i-to-iMeaningful Tour: The South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique experience
The South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique Experience tour will take you through some of the best that southern Africa has to offer in terms of wildlife, culture and beaches.
You’ll tour South Africa’s world famous Kruger Park; Swaziland, where you will get involved in some really worthwhile community and conservation projects; then Mozambique where you'll have the chance to enjoy its world class beaches!
Not only will you get to enjoy an amazing variety of places on this tour, but you’ll also get to experience some varied and life-changing activities; ranging from close encounters with big game to working with underprivileged children, learning to scuba dive (optional extra), to snorkeling with whale sharks!
Where the tour will take you
Your adventure will begin in South Africa at the Kruger National Park. You'll spend your days driving through the park in search of wildlife with a local guide who will organize either a night drive or bush walk for you. Then it's off to the beautiful kingdom of Swaziland, famed for its strong and colourful culture, friendly people and stunning landscapes. In this impressive setting you will be working at a care centre for orphaned and vulnerable children, helping to improve the lives of these underprivileged kids. You will also spend a few days in a game reserve volunteering on some fantastic conservation and wildlife research projects. After a rewarding two-week volunteering stint in Swaziland, you’ll set off for Mozambique's pristine coastlines where you'll have a chance to unwind on beautiful sandy beaches after all your hard work!
What you'll gain from the experience
This is your chance to experience the "real" Africa as you travel to three of the continents most intriguing destinations. Not only that but you will have a positive impact on local communities and environments as you travel, making the experience as rewarding as it is enjoyable.
Accommodation included
You'll camp in the world famous Kruger National Park in dome safari tents which will be provided. Accommodation in Swaziland and on transfer nights will be in backpacker lodges sharing dorm rooms. Accommodation in Tofo, Mozambique will be in reed style shared dormitories. In each case your mattress, sheets, pillow and pillowcase will be provided but you'll need to bring your own sleeping bag.
Project resources and advice
All the materials you need will be provided. Please refer to the recommended check list. The essential item of kit is a decent camera to capture the great memories!
Food included
Cooking will be shared between participants on a fairly relaxed rotational basis organised by the guide. Facilities are communal and simple and a weekly food shop is done to cater for three meals per day. Generally breakfast will be cereals and toast, lunch will be sandwiches plus salad and dinner will be a cooked meal. We try to cater for different needs and preferences as much as possible but it is not possible to keep everyone happy all of the time and inevitably some compromise will be required. We ask you to be flexible and respectful about the food that has been prepared for you.
Airport pick-up included
Your tour will start in Swaziland and you need to book your flight to arrive into Manzini International Airport, Swaziland on the advertised arrival date to ensure your airport pickup (this will connect through Johannesburg International Airport (JNB). Departure will be on day 29 from Swaziland.
You'll need to book your flight to arrive on the arrival date to receive your airport pick-up. If you are arriving before your designated arrival date, we can arrange for an extra meet and greet service for you for US$70 or GB£35.00. For an extra supplement we will be there to meet you at the airport and take you to the orientation accommodation. Accommodation payment for any extra nights will then be made in country directly to the accommodation (approx US$30 or GB£15 per night).
Things that you'll need to organize yourself
- Flights, visas and departure tax
- Extra excursions
- Meals which are not included above
- Vaccinations and travel insurance
- Tipping
- Items of a personal nature (drinks, gifts, photos, etc)
What you'll be getting up to
Day 1
Arrival at Manzini International Airport (MTS), Swaziland this will connect through Johannesburg International Airport (JNB). Here you will have time to relax and enjoy the surroundings as well as have an orientation and presentation on your trip itinerary.
Day 2 - 5 Conservation tour, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger National Park is probably Africa's most famous conservation area. Spanning nearly 20,000 km2 it covers a vast array of habitats and holds a rich assortment of indigenous wildlife. It has an aura of ancient times and offers some of the best opportunities in the world to view Africa's big game.
We venture on a five day tour into the heart of Kruger Park including 4 nights camping in the park and unlimited game drives exploring the vast wilderness with the expert guidance of one of our wildlife experts. Previous groups have had great sightings of lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and wild dog. You will have the opportunity to take guided walks through the bush in search of big game on foot as well as take part in a night drive to look for nocturnal wildlife.
Day 6
Pack up camp in Kruger and head for the Kingdom of Swaziland, its friendly people and breathtaking landscapes
Day 7-22 Community project, Ezulwini, Swaziland
Swaziland is Africa's last remaining true monarchy and in its unique laid-back way is steeped in Swazi culture and tradition. The Ezulwini valley of Swaziland is known as the valley of heaven and is both home to the King and royal family and most of the country's tourism facilities and attractions. It is a scenic Kingdom with a friendly age-old way of life that endears anyone who takes the time to experience it.
We will spend fifteen days working with one or a number of small care centers in the Ezulwini valley who are assisting orphans and vulnerable children. The AIDS pandemic in Swaziland is devastating families and leaving many children desperate for support. These little centers provide underprivileged and orphaned children with basic food, care and education. Some have local gardens where food is grown and there are various small but vital jobs that need doing. You will get involved with a number of hands on projects that may involve painting eduactional murals, planting fruit trees and vegetables or installing much needed water systems. On some mornings you will assist with the teaching of the young children which involves spending time with them, playing, organizing activities for them etc.
Day 23-27 Beach Tour, Tofo Bay, Inhambane, Mozambique
Mozambique is world famous for its idyllic tropical beaches on the Indian ocean. Being an old Portuguese colony and having come out of a drawn out civil war it is now booming as a beach destination. Tofo Bay is a laid-back beach village in southern Mozambique and offers some of the best opportunities in the world to swim in the wild with the world's biggest fish - the whale shark. With diverse coral reefs, whales and nesting turtles, Tofo is a marine paradise and yet it is relatively close to the vibrant historic trading port of Inhambane.
You will venture on a five day tour to Tofo to experience the laid-back beach lifestyle of Mozambique. You'll spend four nights staying in reed style dormitories set among coconut palms, on the beach and one of our beach guides will introduce you to life on the beach and marine life in the ocean. You'll take an ocean safari to snorkel with the magnificent whale shark and if you have a diving license will have the opportunity of exploring the coral reefs and possibly diving with huge manta rays! There are plenty of optional extra activities including beach horse rides, quad biking, ocean and mangrove kayaking and catamaran cruises. A beach party or two is par for the course and some chill time on the beach is guaranteed.
Day 28
Depart Mozambique, and transfer back to a backpacker lodge in Swaziland were you will have time to relax, pack up and make preparations for your departure the following day.
Day 29
Depart backpacker lodge in Swaziland and fly out of Manzini International Airport. Transfer to the airport is free and provided by the local operator.
Please note that this itinerary may be subject to change and is a guideline as to the timings you can expect on this tour.
You don’t need to be a specialist or rocket scientist to take part in this experience, but a little love, care, patience, commitment and enthusiasm will go a long way! Keeping an open mind will also help you enjoy the best experience possible. It will also help if you have the following:
- You must be at least 17 years of age
- Minimum numbers apply; please call us for more information
A journey into South Africa’s history is to haul through periods of racial tension, oppression and hope. Its multicultural mix originates from the earliest settlers, the San (also known as Bushmen) and Khoi-Khoi tribes, followed by Bantu-speaking groups, and through to the swarm of European traders. The Dutch were among the first European settlers and arrived in the 17th century, establishing their presence through their own dialect, Afrikaan, and religion in the form of the Dutch Reformed Church. By the end of the 18th century, the British began to push their presence forward into the country’s towns. It was a period of flared tensions with Zulu chief Shaka renouncing war on neighbouring tribes. Meanwhile, the Boers (Dutch Afrikaner farmers) and the British became locked in conflict; the Anglo-Boer War lasted from 1899 to 1902, ending with the British taking control of the Boer republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State (OFS) and consequently ruling the country.
Duty officers
