Going on holiday to the Garden Route is one of the most exciting adventures in South Africa that you will ever get to be a part of, and while a lot of your time is going to be spent soaking up the sunshine and relaxing, there is another way that you can choose to plan your holiday and that is by taking part in a volunteer programme.
The Garden Route is a stunning area of the Cape, and what makes it such an outstanding place to visit is the fact that the area is such a pristine and natural one. Although much of the area remains untouched by humans, it takes some work to keep the area looking so good.
Taking part in a volunteer programme can be incredibly fulfilling and since there are so many programmes on the go here, you’ll easily be able to find the project that fits in with the values that you hold dear.
Top Community Project Choices
At ATC Cape Town we support various projects including Kerith Retreat, Uitzsig Animal Rescue Center, and Steinhal Kinderhuis. But if you are looking for a project in the Garden Route and one that allows you to really volunteer your time and talents, here are a couple of options to think about.
- The Family Dairy Farm Experience
Based in The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, the Family Dairy Farm Experience offers guests to this part of the Garden Route a chance to get their hands dirty while also getting to see first-hand how a family-run farm operates. The Farm Experience is something close to the hearts of many South Africans, mostly because so many locals have some sort of connection to that farm life. On this farm, you can spend a week or two working on the land and learning more about what goes into running a productive farm.
- The African Wildlife Experience
Spending some time living and working on a wildlife game reserve is for many people travelling to South Africa an unforgettable experience. This is a unique programme to get involved in and for a little while you can enjoy a complete lifestyle change all while learning more about South African conservation as well as what it takes to preserve the specific wildlife living in the area.
- The Wine Farm Experience
The Western and parts of the Eastern Cape of South Africa are well known for their excellent vineyards which are bolstered by the cool sea breezes. Here, some of the finest wines in the world are made and if you are someone who is interested in learning more about how the wine farms operate, and how the wine is made, volunteering on this farm is about the closest you will get. This volunteer project is also based in The Crags, near Plettenberg Bay and guests can choose to volunteer for between 2 and 12 weeks.
Throughout South Africa, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for various projects that will allow you to get more hands on during your holiday to the country. Volunteering your time and your energy to any sort of project can be incredibly rewarding to you and to the people, and wildlife, you are helping out.