About i-to-i What i-to-i trips and TEFL are, how and why we do what we do!
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About i-to-i What i-to-i trips and TEFL are, how and why we do what we do!
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Working on this well run game reserve you will experience life as it happens and get involved in various activities during your stay. See which of the Big 5 you can capture on camera and amaze your friends back home! Not only will you get to see the Big 5 in the wild but you'll also get up close to lions, elephants and other animals at their rehabilition centre too. After a hard days work you can then relax next to the pool or just chill at the lodge and pinch yourself to realise that you really are in such a beautiful place!
Today you will be met at the airport and taken to our volunteer house in Fish Hoek. You’ll need to arrive in before 4pm so that you’re ready for the orientation which kicks of at 5pm. The journey from the airport to Fish Hoek should take around 45 minutes and if you keep your eyes open might get to see Table Mountain on the way! The orientation will take you through what it’s going to be like at your project, do’s and don’ts, how to stay safe and it’s your prime opportunity to ask any burning questions that you haven’t yet had answered. After the orientation you’ll be provided with an evening meal and have some time to relax and prepare before your first day at your project tomorrow.
If you aren’t able to arrange a flight to get you into Cape Town before 4pm then we’d recommend you fly in a day early. We can arrange an early airport pick-up for you including one night’s accommodation, please give us a call for more information.
After a cozy night in the volunteer house, you will get an early start to the day. The bus ride is about 11 hours to Sidbury village, approximately 85 kms from Port Elizabeth. It’s a long but scenic ride and a great way to see the beautiful country landscape.
If you would prefer to fly to your project after orientation this is possible but will be at your own expense. You will still need to arrive in Cape Town on your arrival date but then book a flight from Cape Town (CPT) to Port Elizabeth (PLZ) in the morning on Day 2 (Tuesday). If you would like to take this option please ensure that you contact us for further information.
Today you will be shown round your new home! You’ll get a more detailed introduction to the project so you’re ready to get started on your amazing experience of life on a reserve!
Get your hands dirty and get stuck into your work at the project including looking after the lions and elephants; then relax after your hard day of work in the entertainment centre or beside the pool at the accommodation. On Friday evening you will transfer to a hostel in Port Elizabeth for the weekend, the transfer is arranged by the reserve and is included in the trip including transport there and back, but not meals. If you wish to stay on the reserve instead this is also possible and meals will be included.
You will be free to spend the weekend as you wish, the hostel can help to arrange trips to neighbouring Grahamstown and Jeffreys Bay or you may just want to relax on a beach reading your books or listening to music. If you do not want to venture further afield then why not hit the town of Port Elizabeth instead? Please note that food is not included at the weekends if you choose to leave the reserve.
If today is your final day then you will be transferred back to Port Elizabeth Airport (airport code PLZ), from here you can return to Cape Town or travel onwards. We recommend that you book your flights to leave after 10am so that you have enough time to get to the airport. If you book a flight for earlier than 10am then you will need to arrange accommodation in Port Elizabeth for the night before to give you enough time to catch your flight. Our team will be happy to help organise this.
If you have booked to stay longer then you will continue with your project as above, the return transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport is included at the end of your stay which will be on a Monday
Since 2004 this reserve home to Africa's Big 5 (that's the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino in case you're wondering!) has been involved in wildlife monitoring, wildlife conservation and anti-poaching initiatives. Its aim is to educate people about the wildlife, the flora and fauna of the area and the efforts that they can take to assist its preservation for future generations to come. The game reserve is situated on the vast plains of Sidbury approximately 85km from Port Elizabeth. The area is steeped in history and it was on these very plains that British settlers came to start a new life in the 1820`s and the village of Sidbury came into being. You will find South Africa’s oldest Anglican church dating back to 1838 nearby.
Not only does the centre care for the wildlife and nature, it has also founded its own predator educational and rehabilitation centre where orphaned and endangered species are cared for and looked after. In addition to this there is an elephant sanctuary housing elephants who need that extra bit of special attention.
This area of Sidbury, near Port Elizabeth, is abundant with wildlife and here at the project you’ll be helping to expand on conservation efforts.
Forget the noisy confusion of normal life and settle into the laid back ways of the bush. With only the sounds of the birds and the wind, you’ll truly have the chance to find calm again and appreciate the hours as they tick to a slower rhythm.
Due to the vast size of the reserve it needs a helping hand from volunteers to help keep things running smoothly. This project is for anyone who loves animals and being in the great outdoors; it's also for those looking for a totally different experience to life at home. Life in the African bush is all that it is cracked up to be and you just have to be there to experience it! Just have an open mind, be flexible and take it all in!
You will be assisting with the upkeep and the maintenance of the conservation area and will be involved in various activities ranging from lion monitoring, game capturing, and veterinary work and fencing; not to mention looking after orphaned lion and tiger cubs and elephants too!
You will also be involved in feeding and the identification of animals, aiding in game spotting and anti poaching efforts, repair work and general maintenance of the reserve. As the area is also home to about 150 indigenous plant species including trees, shrubs and grasses you will also be removing alien vegetation and planting indigenous trees. You may also get involved in the community by helping with some of their community initiatives. You will need to be flexible as the demands of the project can be many and varied! You will be working Monday to Friday with the weekends off to relax or explore.
Being on a game reserve, you do not have a set work schedule as your day revolves around the animals. But the teamdo set out different tasks and projects for you through your coordinator.
As you will be working on a game reserve there are some things that we recommend you bring in addition to the usual personal toiletries and medications:
It may seem like a strange concept to pay for your volunteer experience. You'd be right if you think you shouldn't and the truth is you actually don't! Your placement is free; it's the benefits around it that you pay for. It's important to note that i-to-i is a travel company and not a charity. We provide a professional travel service. We are responsible for finding and assessing worthwhile projects across the world, preparing you fora the volunteering experience and supporting you whilst you're there.
Here’s some more information about what your placement fee covers….
We work with hundreds of locally run partner projects around the world and are constantly sourcing new opportunities. We visit all projects to check that they are worthwhile and legitimate and we also conduct a thorough safety assessment before we'll send volunteers there. More
Almost everyone who works for i-to-i has traveled extensively or worked overseas. This means we're a goldmine of information; we're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.
Once you book on to a project you'll receive a Welcome Pack that contains loads of general information about volunteering, about your chosen country and how to have fun and stay safe. We'll also give you advice on visas and inoculations.
If you are volunteering on a Teaching project then a 60-hour Online TEFL course is included in your placement fee. This is an internationally recognised and accredited certificate that will help you to make the most of your time overseas. More
It can be pretty daunting arriving in a different country for the first time - especially after a long flight! If you arrive on your project start date, there'll be a welcoming face at the airport to pick you up and take you to your accommodation.
Soon after you arrive you will attend a thorough orientation with our in-country team. This is to cover important safety and security information. You'll also get some tips about sight-seeing options for your time off and maybe even learn some of the local lingo!
Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are even included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard. More
Your in-country team will arrange a pick-up for you at the airport and will conduct your orientation upon arrival. All coordination teams are English speaking and are locals of your destination country. They won't be at your project every day, but will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need them. More
Aside from the local support from your in-country team you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line manned by our response team in case any problem should arise while you're overseas. We also hire crisis management professionals to be on hand in case of a situation that requires additional expert support. More
The safety and security of our volunteers is paramount. For this reason we provide ongoing crisis management and emergency response training to our local teams around the world. We also fly in our in-country coordinators to the UK regularly for thorough training to help them offer the best safety to the thousands of volunteers they support each year. More
We don't fund our projects directly from the project fee that you pay us. Instead we choose to support a number of projects every year through a grant scheme for tangible long-term initiatives. In the last 3 years we have distributed over US$250,000 to our most needy projects to help them in the great work they do.
We make no secrets of the fact that part of your placement fee is reinvested in to recruiting volunteers just like you! The volunteers recruited in one week will typically deliver over 2000 man-days of service. The difference this makes to projects overseas is immeasurable. Many of our overseas projects rely on assistance from international volunteers, so it's necessary for us to put together brochures and websites to find the people who can support them. This recruitment process is vital to ensure programs have a constant stream of reliable volunteers.
Volunteering through a company like i-to-i has a lot of intangible benefits to developing overseas communities and the individual projects that we work with. To find out more about our placements. click here
You will be staying in very comfortable accommodation within the reserve itself, the lodge is modern with good shared facilities for volunteers. The staff at the reserve are dry (alcohol free) so at weekends so you'll have the option of transferring to a shared hostel in Port Elizabeth to chill with a beer.
You’ll have access to modern facilities with a communal fully-equipped kitchen area, lounge area, dining area, TV room with satellite TV and internet, a library and when you do want to have some time to chill out and relax you can always try the swimming pool!
Bedrooms are shared dormitory rooms with singles beds and can accommodate between 2 to 16 volunteers to a room on a same sex basis. Couples can also be accommodated in a room together, as long as there is space. Bathrooms are western style with hot and cold running water and showers. You will also be allocated a lockable cupboard on arrival so you can keep your valuables safe.
Provisions will be available for breakfast on a self catering basis with guidance if needed, lunch and dinner are prepared for you and range from local African cuisine to ‘Afro Asian’ with the occasional fix of ‘junk food’ too!
At the weekends you have the option of staying at a hostel in Port Elizabeth, this accommodation will be shared with other guests, The facilties are similar to that at the reserve with dormitory rooms, chill-out area, kitchen and shared bathrooms but you are not accompanied on the weekends by any of the staff. There won't be a swimming pool so make the most it it during the week! Please note that if you choose to leave the reserve at the weekend, food is not included. If staying at the reserve then food is included and the weekend is your own time to chill out.
Bedding is provided during your stay, so you will not need to bring any from home. A mosquito net is not required, but if you are planning to travel to the north we’d suggest bringing one along.
Your accommodation is located on the private game reserve located near a village called Sidbury, approximately 85km from the major city of Port Elizabeth.
During the weekends the accommodation could either be at a hostel based in Port Elizabeth or staying on the reserve in your accommodation.
The accommodation is on site so you won’t have to worry about missing the bus or getting stuck in traffic!
At the weekends the reserve staff can transfer you from the reserve to your hostel in Port Elizabeth which will take about 1.5 hours to travel the 85km. You'll be dropped off on the Friday and picked up on Sunday ready for work on the Monday if you want to leave the reserve. Please note that the reserve does not permit alcohol, so if you're looking to let your hair down at the weekend then you can look at going to Port Elizabeth or beyond.
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.
By 1910, the Union of South Africa was created and gave political power to whites, while blacks set up political parties in protest, the African National Congress (ANC) the best known. It ushered in the beginnings of apartheid, which became widely ingrained after the Afrikaner National Party came to power in 1948. Violence against protests from blacks was enforced and the black population were evicted to so-called Homelands. In the 1960s, leaders of the ANC were imprisoned, notably Nelson Mandela, and the country became isolated having left the Commonwealth and declaring its republic status. After a long period of racial divide and conflict, in 1989 FW de Klerk came to power with the aim to rid the country of apartheid and instil democracy. The following year, Mandela was released from prison and in 1994 became president after the ANC won the country’s first non-racial general elections; the country also returned to the Commonwealth. The country’s democratic stance has steered it toward a more harmonious future, though economic inequalities between whites and blacks exist, but as the most developed economy on the continent it is in a good position to reconcile with its past.
Naturally, South Africa’s seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere with summer heat burning from November to March and cooler winter temperatures from June to August. Temperature wise, spring (September to October) and autumn (April to May) provide a happy medium. Certain must-do activities are restricted to specific times of year: safari is best from June to September and the whale watching season is June to December. The busiest time, hence the most expensive, is during the summer months, while the major school holidays are during December and Easter.
Given the distances involved, flying is the most convenient way to travel between the main destinations, while land transportation can efficiently pick up the rest of the mileage for exploration in and around. There are an assortment of domestic carriers to choose from that fly the main routes, with most running from Johannesburg or Cape Town; these include South African Airways, Nationwide Airlines, Kulula and 1Time. Booking early is advisable to secure discounted rates.
There country also boasts a comprehensive bus network that covers the main cities; the road trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town is around 20 hours (compared to a 2 hour in a plane). The main bus companies are Translux, Greyhound and Intercape. Baz Bus is aimed at the backpacker crowd and provides a hop-on, hop-off service and also travels to remote areas. It’s a good way to discover the picturesque patch of coastline that is the Garden Route, which it services en route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
Train travel can work out longer than by bus, with the trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town edging toward almost 30 hours. If you’re after a little luxury, try the Blue Train or the Rovos Rail for a taste of stylish travel.
Car rental is an attractive option thanks to the good road conditions, great scenery and the flexibility driving allows. The big car rental companies like Avis and Budget have outlets and it’s essential to be fully insured and have a valid driver’s licence. It’s also a convenient way to get around cities as public transport can be unsafe.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s website provides up-to-date political news, travel advice and information on visas
The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA)
Bus company Baz Bus
Domestic airline 1Time
Bus company Greyhound
Bus company Intercape
Domestic airline Kulula
Nationwide Airlines
South African Airways
Bus company Translux
We work in partnership with hundreds of established projects that are run by local communities. The information on our website comes directly from the projects and we work with them to ensure this information is as accurate as possible. However, due to the very nature of the projects themselves the exact details of what happens on a daily basis can change with little or no notice. If you have travelled with us and have any updates to this information, please let us know.
* We can be held responsible for any starry-eyed and amazing journeys of enlightenment, discovery and thorough enjoyment...