Where was your first travel experience and how has it left a lasting impact on you?
In 2016, I traveled to Germany, Netherlands, and France for three months. My life was never the same again. It was fantastic experiencing different cultures, cuisine as well as admiring the architecture. One of my favorite highlights was watching Borussia Dortmund play against RB Leipzig at the Westfalenstadion stadium. Seeing my idols like Pierre- Aubameyang, Marco Reus and Christian Mate Pulisic, was a memory I will never forget. Being from South Africa, it was great seeing how other cultures live and interact.
Meeting with the volunteers.
How did you end up working for Claim Victory?
My journey with Claim Victory started in 2015. Fresh from my studies, I was looking for a job opportunity where I could gain practical experience for my qualifications. I applied at Claim Victory and since then, never looked back. Now, four years later, I can not imagine how quickly time has passed. It’s really true what they say, time flies when you are having fun.
What is your favorite part of your job? What is your favorite part about living in South Africa?
Spending time at the volunteering project.
My favorite part of my job is without a doubt being able to provide necessary help to various different volunteering projects around South Africa and Namibia. I also enjoy meeting travelers from all over the world, taking them on guided experiences and learning more about their cultures. Being part of Claim Victory is a very rewarding experience. My favorite part about living in South Africa is that we are such a diverse nation. We are not called the rainbow nation for no reason. I also love being able to be in nature almost everywhere that I go. South Africa is blessed with some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. It’s really a pleasure to call this country my home.
What is your best piece of advice for a prospective participant?
My best piece of advice is to be open-minded. When you come to South Africa, things might seem different than what you are used to at home, but you should embrace it. You do not have to fear anything, as we always educate our participants fully, which makes you more relaxed. Never be afraid to ask questions, we are always happy to answer and we would like you to be ready when you arrive in our beautiful country.
Tell us about the accommodation options for participants.
If you stay with us during the Road trip or Introduction weeks in Cape Town, you will have a choice of a dorm room, single, double, or twin room. At the volunteer projects, the accommodation may vary. For example, you could stay in a volunteer house, safari tents, or homestay accommodation. When choosing your project, be sure to look at the description, as well as the pictures on our website of the accommodation. This will make things easier for you to make an informed decision.
Volunteering at the conservation of Cheetahs program.
What is your favorite tour package, or the most popular and why?
I would have to say the two week South Africa Road Trip tour package. This is the best way to see as much of Cape Town and the Garden route as possible during a 15 day period. It’s also a very popular choice amongst our travelers.
If you could participate in one of you Claim Victory’s programs, where would you go and what would you do?
My favorite volunteer package has to be the Wildlife welfare and research program. The project gives you an amazing experience in terms of seeing wildlife in their most natural form including being a part of the release of wild cheetahs in protected areas. Also, this program is located in a Malaria free region.
Traveling on the Garden route and spotting some Elephants!
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
If you are thinking about it, start planning! The personal growth you will experience is what money can’t buy. Not to mention the fact that you will make friends with fellow travelers who share the same passion as yourself, whether it be with conservation or helping to fight the social challenges experienced in third world countries.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Generally, safety is a question that pops up quite frequently with participants looking to come to South Africa. My answer is always the same: “South Africa does have areas where crime is at a very high rate. We do, however, we never place volunteers in these areas. The company has been running successfully for over 20 years, with no serious incident ever being reported. This is because we do the appropriate induction and preparation with our participants, ensuring they are ready to come and enjoy their stay in South Africa. You will never have to be fearful when visiting the country.
