ADVENTURE AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE ST LUCIA
St LUCIA AND DRAKSENBERG, SOUTH AFRICA
St Lucia, the first of South Africa's UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites, is considered by many to be Africa’s premier bush and beach destination It is a remarkable area that sits at the confluence of 5 ecosystems giving areas of savannah, wetland, swamp, lake and beach to explore. The indigenous Zulu people inhabit the area with their wonderful, lively and colourful culture. This expedition provides the opportunity to participate in a variety of local community projects as well as exploring this beatiful region and experiencing the fantastic safari on offer
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Location: |
St LUCIA AND DRAKSENBERG, 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: |
AA016 |
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General Information
Formerly known as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is one of the jewels of the South African coastline. The amazingly varied ecosystems provide the habitat necessary to support the wide variety of anima, bird and marine life of the region. The park occupies the north eastern coast of KwaZulu-Natal and stretches from Kozi Bay in the north to Cape St Lucia in the south. The park is South Africa’s third largest spanning approximately 328 000 hectares and 280 kilometres of coastline. Within the boundaries of the park are the largest estuarine system in Africa and the world’s highest forested sand dunes.
As well as the opportunity to give something back to the community with your involvement in the community projects running in the area you will have the chance to explore the savannah as part of a safari, to sleep out under the stars and to dive the beautiful waters of the St Lucia coast.
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 |
Arrive at Durban Airport, transfer 2.5 hours to Drakensberg |
Giants Castle Camp |
Thatched lodges |
D |
| 2 - 3 |
Walking in the Drakensberg |
Giants Castle Camp |
Thatched lodges |
B,L,D |
| 4 |
Cultural and historical Zulu day in Battlefields |
Near Dundee |
Guesthouse |
B,L,D |
| 5 - 6 |
Safari - Hluhlewe/Umfolozi National Parks including bush walk and overnight bush camping |
Hluhluwe/Umfolozi National Parks |
Tented camping |
B,L,D |
| 7 |
All Day Safari in iSimangaliso National Park plus a visit to Cape Vidal for snorkelling and Mission Rocks |
St Lucia |
Guesthouse |
B,L,D |
| 8 |
Ocean Adventure in search of whales, dolphins plus turtle and Hatchling tour |
Indian Ocean, St Lucia |
Guesthouse |
B,L,D |
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9
Evening
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Free day to explore St Lucia, optional scuba diving, kayaking, shopping.
Zulu dinner and stay in authentic Zulu hut
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St Lucia |
Zulu hut |
B,L,D |
| 10 - 11 |
Community Volunteering |
St Lucia rural communities |
Guesthouse |
B,L,D |
| 12 |
Depart Richards Bay Airport |
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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 at Durban Airport (before 13:00 hours)
You will be met at the airport by project staff and transferred to the camp site at Giants Castle in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site. The park is an area of exceptional natural beauty and contains many caves with the largest and most concentrated group of cave paintings in Africa south of the Sahara. These were made by the San people over a period of 4,000 years. After a general induction you will have a traditional South African Braai (barbeque) under the impressive shadow of the mountains before retiring to a comfortable cabin (rooms are on a twin basis) set within the park.
DAY 2: Walking in the Drakensberg
After breakfast, you will head off on a walk through the National Park. During the day there will be frequent stops to enjoy the scenery, wildlife and history in the area the San people lived from the Stone Age to the 19th Century. We will visit a cave with superb rock art and a fascinating insight into the past life of the San people. We will take lunch in the mountains (please bring a day sack to carry food and water) and dinner will be served at the Giant’s Castle camp restaurant.
DAY 3: Giant Castle camp to the Battlefields
An early rise and breakfast before walking back to the Giants Castle camp for lunchtime. After lunch there will be a chance to rest before heading on a two hour journey to a guest house near to Dundee in the historic Battlefields area. Dinner will be at the Guest House.
DAY 4: A historical tour of two key Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal
You will be taken on a guided tour of some of the important sites that witnessed decisive events in the shaping of Zulu and African history.
DAYS 5-6: Safari in the Hluhluwe and Umfolozi National Parks
The day starts with a two hour drive that will take you to the beautiful Hluhluwe and Umfolozi National Parks, where you may encounter animals such as elephant, rhino, leopard, wild dog and lion during game drives, both during the day and at night. You will stay overnight in a tented camp in the middle of the park. Activities during your stay in the park will include bush walks and game drives. In the afternoon of Day 6 you will drive for one hour to St Lucia Town.
DAY 7: Game drive and snorkelling in the iSimangaliso National Park
The day will be spent in the iSimangaliso National Park, a World Heritage site. You will go on a game drive through the park to see firsthand the unique blend of five different ecosystems it contains. Leopard, rhino and buffalo will be abroad during the drive. You will also visit Cape Vidal, a pretty bay situated amongst the Dune Forests, here you will have the chance to snorkel in the lush waters of the Indian Ocean looking for some of the most vibrant marine life in the world or relax on the shores of the beautiful azure water.
DAY 8: Indian Ocean Adventure
In the morning you will have the chance to learn some basic Zulu words during a language lesson from a local Zulu native. The afternoon\evening activity will depend on what is best at the time of year you are visiting: Whale Watching (June-Nov), Turtle Tour (Nov-Jan) or Marine Mammal Ocean adventure (Feb-June).
DAY 9: Free day
A free day to rest or participate in activities of your choice. You may choose to go deep sea fishing, horse riding, Kayaking on the estuary, Hippo & Crocs tour or to take a trip to the beach. In the evening you will be driven to a nearby cultural village for some traditional Zulu food and dancing. You will spend the night sleeping in a traditional style Zulu (but modern) hut.
DAYS 10-11: Community volunteering
You will spend the next 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 12: Departure
One hour transfer to Richard’s Bay airport for your 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
You will stay in comfortable 2 or 3 bedroom lodges or guesthouses and will share with one other person. In the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi National Park you will stay in a simple but comfortable east African style tented camp in the middle of the national park.
Throughout the trip (except for lunch on free days) meals will be cooked for you.
Note: Please advise us of any specific dietary requirements before you arrive.
Getting There
Fly into Durban airport where you will be met by the local expedition team. You will be taken to Richards Bay Airport at the end of your expedition.
(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
• Community project fee: this fee is used to provide items and supplies for the projects that are currently running and to help with the development of future projects to benefit the local community.
• Transfer from Durban Airport on arrival and transfer to Richards Bay Airport on departure.
• Hluhluwe/Umfolozi National Park safari and camping experience, and game drive.
• Night out in a rural Zulu village.
• Orientation and introductions to project work upon your arrival.
• All daily transportation whilst on your trip.
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day except lunch on the free day.
• 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