a marine paradise and yet it is relatively close to the vibrant historic trading port of Inhambane.

You will venture on a six day stay in Tofo to experience the laid-back beach lifestyle of Mozambique. You'll spend five nights staying in reed style dormitories set among coconut palms, on the beach and one of our beach guides will introduce you to life on the beach and marine life in the ocean. You'll take an ocean safari to snorkel with the magnificent whale shark and if you have a diving license will have the opportunity of exploring the coral reefs and possibly diving with huge manta rays! Also included in the trip is the opportunity to kayak across the blue waters to the small tropical islands of Inhambane Bay.There are plenty of optional extra activities including beach horse rides, quad biking, ocean and mangrove kayaking and catamaran cruises. A beach party or two is par for the course and some chill time on the beach is guaranteed.

*Day 27 - Manzini (Swaziland)
Depart Mozambique, and transfer back to a backpacker lodge in Swaziland.

*Day 28 - Manzini (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.

*Day 29 - Return home
Depart backpacker lodge in Swaziland and fly out of Manzini International Airport. Transfer to the airport is free and provided by the local operator.

Please note that this itinerary may be subject to change and is a guideline as to the timings you can expect on this tour.

Highlights

* Spotting the 'Big 5' in the Kruger National Park
* Making a difference working in care centres in the heart of Swaziland
* Snorkeling with Whale Sharks off the pristine coast of Mozambique
* Experiencing the best of Southern Africa - amazing animals, wonderful culture and community and stunning beaches

Travel Types

• Off Road / 4X4 Driving
• Camping
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Heritage Tourism
• Nature Tours
• Overland Tours
• Safari
• Trekking
• Volunteering

Cost in US$:

USD 3,460.00 for 4 weeks

Cost Include Description:

* Accommodation: Shared hostels and tents on tour; shared volunteer house at project
* Food: Self-catering - food provided
* Airport Pick-up: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement

i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded

1994