Africa adventure does not come better than this! Three awesome adventures in one epic trip. Go on safari in one of the best game parks in the world the Kruger National Park, swim with massive whale sharks (10 m beautiful yet harmless fish) and soak up the tribal culture in Swaziland. A guided group road trip you will never forget.

 

 

Kruger To Coast

Expect some memorable moments on this once in a life time Africa gap year group tour as you take in the following:

  • Safari and night drive in Kruger National Park in search of the famous Big 5
  • Community work with disadvantaged children on Sports Developments Projects
  • Visit to a Swazi Cultural Village and exploring Africa’s smallest Kingdom
  • Chill on some of the worlds best beaches in Mozambique
  • Learn to dive in untouched tropical waters. (PADI Open Water or Advanced Dive Course)

3 unforgettable adventures in one incredible trip

The Kruger National Park

Imagine a wild life nirvana, an unfenced national park bigger than Wales, stretching from South Africa to Mozambique. With wild Africa all around you you will enter one of the worlds best game parks and enjoy a camping safari. Here your days will be spent on game drives searching for the incredibly diverse wild life that this world renowned national park has to offer. At night you will sit under an incredible blanket of stars as you hear elephants and lions calling out into the wilderness, safe and protected by your blazing campfire. 

Swaziland Sports Coaching

Next stop you will be taken to the small mountainous kingdom of Swaziland. Swaziland is one of the last true kingdoms in the world with a King as ruling head of the country. The succession of the King to the thrown has been kept in the Dlamini line, if you want a sense of adventure, you will find it in Swaziland. Over the next few weeks you get involved in projects that aim to uplift the lives of disadvantaged children. You will be working in the Lobamba community, your aim at the sports project is to coach, support and motivate the children who attend the centre. Its lots of fun and always very rewarding!

Diving in Mozambique

Finally you will finish your trip in Priaha de Tofo, think beautiful stretches of beach, a friendly laid-back vibe, a small but pumping night life, great diving and snorkelling and a few good restaurants, and you are pretty much there. You will learn to dive (or complete your advanced if you already have a certification) in waters home to Whale Sharks and humpback whales. Clear visibility and warm tropical ocean currents support thousands of beautiful fish. The perfect end to an wonderful 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.

 

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mozambique safe?
Yes very. We have lots of Gappers who head out there and very few problems ever reported. When they are, it tends to be lost passports or minor issues.
What can I do in Swaziland during my free time at weekends?
During weekends in Swaziland you have the opportunity to join any of a number of exciting excursions including:

  • White Water Rafting on the Great Usutu River
  •  The cultural quad bike tour
  •  Rural home stays at living Swazi villages
  • River tubing adventures to the famous rock lodge
  • Paragliding
  • Mountain biking
  • Caving
  • Hiking
  • Horse back riding amongst wildlife in a game reserve
  • Craft shopping

Please note the activities are not included in the price of the project and need to be funded locally if you choose to do them.

What about Visa´s?
All nationalities require a visa for Mozambique. This is very easily acquired upon entry. Your guide will help you organise this and it’s included in the price. It is your responsibility to check if you need a pre-arranged visa for Swaziland and South Africa. Most nationalities do not require visas for these countries but do not take our word for it: if in doubt, check.
 

Price in GBP

Duration Standard
4 weeks 1999
6 weeks 2459

Included

  • All accommodation throughout your programme
  • All meals
  • Airport pick-up at the start of your tour (on set arrival day)
  • Orientation upon arrival
  • Daily game drives in Kruger
  • A guided bush walk, sunset drive/night drive (you may choose one option)
  • Full support and daily guidance from the project coordinator and assistant co-ordinator on project in Swaziland
  • Project equipment
  • A trip to a Swazi Cultural Village
  • A PADI Open Water or Advanced Dive Course with accredited operators
  • Airport drop off at the end of your tour (on set departure day)
  • Tour guide for the duration of your tour
  • Mozambique visa

Excluded

  • Flight
  • Travel Insurance
  • Spending Money
  • Visas (Other than Mozambique)

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!

 

“I loved every minute of my trip, it was so much fun, and also learned a lot! The best experience for me on this trip was being in Swaziland. In the village i met so many beautiful kids, who came running up to me and the others for cuddles and photographs, loved it!”
Caroline Burt
“My highlight was Mozambique, the beaches were just stunning. Ahhh and the Kruger park off course! “
Brian B
“It was a great trip to the Kruger Park. In two hours we saw the Big Five and on the other days mostly all animals. That was really amazing.”
Melanie Miesterfeld & Melanie Mittl
“Kruger was a great experience! Beautiful surroundings, we saw a lot of animals. Seeing a leopard six times in those days was amazing. Our guides were loads of fun and prepared five star meals for us! Going to Kruger was a dream come true!”
Ellen Wilms
“My Kruger adventure was really amazing! It was amazing, not only to see the Big Five and all the other animals but especially the people who were driving with us! Lots of love”
Ann-Sofie De Mey