Garden Route Weekend Trip For those looking to explore the on an * Additional departure dates can be added if there are at action packed itinerary, stopping at all the best highlights least 6 participants looking to take part. the area has to offer; you’ve found your match! Wander The cost of the trip is 4200 ZAR (approx. 230 GBP). This along the Garden Route - a piece of paradise on the will be collected from volunteers by the local team in Southeastern coast of . Search for members ZAR. of Africa’s Big 5, walk along forest footpaths, canoe and interact with African wildlife, all in one exciting itinerary. Each trip leaves on a Friday morning and returns on the Sunday evening. Your Garden Route experience begins as you drive along the longest wine route in the world, South Africa’s very The following are included within this fee: own, Route 62. Enjoy the rugged scenery and winding • Private transport roads as you make your way to to explore the fascinating underground maze of the Cango Caves. • Accommodation (same sex)

Adventure awaits you over the next few days. Choose • Breakfast to join an elephant bush walk where you’ll get to meet • English-speaking guide three orphaned elephants. Hop in a canoe and explore • Entrance fees & Activities as listed: the Wilderness National Park, keeping an eye out for the abundant bird life. Visit the mystical forests of the • Cango Caves tour Tsitsikamma region. Enjoy a 4x4 safari with a game ranger • Wilderness National Park Canoeing as you set out to spot members of Africa’s Big Five, and connect with nature on a tranquil bush walk amongst the • 4x4 Garden Route Safari (2.5 hours) animals in a private game reserve. It’s all part of this 3 day • Bush Walk (30 minutes) adventure awaiting you!

We will be running the trip on the following dates subject BOOKING YOUR PLACE to a minimum of 6 sign ups for each trip.

22nd January 2021 - 24th January 2021 If you’ve already signed up to one of our programs and would like to join our Garden Route & Safari Weekend Trip 26th February 2021 - 28th February 2021 then please call us or email us.

26th March 2021 - 28th March 2021 If you haven’t signed up already, you can add the Garden 23rd April 2021 - 25th April 2021 Route & Safari Weekend Trip onto your trip during the online application form, which you’ll find by clicking on the 21st May 2021 - 23rd May 2021 ‘Apply Now’ button on the relevant program web page. 25th June 2021 - 27th June 2021 Should the minimum numbers for the trip not be met, 23rd July 2021 - 25th July 2021 no fees will be requested or need to be paid to the local team. The local team will instead provide alternative 20th August 2021 - 22nd August 2021 weekend trip ideas when in country and help you and 24th September 2021 - 26th September 2021 other volunteers with your plans including offering alternative options to join a trip itinerary similar to 22nd October 2021 - 24th October 2021 this one. 26th November 2021 - 28th November 2021

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21st January 2022 - 23rd January 2022 DAY 1 - - OUDTSHOORN 25th February 2022 - 27th February 2022 It’s an early morning departure from the volunteer house 25th March 2022 - 27th March 2022 as we set off from Cape Town along the rugged landscapes of Route 62, the longest wine route in the world! Along 22nd April 2022 - 24th April 2022 this famous country road you’ll capture the beauty of high 20th May 2022 - 22nd May 2022 mountains, twisting passes, vast plains, vineyards and orchards. Stop at one of the many farm stalls along 24th June 2022 - 26th June 2022 the way to sample local delights before arriving in 22nd July 2022 - 24th July 2022 Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world and home to 26th August 2022 - 28th August 2022 the fascinating Cango Caves where your next adventure awaits. 23rd September 2022 - 25th September 2022 Delve deep underground to the magical Cango Caves’ 21st October 2022 - 23rd October 2022 limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites 25th November 2022 - 27th November 2022 and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. The

2 easy-going Heritage Tour you will embark on will allow you Day 3 - SEDGEFIELD - CAPE TOWN to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights your guide Your journey today will begin as you leave the silhouette provides into the formation and dripstone evolution. of Table Mountain behind and trade it for the lush green You’ll spend the evening in the quaint town of Oudtshoorn scenery of the Garden Route. You’ll soon understand where you could tr y local delicacies such as ostrich kebabs. where the area gets its name from, and why it is one of the most loved areas in the country. On your first stop of the day, spot some of Africa’s wild animals from the back of an open 4x4 vehicle in a malaria-free private game reserve. Search for giraffe, white rhino, kudu, lion, elephant, zebra and wildebeest, to name a few. An experienced game ranger will be on hand to lead the game drive.

Just when you thought your bush experience couldn’t get any better, you’ll hop off your safari vehicle for an up close and personal encounter with nature on a tranquil bush walk. Follow your game ranger as you track wildlife through the coastal renosterveldt and Cape fynbos, keep an eye out for animal tracks, and learn about the medicinal value of the plants around you as you walk.

Day 2 - OUDTSHOORN - SEDGEFIELD End your day and weekend trip with a journey through Those seeking a meaningful experience can rise early and the landscape of rugged plains and green vegetation join rangers on an optional Elephant Bush Walk. You’ll as you pass through the heart of the Garden Route on have the opportunity to walk alongside three rescued your way back to Cape Town. We will reach the volunteer elephants, in their own natural environment. These gentle accommodation in Cape Town by late evening. giants were orphaned when their parents were poached in the north of South Africa, they were then transferred to Buffelsdrift, bringing their boisterous personalities with them. During your walk, you are free to take pictures galore and ask your rangers any questions you wish.

Then, you’ll take to the water for a leisurely afternoon canoe along reed-lined river banks in Wilderness. It’s not until you stop paddling and let the gentle current guide you, that the abundance of bird life becomes apparent.

We will then stop at the infamous Bloukrans Bridge where you will find the adrenaline junkies choosing to take on the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy jump. This is not included in the trip, but can be done as an optional ACCOMMODATION extra (just make sure you have adequate insurance in place!). This region is a playground for the outdoors and You will stay at either guesthouse or backpacker opting not to do a bungy jump will take you on a visit to accommodation on the Friday and Saturday night in either the lush forests of the Tsitsikamma area which provides shared room or dorm format. The accommodation will be picturesque photo opportunities. The evening is your free clean and comfortable. You’ll have all the amenities you time to soak in the slow town ambience of Sedgefield. need such as western toilet and hot shower. Wi-Fi is also available, although it may be intermittent.

MEALS

You’ll be provided with breakfast throughout the 3 days. Lunch and dinner are not included and will need to be budgeted for. The trip guide will be on hand to recommend some good places to eat across the trip. Water or any soft drinks are at own expense.

TRANSPORT

We will transport you by a private minibus. An experience

3 tour guide will be on hand to accompany you throughout the weekend trip and you will have English-speaking tour guides to take you around all of the sites.

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