Kruger To Coast

3 unforgettable adventures in one incredible trip

Photos

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day Fly into Manzini international airport in Swaziland. Our representative will drive you to your backpacker lodge accommodation in the Ezulwini Valley (Valley of  Heaven). Day 2: Introduction The second day begins with an informative presentation that will brief you on all you need to know about your 4 week experience. You will also take part in an orientation in which you will learn how to get around using public transport. Day 3-6: 5 day safari

A 5 day in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is probably Africa’s most famous conservation area. Spanning nearly 20,000 km2 it covers a vast array of habitats and associated wildlife. It has an aura of ancient times and offers some of the best opportunities in the world to view Africa’s big game. We venture on a five day tour into the heart of Kruger Park including 4 nights camping in the park and unlimited game drives exploring the vast wilderness with the expert guidance of one of our wildlife guides. Previous groups have had great sightings of lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard, wild dog and a variety of other of Kruger specialities. You will also have the exciting opportunity to take part in a guided bush walk as well as a night drive where you will go in search of nocturnal wildlife. Day 7: Leave for Swaziland You will depart Kruger for the beautiful Kingdom of Swaziland. Day 7 – 20: Start Community Project

Community project, Ezulwini, Swaziland

Swaziland is Africa’s last remaining true monarchy and in it is unique laid-back way is steeped in Swazi culture and tradition. The Ezulwini Valley of Swaziland is known as the valley of heaven and is both home to the King and royal family and most of the countries tourism facilities and attractions. It is a scenic hilly Kingdom with a friendly age-old way of life that endears anyone who takes the time to experience it.

Community Sports Project

You will spend 10 days working at a community sport facility in a small settlement called Lobamba. The focus of the Sports Development Project is to improve the well being of disadvantaged children within rural Swazi communities, through sport. This project focuses on the following sports – football (soccer), tennis, netball, athletics and table tennis and incorporates both genders between the ages of 7 and 18. The project is based at a facility called OlympAfrica.

Worthy is an understatement

The project is borne out of a need in this tiny but beautiful Kingdom: Approximately 30% of children in Swaziland cannot afford to go to school. Without the structure of an educational institution children are denied the stimulation they need to keep them busy and developing in their formative years. In some cases this lack of structure and resultant boredom can lead children into petty criminal activity at an early age. Sport can be used as a method of improving and uplifting the lives of disadvantaged children keeping them stimulated, focused, fit and healthy. The Sport Project is based in the heart of the traditional capital of Swaziland, Lobamba and operates from here through to Manzini, which is Swazilands biggest town. Lobamba is surrounded by symbolic national monuments such as the Houses of Parliament, eLudzidzini Royal Residence, the National Church, the National Museum, the late King Sobhuza ll memorial and the national stadium, Somhlolo.

How you help

As a volunteer you will be involved in helping with the day to day coordination of this project. There are sports practice sessions each week day which you would help coordinate. The aim is encourage youths to participate, arrange training and sports activities, to develop sports teams, organise mini competitions and once at the right level, facilitate them to compete in local sports leagues. You will also be involved in the organising of matches between other teams in the area and fund raising for the development of the sports facilities. There are a few primary schools and day care centres in the area and the volunteers are encouraged to get them involved in sports development. Sports days are very popular events for the children at the schools and day care centre volunteers are encouraged to organize these fun filled events that bring much joy to the children.

Some of the activities you may get involved in include:

Skills development,  improving skills and techniques and team manoeuvres

• Fitness training including anything from shadowing a trainer to taking on your own small team, doing fitness drills
• Preparing teams and competitions, liaise between sports groups to arrange matches and mini competitions
• Refereeing football matches and mini tournaments
• Playing with the children offering care and support
• Help organize sports days for the schools and care centres
• Help organize sports outings for orphans.

During your time in Ezulwini you will also visit the Mantenga Cultural Village were you will have chance to experience traditional Swazi culture and life style as well as traditional dancing. Day 21-26: Beach Time

Beach tour Tofo Bay, Inhambane, Mozambique

Mozambique is world famous for its idyllic tropical beaches on the Indian Ocean. Being an old Portuguese colony and having come out of a drawn out civil war it is now booming as quite possibly Africa’s top beach destination. Tofo Bay is a laid-back beach village in southern Mozambique and offers some of the best opportunities in the world to snorkel in the wild with the worlds biggest fish the whale shark. Tofo is also one of Africa best dive sites and its here that you will do your dive course. With diverse coral reefs, whales, and nesting turtles Tofo is a marine paradise and yet it is relatively close to the vibrant historic trading port of Inhambane.

Tofo – Whale Sharks and Diving!

We venture on a 7 day tour to Tofo where you will experience the laid-back beach lifestyle of this colourful and vibrant country. You will take part in an accredited PADI Open Water or Advanced Dive Course on which you will have the opportunity of exploring the spectacular fish life of the coral reefs and the chance to find the Tofo Big 5:

• Whale Sharks
•  Manta rays
•  Turtles
•  Dolphins
•  Humpback whales.

A beach party or two is par for the course and some chill time on the beach is guaranteed. Mozambique is a true gem on the east African coastline, an unspoiled paradise waiting to be explored. Day 27:  Ezulwini (Swaziland) Depart Mozambique, and transfer back to your backpacker lodge in Swaziland. Day 28: Ezulwini (Swaziland) At the Lodge in Swaziland you will have a full day to relax, pack up and make preparations for your departure the following day. Day 29: Return home or onward travel Sadly all great adventures must come to an end and on your final day you will leave the backpacker lodge in Swaziland and will fly out of Manzini International Airport or depart by other means. The transfer to the airport is included and provided.

Accommodation

South Africa

South Africa is emerging as a rainbow nation from its apartheid past. The country boasts some of the worlds most exciting attractions ranging from natural scenery, beaches and wildlife to bustling cities rich in cultural diversity.

Kruger Camping

In Kruger you will be accommodated in safari style dome tents with two people per tent. Tent, mattress, and pillow are provided but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag. The camps are fenced so you will be safe from wild animals while in camp. The camps are well equipped with clean toilets, hot water showers and well stocked shops were you can by drinks, snacks, souvenirs etc.

Mozambique

Mozambique is one of Africa’s top beach destinations, with stunning tropical beaches, excellent diving and magical offshore islands.

Project accommodation Tofo

The accommodation is in a beach backpacker lodge where you will share dorms. Bed, pillows, and sheet are provided but again you will need to bring a sleeping bag. The lodge is situated right on the beach and set among lush indigenous vegetation and tall coconut palms. There are communal toilets and hot water showers. The lodge has its own restaurant and bar which is located high on top of a sand dune with sweeping views over the bay and out into the Indian Ocean.

Price in GBP

Dates 2014

• July 7
• August 4
• September 1
• October 6
• November 3
• December 1

Dates 2015

• January 5
• February 2
• March 2
• April 30
• May 4
• June 1
• July 6
• August 3
• September 7
• October 5
• November 2
• December 7

Getting there & departing.

The Kruger to Coast Sports Adventure starts in Swaziland. If you are travelling from abroad it is usually easiest to fly into the region and usually the cheapest is to fly into Johannesburg in South Africa. From there you can either take a connecting flight to Manzini international airport in Swaziland (takes about 1 hour) using Swazi Airlink (a branch of South African Airways) or take a bus to Swaziland (takes all day but is cheaper) using the Baz bus.
Flying into Swaziland:

Occasionally your luggage may get delayed en route although this is not very common. In such cases your bags will usually arrive on the next flight (or two) so it is wise to bring with you, in your hand luggage, one spare change of clothes and a wash bag. It never hurts to be too prepared!