Orientation
Upon arrival at the Wild Coast you will spend your first few days at a fantastic backpackers lodge with your fellow volunteers, getting to know each other and settling in to the local area and programme. Here you will be given a thorough orientation to enable you to develop your understanding of the new (and at times challenging) environment that you will be working in. The orientation is great fun and allows you and your team the chance to bond and develop a good working relationship.
The orientation will cover the topics below and includes a number of inter-active excursions:
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History of South Africa and understanding Apartheid and the dawn of a new democracy
- Socio-political developments in SA
- Introduction to your volunteer programme: Expectations and understanding
- Introduction to basic Xhosa language and understanding local customs and norms
- Overview of the various Biomes within SA and specific to the region
- Rocky shores marine life, coastal systems and the fragile eco-systems of estuaries
- Floral diversity of the Eastern Cape
- Various excursions, which include a 4x4 adventure, which ends in a rural Xhosa village where you will spend one night, coastal hike, estuarine exploration, bush walks and ocean excursion on a motorised boat
Accommodation and Meals
The base camp is a permanent Safari Tented Camp in a stunning and peaceful bush setting. The area around the camp is one of the best for wildlife viewing on the reserve: Wildebeest, kudu, eland, nyala, bushbuck and even buffalo and rhino are frequent visitors to the camp.
The tents are spacious and sleep up to 5 volunteers each. They are extremely comfortable and fully equipped, with beds and wardrobes, each with its own private deck overlooking the African bush. Recent upgrades include an outside lapa area for magical evenings around the campfire, an rustic bush bar with a great atmosphere and clean and modern ablution facilities. One tent is used as a communal entertainment tent and is equipped with a music system, card and board games, kettle and hot drinks and a fridge.
This conservation initiative has an on-site coordinating team who work closely with the volunteers to ensure that your needs are catered for. Due to the nature of game reserves, you may not have daily access to TV and internet at all times. However, you will frequently have the opportunity to communicate should you need to at the local backpackers lodge.
Private Accommodation: A limited number of secluded, private doubles are available for those who wish to upgrade. These are nestled in the riverine forest overlooking the Bulugha River. These tents can be requested at the time of booking and at the additional cost of £120 per person (based on 2 people sharing on a 4 week placement) and £180 (based on single occupancy on a 4 week placement).
The game reserve provides you with three meals a day. There will be times when you will be expected to make packed lunches should your work have you out in the field that day.
Free Time
At the project, you will have your weekends as free time to spend with your fellow volunteers, exploring the local area and partaking in a wide range of activities. These activities available are at your own cost and include:
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Surf school and Surfboard hire
- Forest and Beach walks
- Overnight stays at the local backpackers: Play pool & bar
- Canoes, boogie boards and beach accessories for free
- 20km of unspoilt beach and rocky shores for hikes, beach volleyball and games
- Horse rides on the beach or river cruises
- Whale watching and coastal excursions
- Mountain bike rides and giant sand dune trips
- Hogsback Mountain Excursion - 2 night
- Safaris: The project offers a range of trips to the mountains and national parks that are overnight and two-night tours, as well as day trips.
The Wild Coast, home to the colourful and culturally rich AmaXhosa nation, offers a gateway to explore the Amathola Mountains, South Africa's "Little Switzerland", the Garden Route, or the mighty Drakensburg Mountains. A number of experiences ranging from day trips to multi-day tours, overnight village stays to 4 and 5-day hiking trails, cultural and adventure tours for the energetic and the not so energetic can be arranged on your project, at the local backpackers.
Being in South Africa means that you are close to Johannesburg, which is a major transport hub for overland tours. We have a number of different tours to choose from which could take you up into Botswana, through Zambia and Zimbabwe to the mighty Victoria falls and even take you all the way to Nairobi: We have tours that last from 7 days to 56. Please contact for further information and we will be happy to send you further details and help you explore Africa.
Programme Support
During your time at the project, you will have a lot of support from the Project Manager Mike and his team in South Africa. They will be on hand to provide you with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay. In addition you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Project Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum 40 years
