Thinking about coming to South Africa?
South Africa is a fantastic volunteer-tourism destination for (many!) more than one reason!
- Affordable:You'll be able to treat yourself to some luxuries, have extra money for shopping and some authentic South African treats. A visit to SA is outstanding value for money.
- Natural Beauty :The country offers legendary scenic wonders. From Table Mountain to God's Window, our mountains, forests, coasts and deserts will make you want to return again and again. And again.
- Wildlife:Warning! Watching wildlife is addictive. First you start with the Big Five in so many ways, then whales, penguins, meerkats, wild dogs, birds, dung beetles...
- Good Weather:In sunny South Africa, our great weather invites you to enjoy the outdoors, play golf year-round and take advantage of the nearly 3 000km coastline.
- World - Class Facilities:Whether you opt for Afro-chic or authentic Africa, you will find it easy to get around, enjoy comfortable accommodation, feast on great meals, and connect to the rest of the world.
- Adventure:South Africa is the adventure capital of the world. With over 130 adventures and counting, there is something for everyone - from mountain walks to shark cage-diving!
- Rainbow Nation:The Rainbow Nation celebrates all its African and immigrant cultures. Find out how friendly our people are whilst you try your tongue at 11 official languages!
- Diverse Experiences:Go almost anywhere in South Africa and experience the ultimate combo of nature, wildlife, culture, adventure, heritage and vibe. You are spoilt for choice, so pack it in!
Courtesy South African Tourism
For more details visit South African Toursim Travel TipsSafety
Safety is almost a worldwide issue in all the major cities. South Africa's larger cities have a high crime rate, but the Garden Route area is considered a safe tourist destination. However, this is a third world country and a high percentage of the citizens are unemployed and underprivileged - especially those that volunteers will be involved with during community related projects.
It is wise to take obvious precautions when visiting South Africa. Keep an eye on personal belongings and avoid showcasing valuables, like mobile phones, cameras and wallets, and rather carry limited amounts of cash. Edge of Africa can keep passports, travel documents, etc. in safe keeping. We cannot, however, take responsibility for the loss of personal items or money during any point of your stay.
South Africa has a high medical service standard. Due to the sometimes remote locality of some of the projects, emergency facilities may only be available through medical air rescue service, which can result in very high costs. It is imperative that you have comprehensive travel insurance that includes hospital visits, transport to hospital and repatriation to your home country in case of an emergency.
Currency
Currencies are different in each of Africas 54 countries. South Africa operates in South African Rands (ZAR).
Please note that the South African Rand (ZAR) is a fluctuating currency with high changes month to month.
For details on conversion rates consult Currency Exchange.
For further price information and comparisons visit FAQ.Transport within South Africa
South African public transport is virtually non existent, and unfortunately city to city as well as intercity bus carriers can be unreliable. We can, however recommend Baz Bus hop on hop off door to door services. The Baz Bus can pick you up from a selection of Backpackers and Hostels around the country and transport you direct to and from our selected project pick up/drop off points, as well as some great South African towns.
Please note that we only recommend The Baz Bus as an intercity Bus/Coach service and will not assist or arrange collection or drop offs with any other unreliable coach or bus carriers.
We are able to assist with any of the above bookings and book on your behalf.
For further transport details and advice visit the Tips pageSchool Terms
Public/State School Terms:The calendar for government school terms and holidays is the same for all provinces during 2011:
Term 1
Start - Wednesday, 13 January
Close - Friday, 26 March
Term 2
Start - Monday, 12 April
Close - Wednesday, 9 June
Term 3
Start - Tuesday, 13 July
Close - Thursday, 23 September
Term 4
Start - Monday, 4 October
Close - Friday, 10 December