Meaningful Tour: The South Africa Adventure

Product Details

Extremely wild volunteers will have their taste buds tantalised on our 14-day extravaganza in the Western Cape. Following the stunning Garden Route, adventurous volunteers will be able to sample sumptuous South African wines. For those who enjoy monkeying around, you'll be able to go ape on the tree canopy tour, zip slides and 120m abseil. Then for the big paws. You'll be spending 10 days volunteering at a wildlife conservation foundation - just purrrrfect for cat lovers. You'll be able to get your teeth into saving endangered white Bengal tiger cubs, adult cheetahs and cubs, lions and jaguar. We hope you won't be wallowing with the hippos or snapping like a crocodile but they are also options. This project has a maximum of 6 participants and can run with only one person on the trip. This means that you can book your flights straight away, but if you're worried about being on your own please check with us before getting your flights.

Project details:
The trek begins in Cape Town and runs down the Garden Route, which is not named for its cultivated gardens as many expect, but rather for the splendour of its wild unspoilt coastline. The Khoi San, who are one of the first people of Southern Africa, called it Outeniqua, meaning "man laden with honey", which is a reference to the distinct smell of wild flowers that are prevalent in this area. The Garden Route is within easy reach of beautiful, unspoiled beaches, great fishing and spectacular forest scenery, as well as dolphin and whale watching.

This trek begins with a cultural experience, visiting a variety of different wine farms in the Western Cape and sampling their wine then travelling through spectacular mountain passes until we join up with the world famous Garden Route. You will visit Swellendam,Knysna, Plettenburg Bay and Storms River. Included in your visit are some of the activities this country prides itself in, such as Quad biking, an Abseil, a Tree canopy tour, hiking trails and a canoe trip (which is weather-dependent).

You will then volunteer for 10 days with a wildlife conservation foundation where you will get the chance to assist in their daily operations including the chance to have a hands-on interaction with some of the animals. Animals at the foundation include lion, cheetah, otters, lemurs, jaguar, pigmy hippo and crocodiles.

This facility is an endangered species breeding facility, which is also the oldest and biggest cheetah contact centre worldwide. The centre offers visitors the rare opportunity of interacting with hand-reared cheetahs and getting actively involved in saving this species and others from extinction. Tourists visiting this centre generate income to support the breeding facility for endangered species.

The facility is based in an area which was dominated by Khomani San people, who lived here thousands of years ago and left behind reminders of their rituals and beliefs which are reflected in rock paintings which can also be visited during their stay.This project is unique opportunity to not only see a beautiful area of South Africa but to get behind the scenes and help at one of its leading wildlife centres. The garden route area is abundant with things to see and do and our tour guide has great local knowledge and connections.

Your role as a volunteer:
Duties at the wildlife zoo include involvement in general maintenance and development work, assisting with food preparation, cleaning cages, stimulation and play with various types of animals. You may also be able to get involved in feeding and exercise of some animals.

Where the project is based:
The tour starts in Cape Town and runs down the garden route of South Africa. Whilst you are volunteering you will stay at a backpackers 15 minute walk from the wildlife centre in Oudsthoorn.

Please fly into Cape Town and arrange to arrive before 11am on your listed start date to ensure your airport pick up. The tour finishes in Oudsthoorn and you will need to arrange transport back to Cape Town, please consider this when booking flights and schedule on Day 15 or after 7pm if you wish to fly on Day 14.

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"Volunteering at the wildlife ranch is like having a backstage pass to a concert where cheetah's and tigers are the stars of the show."
Sunny:
Meaningful tour: The South Africa Adventure and Conservation Experience