#TEP2018 – Second week on the road

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 a daily recap of the volunteers’ activities during the second week!

The EXPEDITION Project 2018

#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!

Day 9, April 22nd – Coffee Bay

Activity: driving and sundowners 

The drive to Coffee Bay took 5-6 hours and the road was magical as the sea finally appeared behind the mountains. The volunteers were excited to finally be able to swim in the high waves. They stayed at the Coffee Shack Backpackers and received a nice drink upon arrival before being escorted to their cottage, a white house at the top of a mountain with a beautiful view.

Day 10, April 23rd – Cintsa

Activity: Hole in the Wall sightseeing 

Another 3-4 hour car drive away from Coffee Bay, our volunteers discovered another town by the sea, Cintsa. On the drive there, they stopped at the famous ‘Hole in the Wall’ rock formations where they walked and admired the beautiful view of the beach populated by local cows (yes, that’s right, cows on the beach!). In Cintsa, they stayed at the Buccaneers Backpackers and even enjoyed the sun setting on the sea from their own balcony!

Day 11, April 24th – Natures Valley

Activity: morning horseback riding on the beach 

Our volunteers went horseback riding on the beach – they showed up totally unprepared in slippers and shorts! The panoramas were beautiful, between the mountains and the beach. They supported Cintsa Horse Project, who rescue horses and ponies and work with adopting and rehabilitating them after having suffered from neglect, abuse and trauma.

Day 12, April 25th – Natures Valley

Activity: Bird Ringing Experience and Canopy Tour

The volunteers learned how birds are caught and examined before releasing the birds back into nature. The Bird Ringing team get up early every morning to do this every day.
In the afternoon, the volunteers went on the Canopy Tour and met a puffadder snake on the way! Ten trees later and a lot of thrills, they returned to the Wild Spirit Backpackers where they relaxed among nature, in the tree house with some music.

Day 13, April 26th – Sedgefield

Activity: Fynbos walk 

The volunteers left early for an interesting two-hour walk in the Fynbos (local flora). They saw beautiful plants and flowers and learned about them from the guide’s explanations. The walk ended in a beautiful view of the ocean.
Then, they drove to the cottage in Sedgefield and went to lunch at a location recommended by the cottage’s staff. They enjoyed seafood and time on the beach.

Day 14, April 27th – Oudtshoorn

Activity: volunteer morning 

Afterward as morning volunteering at a nearby game reserve, the volunteers drove to their accommodation at Volmoed Cottage in Oudtshoorn. They enjoyed the peace and nature as the cottage was in the middle of nowhere, between the sheep and ostriches.

Day 14, April 27th – Oudtshoorn

Activity: volunteer morning 

The volunteers visited a local volunteer project and got the opportunity to learn about wildlife, agriculture, sustainability and also how to restore the land and bring it back to a natural self-sustaining state. During the game drive, they saw a lot of beautiful animals and even the White Rhino. They were also allowed to feed a baby giraffe and receive some sweet kisses after giving it milk. The baby giraffe was born with a deviation of the legs and was being rehabilitated to be able to survive in the wild.
Afterwards, the volunteers drove to their accommodation at Volmoed Cottage in Oudtshoorn. They enjoyed the peace and nature as the cottage was in the middle of nowhere, between the sheep and ostriches.

Day 16, April 29th – Cape Town

Activity: Spier Wine Tasting and Boulders Beach  

On their last day, the volunteers went to Boulders Beach to visit the penguins and their babies, as it was breeding season. Then, they went to the wine tasting, drank wine and even bought a few bottles to bring home.
The adventure concluded with an African evening of local food, traditional performances and entertainment! The volunteers looked back on the experiences they considered special and the moments that will remain in their hearts.
Stay tuned for more details on the next #TEP2018 route, projects and activities!
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