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A selection potentially life-changing modules are grouped under the experiences: Wilderness & Wildlife, Culture & Volunteering and Adventure. A selection of these can be pieced together into a ‘seamless’ South African adventure.
The modules offer group leaders the flexibility of tailor-making a unique South African educational experience that matches the group’s aims and objectives.
The aim of our programmes is to take young people / students on a journey of discovery, which will enrich not only their own lives but will make a difference to the lives of rural communities and the environment long after they have gone.
Contact Us about our programmes that meet the Duke of Edinburgh Award criteria.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• All participants are 15 years or older (unless by special arrangement) 
• Itineraries are for a minimum of 10 days
• Groups consist of a minimum of 10 participants (multiples of 8 for wilderness trails)
• Groups are accompanied by at least 1 responsible adult group leader per 10 students
• All participants agree to African Insight’s Responsible Tourist Code of Conduct
• Proof of travel insurance is supplied before arrival
Download Youth Development Programme Booklet
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| Wildlife and Wilderness Experiences . |
| 1. BIG GAME SAFARI |
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Highlights of this 10-day programme include visiting the world’s 3rd largest canyon (Blyde River Canyon), a close-encounter wildlife experience at a leading wildlife rehabilitation centre, game viewing in world famous Kruger National Park and the Kingdom of Swaziland. |
| 2. SAFARI/BUSH SKILLS COURSE |
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A 5-day experience run from a base camp in Umfolozi, the oldest game reserve in Africa. Famous for saving the white rhino from extinction and today home to the largest concentration of both white and black rhino as well as all of the ‘Big 5’. This hands-on bush experience is aimed at giving participants an introduction to the basic ecological principles and skills one needs to master in order to appreciate and feel comfortable in ‘big game country’, with plenty of opportunity for wildlife viewing. |
| 3. WILDERNESS TRAIL |
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A 5-day trail with Wilderness Leadership School (WLS) in the stunning Umfolozi Wilderness area, the oldest in Africa and comprising 30% of the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Park. Founded by internationally renowned conservationist Dr Ian Player almost 50 years and 40 000 trailists ago, the WLS has pioneered the use of wilderness trails as a medium to reach and shape society’s present and future leaders, in politics, business, industry and the environment. |
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Culture and Volunteering .
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| 1. EKUTHULENI |
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In the remote tribal areas of both Zululand and the Southern Drakensberg area of the former Transkei, traditional Zulu families welcome visitors into their homes to experience tribal life as lived today. This is a unique 3-night (or longer) experience that immerses students in authentic Zulu culture, becoming part of the community living in a traditional homestead where electricity and running water are but dreams. The food is wholesome and the beds comfortable. If there are traditional ceremonies taking place, which we can attend, they take place on Saturdays. |
| 2. MABANDLA |
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The empowering effect of helping someone who is less well off than you brings life into sharper focus. Similarly, a privileged person from the western world living with a rural African family who have none of the simplest comforts that many of us take for granted, is equally a humbling and motivating experience. This module runs for a minimum of 4 nights, including 2 days of community volunteer work, and can run concurrently with the Cultural Immersion module. The volunteer work is part of a co-ordinated programme to improve the learning / teaching environment for school children in this rural community. |
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Adventure.
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| 1. PADI SCUBA DIVING COURSE |
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This is 5-day programme undertaken in partnership with an accredited PADI dive school at Sodwana Bay, the location of the southern most coral reefs off the African Coast and South Africa’s top scuba destination. Participants successfully completing the course come away with the internationally recognised PADI Open Water Diver certificate. Underwater Naturalist Diver status can also be achieved (optional). |
| 3. RIVER RAFTING |
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A 3-day module where participants paddle 46km of one of KwaZulu Natal’s biggest rivers (without crocodiles) through wilderness areas and breathtaking natural landscapes. The best season for rafting is September – April, subject to water levels. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, offers some of the best boat-based whale watching in South Africa between the months of July and March. Out of season, although the whales have moved on, there is still a wide variety of marine mammals to be seen to make this boat trip special. |
| 2.MOUNTAIN BIKING ADVENTURE |
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This 6 day adventure, although fully supported by back up vehicles, is not for the unfit and takes one through some of the most scenic areas of rural KwaZulu Natal. Overnighting in a combination of rustic chalets, a Trappist Mission and a rural village home stay. Although available all year round it is best undertaken between April – September. |
| 2. BATTLEFIELDS |
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This 3-day programme brings to life the most significant battles fought in Kwa Zulu Natal by British forces in pursuit of increasing the British Empire. We visit the Anglo – Zulu battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift and from the Anglo-Boer (South African) war we re-enact the Siege of Ladysmith and the Battle of Spioenkop. |
| Half and Half Day Adventures |
| 1. FOREST CANOPY TOUR |
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Canopy tours originated in the lush rainforest's of Costa Rica where adventurous biologists, desperate to study the diversity of animal life that habituate the upper canopy level of forests, devised a system of cables and platforms that would allow them to explore this previously inaccessible ecosystem. It wasn't long before this developed into a breathtaking eco-tourism activity that not only allowed people to enter and experience the upper realm of a rainforest, but also raised awareness of the plight and beauty of the world's endangered indigenous forests. |
| 2. DEEP SEA WHALE WATCHING |
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There are only a handful of permit holders allowed to approach closer than 300m to whales in South Africa, and Advantage Cruises are currently the only Boat Based Whale Watching Permit Holder in St Lucia, issued by Marine and Coastal Management, who strictly enforce regulations regarding the type of boat used. This permit and a code of conduct protect both the animals being watched and visitors. |
| 3. RIVER RAFTING |
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A 3-day module where participants paddle 46km of one of KwaZulu Natal’s biggest rivers (without crocodiles) through wilderness areas and breathtaking natural landscapes. The best season for rafting is September – April, subject to water levels. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, offers some of the best boat-based whale watching in South Africa between the months of July and March. Out of season, although the whales have moved on, there is still a wide variety of marine mammals to be seen to make this boat trip special. |
| 4. MOUNTAIN EXPEDITION |
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Most of the Drakensberg Mountain range falls within the Ukhahlamba/Drakensberg World Heritage Site and contains vast areas of mountain wilderness abounding in natural beauty. Its caves and rock shelters house the largest collection of bushman (San) paintings in South Africa. The ideal environment to plan and undertake a challenging 5-day Mountain Expedition.
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