The Southern Africa overland experience- Zambia, Botswana and Namibia

Description: Want to see and do it all in Southern Africa?

Choosing which country to visit in Southern Africa is no easy task; do you go for the traditional cultures of Zambia, Botswana's big game or Namibia's river safaris? At last help is at hand on a tour which brings you everything. During the fun-packed 26 days you will enjoy camping in the bush, volunteering on local building and teaching projects, taking a game drive, white water rafting and visiting Victoria Falls. All of this makes the tour something worth writing home about. In Southern Africa everything seems multiplied; the animals are fiercer, the jeeps are tougher, the people are friendlier and distances are bigger. Taking a tour means not having to worry about arranging travel and the expert guides mean you don't have to worry about getting eaten by the animals!

*Day 1 - Arrival into Livingstone (Zambia)
Fly into Livingstone International Airport transfer to Jollyboys Backpackers. Paula and Dan (the tour leaders) will meet volunteers at Jollyboys and over a welcoming drink brief the group. The rest of your day will be at leisure to tour Livingstone, take a swim or just sit around the comfortable conversation pit at Jollyboys and get to know each other. Overnight will be at Jollyboys.

*Day 2 to Day 11 - Mwandi (Zambia)
Transfer to Mwandi Mission. Only 1 1/2 hours from Livingstone. Volunteering at Mwandi Mission/Village - this is a very remote location with basic camping facilities. The main focus is in building African style houses for the most needy in the community. Volunteers can see and participate with qualified staff in the building of these homes. Building starts by placing poles in the ground, then binding the smaller wood to them and finally in Mudding in the walls and installing the door and window frames.

You will also assist the teachers in the pre-school, or the Basic school where (if you possess the necessary skills) you can help the qualified teacher in the classes. The grades at the basic school are from 1st to 9th grade. The Orphans and Vulnerable Children's Center is also located here and volunteers are invited to observe the feeding program there. The program gives a healthy lunch to those children who qualify 6 days a week. After school hours you can go and play or read as needed with the children. And perhaps a little soccer game can be arranged. They love to play so it's not hard to put the teams together!

Volunteers will also have the opportunity to volunteer in the Out-patient dept. If you are qualified you will be able to volunteer in the hospital. You're given a guided tour of the village and the Hospital. Overnights will be at Mwandi Camp and Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will be provided.

*Day 12 - African Bush Camp (Botswana)
Depart early AM for Kazungula border Cross into Botswana on the car ferry over the Zambezi River see where the four countries Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia meet. Half day drive to 55 km north of Nata to an original African Bush Camp, you can have a hot mineral shower and gaze at the stars at the same time o/n Elephant Sands bush camp. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is provided.

*Day 13 - Elephant Sands Bush Camp (Botswana)
You will have a full day at the Elephant Sands Bush Camp, a 25,000 hector bush area with lots of game including elephants. You can sit on the balcony enjoying a cool one and watch the elephants having a drink less than 7 meters away. An optional 3 ½ hour game drive in an open safari vehicle and/or a bush walk with an experienced guide are available for small additional fees (approx US$15). Dinner is around the large fire pit with a roaring fire where we sit and listen to all the sounds of nature and maybe even an elephant in the bush. Overnight at Elephant Sands Bush Camp with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.

*Day 14 - Kasane (Botswana)
Late morning departure for Kasane and the Chobe Waterfront where you can set up camp at Thebe River Safaris on the banks of the Chobe River. You have the rest of the day at your leisure to swim, watch sports, play darts in the lapa bar or just lie around and listen to the hippos. Overnight at Thebe Camp with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.

*Day 15 - Kasane (Botswana)
Chobe National Park game drive at 9:00 AM with experienced guide in open safari vehicle. Chobe is known for its abundant and varied wildlife including nearly 200,000.00 elephants. After lunch back at camp we take you into town to check emails and/or to just have a look around Kasane. At 3pm you are taken on a Chobe River Safari in an open safari boat with an experienced guide. Overnight Thebe Camp with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.

*Day 16 - Mwandi (Namibia and Zambia)
Depart early morning for drive through Namibia's Caprivi Strip arriving back in Mwandi early afternoon. Overnight at Mwandi Mission with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.

*Day 17 to Day 22 - Mwandi (Zambia)
Volunteering at Mwandi Mission as detailed above with overnights at Mwandi Mission with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.

*Day 23 to Day 25 - Livingstone (Zambia)
Depart early morning for Livingstone where you can enjoy all Livingstone has to offer from White water rafting to shopping and everything in between and don't forget a visit to one of the Worlds 7 Natural Wonders - Victoria Falls. Overnight at Jollyboys Backpackers; Dinner is provided whilst Breakfast and Lunch are self-catering.

*Day 26 - Return home
Say your goodbyes and make your own way to the airport or on to your next adventure.   

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights:
* Elephant Sands bush camp in Botswana
* See one of Africa's most spectacular sights - Victoria Falls
* Wildlife safari at Chobe National park, Namibia
* Opportunities for white water rafting, bungee jumping and other adventure activities
* Volunteering in a rural community in Zambia
* Experiencing the best of Southern Africa in 4 short weeks!

If you want to be excited by travel ... if you want to see a side of the world that package tourists can only dream of ... if you want to make a difference to the world we live in, and get in touch with humanity, nature, and the earth ... if you want to join the fight against mindless holidays and save some hard-earned cash, come travel and volunteer with us!

No matter when you arrive, there's likely to be a traditional festival just around the corner. The vast majority are exuberant affairs with plenty of music and dance.

Cost in US$: USD 3295.00 for 4 weeks

* Accommodation: Shared luxury tents
* Food: All meals, except 5 lunches and breakfasts in Livingstone
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

When you go on an i-to-i Venture we want you to have the best possible time abroad, so we include these important services.

Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety & culture shock
- contact details to pass along to your family

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to - Multi-Country Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994