This trip is a way to experience the best of what southern Africa has to offer, and give a little back while you’re there. Based out of Eswatini – the the smallest country in Southern Africa and the only remaining African monarchy – the first part of the trip is about getting orientated before heading out to the Kruger National Park. The Kruger is all about being in the wilderness of the 20,000 km² conservation area and spotting the wildlife, big and small, who call Kruger home.
The second phase is about getting stuck in to help communities in Eswatini. The country has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world, which has resulted in tens of thousands of orphaned children, many of whom don’t even have adults in extended families to help them. These child-headed households don’t have the resources or the ability to build and maintain houses and other vital infrastructure.
This is how volunteers on this trip can make a crucial difference. Under the direction of a local builder, volunteers use local techniques to build and renovate homes and classrooms, to provide good shelter for local children and access to a decent schooling environment. Volunteers also get involved in painting and decorating the new buildings, and setting up gardens for the local communities. These buildings have a life-changing impact on children and communities in Swaziland, keeping vulnerable people sheltered and safe, as well as giving them a good chance at education despite the difficulties of their personal circumstances.
If you want to experience the wildlife in South Africa’s most famous national park and help communities in Eswatini have shelter and suitable schooling environments, this safari and volunteer building trip offers the best of both worlds.
- Costs: Starting at about 1.366€
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Location: Kruger National Park, South Africa and Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini
During the four night trip to Kruger National Park, days are spent going on a variety of game drives, including a night drive, led an expert local tour guide. You’ll learn about the local habitat and all the creatures who live there while trying to locate some of the big game local residents, including lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, leopards and wild dogs.
Back in Eswatini after the safari, you’ll spend the next five days helping out with building projects designed to help orphaned and vulnerable children. Days start at around 8:30 when you’ll catch a local bus to the location of your building project. Once you arrive, it’s time to get stuck in. The local builder in charge will let you know what needs doing, which depends on the stage a building project is at. You might find yourself clearing the area that is going to be built on, digging the foundations and making mud bricks using local techniques. You’ll help to build the structure, do some plastering, and add doors, windows and roofing. You may also help with some of the finishing touches, such as painting the building, putting up fencing, developing gardens and putting up play equipment.
It’s fulfilling but tiring work, so you’ll volunteer until lunchtime and then have the afternoons off to relax or explore what Swaziland has to offer. Your final weekend is spent exploring Swaziland, which includes a Eswatini village walking tour.
Location
Kruger National Park, South Africa and Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini.
Voluntary work
Safari activities: various safari tours to discover the local wildlife.
Volunteering activities: Making clay bricks, building, clearing land, plastering, painting, landscaping and other activities that help improve the infrastructure.
Programme starts
First Monday of each month.
Volunteering hours
Monday to Friday, from morning until noon.
Requirements
Minimum age 18, knowledge of English, travel insurance.
Accommodation in Kruger National Park
Tents (maximum two per tent), shared bathroom and showers.
Accommodation in Eswatini
In a backpacker’s lodge, either in bunk beds in a dormitory or in safari-style tents in normal beds. Shared bathroom and showers.
Food
Food is provided for three meals a day. In Eswatini, volunteers take it in turns to cook together in the evenings.
Airport pickup
Included at Matsapha International Airport (MTS) on specified arrival date.
Training
In-country orientation, training at the building project and assistance with construction techniques.
Support
Pre-departure information, local in-country support and 24 hour emergency support.
Donation to the project
Included in the rate.
Airport drop-off
Included to Matsapha International Airport (MTS) on specified departure date.
In addition, you need to arrange:
- Flights
- Travel insurance (necessary)
- Vaccinations (please contact your GP or medical travel clinic)
- Visa (on arrival at the airport)
- Daily travel costs to and from the project
- Any additional activities
Starts from €890.
Duration
2 weeks.
The Kruger experience gives you the chance to encounter wildlife and surroundings that take you out of your comfort zone, and many describe a safari trip in South Africa as being a life-changing adventure. You’ll spend evenings on a secure and comfortable campsite in the national park, where you’ll cook dinner using the camp’s cooking facilities and sleep in tents of two. You’ll love the sound of silence in the middle of the bush, while enjoying the creature comforts of the hot showers and shops on-site.
Volunteering in the heart of communities in Eswatini and giving people the gift of a safe shelter at the end has to be one of the most rewarding things you can do. As well as getting to know local people and acquiring some skills in construction and traditional building techniques, you’ll also be able to get to know more about Eswatini and southern Africa.
In Eswatini, you’ll be staying in a picturesque backpacker’s lodge, which is surrounded by gardens, in either a dorm room or safari-style tents. Food is provided and you’ll take it in turns to cook with the other volunteers, either in the kitchen or on the braai (barbecue) and relaxed evenings are spent on the veranda by the fireplace.
On your final weekend in Eswatini, you may choose to book onto an extra adventure in the form of one of the many outdoors activities on offer, such as white water rafting, mountain biking, quad biking, fishing, horse riding and hiking.
Security is one of the most important prerequisites when selecting our projects. That is why we take care of each of our volunteers personally and clarify all open questions regarding security before departure.
Find out more about security.