South Africa and Mozambique safaris

This trip visits lesser-known parts of South Africa as well as Mozambique, and provides much-needed tourism revenue for local small businesses that are off the traditional tourist track.

Our guide on this trip is local, and a qualified botanist; his wildlife spotting skills and knowledge of the flora and fauna will make for an informative and exciting experience. His knowledge of local cultures will provide a valuable insight when passing through different tribal areas.

Our entry fees to the Game Reserve help fund a conservation programme to save the endangered black rhino, whose number in Africa has dwindled from 14000 to a pitiful 2550 in the past decade. Fees from participation in the dolphin swim contribute towards the research station which runs the excursion, and is monitoring bottle nosed dolphin numbers and behaviour, loggerhead turtle nesting activity and coral reef condition in order to make recommendations for improving the conservation of marine biodiversity. The lodge owners at our final stop, in Kosi Bay assist in the training of neighbouring communities to supply arts, crafts and produce to the lodge’s curio shops and kitchens, giving locals an opportunity to earn income.

The trip to a Zulu village is undertaken with small groups, and allows visitors to interact with villagers via a translator from the village. Visitors are likely to be invited into villagers’ homes, and may visit the school and will be encouraged to ask questions.

The village visit provides a very real glimpse at life for local Zulus in this area; most are very poor and many children are orphaned and looking after younger siblings. Guests to the village are encouraged to bring items such as basic English books, pencils, pens, crayons, exercise books, old school/sports uniforms, deflated footballs or rugby balls or toys. These items will be very gratefully received by local schools.

We use accommodation that is small and locally owned, ensuring that the costs are retained in the local economy. All accommodation used in this itinerary is situated in National Parks or within a World Heritage Site, and have guidelines to adhere to with regards to minimizing damage to the local environment. At the final lodge where we stay, we encourage our guests to purchase crafts from the gift shop; this is part of a project initiative by the lodge in conjunction with their local community which has provided an outlet for them to sell their beadwork and basketware, and which provides a much needed income stream.