The Ubuntu Volun-tour 2010

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DAY 1:
Cape Town to Oudtshoorn
We meet at the Nomad office in Cape Town for a short briefing over coffee. Your guide will be assessing everyone’s skills for the volunteer projects ahead as well as answering any questions you have. On our way to Oudtshoorn we will stop at a wine farm to taste some of South Africa’s excellent wine while getting to know one another. In the afternoon we will be travelling to Oudtshoorn along the longest wine route in the world on Route 62, before we get to our first camp, where we learn about the vehicle and how to put up the tents.

DAY 2:
Cango Caves and Knysna
After an early breakfast we will be visiting the world-famous Cango Caves for a guided tour of this magnificent natural wonder. In the afternoon we will be travelling to the coast of the Garden Route at Knysna, the site of our first volunteer project.

DAY 3 / 4:
Knysna and the Judah Square Rastafarian community
For the next 2 days we will be assisting the local Rastafarian community in Knysna. Based on your skills assessment you can volunteer with one of the following tasks: Assisting in the crèche’s or orphanage, youth training, maintenance of the Health Garden, Community Centre or the upkeep of the Khayaletu River Trail. As we have 2 full days here, you will get to experience more than one aspect of this vibrant community upliftment project. On Day 4 we depart late in the afternoon to the Tsitsikamma Forest.
Judah Square Rastafarian Community
NB: It is extremely important to note that as we are volunteering at a Rastafarian Community you need to be aware that all alcohol is strictly forbidden and that the tabernacle needs to be respected as holy ground.

On the morning of day 3 and the whole of day 4 you will enter the surrounding community in order to become involved in a variety of activities. Those of you who go to the Crèche will assist the in teaching and caring for the children. Those that go to the orphanage will change nappies, bath babies, make lunches and help with the rest of the duties involved in bringing up children. Clients helping out on the river trail will help maintain the paths and bridges, remove alien vegetation and clean out litter. Those at the health garden will help with the weeding, watering planting and harvesting or help in the workings of the community centre. Clients with teachable skills, such as mechanics, cooks, seamstresses and the like will be able to assist in training the townships youth at the Sinethemba youth centre. In the evenings, members of Judah squares bands often practise in the music room which interested parties can attend.

DAY 5:
Tsitsikamma Forest
Tsitsikamma is one of South Africa’s most famous natural heritage areas and there are many different ways in which to enjoy this scenic destination. For the brave, there is the world’s highest bungee at 216m, but for the rest of us there are some wonderful hiking trails and also the opportunity to rent Mountain Bikes or ride a horse through the forests here. Many people choose to walk the first few kilometres of South Africa’s famous Otter Trail. Optional Activities: Bungee jumping (highest in the world), treetop canopy tours, hiking, mountain biking.

DAY 6:
Hogsback
From Tsitsikamma to Hogsback is a fairly long drive, but extremely scenic. We will arrive in the late afternoon in time for a hike (weather dependant) in the mountains.

DAY 7 / 8 / 9:
Lusikisiki community project
The Eastern Cape is one of the least developed provinces in South Africa, and Lusikisiki is one of the least developed areas in this province. The project in this community will change from trip to trip as we assist with building and providing necessary infrastructure. One of the community projects is involved in the production of leather sandals, you will learn how to make these sandals while spending a day with the workers, at the end of the day you will get to keep and wear the sandals you have made. Tree planting, teaching basic English skills and alien vegetation clearing can all form part of your contribution to this impoverished area. Optional Activities: Abseiling, Hiking and Zip-line
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lusikisiki Community Project
This project lies right in the heart of the traditional Xhosa homeland and as such we need to be extremely sensitive about our level of impact. You need to be aware that in this extremely remote rural area we are ambassadors of western culture, which is much aspired to. As difficult as it may be, you are required to meet any requests for physical goods, even water, with a polite and firm no. We do not want to create a village of opportunists. Our camp is on the verge of the community and there is no separation between us and them, so overt displays of wealth are not advised. The ablution facilities are basic and you will need to carry your own water from a nearby spring for ablution purposes. As we have 2 days here there will be different activities on each of the days. On one day we will plant trees and on the other we will assist with the leather workshop.

DAY 10 / 11:
Drakensberg
On day 10 we depart Lusikisiki and have a fairly long drive to the Drakensberg in Kwa Zulu Natal. On reaching this magnificent mountain region we have a day free to relax, or take a day trip in to neighbouring Lesotho, the Mountain Kingdom. Optional Activities: Day trip to Lesotho, mountain biking, Heritage site hike, rock climbing and horse riding.

DAY 12: Amphitheatre Donga reclamation project
No high-level skills are required today, just 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 gullies need to be filled.
 
Amphitheatre Donga Reclamation Project
A Donga is basically a large hole or gully that has been gouged out of the land by water and erosion. This is caused by over-intensive land usage that has stripped the land of the essential vegetation required to keep the land strong enough to withstand the natural weather elements. Our project for the day will be on the outskirts of a community at the base of the Drakensberg. Their proximity to the world heritage site has restricted the community grazing lands and the intensive land use has resulted in massive erosion that threatens the sustainability of the community. Today we will be repairing the dongas, this is not a glamorous project, and shovels will be well used!

DAY 13:
Durban
Durban is one of South Africa’s largest cities and is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline. We will arrive in the late afternoon and visit one of the colourful local markets before we check in to our hostel. This evening we will go out to one of Durban’s many superb restaurants for a meal and for those that want to check out the local nightlife there will be ample opportunity. . Optional Activities: Dinner and night out in the city.

DAY 14:
Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park
We will leave Durban and drive north towards one of South Africa’s most well known World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park. In the afternoon we will go on a boat cruise on the lagoon in order to experience the natural beauty of this wonderful park.

DAY 15:
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park and Swaziland
Today we will get up very early in order to take a Game Drive in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park. During our drive we will have the first real opportunity on this tour to see some of Africa’s breathtaking wildlife. After our game drive we will enter the smallest country in the Southern Hemisphere, Swaziland.

DAY 16:
Shewula Community-Based Natural Resources Programme (CBNRP)
Today we will spend time with the Swazi women of Shewula at their craft and perma-culture projects. You will assist and learn about how these women are supporting the community through these endeavours. In the evening you will assist the ladies in preparing a traditional Swazi meal for everyone.

Shweula community based natural resources programme (NBNRP)
The Shewula community lies on the edge of the Lebombo conservancy and the members of the community lead their lives in accordance to the natural rhythms of Africa. Our work with them revolves around adapting the ancient practises of agriculture and craft making to fit in with modern realities.

DAY 17 / 18:
Jane Goodall Cjimpanzee Project
We will spend 1 and ½ days working with the Jane Goodall project for Chimpanzees. Your assistance will mainly consist of scientifically monitoring the behaviour patterns of the Chimpanzees living here and acting as a support team for the full time rehabilitation team.

Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Project
The Jane Goodall Foundation has branched out from its original roots on Lake Tanganyika to try and address issues such as the trans-location of chimpanzees. All of these chimps have been rescued from people who have removed them from their natural environment and as such they need close monitoring in order to be able to predict their futures and the futures of their brothers and sister across Africa.

DAY 19 / 20:
Kruger National Park
We take a break from volunteering to experience the wonderful animals that live in the Kruger National Park. The big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino) are all to be found here as well as many other beautiful African creatures. On the night drive it will also be possible to see some of the less well known inhabitants such as the Honey Badger or Porcupine.

DAY 21 / 22:
Lejuma Environmental Research Project 
After the morning bushwalk we will leave Kruger and travel to the Soutpansberg in Limpopo province. On the way to Lejuma we will be travelling on the Panorama Route to see God’s Window and Bourkes Luck Potholes. While in this unique environmental region we will assist in compiling research data about the different species of flora and fauna. We will also be assisting with Global Warming research.

Lejuma Environmental Research Project
On this project we will be conducting field research in to the biodiversity of this unique part of South Africa. It helps to have your own digital camera as we will be taking pictures of specific species in order to produce a comprehensive record.

DAY 23
Johannesburg – Tour Ends
On our final day of the tour we drive south to Gauteng province where we end our tour in Johannesburg in the late afternoon. If you are interested in spending more time volunteering in Johannesburg, or any other part of South Africa we can arrange a more in-depth single location project for you. Optional Activities: Dinner out in Johannesburg.

If you would like to contact us, please use our webform or call on +44(0)1202 233969.