African Real Life Experiences |
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Africa Discovery and our local office in Africa tailor make personalized itineraries for the discerning traveller as well as incentives for corporate groups. We work within most Sub Sahara countries and in the Indian Ocean Islands of Africa - if you are looking for service and real life experiences, then look no further!
Over and above arranging travel to general attractions in Africa, Africa Discovery promotes Special Interest Tours which offers clients “REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES”. If you are interested in working with animals, helping with wildlife conservation or community development or simply interested on doing some travelling while making a difference at the same time, then please have a look at our programs below.
CULTURAL
- Back to basics, live and learn with the awesome Zulu people in the heart of Zululand. This programme takes you back to grass roots; it gives you a wonderful opportunity to learn about the various fascinating traditions of Zulu culture and how these people still live today. Be part of the daily tasks, fetching water, milking of cows, gardening, cooking, working in the plantations and so much more………
- Community upliftment, if you would like to contribute your expertise into skills and development to a community based in Zululand, this is your chance!!! The Umhlabawethu community is in desperate need of upgrades to water, school, church and general housing facilities. Your contribution will make a huge difference to their lifestyle!
WILD LIFE
- Turtle tracking
These magnificent creatures return to the Maputuland coastline every year, having swum the length of the African continent. Research has shown that the mother returns to the same beach and that eggs are laid within meters of where the mother emerged as a hatchling years previously. Guests can view the turtles as they are laying and every precaution is taken to ensure the turtles are not disturbed. Turtle tracking is offered from November to end February in the evenings.
There are a number of different turtles found off the coast of Maputuland but only two of these lay their eggs on the Maputuland coast: the Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles. The hatchlings emerge from the nest about 60 days after being laid and it is incredible to watch the youngsters emerge from the nest simultaneously. It’s a struggle for survival as they dig 40cm to the surface and crawl, en mass, some 50m to the sea, where they often fall prey to kingfish and seabirds. The survival rate is less than one in 50. It is an unforgettable experience to witness these enormous creatures laying their eggs
- White Rhino conservation programme
Programme offered in a northern natal game reserve. Part of management and anti-poaching measures is to ensure that every rhino is identifiable so that the population can be monitored effectively. A hands on experience for clients, working with the Vet, while the rhino is being notched and micro chipped. The Vet will educate clients on threats to rhino conservation and answer all their question. Clients will be given information about the reserve, conservation status of white rhino and the need to protect them.
1-10 pax. Programme available all year round with 24 hour notice
- Black Rhino conservation programme
Black Rhino’s are extremely temperamental and more endangered than white rhino. The game reserve is part of the WWF Black Rhino Range expansion project.
1-5 pax. Only available during winter months. 2 week notice period, full money back guarantee if no rhino can be found
- Rwanda Gorilla programme
The Mountain Gorilla is one of the most endangered ape species in the world, there are only approximately 350 Mountain Gorilla’s alive today. Two small areas in the Northwest and Southwest of Rwanda between the Virunga Volcanoes straddling the Rwanda/Uganda border, one can view these magnificent animals
It is a heart warming experience that you will never forget, there is more meaning and understanding in exchanging a glance with a gorilla, than with any other animal. Ecotourism is the Gorilla’s only hope for survival!!!
- Great White and Tiger Shark programmes
Experience these magnificent creatures up close and personal from a safe distance in a cage. See the world famous great whites and their athletic breaches as they hunt the Cape Fur seals. There are very few places in the world that one can view Tiger Sharks in their natural environment. Individuals who have been to all these places like Gerard Soury, have commented that nowhere else in the world can one have the quality & safe viewing as on the Aliwal Shoal
Save the sharks projects:
Sharklife is a non-profit organisation which addresses alarming exploitation of both shark populations and ocean fishers in South African waters. Sharklife is trying through scientific research, education and awareness to bring about positive change in the current destructive trends of ocean exploitation, developing a compassionate desire to conserve sharks by altering public misconceptions about sharks and replacing the “Jaws” syndrome with positive understanding and respect.
Urgent Shark funds required:
Shark fishing regulation amendment (project cost R40 000)
This project is designed to amend the current recreational bag limit of chondrichthyans (Sharks and Rays) from 1 to 0, as detailed in the Marine Living Resources Act 1998. Objective - This change in legislation will be a key intervention in the protection of South Africa’s shark species. The aim is not to stop fishermen from catching sharks, but from keeping them. This will effectively close the current loophole, which allows a minority of anglers to keep and sell their catch illegally. The proposed change in legislation facilitates simple law enforcement and compliance as well as the support of recreational fishing groups.
Study of Bull Sharks within the Mbashe River (project cost R15000)
Study the size, sex and seasonality of bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) within the Mbashe River. The aim of this project is to investigate the utilisation of the Mbashe River by bull sharks. The fact that many of South Africa’s estuaries have been heavily impacted by human activities could have severely reduced the availability of nursery area habitat.The Mbashe River on South Africa's east coast separates the Dwesa and Cwebe reserves and marks the boundary between the Agulhas warm temperate and Natal subtropical inshore marine bio geographic zones and is a biodiversity hotspot. It has several features, which make it a potentially suitable habitat for bull sharks.
AFRICA TOUR’S SPECIAL PLACES FOR 2010
ISLAND OF EAST COAST OF AFRICA
Marriages are made in Heaven - Honeymoons happen with Africa Discovery! With
extensive knowledge of all the islands we can tailor-make a package to suit each
client’s requirements and budget. Our pick for 2009:
Bazaruto Archipelago – Azura boutique hotel
Quirimbas Archipelago – Vamizi island, Quilalea island
Mafia island – Pole Pole resort
ETHIOPIA
Thought that Ethiopia is only about starving children – definitely not!!
Northern visits include visiting – Bahir Dar, Lalibela and Gondar, where clients can view the 8th Wonder of the World Lalibela, The Blue Nile Gorge, the Great Rift Valley, various monasteries, lake Tana, view the local people make a Papyrus boat, visit the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, King Fasilidas huge outdoor bathing pool and so much more.
Southern visits include visiting – Arba Minch, Jinka, where clients will visit the Mago National Park, the most famous of the lower Omo valley tribes (the pastoralist Mursi) notorious for the lip plates worn by the female population, Konso town famous for its Wagas (wooden statues) erected in honour for Konso warriors after their death, Hamer villages famous for the women’s hairstyles and jumping of the bulls ceremony, and so much much much more…..
TEAMBUILDING AND CORPORATE CHALLENGES
Allow us to tailor make a package to suit your corporate needs, events include Mountain bike racing
The Amazing zulu race
The apprentice
Zulu survivor events
All the above events include local zulu people and all events contribute to the upliftment of the local villages we utilise!!
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