Cape Town to Johannesburg Volunteering Experience

A day-by-day breakdown of what to expect and where you'll be staying.

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Day 1, Cape Town to Oudtshoorn

Confessing your skills is how today starts. You can then be placed in the most beneficial 'job' at each volunteer project site according to your special abilities. Then a stop at a wine farm helps you get to know your fellow travellers and taste some of South Africa's best wines at the same time!

Day 2, Oudtshoorn to Knysna

An early breakfast is had before we visit the famous Cango Caves for a guided tour. After lunch we travel part of the Garden Route to Knysna, the site of our first volunteer project.

Day 3 to 4, Judah Square Rastafarian Community

Here we assist the local Rastafarian community in Knysna. Based on your skills you could help at the creche or orphanage, with youth training, maintenance of the Health Garden, Community Centre or the upkeep of the Khayaletu River Trail.

Day 5, Knysna to Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma is one of South Africa's most famous natural heritage areas that just happens to include within it the worlds highest bungee at 216m! Some more optional activities you could choose if heights are not your thing include: hiking trails, Mountain Biking, Horse riding or treetop tours.

Day 6, Tsitsikamma National Park to Hogsback

A long but scenic drive today to Hogsback. Weather and time permitting we could hike in the mountains once our camp is set up.

Day 7 to 9, Lusikisiki

Lusikisiki is one of the least developed areas within one of the least developed provinces of South Africa. Homeland of the Xhosa, the projects in this community will change from trip to trip as we assist with building and providing necessary infrastructure. Facilities are very basic.

Day 10 to 11, Lusikisiki to Drakensburg

A fairly long but scenic drive brings us to the Drakensberg Ranges in Kwa Zulu Natal where we have a free day to relax and soak up the stunning scenery.

Day 12, Amphitheatre Donga Reclamation Project

No high-level skills are required today, just a bit of 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 - shovels will be well used!

Day 13, Drakensberg to Durban

Leaving the gorgeous Drakensburg ranges we travel to the coast and will arrive in the colourful city of Durban in the late afternoon. If time allows we will have a look at a vibrant local market before we check in to our hostel. A good opportunity tonight to checkout the local food and nightlife!

Day 14 to 15, Durban to Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park

Departing from Durban we drive north towards one of South Africa's most well known World Heritage Sites, Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park. An afternoon boat cruise on the lagoon enables us to experience the natural beauty of this wonderful park.

Day 16, St. Lucia Wetlands to Shewula Nature Reserve

Up early and off Game Driving in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park - the first opportunity on this tour to see some of Africa's breathtaking wildlife. Afterwards we will enter Swaziland, the smallest country in the Southern Hemisphere.

Day 17, Shewula Nature Reserve

Today we spend time on the edge of the Lebombo conservancy, with the Swazi women of Shewula, at their craft and perma-culture projects. You will assist and learn how these women are supporting the community through these endeavours. In the evening help the ladies prepare a traditional Swazi meal.

Day 18 to 19, Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The next 1 and a half days are spent working with the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Project and your assistance will consist of monitoring the behaviour patterns of the Chimps and acting as support for the full time rehab team. All of these chimps have been rescued from people who have removed them from their natural environment.

Day 20 to 21, Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary to Kruger National Park

Big 5 here we come! Take a break from volunteering to experience the wonderful animals that live in the Kruger National Park. On the night drive we may see some of the less well known creatures in this Park such as the Honey Badger and Porcupine.

Day 22 to 23, Kruger National Park to Lejuma

Take up a morning bushwalk before we leave Kruger and travel to the Soutpansberg in Limpopo province. We travel the Panorama Route on the way to Lejuma, and will stop at God's Window and Bourkes Luck Potholes for a stunning photo or 2. Our tasks while in this unique environmental region will be to assist in compiling research data about the different species of flora and fauna (a digital camera is a must), as well as assisting with Global Warming research.

Day 24, Lejuma to Johannesburg

Heading south today we end our tour in Johannesburg in the late afternoon.

Meals included in your tour cost

22 Breakfasts, 23 Lunches, 21 Dinners

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Highlights included in your tour cost

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There are 16 optional activities available on this trip.

Prices shown are approximate

• $110 Bloukrans Bridge Bungee Jump
• $7 Cango Caves
• $15 Drakensberg Horse Riding
• $13 Drakensberg Mountain Biking
• $85 Drakensberg Rock Climbing
• $4 Knysna Forest
• $15 Knysna Lagoon Boat Cruise
• $30 Kruger National Park Game Walk
• $45 Kruger National Park Night Drive
• $40 Lesotho Day Trip
• TBA Mlilwane National Park Horse Riding
• $15 Mlilwane National Park Mountain Biking
• $15 Oudtshoorn Ostrich Farm Visit
• $14 St Lucia Boat Cruise
• $45 Tsitsikamma Forest Quad Biking
• $50 Tsitsikamma Treetop Canopy Tour