We had one extremely rough day on the ocean where the boat launch was nearly cancelled. Bracing ourselves through the chop, inevitably when we rolled back to get underwater it was absolutely glorious on dive site ‘Giants’. With top-to-bottom visibility, what a relief to get off the surface. As we turn to see where we are heading, a carpet of white and black glides over the rocky bottom – a reef manta ray directly below us! We slowly headed to the sea floor and held our position, but as a small dive group of 4, our new manta friend was so relaxed she circled us several times. She once flashed her belly within two meters of our heads! ID shots taken, we continued the dive.

A diver taking ID Shot

A little way along the tall reef wall, we would often find the resident loggerhead turtle in a rocky overhang, but he just wasn’t there. Perhaps he has moved on since it’s been so long that we have been diving on ‘Giants’. Enjoying the schooling trevally overhead and inspecting the little white-banded cleaner shrimp in their holes, bam. We look up and our old huge loggerhead neighbor almost swam right into us! What a relief to see him, and to know he’s still keeping guard of his rocky nook. Just as our computers had begun to tell us it was time to ascend, we always take a look all around – above and below in the depths. Unbelievable.

A first for me after nearly 5 years of diving these waters, a ragged-tooth shark! Sadly, it was sitting at around 35 meters, and we were forced to begin our ascent. It goes to show – you must always be patient and persistent, you never know what a rough ocean might deliver.

To learn more about our All Out Africa Marine Research project, or talk about how you can get involved, please email bookings@alloutafrica.com

We have received a gratitude letter from Bongekile Matisa, a former NCP graduate, homework club member and this year she started her High school.

My name is Bongekile Matisa. I started homework club in 2016, by then I was doing my 4th grade and I have been producing outstanding results. Homework Club has helped me a lot with my studies, I am now doing my first year in high school and all thanks to homework club.

I want to thank All Out Africa for starting this afternoon activity (Homework Club) and it has been so helpful to me. I know that some of the homework club members will agree with me. Lastly I want to thank the volunteers who have been helping us with our studies and not forgetting Uncle Tjengisa. I will miss Homework Club. Thank you so much All Out Africa, love you so much and I wish you all the best.  

Written by Bongekile Matisa

If you would like to be an All Out Africa volunteer, email bookings@alloutafrica.com

We asked our previous volunteer why volunteering is important.

The experience as a volunteer had a great impact on my life. It gave my way of looking at the world more perspective and I got to know myself better. I’m very grateful for this journey and getting to meet all of this lovely people with such big hearts. – Hanne Van Doren, Belgium

My time in Eswatini was incredibly impactful, as I really loved volunteering in this beautiful country and meeting so many friendly people along the way. Volunteering here proved that the smallest of actions can make a huge difference in somebody’s day or even later on in their lives, and this was really fulfilling. Knowing that we helped in teaching children to swim as well, and helped with children in primary schools doing their exams, is such a wonderful thing. My work here reminded me of how important it is to take time out of our day to day lives so that we can volunteer and give back to others, and it has made me a lot more appreciative and a lot more willing to step out of my comfort zone. Thank you Eswatini! – Nina Marquand-Karp, Sydney Australia

-Tristan Diedrich, Cape Town Volunteer Coordinator

“I would definitely sign up with Hout Bay APD (people with disabilities). Cape Town has everything…..from tourist destinations such as Table Mountain and Robben Island to safaris. I’ve been working with Hout Bay APD for 2 years now and the clients that go there are such loving, warm-hearted, positive people despite their disabilities. You can learn so much from them by just talking to and interacting with them.”

-Adriaan Begemann, Kruger Operational Manager

“Kruger overnight safaris. Because it is simply the best place in the world, with the best guides from All Out Africa (Adriaan & Ruben). I love the Kruger National Park as I used to go to the Kruger with my grandparents and parents since I was a small kid. Reminds me of some great holidays”

-Menzi Masina, Sports Coordinator

“I would sign up for the Sports Development project, because I love what I do!”

– Michael Mkhonta, Building Project Coordinator

“Building of course! You can actually see how you are contributing to the communities for years to come!”

-Tiphiwe Vilakati, Bookings & Finance Manager

“I would sign up for Kruger to Coast! I would choose this one because it’s a combination of volunteering and tours. It’s my biggest dream to go to Kruger to see the Big 5 live!”

-Eunice Nkambule, NCP coordinator

“If I were a volunteer I would do the Marine Research & Whale Shark Conservation project. I grew up swimming and I would love to go scuba diving! It would be so cool to see the depth of the ocean”

-Ginger Green, Marketing coordinator

“I would sign up for the Kruger to Cape project. I have travelled several places in my lifetime, but if I had known there was an all-inclusive trip that would take me to 3 countries in 8 weeks and included awesome excursions throughout the trip, I would’ve leapt at the opportunity! Even now, and even though I have been to all of the places Kruger to Cape take you; I would be excited to join the tour. Bungee jumping, quad biking, ocean safaris, the garden route, a camping safari and volunteer (among other perks!)… It’s the perfect vacation for anyone who doesn’t like to sit still when they travel!”

-Simise Masilela, Marketing Assistant and Team Leader.

“I would definitely sign up for Kruger to Coast, if anything is on your bucket list, it should be a trip to the Kruger National park, the park has the largest variety of wildlife compared to any other park in Africa. What I also love about this program is that you get to do voluntary work in the beautiful country Kingdom of Eswatini and wrap it off with a trip to the coast in Mozambique Tofo.”

-Tjengisa Dlamini, Social Project Manager

Since joining All Out Africa over 4 years ago, I would honestly say that with proper funding I would join the Build A Future program because I have seen two NCPs’ being built and this contributes to the fundamental of early childhood education. It would also compliment All Out Africa’s childcare program and reach the less privilege children. Our main scope as All Out Africa, is to see our community outreach programs extending to other communities and obviously this kind of growth needs facilities to be built, so “Build A Future” program would be ideal to meet this goal.

-Mduduzi Ngwenya, Assistant Savannah Conservation Coordinator

As someone who has worked for All Out Africa since 2004, I would sign up for Savannah Conservation Research because the program gives you plenty of opportunities to work with wild animals and explore the bush at your own pace without a guard. You also have a better understanding how the ecosystem works.

Written by The All Out Africa Team

Where are you from?

I live in Holland but I am British.

What project did you sign up for?

I signed up for the 6 weeks Kruger to coast  project and chose childcare as my voluntary work

What do you do for a living?

I am just finishing my gap year but I worked at a wedding venue for 7 months.

What does volunteering mean to you?

Bringing a smile on people’s faces to those that are less fortunate, working side to side with others and connecting with others to work towards a goal, being able to give your own time and attention for the benefit of others, showing you care and wanting to make a difference and also I wanted to explore and experience a culture/country that I didn’t know much about.

Reason for choosing All Out Africa?

I signed up for Kruger to Coast via a Dutch agency, so I didn’t actually know I would be working with All Out Africa. I found out when I arrived in Eswatini. I now will definitely recommend All Out Africa!

Your experience as a volunteer, did it had any positive impact on your life?

It had a huge impact on my life. I appreciate the things I have in life so much more than I did before coming on this trip. My experience as a volunteer allowed me to connect with new people and learn new skills. This trip will be a memory that I will cherish forever.

Click here if you would like to know more about our Childcare (Eswatini)