ITINERARY & DEPARTURE DATES 

Next Departure Dates
Weeks 1-6 - Project Phase
Weeks 7-12 - Explorer Expedition
Activities Included
Explorer Itinerary

Our next departure dates are;
10th April 2008, 10th April 2009

Weeks 1-6 - Project Phase
See 'Expedition life' for an example of a typical day.

Weeks 7-12 - Explorer Expedition
The 6 week Southern Africa Explorer covers five countries and explores some of the best Africa has to offer. It is a unique chance to experience ‘the real’ Africa close up.

Activities Included
All activities are included: trekking, PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water scuba dive course, bridge swinging, canyoning, caving, abseiling, paintballing, white water tubing, Pretoria nightlife, Apartheid Museum, wild camping on salt pans, canoe and walking safari in the Okavango Delta, 4x4 safaris, river cruise, bungi jump/micro-lighting and more!

Explorer Itinerary
Week 1 - Swaziland - The smallest country in the Southern Hemisphere
Orientation days first - detailed preparation for the trek including route planning and food purchasing in Mbabane, the Capital of Swaziland. Then we begin with a 3 day trek through the hills of north-west Swaziland.  The stunning views and the chance for fleeting encounters with some of Africa's less dangerous animals, such as zebras, eland and the elusive Black Wildebeest, make this a unforgettable experience.

Weeks 2-3 - Mozambique - The undiscovered country with 1000's of miles of pristine beaches
We slow the pace down to enjoy the amazing white beaches and blue sea that is Tofu beach. You'll officially become an Open Water scuba diver (or Advanced diver, if you can already dive) and get the chance to snorkel and dive with Whale Sharks (no worries, they only eat plankton!), Hump Back Whales and 6 metre long Manta Rays, as well as surfing, sunbathing and of course, having a few cocktails!

Week 4 - South Africa - Nelson Mandela's dream of "The Rainbow Nation"
Now it's time to get the heart racing again. South Africa is the 'adrenalin' stage of the expedition and will see you bridge swinging, canyoning, paint balling, river tubing, abseiling and caving.
If that all sounds a bit too hectic, there's plenty of opportunities to sit back and admire the stunning views of South Africa's version of the Grand Canyon - The Blyde River Canyon. We will also stop over in Pretoria and squeeze in a visit to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg - which is a sobering, educational and emotional experience.

Week 5 - Botswana - The Land of the San Bushmen
Back out into picture book Africa again. We begin by heading to the huge Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. With a 4x4 safari across the edge of the pans it's guaranteed you'll end up covered in salt and looking fairly windswept but having a great time in the process. We camp out bush-style under the stars.

After the Pans it's off for the experience of a lifetime - the Okavango Delta - you'll spend two nights wild camping in the middle of the game reserve, doing walking safari's and traversing the shallow waterways in dug-out canoes. The wildlife is absolutely stunning and being totally out in the wild surrounded by all of the Big Five is something you'll never forget.

The week ends with the official 'safari' stage, through some of Botswana's premiere parks. You're guaranteed to be swamped by elephants, hippos and zebras on a daily basis, not to mention the excitement of the occasional lion, leopard or buffalo.

Week 6 - Zambia - Home of the mighty Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, also known as  'The Smoke that Thunders', is the end of the expedition and what a way to go out in style. Not only are the Falls probably one of the most awe-inspiring, mind-blowing views that you'll ever see but there's also the prospect of the 111metre high bungee jump to get your heart racing. If you're not up for plummeting through that much air though, there's always the option of taking a microlight or helicopter ride over the falls, so you can truly appreciate just how large they are! There's one free day for sightseeing and other activities. Last night party is on the edge of the River Zambezi.