Cape Town to Johannesburg Volunteer Safari

This comprehensive South African safari combines sightseeing at top destinations with volunteering at wildlife and community projects across the country.

Volunteer projects include:

• Judah Square Rastafarian Community in Knysna
• Lusikisiki Community Project in the Eastern Cape
• Amphitheatre Reclamation Project in the Drakensberg
• Shewula Community-Based Natural Resources Programme in Swaziland 
• Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Project
• Lejuma Environmental Research Project

Top destinations include:

• Kruger National Park
• Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park
• Cango Caves, Knysna, Hogsback and Tsitsikamma Forest
• Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg

The 23 Day volunteer safari starts in Cape Town travelling along the Garden Route into the Eastern Cape and up into Natal and Swaziland, visiting Kruger Park before ending in Johannesburg.

Day 1: Cape Town to Oudtshoorn – South Africa

We meet at the Nomad office in Cape Town for a short briefing over coffee. Your guide will be assessing everyone’s skills for the volunteer projects ahead as well as answering any questions you have. On our way to Oudtshoorn we will stop at a wine farm to taste some of South Africa’s excellent wine while getting to know one another. In the afternoon we will be travelling to Oudtshoorn along the longest wine route in the world on Route 62, before we get to our first camp, where we learn about the vehicle and how to put up the tents.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Cango Caves and Knysna – South Africa

After an early breakfast we will be visiting the world-famous Cango Caves for a guided tour of this magnificent natural wonder. In the afternoon we will be travelling to the coast of the Garden Route at Knysna, the site of our first volunteer project.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - 4: Knysna and the Judah Square Rastafarian Community – South Africa

For the next 2 days we will be assisting the local Rastafarian community in Knysna. Based on your skills assessment you can volunteer with one of the following tasks: Assisting in the crèche’s or orphanage, youth training, maintenance of the Health Garden, Community Centre or the upkeep of the Khayaletu River Trail. As we have 2 days here, you will get to experience more than one aspect of this vibrant community upliftment project. On Day 4 we depart late in the afternoon to the Tsitsikamma Forest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Tsitsikamma Forest – South Africa

Tsitsikamma is one of South Africa’s most famous natural heritage areas and there are many different ways in which to enjoy this scenic destination. For the brave, there is the world’s highest bungee at 216m, but for the rest of us there are some wonderful hiking trails and also the opportunity to rent mountain bikes or ride a horse through the forests here. Many people choose to walk the first few kilometres of South Africa’s famous Otter Trail. Optional Activities: Bungee jumping (highest in the world), treetop canopy tours, hiking, mountain biking.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Hogsback – South Africa

From Tsitsikamma to Hogsback is a fairly long drive, but extremely scenic. We will arrive in the late afternoon in time for a hike (weather dependant) in the mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - 9: Lusikisiki Community Project – South Africa

The Eastern Cape is one of the least developed provinces in South Africa, and Lusikisiki is one of the least developed areas in this province. The project in this community will change from trip to trip as we assist with building and providing necessary infrastructure. Projects such as tree planting, micro-agriculture, alien vegetation clearing, irrigation and water filtration amongst others, can all form part of your contribution to this impoverished area.

Optional Activities: Abseiling, Hiking and Zip-line

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - 11: Drakensberg – South Africa

On day 10 we depart Lusikisiki and have a fairly long drive to the Drakensberg in Kwa Zulu Natal. On reaching this magnificent mountain region we have a day free to relax, or take a day trip in to neighbouring Lesotho, the Mountain Kingdom. Optional Activities: Day trip to Lesotho, mountain biking, heritage site hike, rock climbing and horse riding.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Amphitheatre Reclamation Project – South Africa

No high-level skills are required today, just enthusiasm and the knowledge that you will be making a positive environmental impact. The Reclamation project aims to return the land to a more sustainable state, where the ravages of erosion have been repaired and native plants reintroduced. Fencing needs to be erected to keep livestock out of sensitive areas, vegetation needs to be re-introduced and gully’s need to be filled. The exact nature of this project is weather dependant however, as high rainfall in advance can make progress impossible. As such we may also assist with repairs, general maintenance and landscaping all around the community centre with a focus on the re-introduction of indigenous plants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Durban – South Africa

Durban is one of South Africa’s largest cities and is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline. We will arrive in the late afternoon and visit one of the colourful local markets before we check in to our hostel. This evening we will go out to one of Durban’s many superb restaurants for a meal and for those that want to check out the local nightlife there will be ample opportunity. Optional Activities: Dinner and night out in the city.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14: Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park – South Africa

We will leave Durban and drive north towards one of South Africa’s most well known World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park. In the afternoon we will go on a boat cruise on the lagoon in order to experience the natural beauty of this wonderful park.

The iSimangaliso / Greater St Lucia Wetland Park was declared as South Africa’s first Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO protocol. This created the most ecologically and historically diverse Park in Southern Africa, home not only to the natural features, but to a number of Nguni tribes. Traditionally the park has been zoned into five ecosystems, however they are so intertwined that it takes several days to understand this incredible labyrinth of nature, history and culture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park and Swaziland

Today we will get up very early in order to take a Game Drive in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park. During our drive we will have the first real opportunity on this tour to see some of Africa’s breathtaking wildlife. After our game drive we will enter the smallest country in the Southern Hemisphere, Swaziland.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Shewula Community-Based Natural Resources Programme (CBNRP)

Today we will spend time with the Swazi women of Shewula at their craft and perma-culture projects. You will assist and learn about how these women are supporting the community through these endeavours. In the evening you will assist the ladies in preparing a traditional Swazi meal for everyone.

The Shewula community are a friendly agricultural people, with traditional thatch and stone houses dotted neat fields of maize, cotton and vegetables. They encourage visitors to their area to enjoy the incredible view, gain an insight into traditional Swazi lifestyles and appreciate the natural splendour of the Lubombo conservancy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17 - 18: Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Project – South Africa

We will spend one and half days working with the Jane Goodall project for Chimpanzees. Your assistance will mainly consist of scientifically monitoring the behaviour patterns of the Chimpazees living here and acting as a support team for the full time rehabilitation team. The volunteer work here will mainly consist of assisting with behavioural observations and general physical labour as and when required.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19 - 20: Kruger National Park – South Africa

We take a break from volunteering to experience the wonderful animals that live in the Kruger National Park. The big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino) are all to be found here as well as many other beautiful African creatures. On the night drive it will also be possible to see some of the less well-known inhabitants such as the Honey Badger or Porcupine.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 21 - 22: Lejuma Environmental Research Project – South Africa

After the morning bushwalk we will leave Kruger and travel to the Soutpansberg in Limpopo province. On the way to Lejuma we will be travelling on the Panorama Route to see God’s Window and Bourkes Luck Potholes. While in this unique environmental region we will assist in compiling research data about the different species of flora and fauna. We will also be assisting with Global Warming research.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 23: Johannesburg – South Africa

On our final day of the tour we drive south to Gauteng province where we end our tour in Johannesburg in the late afternoon. If you are interested in spending more time volunteering in Johannesburg, or any other part of South Africa we can arrange a more in-depth single location project for you. Optional Activities: Dinner out in Johannesburg.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch