ADVENTURE AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE CAPE TOWN
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
This expedition starts in Cape Town, the meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Vistors to this beautiful coastal city never fail to be captivated by Table Mountain wreathed in its tablecloth of clouds. This journey will take explorers up the stunning Garden Route through some of the most bountiful Winelands in the world. The expedition includes a Peninsula tour, trip to Robben Island, visit to ADDO Elephant National Park and even a bungee jump at Knysna for the more adventurous. There are also two days of volunteering helping children in the local community.
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Location: |
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA |
Dates: |
1-13 February, 3-15 May, 7-19 June, 5-17 July, 2-14 August, 6-18 September, 1-13 November 2009 |
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Fees: |
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Payment: |
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance of project fee due 8 weeks before departure |
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Reference: |
AA017 |
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General Information
Cape Town will form the launching point for your Southern African Expedition. It is one of the world’s finest cities and it is rare to find a visitor that does not return. Its bustling cosmopolitan atmosphere and year round fantastic climate coupled with the huge amount to do in the area make it an extremely popular destination with those exploring Africa. It is South Africa’s second largest city but its relatively large area prevents it from feeling claustrophobic. After a few days sampling all the delights the city and immediate surrounds has to offer you will begin your trek up the Indian Ocean coast, first heading through the world famous Cape Winelands before taking in the fantastic activities on offer such as the world’s highest bungee jump and the ADDO Elephant National Park.
Itinerary summary
Day
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Activities
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Location
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Accommodation
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Meals
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| 1 |
Arrival and Orientation |
Cape Town |
Volunteer base/Guest house |
D |
| 2 - 3 |
Cape Town rural communities |
Cape Peninsula area |
Volunteer base/Guest house |
B,L,D |
| 4 |
Peninsula Tour |
Cape Peninsula area |
Backpackers |
B,L,D |
| 5 |
Robben Island and V&A Waterfront |
Cape Peninsula area |
Backpackers |
B,L,D |
| 6 |
Wineland region tour |
Cape Winelands |
Backpackers |
B,L,D |
| 7 |
Optional Shark Cage dive |
Cape Town to Hermanus |
Backpackers |
B,L,D |
| 8 |
Gouritz bungee jump |
Hermanus – Gansbaai – Wilderness |
Backpackers |
B,L,D |
| 9 |
Canoe trip and Cango Caves exploration |
Wilderness – Oudtshoorn |
Backpackers |
B,L,D |
| 10 |
Wildlife Rehabilitation ranch, Ostrich ride, Boat trip Sundowners |
Oudtshoorn – Knysna |
Backpackers |
B,L,D |
| 11 |
Optional highest bungee in the world |
Knysna – Storms River |
Backpackers |
B,L,D |
| 12 |
Zip lining and optional surfing |
Storms River – Jeffrey’s Bay |
Backpackers |
B,L,D |
| 13 |
Addo Elephant National Park, flight to Cape Town (included) |
Jeffrey’s Bay – Port Elizabeth – Cape Town |
Backpackers |
B,L,D |
Community Work Activities
• Rural pre-school assistance
• Rural home or school building
• Local community soccer coaching
• English teaching
• Adult literacy
Your specific community project activities will be outlined by your project manager on arrival. This is partly dependent on the status and needs of the projects at the time of your trip.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Cape Town
Your local tour leader will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation. After a chance to settle in and relax you will be given a trip briefing to outline the adventure ahead.
DAYS 2 - 3: Cape Town Rural Communities
You will spend the first two days participating in local community volunteer projects. These are well established projects working towards the common goal of benefitting and helping develop the local people and community. The exact activity you participate in will partly depend on the needs and status of the various projects at the time of your visit but options include: the chance to interact with children and other community members while assisting in local orphanages/schools, building/refurbishment projects and local sports development initiatives.
DAY 4: Peninsula Tour
Take in the sight of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meeting at Cape Point, drive along winding coastal roads overlooking stunning sea views and some of Africa’s most famous beaches. Chapman’s peak and The Sentinel are some of the most photographed scenic views in Africa.
DAY 5: Robben Island and V&A Waterfront
As you travel out towards Robben Island you will begin to get a feeling for the remarkable life story of Nelson Mandela as you get your first glimpse of the island prison that was his home for 18 of his 27 years in prison. You will hear first hand tales from his fellow prisoners and you cannot fail to be touched by the stories of life you will hear. The rest of the day will be spent at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a friendly and vibrant shopping area in with the dramatic Table Top Mountain as a backdrop.
DAY 6: Wineland region tour
Travel up the east coast from Cape Town and picnic in the exquisite Winelands. Visit a number of well-aged and historical wine farms in this stunning area that strongly resembles the French countryside, but with an African twist of course!
DAY 7: Optional shark dive
Travel through the remainder of the Winelands and through a soaring mountain pass to Hermanus, dramatic Indian Ocean views provide the backdrop. Optional shark cage diving available. Hermanus is famous for whale watching during the whale season.
DAY 8: Gouritz bungee jump
Stop en route the stunning coastal roads at the Gouritz Bungee Jump, which some consider a warm up jump for the world’s highest bungee jump further into your trip at Bloukrans!
DAY 9-10: Oudtshoorn
A visit to the Karoo would be incomplete without taking in all that Oudtshoorn has to offer. The ostrich capital of Africa even offers you the chance to go for a ride on one of the ungainly birds! Also at Outdshoorn you can tour through the fascinating Cango Caves and their stalagmites and stalactites and visit an animal rehabilitation sanctuary which will give you the chance to have your photo taken with one of their rescued cheetah.
DAY 11: Knysna and the optional bungee jump
Locals call Knysna the capital of the Garden Route, and the official Oyster capital of South Africa - anyone who has had the pleasure of sampling one of the infamous Knysna oysters will agree. En route to this quaint seaside town you will also have the chance to leap from the ‘world’s highest bungee jump’, surely one of Africa’s tourist highlights and one of the best adrenaline rushes around.
DAY 12: Zip-lining and surfing
Jeffrey’s Bay, known affectionately by members of the surfing crowd as ‘J-Bay’ was once a sleepy fishing village until the famous surfing waters, and many miles of magnificent waves were discovered. Besides beautiful Indian Ocean coastline Jeffrey’s Bay is home to some of the best surfing spots in the world.
DAY 13: Addo Elephant National Park
Visit Addo Elephant National, a place of fascinating diversity and home to 5 of South Africa’s 7 major vegetation zones as well as over 450 elephants. Enjoy breathtaking wildlife viewing opportunities of the Big 7 - The Big 7: elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, whales and great white sharks in their natural habitats. After your visit, travel on to Port Elizabeth to catch the flight back to Cape Town and your connecting flight home.
Support
Support and advice is available from your expedition staff whilst in Africa and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support
Orientation
A comprehensive information pack will be sent to you upon booking the expedition and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. A full orientation will be provided when you arrive at the project by the local support team.
Accommodation and Meals
All accommodation for the duration of this trip will be in comfortable backpacker-style rooms with clean showers and toilets.
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 one of the expedition staff.
Note: Please advise us of any specific dietary requirements before you arrive.
Getting There
Fly into Cape Town airport where you will be met by a member of staff.
(There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you
Project Fees
What is included
• Domestic flight from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town at the end of your trip.
• All road transport in air conditioned vehicle, fuel and road taxes.
• Accommodation
• All meals as stated in the itinerary.
• Two days of community volunteer work in Cape Town.
• Day tour of the peninsula including Cape Point and Boulder Beach.
• A tour of Robben Island, Nelson Mandela’s prison for 18 years, and afternoon at V&A Waterfront – South Africa’s number one tourist shopping spot!
• A bungee jump on the Gouritz Bridge.
• A canoe trip in Wilderness with a hike through the forest.
• An exploration through the legendary Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn.
• A visit to a wildlife rehabilitation centre with an ostrich ride.
• Sundowners on a riverboat in Knysna.
• A zip lining trip in Storms River from one tree top to another through the forest.
• ADDO Elephant National Park visit.
• Orientation and introductions to project work upon your arrival
• Assistance in your projects by staff and project managers
What is excluded
• Travel insurance to cover your placement (to include cover for repatriation)
• Personal items e.g. clothes, travel goods
• Return flights
• Use of internet and telephone, soft drinks, wines and spirits.
• Visas and any trips undertaken other than in the planned programme