The South Africa Adventure and Animal Experience

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: various dates available

Description: If you're the sort of person who wants to get off the beaten track, as well as over a few swamps and over a mountain or two and find yourself in Africa with lions, cheetahs, crocodiles (and guides who know what they're doing - we promise!), than this is the project for you. This project is a trailblazing tour through some of the continents most iconic scenery; starting with a welcoming glass of wine along the beautiful Route 62, you'll quad bike, abseil, bungy jump and zip slide your way along the famous Garden Route through a private game reserve and stunning mountain passes. It may be easy to forget when you're having so much fun but you'll also be contributing to a valuable project during your 10-day stay on a wildlife ranch and zoo which helps endangered animals.

Please note, you can now extend your stay at the project for up to a further 2 weeks - call us for further info!

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

*Day 1 - Arrival into Cape Town
Arrival in Cape Town. You will have your orientation and dinner, staying overnight 45 minutes away from Cape Town city at our volunteer house in Fish Hoek.

*Day 2 - Mossel Bay
You will be picked up in the morning to start your experience along the Garden Route. Enjoy a wine tour along the beautiful Robertson wine route followed by lunch on a wine farm and the chance to sample some delicious South African wines.

*Day 3 - Plettenburg Bay
Departing in the morning for a 2 hour quad bike trail in a private game reserve. You will then head on to the Knysna area for some sight seeing and the chance to grab some lunch along the way.

Some of the optional activities for this day are the Knysna Elephant park and the Monkeyland rehabilitaton centre. Overnight in a hostel at Plettenburg Bay.

*Day 4 - Storms River Village
In the morning, catch your breath and participate in some optional extra activities including a trip to the highest bungy jump in the world! Have a go or just sit and watch your crazy fellow volunteers jump while sipping a drink! For the less extreme, you can always take the opportunity to shop in the town of Plettenburg Bay or just chill out on the beach.

In the afternoon take a guided tour over rivers and waterfalls using a series of zip slides and then test your fear of heights doing an abseil (weather permitting!). Overnight stay in Dijembe Backpackers in Storms River Village.

*Day 5 - Oudtshoorn
Transfer through spectacular mountain passes to Oudtshoorn, allowing time to relax and get your bearings in the town of Oudtshoorn before starting work on the wildlife conservation centre the next day.

*Day 6 to 14 - Cango Wildlife Ranch, Oudtshoorn
Volunteering work at this wildlife ranch and zoo. Duties will include; general maintenance and development activities, food preparation, cleaning of cages and feeding the animals.

*Day 15 - Transfer to Cape Town and Return Home (own arrangements)
Depart from Oudsthoorn. You will need to budget for this bus journey back to town (approximately USD 35/ZAR250). Details of bus times and other possible means of transport will be given to you prior to your arrival in Oudtshoorn. Oudtshoorn is a five-hour car journey to Cape Town. If you wish to fly home on this day your international flight will need to be after 8pm. Please take this into consideration when booking your flights, you will also need to arrange for an additional nights accommodation if your international flight is the following day.

Highlights:
* The opportunity to quad bike, abseil, bungee jump and zip slide along South Africa's stunning coastline
* Getting up close and personal with cheetahs, lion, hippo, crocodiles (!) and other amazing wildlife
* Getting a taste for South Africa - a truly stunning destination

Qualifications: You don't need to be a specialist or rocket scientist to take part in this experience, but a little love, care, patience, commitment and enthusiasm will go a long way! Keeping an open mind will also help you enjoy the best experience possible. Therefore, all you need to get the most out of this tour is a sense of adventure and a willingness to get stuck in and get your hands dirty!

Cost in US$: USD 2,195.00 for 2 weeks, USD 400.00 for every week thereafter

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

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