For two weeks in April 2018, a team of four traversed a route not travelled since #TEP2012, from Soweto to Cape Town, re-visiting towns and projects as well as identifying new collaborators.
Read on for project highlights and volunteer Alessia’s personal review!
#TEP2018 Route
From Soweto to Cape Town, passing through Hoedspruit (Panorama Route), Kruger National Park, St Lucia, Hluhluwe National Park, Drakensberg, Coffee Bay, Chintsa, Natures Bay and Oudtshoorn, our volunteers undertook the Coastal Adventure Route and drove an impressive 4481 km overall!
Nourish
A revisit to Nourish was in order. Aiming at community upliftment, social responsibility and environmental education, the team believe in initiating grassroots projects to assist rural communities and urban slums where help is needed most to make a difference.
Partner since #TEP2012
Natures Valley Trust
The volunteers spent a day at Natures Valley Trust learning about the different bird species of the area and their monitoring.
The team at Natures Valley Trust focus on four areas, namely Conservation, Education, Community and Research projects to help shape how people live and interact with the environment towards the contribution to the conservation of the natural world.
Partner since #TEP2013
Cintsa Horses
The team at Cintsa Horses organises trails incorporating the beach and bushes with scenic views above Buccaneers Backpackers at Cintsa looking back toward Morgan Bay and Kei Mouth. Their project is based on “horses working for horses”. They fund, through trails, the rehabilitation of horses in need with the help of the New Hampshire Equine Rehabilitation Centre.
Partner since #TEP2017
Ecolabel
Ecolabel initiates and manages projects within rural KwaZulu Natal, mainly focussing on the basic needs of children, namely those left parentless due to HIV/Aids. When our volunteers visited, they had the chance to play with the children enjoy singing and dancing performances they had prepared for the visit.
Partner since #TEP2012
Protrack Anti Poaching Unit
The Protrack Anti Poaching Unit in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces has as a mission to provide specialist rural security services to protect farms and their animals, as well as animals in the wilderness.
Partner since #TEP2017
“A total life changer”
I liked how we could also be a part of charities. We planted Moringa trees, we played with kids at a school for kids left parentless, we rode horses on the beach and many more things. It feels great how we could enjoy beautiful moments and support a good cause at the same time. Besides exploring this beautiful country, I’ve met a lot of awesome people during our stay in backpackers and I made some new friendships. We travelled with a small but lovely group of 4 people from different countries; Austria, South Africa, Canada and Belgium and they made this trip complete! There wasn’t one day we didn’t laugh, we’ve had a lot of fun together. The three people I have travelled with have already visited quite a few countries and because this was my first real trip, I enjoyed listening to their stories. They convinced me to travel further and make my dreams come true.I really want to thank the organizations that made this rally possible. You have shown me beautiful places and people and I can say that I really enjoyed this experience! It was not only the best vacation ever, but it changed my life. I know what I want now; travelling and discovering what more the world has to offer.”
Volunteer
More on future newsletters and The EXPEDITION Project website
