Bush and Beach Volunteer Adventure - South Africa

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St. Lucia is situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a beautiful area that was declared South Africa’s first Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO and which is called by many Africa’s premier bush-and-beach destination. Consisting of almost half a million acres, it is a stunning and ecologically diverse area, where five different eco-systems join to offer you savannahs, wetlands, swamps, beaches, and a great wealth of wildlife. The area is home to the Zulu tribe; a group of people with a very lively and colourful culture. St. Lucia itself is a comfortable and charismatic town, within walking distance from the beach. In this stunning setting, we offer you the opportunity to interact with and educate disadvantaged children in an orphan and child day care centre, as well as to get involved in educating the local community about the HIV virus or conservation education, building projects for local schools and much more.

Volunteer Adventures details - Volunteering in St.Lucia - Adventure Travel and Volunteer Conservation in St Lucia

Location St.Lucia - South Africa (Beach/Sea) Expedition length 12 days Age limit Minimum 17 years, unless accompanied by an adult Fitness required Minimum Expedition fee £ 995 US$ 1940

Bush and Beach Volunteer Adventure Travel in South Africa

Day 1: Arrive at Durban Airport (no later than 1300hrs). You will be transferred to the camp site at Giants Castle in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site which has exceptional natural beauty and many caves with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa south of the Sahara, made by the San people over a period of 4,000 years. After a general induction you will have a traditional South African Braai (barbeque) under the impressive shadow of the mountains before retiring to a comfortable cabin (rooms are on a twin basis) set within the park.

Day 2: After breakfast we will head off on a walk through the National Park. On the way we will have frequent stops to enjoy the scenery, wildlife and history in the area the San people lived from the Stone Age to the 19th Century.  We will visit a cave with superb rock art and a fascinating insight into the past lifestyle of the San people. We will take lunch in the mountains (please bring a day sack to carry food and water) and dinner will be taken at the restaurant back at the Giant’s Castle Camp. 

Day 3: Early rise and simple breakfast before we walk back to the Giants Castle camp for lunchtime. After lunch there will be a chance to rest before we head on a 2 hour journey to a guest house near to Dundee in the historic Battlefields area. Dinner will be at the Guest House 

Day 4: Today we go on a historical tour of two key Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal. You will be taken on a guided tour of some of the important sites that witnessed decisive events in the shaping of Zulu history.

Day 5-6: After a 2 hour drive you will arrive at the beautiful Hluhluwe and Umfolozi National Parks, where you may encounter animals such as elephants, rhino’s, Leopards, wild dogs and lions during game drives, both during the day and at night. You will stay overnight in a tented camp in the middle of the park. You will be taken on bush walks and Game Drives during your stay. In the afternoon of Day 6 you will drive for 1 hour to St Lucia Town.

Day 7: The day will be spent in the iSimangaliso National Park, a World Heritage site. You will go on a game drive through the park to see the five different eco-systems it contains. You may also see Leopard, Rhino and Buffalo during the drive. You will also visit Cape Vidal, a pretty bay situated amongst the Dune Forest, here you will have the chance to snorkel in the Indian Ocean looking for some of the best marine life in the world. 

Day 8: In the morning you will have the chance to learn some basic Zulu words during a language lesson from a local Zulu native. The afternoon\evening will be spent Whale Watching (June-Nov), Turtle Tour (Nov-Jan) or Marine Mammal Ocean adventure (Feb-June). 

Day 9: Free day to rest or do any activities of your choice. You may choose to go deep sea fishing, to go on a horse ride, Kayaking on the estuary, Hippo & Crocs tour or to take a trip to the beach. In the evening you will be driven to a nearby cultural village for some traditional Zulu food and dancing. You will spend the night sleeping in a traditional style Zulu (but modern) hut.  

Day 10-11: St Lucia Community VolunteeringYou will spend the next two days participating in the St Lucia community volunteer projects, which are facilitated by our sister organisation, African Impact. During our stay we will have the chance to interact with children and other community members while assisting a range of activities from a local pre-school, building/refurbishment projects and local sports development initiatives.

Day 12: 1 hour transfer to Richard’s Bay airport for your flight home.

Adventure activities

The Volunteering in St.Lucia - Adventure Travel and Volunteer Conservation in St Lucia includes the following adventure activities:

Wildlife safaris, community volunteering, ocean adventure with wales and dolphins, Zulu culture, Natural World Heritage Site.

Included in your Volunteer Adventures cost

Wondering what is included in your Bush and Beach tour? Check out the list below.

• Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as teaching materials, sports equipment, supplies, etc. as well as the development of the actual programme.
• Return transfers to and from Durban and Richards Bay Airport to St Lucia
• Hluhluwe/Umfolozi National Park safari and camping experience, and game drive
• Night out in a rural Zulu village
• Orientation and introductions to project work upon your arrival
• All daily transportation whilst on your trip
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day
• Assistance in your projects by various staff and project managers

Excluded from your Volunteer Adventures cost

While planning your Volunteering in St.Lucia - Adventure Travel and Volunteer Conservation in St Lucia trip, take note of the following excludes:

• Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement (expected to include cover for repatriation)
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
• Email/Internet and telephone calls
• Soft drinks, wines and spirits
• All visas for border crossings (on extra excursions)
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary with us

Orientation & arrival

Upon arrival in St Lucia, your Pathfinders crew will give you a detailed introduction and orientation of what your St.Lucia Experience entails.

Support

Throughout your Experience, you will have the full support and guidance of our coordinators and professional guides, who will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.

Accommodation

Accommodation in St Lucia will be in one of our chosen guesthouses or our volunteer base accommodation, depending on availability. Both options are comfortable and will involve sharing with no more than 2 other people. Accommodation when camping will be comfortable and organised with all equipment supplied, and the assistance and supervision of our experienced guide. Your final night in Johannesburg before departure will be at a lodge.

Meals

Meals for the Bush and Beach Volunteer Adventures are as follows:

You will be provided with three wholesome meals a day. 
Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals/porridge, toast, fruit, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be cooked for you by our volunteer cook at the volunteer base.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

How to get there

Participants to arrive in Durban on the first Sunday of the month.

Popular search terms

Bush and Beach, Volunteering in St.Lucia - Adventure Travel and Volunteer Conservation in St Lucia South Africa , Wildlife safaris, community volunteering, ocean adventure with wales and dolphins, Zulu culture, Natural World Heritage Site.

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