Amazing Details

SOUTH AFRICA (11 Days)

The Children of Acornhoek & Our Service/Culutral Exchange Program

Acornhoek is located in the semi-arid, but scenic, Eastern part of South Africa, a few kilometers away from the Orpen Gate and Numbi Gate entrances to the famous Kruger National Park. From 1984 - 1986, a half-million refugees fled the neighboring country of Mozambique trekking 200 miles on-foot, through the wild Kruger National Park and made themselves a home in villages such as Acornhoek.

The majority of these people are from the Shangaan Tribe and their main language is Shagaan. Post Apartheid, the South African Government built them a school and houses of cinder block with tin roofs with electricity and running water. The Shangaans are poor but proud people who place much importance on family.

Although the government provided a school and hired teachers, students cannot attend unless they buy a uniform and given that many of the parents do not have expendable income, this factor continues to be a challenge.

English is taught as part of the curriculum however due to the fact that the children are shy and do not have an opportunity to practice their English, they are not able to excel. The school itself consists of a brick building and a few poorly lit classrooms that are drab and without character. The only amenity is a soccer field and a garden, which is without plants, flowers and trees due to there being no budget for beautification and improvements. The children range in age from 6 – 12 yrs and the school is co-ed.

Our mission will be to interact with the children and teach them English, land sports, games and to beautify their school with painting, landscaping and building projects. From planting mango trees, to planting vegetable gardens, to painting desks and building playground elements and a volleyball court, we are sure to make the children happy. 

And in return for our efforts, the children will teach us their local language, their version of games and land sports and they will join us in all of the above service projects. Our finale will include an afternoon of skits done by our students and their children in the opposite languages. Overall we will make new friends in a far away land and change their lives as they change ours forever.

ZAMBIA (2 Days)

We will visit Zambia, home to the incredible Victoria Falls and where you will meet your new friend - an elephant.

Victoria Falls

Known as “The Smoke That Thunders”, Victoria Falls are absolutely incredible. They were discovered by David Livingstone in 1855 and are a World Heritage Site as well as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The unusual form of Victoria Falls enables virtually the whole width of the falls to be viewed face-on, at the same level as the top, from as close as 60 metres (200 ft), because the whole Zambezi River drops into a deep, narrow like chasm, connected to a long series of gorges. Few other waterfalls allow such a close approach on foot. We visit the Zambia side of the Falls.

BOTSWANA (10 Days)

Chobe National Park

Your land safari trip will offer you your first look at a zebra. The thought of visiting Africa easily brings up images of wildlife and safaris. The first time you see a Zebra or a Lion or an Elephant you are immediately humbled. These beautiful, graceful animals can be seen in their natural environments in many of the protected national parks such as Chobe. We will head out to see Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Elephants, & Rhino's both by game drive and canoe safari. The game drive takes us into the heart of Chobe’s 11,000 sq km surroundings where we will see the largest elephant population (estimated between 45 to 70 000).

The canoe safari along the Zambezi River is an excellent way to spot animals as they gather for a water source. Hippos, Crocodiles, Antelope and Impala may all be spotted.

The abundance of its wildlife and the true African nature of the region form the basis of a safari experience of a lifetime not to be missed.

ATV Overnight to Salt Pans

Gweta is the starting point of our adventure into the largest Salt Pans in the world. We will spend a night in a traditional Rondavel and enjoy this rural stay by playing land sports with the locals and getting a taste for how they live and survive on a daily basis. Then we will leave to The Sow, Nxai and Ntwetwe Pans which collectively make up the 12,000 sq km Makgadikgadi Pans. Your day will start with ATV driving lessons and before you know it you will be riding on never ending terrain similar to a moonscape. The night to come is truly “under the stars” and it will awaken your senses!

Maun Community

We will stay in Maun and dedicate our time to the children and their families assisting with basic needs of shelter and education. As many families here live in tent villages without running water or electricity and their children often cannot attend school due to the cost of a uniform and books, we can certainly play an active role here in making some much needed change. 

Gaborone

This is the capital city of Botswana and it comes with all the creature comforts and civilization of a large North American city. We will wind the program down here and enjoy a well deserved break with true city flavor of shopping, eating out and exploring the local markets and completing our Zine (group journal) over coffee at  a quaint bistro.

Upon returning home, Images of your journey will play like a slideshow in your mind – the soothing sunset from your safari tent, the first time a child reached out for your hand and made eye contact with you, the picturesque landscape of Botswana, Zambia and South Africa and the new YOU – a mentor, teacher, friend and volunteer. All of this made possible by you and a remarkable continent called Africa.