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. In the afternoon, we’ll kick it up a notch with a trip down class III rapids on the Sabie River!

The journey continues as we cross our first border into Swaziland and north toward the Lebombo Mountains. We’ll spend two days in Simunye, learning local culture and how they sustain their mountaintop community. You’re sure to be challenged by local children to a game of soccer! Villagers will teach you how to make bangles, grass mats, necklaces, and more for the locals to sell at craft markets. At night, we’ll enjoy traditional African dancing around a campfire!

After we say goodbye to our new friends in Simunye, we’ll head to Swaziland’s Hlane Royal National Park, the country’s largest protected wilderness area. During our sunset safari, it’s likely we’ll see more large mammals, and possibly even other wildlife like cheetahs, wildebeest, and zebras!

Our next adventure takes us south to Kosi Bay, where we’ll spend two days traversing the four interconnected lakes (Amanzimnyama, Nhlange, Mpungwini and Makhawulani) in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The water (with its sparkling clarity and abundance of wildlife) is famous for the traditional Thonga fish traps, curved woven kraals used for more than 700 years by this community. We’ll spend some time fishing with these traps to catch that night’s dinner! The pristine waters are famous for bird habitats; Kosi Bay is home to more than 250 avian species, including the African fish eagle, flamingos, and the rare palm nut vulture. On its beaches, you’ll spot loggerhead and leatherback turtles. During an afternoon of snorkeling, we’ll hope to catch a glimpse of the nine-striped cardinalfish, emperor angelfish, or honeycomb eel.

After crossing the border into Mozambique, we’ll spend four days in the coastal town of Ponta do Ouro, which means the “Tip of Gold.” What’s unique about this village is that it can only be reached via a 4×4 vehicle. We’ll take full advantage of its exquisite shallow coral reefs by spending our afternoons snorkeling. Ponta, as it’s called by locals, is famous for its dolphins, and it’s very likely we’ll get to swim with them! We’ll also give back to the community with a school and playground service project.

Back in South Africa, we’ll spend two days in 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. On the second day, we’ll spend some time in the Emdoneni Cheetah Project, a rehabilitation center for cheetahs, serval cats, African wildcats and, caracal (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!

Next up is a service project in St. Lucia, on the southern tip of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a world heritage site acclaimed for its copious biodiversity and unique ecosystems. We’ll contribute to this village by building swings at a playground, participating in the soup kitchen, or planting new crops in the community vegetable garden. That afternoon, we’ll hop onto a boat and explore Lake St. Lucia, home to Nile crocodiles and hippopotami.

Our last full day in this beautiful country will be spent surfing and sea kayaking in Durban. This sleepy coastal village is South Africa’s best-kept secret for surfing, great for beginners and experts alike. That afternoon, we’ll embark on a tour of the bay by sea kayak. We’ll glide through the calm waters of the Indian Ocean, above dolphins, exotic fish, and limestone reefs.