About VESA
VESA’s humanitarian and conservation projects aim to provide direct action support to communities in parts of the world overlooked by traditional charities and aid organisations.
Learn moreJoin us on our Africa project and experience vast arid deserts, cultures bursting with colour and energy, unique local cuisine and extraordinary wildlife right up close. Working in the communities of Saint Lucia and neighbouring Khula Village, find yourself right on the outskirts of a UNESCO Heritage Site. Africa is at the very top of any explorer’s bucket list – discover it for yourself.
Arrival into Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. You will be met by our local VESA team, easily recognisable with their VESA shirts and signs. Please ensure you are at the international arrivals halls at the time of the group flight arrival. From here, you will travel via minivan to the picturesque Saint Lucia, a small town in South Africa’s first World Heritage site. You will be staying at Bibs’ International Backpackers. This will be your home throughout the volunteer week.
St. Lucia’s Bib’s International Backpackers
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
These will be your work days! You will be split into three groups and work on a rotation to undertake the following:
Working with children and communities teaching English preparing lunches, constructing or renovating facilities.
Constructing homes for local families deemed in dire need of assistance.
Working with the KZN-Ezemvelo Wildlife Authority in wildlife conservation projects:
The Saint Lucia Crocodile Center, with Nile Crocodiles, Dwarf Crocodiles, Slender-Snout Crocodiles and American Alligators.
The daily schedule will run as follows: 08:00 am – Breakfast 09:00 am – Begin work 12:30 pm – Lunch 01:00 pm – Continue work 04:00 pm – End of work day 04:30 pm – Free time and activities 07:00 pm – Dinner 08:00 pm – Free time and activities
St. Lucia’s Bib’s International Backpackers
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The Adventure week begins in Saint Lucia and it will be jam-packed with activities:
St. Lucia’s Bib’s International Backpackers
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
For the last part of your trip, we take you into Swaziland, a former province of South Africa which is now an independent country, and one of Africa’s hidden gems!
Here we will be staying in the stunning Mililwane Wildlife Sanctuary at Sondzela Backpackers.
While you are there, you will have the opportunity to visit local craft markets, explore the sanctuary via one of its many walking trails, relax by the pool, and choose between the following optional activities: horse riding, guided mountain biking, game drive or game walk.
Sondzela Lodge Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Transfer by coach to Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport for your flight home/your own travels or continue on with us on The Road To Mozambique.