Cape Town to Chintsa – Volunteer Travel

Day 1
Arrival at Cape Town Airport and transfer to hotel. Explore one of the world’s most beautiful cities on a walking tour of Cape Town. Visit to the Cape of Good Hope, slavery sites, Parliament buildings and District Six Museum. Enjoy Dinner at a Waterfront restaurant
Overnight in the Fire & Ice Hotel, Cape Town

Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, take a boat ride across the ocean to visit historical Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. After the Robben Island tour we take an exciting hike up to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy magnificent views of the city and a picnic lunch on the mountain. Dinner is at the Gold Restaurant, where you can sample traditional African cuisine.
Overnight in the Fire & Ice Hotel, Cape Town

Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel, we take the Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point where two oceans meet. After this it’s on to Betty’s Bay to meet the huge colonies of African penguins before heading to Kogelberg Biosphere (a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an astounding array of plant species). We end the day Hermanus for whale watching.
Dinner and overnight in Hermanus

Day 4
An early start! After breakfast, those wanting to go shark-cage diving will leave for Gansbaai or those that opt for more whale watching will stay in Hermanus. In Gansbaai, there is the thrilling opportunity to go cage diving with the Great White Sharks. After the adventure we take Route 62 (South Africa’s famous country road, with high mountain passes, rugged plains, vineyards and orchards) towards Oudtshoorn.
Dinner and overnight in Oudtshoorn

Day 5
After breakfast, there is an optional elephant experience, followed by an Ostrich Farm visit, where if you’re feeling brave you can take a hilarious ride on an ostrich! We then take a trip to Cango Wildlife Ranch, sanctuary to some of the world’s most endangered animals, followed by the Cango Caves; explore narrow passages and vast halls filled with ancient stalactites.
Dinner and overnight at Myoli Beach

Day 6
Breakfast and then onto the Wilderness National Park, where you can canoe on the lagoon or go hiking in the forest. Then it’s onto Knysna followed by Bloukrans Bungee Jump (if you’re up to it!). The day continues in Tsitsikamma National Park where we explore the forest trails and enjoy the peace and beauty of this stunning park.
Dinner and overnight at Storms River

Day 7
After breakfast, there’s a chance for a waterfall zipline adventure or forest walk. The ziplines zigzag across the river gorge giving you a unique view of the scenery! We then travel on to Jeffrey’s Bay for surfing and shopping! Jeffrey’s Bay has a range of excellent surf factory shops, including Billabong, Rip Curl and Quicksilver, where you can get kitted out for your time on the waves! Spend the afternoon having a swim or surf.
Dinner and overnight at Jeffrey’s Bay

Day 8
After breakfast we head for Addo for a three-hour drive in Addo National Park which provided sanctuary to the few wild elephants who survived government sponsored culling in the early 20th century. Today the elephants thrive in their hundreds.
Dinner and overnight Addo area

Day 9
An early breakfast after which we take a morning game drive in Addo National Park before moving on to Schotia Private Game Reserve, a private game reserve which provides the best opportunities to view rhino, hippo, giraffe and the lion. Take a four-hour guided game drive in an open Land Rover before enjoying a delicious dinner over an open fire. The day’s activities end with a short, spot lit night drive providing the chance to view the nocturnal life!
Dinner and overnight Addo area

Day 10
After breakfast, enjoy the scenic drive from Addo to Chintsa. We’ll arrive in the afternoon for orientation and familiarisation to the area and the volunteer project followed by beach games! There will be an introduction to IsiXhosa, the local language over dinner.
Overnight at Buccaneers

Day 11
Enjoy breakfast at the backpackers lodge and then depart for the volunteer project at the local school. Our community volunteer project is called “Transforming Learning & Sporting Environments” and tasks typically include preparing and developing play areas around the school. A picnic-style lunch will be provided and the project will continue in the afternoon. After the day volunteering we’ll visit a giant sand dune and enjoy the sunset on the beach.
Dinner and overnight at Buccaneers

Day 12
After breakfast, work continues at the volunteer project. We begin the hole-digging, cement mixing and pole work for the construction of the jungle gym or play area depending on the school’s needs. Lunch is served at the Buccaneers Lodge and the project continues in the afternoon. After work we hit the beach for surfing lessons and beach games!
Dinner and overnight at Buccaneers

Day 13
Breakfast and then departure for the volunteering to continue the hole-digging, cement mixing and pole work for the play area construction. Take a break for a picnic lunch at the school and then continue work. Later in the afternoon, we take a walk through the rural village of Ngxingxolo ending at the legendary ‘Mama Tofu’ for a traditional Xhosa dinner, prepared on an open fire.
Dinner and overnight at Buccaneers

Day 14
Breakfast and then onto the project to continue with the work as needed. Take lunch at Buccaneers and then the Stungu Cliffs Hike, a beautifully scenic hike along the coast.
Dinner and overnight at Buccaneers

Day 16
Spend a leisurely morning enjoying breakfast and enjoying any of the many optional activities, including surf lessons, horse-riding, a game drive, quad biking, mountain biking, cheetah interaction and paint ball! After lunch we head to the East London Airport for your return journey home after a busy and rewarding trip in South Africa!

Day 15
Breakfast and then back to the project for your last day. Final objectives will be set by our team leaders to enable you to complete the project after all your hard work. Picnic lunch at the school at then the last session of work.
Dinner and overnight at Buccaneers