Trip Highlights Live in spectacular surroundings in the heart of a South African private game reserve and enjoy volunteering and safari adventures! Help with wildlife conservation & anti-poaching projects, protecting amazing animals on the reserve, plus help kids at a community daycare project Explore the game reserve and spot unique wildlife on game drives, bushwalks and an unforgettable night safari Spend time with the reserve's beautiful elephants and help feed and care for them Enjoy an unforgettable 2-day camping adventure in world-famous Kruger National Park! 15 days from 899 1/9
Trip Overview Enjoy 15 days of wildlife conservation, safaris and adventure in South Africa! Stay on a private game reserve, enjoy game drives, and see animals up close as a member of a wildlife conservation team. Volunteer with kids at local community projects, experience horseback safaris, and go on guided bushwalks through gorgeous South African landscapes. You ll also enjoy an unforgettable 2-night camping adventure in world-famous Kruger National Park! This unique South African adventure will take your breath away! Trip Details Day 1: Arrival You'll arrive at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport between 10am-2pm, where you'll be met and transferred to the game reserve. En route, you'll stop off at the local town to stock up on supplies for the next few days. There won't be a chance to get anything extra for a few days so think carefully about what you'll need! You'll have a welcome meeting and orientation with the trip co-ordinators, meet your group and settle in to life on this stunning South African game reserve. 2/9
In the evening, you will be given an orientation talk by the trip co-ordinator. You ll be given guidance on staying safe, camp regulations, tips and advice, and who s who at the game reserve. Then watch the sun go down over the bush and get ready for your first night under African skies. Day 2: Orientation Day and Night Game Drive The trip co-ordinators will introduce you to the reserve and you'll take part in your first conservation volunteering activities, which may include tracking and monitoring the wildlife or maintenance and repair duties at the reserve. The reserve is home to a wide variety of amazing wildlife, including giraffe, blue wildebeest, zebra, crocodiles, kudu as well as wild elephants, who are under constant threat from poachers. As part of your conservation activities you will help to track and monitor the animals. Other regular activities include checking fencing, repairing damaged sections of fence, maintaining roads on the reserve and clearing unwanted alien undergrowth. You will also listen to informative anti-poaching talks, informing you about the endangered animals and the measures that can be taken to ensure their survival. In the evening, you'll head out on an unforgettable night safari experience! Day 3: Game Drive, 4x4 Experience & Bush Walk Enjoy a game drive around the private reserve, spotting all the wonderful wildlife and getting up close to some of the animals in the area. You will also head out on foot around the reserve, led by your guide, where you will learn about the flora and fauna, insects and birds and keep an eye out for signs of animal tracks before driving around the reserve in a 4WD vehicle! Day 4: Community Volunteering, Target Shooting & Anti-Poaching Patrols The game reserve is closely linked to local daycare projects. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to spend a few hours playing games and engaging in activities with the kids, helping to prepare meals, and muck in with any maintenance or building projects. Poaching is one of the biggest threats to wildlife in South Africa. You will take part in anti-poaching patrols to help protect the local wildlife, searching for and removing illegal wire snares or damaged perimeter fences. Patrols are bush walks led by armed guides and you ll be right at the heart of the action, making a difference to the environment and providing vital protection for the animals. You can also try your hand at target shooting with a.22 calibre rifle! Day 5: Panoramic Tour 3/9
Today is dedicated to the natural beauty of South Africa. See rolling green mountains from God s Window, intricate rock pools at Bourke s Luck Potholes, and the breathtaking Lisbon Falls among other incredible natural wonders that pepper the South African landscape. Allow around R250 (approx. 15) for breakfast and lunch out. Day 6: Chimp Sanctuary & Sudwala Caves An exciting day trip today! Head over to visit Sudwala Caves, an impressive network of underground chambers dating back to prehistoric times. Marvel at the amazing aragonite crystals and flowstone features that line the walls. Then visit a wonderful sanctuary for chimpanzees that have been displaced from their natural habitats. Take a look at some chimps lazing around in the sun and wander the beautiful surroundings of the reserve. Then journey back to relax back at camp, stopping off in Nelspruit to pick up supplies. Allow around R250 (approx. 15) for breakfast and lunch out. Day 7: Elephant Experience and Wifi time Meet the tame elephants who call the reserve home. Get up close to these majestic creatures and help the reserve staff care for them. Later on you have some chill time and the group leader will take you to another camp in the reserve to use the wifi for a few hours. Day 8: Conservation Volunteering, Community Volunteeering & Bush Walk Begin with some vital conservation volunteering around the reserve. Later, go on a guided bushwalk focused on learning about the reserve's birds, reptiles, trees and grasses. After that head to the local day care centre where you will muck in any help around the centre in any jobs that need doing, whilst spending valuable time with the local children! Days 9, 10 and 11: Kruger National Park Head into town to pick up supplies and then venture into beautiful Kruger National Park - this is the ideal time to spot lions, rhinos, leopard, cheetah, wild dogs, hyena and many more animals!. Of all South Africa s incredible national parks, Kruger is the undisputed champion. Explore these vast plains and shimmering grasslands and watch animals of all kinds gather at watering holes to drink. Spend 2 nights camping out in this sensational spot, and head out on game drives and wildlife experiences. It's a unique safari experience! Dinner is included, but you should allow some spending money for breakfasts and lunches. Return to the reserve in the afternoon of day 11. Day 12: Adventure activities Today is all about awesome adventures, as you lock and load for some paintballing, and then jump on the back of a quad bike to roam the indigenous forest trails and blue gum plantations, before ending up at a spectacular waterfall. Round off the day with some adrenaline-pumping white water tubing down the Sabie River Gorge! Breakfast and lunch will be eaten out, so allow around R250-300 for food. 4/9
Please note: Adventure activities are subject to availability and may change dependent on the season and the weather. Day 13: Cheetah Project & Wildlife Centre Get up close to even more incredible animals today as you visit a cheetah breeding project and encounter these beautiful big cats. See how animals are cared for on a visit to the fascinating Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. You may also get the chance to hand feed vultures! Not for the faint hearted! Allow around R250 (approx. 15) for breakfast and lunch out. Day 14: Horseback Safari and Farewell Opt to head off on horseback to see the reserve and spot more amazing animals on safari! In the evening, you'll get the chance to sit down to an optional farewell dinner, and celebrate all the amazing experiences you've had over the past 2 weeks. If you wish to take part in the farewell dinner, this will be at an extra cost of around 10. Day 15: Departure Day Depart from the reserve after breakfast and transfer back to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit) to catch a flight after 10am Please note: The itinerary is subject to change and is for guidance only - some activities may be done in a different order to what is listed above, and some activities could change depending on weather conditions or for operational reasons. Free Time at the Reserve You will have time off during your stay at the reserve, which will mostly be spent relaxing around your camp, getting to know your group and enjoying the amazing natural environment. During your downtime at the reserve there are few activities available on site, so you may wish to bring books, music, DVDs, cards or games with you to pass away your relaxing leisure time. Or just spend some time getting to know your new group of friends, playing volleyball or splashing about in the plunge pool. Saturday night is party night at the camp, where you can hang out with all the other volunteers at the reserve and have fun around the campfire. On day 14 you have the chance to join a special farewell dinner and evening for an extra cost of around 10. Arrival Information 5/9
To get here, you ll need to arrange a flight into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit) and you must arrive between 10am and 2pm on your start date (Monday). You will be met at the airport by a local staff member, where you will wait for the rest of your group to arrive, before being transferred to the game reserve by minibus, which is located about 1.5 hours drive from the airport. If you wish to travel into Nelspruit by a different method of travel other than flying, you will either need to make your way to the airport pickup point to be met by our local representative, or alternatively you can be collected from the local CityBug station. Please discuss your options with your travel advisor before you travel. Return transfers are included and you must book your flight to leave Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit) after 10am. Depending on how many travellers are in your group there may be only one transfer to the airport which may mean you have to wait at the airport until your flight. Although small, the airport has basic facilities with a selection of restaurants, shops, a bar, and complimentary WiFi. Accommodation & Meals 14 nights of accommodation are included, staying in a lodge with a plunge pool on a private game reserve. You will be sharing with other travellers, as well as possibly with other longer-term reserve volunteers. Your guide lives close by on site, so is on hand if you need them. 2 nights will be spent camping in beautiful Kruger National Park. Accommodation on the reserve is in basic single-sex shared dorms, sleeping 4-10 people, with shared bathroom facilities. There are communal indoor and outdoor areas including a Boma (campfire) area, which is also lit up at night, and where everyone gathers as a group. The lodge is situated in lovely surroundings. Internet and mobile phone network availability is limited at your camp. You will need to bring your own phone or tablet device to access the internet. If you wish to get better mobile network coverage it is advised you purchase a local SIM card with data at Johannesburg airport when you arrive in South Africa. Usually twice during your stay there will be opportunity during your stay to go to the main lodge on the reserve and access the WiFi. There are free laundry facilities on site where you can do your own laundry. Lockers are not provided. We recommend that you bring a torch with you, as the outside areas at the reserve can be very dark at night. During your downtime at the reserve camp, there are few activities available on site, so you may wish to bring books, music, DVDs, cards or games with you to pass away your leisure time. 6/9
South Africa is known for warm weather, but please bear in mind that the temperature can drop at night, and it can be cold during the winter months, so you are advised to pack some warm clothing. You will be given a full recommended kit list once you book onto the programme. Although you'll be doing your daily activities with your group and guide, other visitors stay on the reserve. Please Note: The accommodation areas on the reserve are not fenced, and the odd animal has been known to wander close to the camp. If this occurs, the rangers will ask you to remain inside, and there are radios at the accommodation to notify guides of any animals straying too close. Meals Most meals are provided during your stay at the private game reserve, apart from during your day excursions. Dinners while camping in Kruger are included, while breakfasts and lunches are at your own cost. All other meals during your day trips away from the reserve are at your own cost. Snacks and extra drinks can be purchased on trips into the local town. You will need to bring some spending money to cover the cost of some meals, especially on days when you are away from the reserve. There is a shared kitchen area at camp. During your stay at the game reserve, everyone is expected to get hands-on helping out with daily cooking and washing-up duties. Breakfasts mainly consist of yoghurt, fresh fruit, toast, cereal, tea and coffee. Lunches include fruit, pizzas, pies, sandwiches, hamburgers and sausages. Occasionally some lunches will be a packed lunch. For dinner, good wholesome South African meals will be eaten. These are usually dishes such as stew, BBQ s, casseroles, vegetables and salad, so you'll never go hungry! If you have specific dietary requirements such as vegetarian or lactose intolerant this can usually be catered for. You must inform us at least a month in advance of your departure if you have dietary requirements. For more restricted dietary requirements such as gluten free or vegan you may have to purchase some additional food yourself on town visits. If you wish to take part in the farewell dinner on day 14 this will be at an extra cost of around 10. Tea, coffee and fruit juice will also be available daily at breakfast and lunch. Safe drinking water is provided, although you will also have a chance to buy bottled water and other drinks on your weekly trip into the local town, where you can stock up on supplies. It is advised that you bring a proper water bottle which you can take out with you on daily excursions, as these are not provided. 7/9
Alcohol is not provided on site - you will be able to purchase this during your weekly trips in to town, and on the first day when you stop for supplies en route to the reserve. Please drink alcohol responsibly. South Africans enjoy a social beer or two around the campfire, but please have consideration for the rest of your group when it comes to the excess use of alcohol while at camp. Free Time at the Reserve You will have time off during your stay at the reserve, which will mostly be spent relaxing around your camp, getting to know your group and enjoying the amazing natural environment. During your downtime at the reserve there are few activities available on site, so you may wish to bring books, music, DVDs, cards or games with you to pass away your relaxing leisure time. Or just spend some time getting to know your new group of friends, playing volleyball or splashing about in the plunge pool. Saturday night is party night at the camp, where you can hang out with all the other volunteers at the reserve and have fun around the campfire. On day 14 you have the chance to join a special farewell dinner and evening for an extra cost of around 10. Minimum age & eligibility The minimum age for this game reserve trip is 18 and the trip is suitable for participants between the ages of 18-30. Nationals of the EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand don t require a visa to enter South Africa. South African Immigration does ask that you have two completely blank consecutive pages in your passport, though as long as you hold a valid passport (and a valid return ticket) you will be granted a temporary visitor s permit on arrival, allowing visitors to stay in South Africa for up to three months. You should also ensure that your passport will still be in date for six months after you return. Group Size Avg 10, Max 20 What's Included Access to a buddy list before you travel A personal airport greeting and transfer Game drives and safaris Unforgettable elephant experience Horseback safari 8/9
Bush walks 4x4 experience Night drive on the reserve Cave visit Chimpanzee sanctuary visit A 2-night camping adventure in Kruger National Park Visits to a animal rehabilitation centre and cheetah project A day of quad biking, paintballing, and white water tubing Community volunteering Conservation and anti-poaching volunteering Local town visits All your accommodation Meals while at the reserve A return airport transfer 24-hour emergency support What's not Included Flights Visas Travel Insurance Meals while away from the reserve Optional farewell meal Some drinks Prices Prices shown are correct on the 13th Nov 2018 and are subject to change South Africa Wild Adventure - 899 9/9