Kruger to Reef - South Africa, Eswatini & Mozambique

In Kruger, you will be joining a camping safari adventure. Here your days will be spent on game drives searching for the incredibly diverse wildlife that this world-renowned national park has to offer, while at night you will be camped out under the African stars, sitting around a crackling campfire listening to tales of the African bush. While in Kruger, your guide will teach you about the animals and plants of the African Savannah and how important it is to protect this beautiful but fragile ecosystem.

When you arrive in the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Eswatini your role will switch to volunteer as you get involved in projects that aim to uplift the community.

You will have the option of choosing one of the following projects:
-Building which involves projects such as laying bricks for new classrooms or maintaining the gardens at our NCPs.
-Sports which includes assisting with running sporting activities with our NCP children including swimming lessons (depending on the season).

After two weeks of hard work in Eswatini it’ll be time to relax in the tropical climate of Mozambique and swim the blue waters of the warm and inviting Indian Ocean. Mozambique is a colourful and vibrant African country like no other and it is here that you will get to spend the some days relaxing before volunteering on the Mozambique Marine Conservation Project.

*Please note that the activities listed above are based on availability and may vary by season. These are samples of activities that volunteers are likely to participate in.

Some of the activities you will get involved in may include:
Whale Shark (All year)
The whale shark component of the Project involves joining ocean safaris to snorkel with Whale Sharks in the open ocean. It involves taking underwater photographs for identifying the Whale Sharks as well as recording other ecological information. As a summary, you will collect the following information on the Whale Sharks:

Date, GPS location, surface and underwater conditions
Size, sex, scars/distinctive features, the behavior of the Whale Shark
You will take an ID photograph and identify each Whale Shark & record re-sightings

We are lucky to have whale sharks present in Tofo Bay area all year round, although sadly, their presence has declined since we started monitoring, and sometimes they can be absent for weeks at a time. Generally, volunteers will participate in one ocean safari per week looking for whale sharks and sightings are not guaranteed.

Coral Reef and Estuary (All year)
This involves carrying out underwater data collection on indicator species of coral fish and the condition and cover of coral and echinoderms on the reefs. You will be required to learn to identify a select group of reef fish which you will be looking for on dives. Estuary areas are also studied and monitored. We make excursions to the estuary at least once per month and here we are monitoring seahorses. You will be taught how to select a sample area and what type of data to record, then taught how this data is recorded and used in studies and monitoring.

Humpback Whales (June - October)
We monitor the numbers of Humpbacked Whales on their seasonal migration up and down the coast. This involves sand dune based observations using binoculars and boat-based observations recording the numbers of Whales, the makeup of the pods and the behaviours witnessed.

Various Other Marine Species (All year)
Sightings of various species are noted and recorded and at different times there could be studies underway of a number of other species. Species studied and monitored at the Marine Research Centre at various times include dolphins, reef sharks, leopard sharks, turtles, manta rays, sting rays, guitar fish - amongst others

General Environment (All year)
A number of more general environmental awareness and clean-up activities will be also carried out during the project. This could include collaboration with local wasted collection and recycling charity, beach clean ups and also regular micro-plastic surveys are conducted of random samples of the beach.

Please note: The activities listed above are based on availability and may vary by season. These are samples of activities that are volunteers are likely to participate in. We can not guarantee sightings of whale sharks or any other species.

In Eswatini:
07:30: Wake up to see the sunshine, jump in a hot shower, and get yourself started for the day with breakfast!
08:00: Travel to your placement and get ready to begin your day.
09:00: Participate in your chosen project.
12:00: Lunch hour! Time to eat the packed lunch you made that morning!
14:00: Begin your afternoon’s work with a full stomach and enthusiasm!
16:00: Return back to your accommodation and share your day’s adventures with other volunteers - maybe even a quick swim in the pool!
18:30: Enjoy a delicious evening meal and relax!

In Mozambique:
07:00: Wake up and enjoy a buffet-style breakfast overlooking Tofo Bay and the Indian Ocean.
07:30: Set up your diving gear at the dive centre and get the equipment necessary for data collection.
08:00: Receive a dive briefing and research briefing from MRC staff. Head out on your morning dives!
11:30: Return from morning dives, dry off, and enter the dive log data.
12:00: Lunch hour! Lunch is provided at the dive centre's beach-side restaurant.
13:00: Data management time. Enter your dive data, such as photo IDs, behavioral videos, and your own project data. If needed some analysis or write-up of your own personal project.
14:30: Afternoon presentation with coffee/refreshments on an MRC project/research technique, followed by Q&A and time with your in-field supervisor.
15:30: Work day complete! Go for a surf, yoga, or any of the other activities in Tofo. The office stays open until 17:00, so you are welcome to use our WIFI for continuing your work, contacting home, or whatever else you may wish to spend your afternoon doing.
18:00: Dinner at the deck restaurant overlooking Tofo beach at your accommodation, Tilak Lodge.

Day 1: Fly into OR Tambo Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your nearby accommodation.
Day 2: The second day begins with an informative presentation that will brief you on all you need to know about the culture and country, and how to effectively contribute during your volunteer experience.
Days 3-7, Big 5 Safari, Kruger National Park, South Africa: Depart to 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. We venture on a 5-day tour into the heart of Kruger Park including four nights camping in the park and unlimited game drives exploring the vast wilderness with our wildlife guides. There is an abundance of wildlife and birds to be spotted on your Kruger safari. You will also have the exciting opportunity to take part in a guided Bushwalk (optional extra) as well as experience a night drive where you’ll go in search of nocturnal wildlife.
Day 7: Depart Kruger for the beautiful kingdom of Eswatini.
Days 8-20:You will spend this period volunteering on your selected project, please choose which option you want, this is needed before we can confirm your volunteering:
Sports
Organising sports days for exercise and fun
Participating in swimming and other sports

Building
Making clay bricks and preparing land for structures to be built
Building structures such as roofing
Fencing and developing gardens to provide vegetables

During this time you will also be supported to obtain your visa to enter Mozambique (the cost of a visa is not included in the program cost) and will also visit the Mantenga Cultural Village where you will have the chance to experience traditional Swazi culture and lifestyle as well as witness traditional dancing and singing. You will also be invited to participate in learning the local dance moves!

Days 21-26, Mozambique Beach & Whale Shark Tour: Mozambique is world-famous for its idyllic tropical beaches on the Indian Ocean. As a former Portuguese colony that has come out of a prolonged civil war, it is now booming as quite possibly Africa’s top beach destination. Tofo 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 world’s biggest fish - the whale sharks. With diverse coral reefs, whales, manta rays, dolphins, and nesting turtles, Tofo is a marine paradise and yet it is relatively close to the vibrant historic trading port of Inhambane. We venture on a 7-day tour to Tofo where you will experience the laid-back lifestyle of this colourful and vibrant country. You will take an ocean safari to snorkel with the magnificent whale shark and also have a full day boat trip in a traditional dhow across the blue waters to the palm-fringed islands in Inhambane Bay. If you are a certified diver you will have the opportunity of exploring the spectacular fish life of the coral reefs!

There is also the option to take part in an Internationally Accredited Open Water or Advanced Dive Course (extra cost) should you wish to dive. Here you’ll have the opportunity of exploring the spectacular fish of the coral reefs and the chance to find the “Tofo Big-5” - whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, dolphins and humpback whales.

Days 27-28: Free days at Tofo. Relax and enjoy the beach.
Day 29: Monday: Today the rest of your cohorts will be arriving from overseas and it is another free day for you to enjoy the beach and surroundings. You will be able meet the project co-ordinator today and will have dinner together with the new arrivals - a chance to get to know each other a little before getting stuck into diving and project work.
Day 30 Your orientation will start with a presentation by the coordinating project scientists to prepare you for your project. You will then be shown around Tofo and have a tour of the nearby city of Inhambane.
Days 31-33 Begin your scuba diving course which usually lasts between 4 & 7 days depending on weather conditions. This is an internationally accredited course and upon completion you will get a certificate permitting you to scuba dive to 18m anywhere in the world. Those who already hold an open water course will complete an advanced dive course (qualifies you to dive to 30m).

If you already have both open and advanced dive qualifications you will begin the activities described under day 36-39 on the itinerary instead.

After scuba class you will be treated with a series of interesting educational talks on some of the amazing megafauna you will be swimming with over the next few weeks including how to ID several different kinds of fish species.

Days 34-35 During weekends there is time to explore the stunning palm-fringed beaches of Tofo: relax, surf, swim and enjoy your beautiful surroundings. During the first weekend you may also be completing your open or advanced water certificate.
Days 36-39 Once your dive course is completed you will officially be an assistant scientist! Your dives in the morning/afternoon will be for the purpose of collecting data and the second part of the day you will be responsible for communicating that data into the proper vehicle for safekeeping and analysis at a later date.

On days when you are not in the water, our social projects guide may take you on activities around Tofo such as Portuguese lessons, historical walking tours and/or local handicraft creation.

Following weeks:
Confidently collect and enter data for our ongoing research projects under the guidance of your in-field All Out Africa supervisor.
Continue collecting, entering, and analysing data for our ongoing research projects.

Daily activities may change due to weather conditions or other circumstances beyond our control at any given time. Attention to the daily posted schedule will be vital.

At the end of the project, a departure transfer by taxi to Inhambane Airport is included. Please note this is a small airport which does not handle international flights to Europe.

Many of our projects work with school-aged children. Because of this, our projects may vary from the project brief descriptions during public holidays and/or school breaks. Our project coordinators will arrange additional activities for vounteers to work on during this time, or you may assist on another project during these times until work returns to the daily norm.

Arrival and departure** transfers
Accommodation
Three meals a day
5-Day Camping Safari in Kruger National Park
7-Day Tour to Tofo, Mozambique, including ocean safari and full day dhow boat trip
Research dives, ocean safaris, and any other transport or support required for the project
All scuba equipment is included while at Marine Research & Conservation
Scuba equipment
An internationally recognized dive qualification (If included in your chosen package)
24/7 support from All Out Africa staff
Projects specifically designed to enable you to make an active contribution during your stay.
In-field supervision by the All Out Africa staff
Comprehensive orientation to country, culture, and your role upon arrival.

** A departure transfer by taxi to Inhambane airport is included in your program. Please note this is a small airport which does not handle international flights to Europe.

As part of the project activities, you will complete an Internationally Recognized Dive Qualification during a normal 4-week program, along with 11 or 12 ocean activities (ocean safaris or research dives) depending on the dive course chosen. Numbers of ocean safaris and research dives are calculated accordingly for longer/shorter programs.

Ask for our fish-list if you would like to get a head-start reading about all the different species that you will be seeing on our dives!

- Minimum age of 18
- Police Clearance Form
- Copy of Passport
- Specify medical history, allergies, dietary requirements (if applicable). Volunteers with pre-existing health conditions or who are over 45 years old must also bring a medical clearance letter allowing them to dive.
- CV in English.
- You must be a capable swimmer (able to swim 200m unassisted) and snorkeler. Being able to hold your breath to dive down would be an advantage but is not required.
- Every volunteer must complete a PADI medical form before arrival.
- Volunteers who sign up for two-weeks must have either the open or advanced dive water certificate.
- Volunteers who have pre-existing medical conditions or are over 45 years of age must also bring a medical clearance letter permitting them to dive.
- Any volunteers taking Mefloquine, Lariam, Mephliam, Tropicure (or any other derivatives) as antimalarial treatment (prophylaxis) will not be permitted to dive, as it causes increased risks when diving. Please advise your doctor that you are going on a dive holiday and request another suitable anti-malarial treatment.
- Accredited divers must bring their dive cards (listing their last logged dive) with them to the project site as proof.
- Dive-accredited volunteers not wanting a dive but who have not logged a dive within the last six months of their project start dates must complete a Scuba Review before they can participate in their research dives. The cost of a fee will be paid locally and directly to the Dive Centre with whom we partner.
- The open water certificate qualifies volunteers to dive up to 18m. While it is not essential to dive at our deeper sites (20-30m), if you wish to participate in deep diving (up to 30m) you will either need to complete a Deep Dive course at a small additional cost paid locally or an Advanced Water Course at an additional cost.

Most nationalities are able to obtain a 30-day visa on entry for a minimal cost - with two 30-day extensions possible in-country - however there is a significant cost to extend beyond 30 days. If you are from a visa exempt country, you will still be required to register your intention to travel to Mozambique at least 48 hours before arriving. This is done on the Mozambique government's eVisa online portal (https://www.evisa.gov.mz/). You will receive an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at the end of the process. Should you need to apply for a visa in advance, you can use the same eVisa online portal (https://www.evisa.gov.mz/) or a traditional process through the nearest Mozambican embassy. Wait times depend on the country from which you are applying, but generally last between 2 to 6 weeks. All Out Africa will send a letter of invitation needed for the visa/ETA application within a few business days of deposit and registration; if not received, please reach out to your point of contact or [email protected].

You will need to present the ETA (printed or digital) upon arrival, along with a passport and other supporting documents such as: Proof of accommodation, return ticket, and evidence of means of subsistence (for tourism purposes).

This can be done when you are in Eswatini - Our volunteer partner will help you locally with the application.

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.