Itinerary
Day 1-2: Tour Johannesburg and Elephant Experience
We’ll begin our trip in Johannesburg, the home to former president Nelson Mandela. We’ll explore the township and give back by working with local schools and community centers to help with whatever is most needed. Our next activity will lead us to Hazyview, where we’ll spend a morning introducing ourselves to African elephants 🐘. In this town’s sanctuary, you’ll be able to actually interact with and feed these gentle giants. You’ll tour the stables where they sleep and learn more about the largest mammal walking on Earth 🌍.
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 3-4: Explore Kruger National Park
Ready to see some of South Africa’s famous wildlife? 🦁 There’s no better place than in Kruger National Park, which houses more species of large mammals than any other African reserve. On the way, we’ll stop at Jane Goodall’s Chimp Eden, the only chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa 🐒. Once in Kruger, we’ll set up camp near the Crocodile River, an area from which it’s not unusual to spot prides of lions, giraffes, and rhinos. 🦒 The entire next day will be spent on a safari through the park, so keep your eyes peeled for all Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. 🐘🐆 But that’s not all the wildlife that lives in Kruger. You may also see different species of antelope, the African wild dog, giraffes, hippos, and mongoose. 🦓
Accommodation: Chalets
Day 5-6: Reptiles, Whitewater Rafting, Biking in Marloth Park
Local wildlife specialists will introduce you to some of South Africa’s diverse reptile population 🦎 that have been found in urban areas, sharing fascinating insights about each species before their return to the wild. You’ll gain an understanding of these often-misunderstood creatures and see firsthand how wildlife experts help maintain the delicate balance between urban development and natural ecosystems 🌿.
Our next activity will lead us to Marloth Park, another wildlife sanctuary home to dozens of animal species found only in South Africa! 🦒 We will spend the morning biking and learning more about the land and animals that exist there. 🚴 In the afternoon, we’ll kick it up a notch with a trip down class II rapids on the Sabie River! 🌊
Accommodation: Chalets
Day 7-9: Explore Swaziland
Our next adventure takes us south to Swaziland, a heart center of our trip for over 20 years! ❤️ Over the next two days, we will stay in the local village, engaging in service learning with the community. We will share in local food, dance, and, of course, play a favorite game of soccer with the children! ⚽ Once we have finished weaving and building sustainable projects within the village, we will make our way to Hlane National Park – one of the most famous safaris in the South Africa region! 🦁 We will have a sunset safari to search for nocturnal predators on the move and wake up for a morning hike to see the difference in life in the park. 🌅
Accommodation: Camping ⛺
Day 10-11: St. Lucia Ocean, Safari, and Rhino Conservation
We’ll spend some time in the Hluhluwe area, where we will explore Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, the oldest nature reserve in the country. 🌿 Known for its wildlife protection efforts, it’s likely we’ll see more of the Big Five here, especially the white rhino. 🦏 You may also pass by the jackal, common warthog, baboon, and kudu. While here, we will learn about specific rhino conservation efforts through darting and dehorning and the impact this has had on population growth. The group will get up close with rhino horns and, depending on rehabilitation, perhaps even with a rhino itself!
On the second day, we’ll spend time at the Emdoneni Cheetah Project, a rehabilitation center for cheetahs, serval cats, African wildcats, and caracals (lynx). 🐆 Not only will we learn more about the conservation of big cats, but we’ll get up close and personal with a few of their residents! Afterwards, we will head to the coast for our first real glimpse of the South African Ocean! 🌊 While in St. Lucia, we will enjoy some time at the beach and an evening sunset cruise along the river, with the potential to see hippos lounging along the riverbanks. 🦛🌅
Accommodation: Glamping ⛺
Day 12-14: Service and Ocean Sea'Faris!
Our next adventure takes us to Ballito, where we will work with a local organization to spread awareness about single-use plastics and their effects on marine wildlife. 🌊 This will include beach clean-ups and other wildlife protection efforts.
The following day, we will spend time enjoying the ocean we are working to protect! 🐬 The Ballito coast, famous for its bottlenose dolphins, will become our ocean safari playground as we head out to sea in search of marine wildlife sightings. Afterward, we’ll get our first taste of what it’s like to ride the waves with our first of two surf lessons. 🏄♂️
Accommodation: Camping ⛺
Day 15-18: Visit the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho
For the next few days, we have a range of adventures in and around Lesotho, a neighboring country to South Africa. 🌍 We will soar through the mountains on a zip-lining adventure, hike to the world-famous Bushman painting sites, and take in the breathtaking views of the mountains as we explore this beautiful country! ⛰️
Accommodation: Camping ⛺
Day 19-21: Durban Surfing and Kayaking
On our way to Durban, we’ll visit the historic Nelson Mandela Capture Site, where an inspiring sculptural monument marks the spot of his 1962 arrest. 🇿🇦 Together, we’ll explore this profound landmark and its museum, tracing Mandela’s journey to becoming South Africa’s first democratically elected president.
Our last full days in this beautiful country will be spent surfing 🏄 and kayaking in Durban. This coastal town is South Africa’s best-kept secret for surfing, great for beginners and experts alike. We’ll glide through the calm waters of the Indian Ocean, above dolphins 🐬, exotic fish, and limestone reefs.
Accommodation: Camping ⛺
Listed above is Bold Earth’s intended itinerary for this trip. All itineraries are subject to change in order to provide the best possible program quality.
Activities
✅ Community service: 10 hours
✅ Sightseeing
✅ Surfing
✅ Safaris
✅ Snorkeling
✅ Wildlife
✅ Kayaking
✅ Whitewater rafting
