Day 1 Arrive in South Africa and travel to Saint Lucia

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.

Day 2-7 Project Week

These will be your work days! You will be split into three groups and work on a rotation to undertake the following:

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 Emdoneni Cheetah Project, with Cheetahs, Caracals, Servals and African Wildcats.

Day 8-10 Adventure week begins!

The Adventure week begins in Saint Lucia and it will be jam-packed with activities:

• A full day safari in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve home to the Big Five: Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalos.
• A cultural tour of a Zulu village along with a visit to the iSangoma – a traditional Zulu healer
• Boat cruise safari along the world-renowned Saint Lucia Estuary to get up close to crocodiles and hippo.
• An open-air safari through the iSimangaliso on the way to Cape Vidal, where you’ll spend the day on a stunning and isolated beach, complete with a BBQ lunch.

Day 11-12 Explore Swaziland Explore Swaziland

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.

Day 13 Travel home

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.