View from the window of the airplane at sunrise. Landing in OR Tambo, South Africa

Our first impression of this wonderful country was set during the Lobamba tour. Sanele, an All Out Africa Tour Guide, guided us through the village where local people would kindly welcome us and offer us a sip of their traditional beer. I must admit it was not exactly tasting like the beers I´m used to drinking in Belgium, but it sure was an experience, without any doubt. Another great happening that day was our visit to the national museum to get to know the history of this country with its culture and traditions better before starting the volunteering adventure.

Anna, Simona, Alex and myself sharing traditional beer during our Lobamba Tour

The day after this so-called ´Orientation Day´, the six of us (Eleanora Cimadom, Anna Vanhaeren, Linde Colle, Simona Mambrin, Sabrina Miniotti and myself) woke up early to begin our trip to the Kruger National Park. For me, this was my first safari. I can tell you with great confidence, there´s not a single doubt in my mind that this was my last. I fell from one amazing feeling into another. To see wild animals in their natural habitat from that close gave me shivers all over my body. It was magnificent to be able to spot The Big Five and many more. I will forever remember the early sunrise game drives with our coffees in one hand and our blankets in the other to keep us warm in the jeep, or the many great stories and even greater laughs we shared at the bonfires in the evening. Tired but with hearts full of gratefulness, we returned to eSwatini to initiate what we´re here for in the first place: volunteering.

Eleanora, Anna, Linde, Simona, Sabrina and myself on a safari game drive.

I was placed on the Childcare Project at the Ezulwini NCP, together with Simona Mambrin from Italy – who had already become such a good friend of mine over this short period. We got lucky to volunteer in teacher Gugu´s class. She has the purest heart and truly cares about the children she teaches. Every single day we would arrive at the NCP and get overwhelmed with the sweetest hugs from the children. I will never forget the sentences “teacher, teacher, pick me up!” or “teacher, I missed you so much!”. In the blink of an eye, I had fallen in love with every single one of the little kids I got to teach. It´s unbelievably rewarding to see the kids grow through the exercises and to be able to be there with them through their journey. Especially when being able to help the ones who need your assistance the most, it´s such a heartwarming feeling to see their faces light up when congratulating them on their good work.

Writing exercise at the NCP

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, the volunteers would go all together to the Elangeni NCP to help older students individually with their homework. First, we would do at least one hour of homework with them, and after the homework is done, we would play games. Some days, we would invent a whole quiz with different types of games: some educational, some just for fun. The girls were always enthusiastic to see us and at the same time, so eager to learn from and with us.
During our free time, we did a whole bunch of activities in the region. For example, we visited the handicraft market, the Swazi Candles factory, the Yebo Art Gallery, went for a biking tour at Mlilwane National Park, hiked the Sheba’s Breast, participated in karaoke at the restaurant near Lidwala Lodge, went for a spa day with the girls, to the movies, to the cute coffee shop nearby, and so on… We also signed up for the ziplining on our second weekend. Such a memorable experience! I felt like a bird flying through the mountains, so freely and without any worries on my mind. No worries, only good vibes and fully enjoying the moment we live in.

Myself, Eleanora and Simona at the peak of Sheba’s Breast

Every year, the people of eSwatini celebrate the Umhlanga or Reed Dance ceremony. When I first heard about it, I got so excited to see it with my own eyes! I felt so lucky to be in the country during this impressive ceremony. Dressed in traditional clothes, I showed up there and immediately got overwhelmed by the number of girls dancing and singing together. Everyone was so enthusiastic that I just could not manage to stop smiling. There was such a nice atmosphere of people in the crowd hyping up the girls that were dancing and singing. All the bright colours of their beautiful clothes together were just amazing to see. Right when I thought it couldn´t get any better, the king showed up. This was such a memorable day for me.

Simona and I during the Umhlanga or Reed Dance ceremony in Eswatini.

Last but certainly not least was the trip to Tofo, Mozambique. Being there felt as if I had just entered some hidden paradise. I am very much a beach person, so my first swim in the Indian Ocean was for sure a core memory for me. I enjoyed every single second of my time there. On our first day, we cruised by sailboat to Survivor Island. Let me tell you, it´s not given this name without a reason. People there live in a very primitive manner, but not a single person is complaining. I got my hair braided and drank out of a fresh coconut; I even climbed a palm tree – although I have to admit that I wasn´t even close to reaching the end of the tree to grab some coconuts. The next days were filled with an ocean safari where I snorkelled together with a whale shark only approximately 2 meters under me. As you might imagine, the adrenaline rushed through my body. At that exact moment, I realized I was dealing with a once-in-a-lifetime experience here.

Eleanora and I drinking coconut water in Tofo

The surfing lesson afterwards was also so much fun. Since it was my first time, my only goal was to just stand up on the board for more than a split second before losing my balance and falling off. In fact, I underestimated myself and managed to surf until the point my board reached the sand again. Such a good feeling! We ended our last evening with a sunset cruise and were able to look back on some unforgettable days when we got to meet the friendliest people. Tofo: I will be back one day to expand my surf skills!

Taking off for an ocean safari tour in Tofo

Written by Elisabeth Sucaet, who signed up for Kruger to Coast 

I received the news a week before my trip and my heart skipped a beat as I was not sure on what to expect. I had mixed feelings about this as it was going to be my first time ever going on a safari. A lot of things were going on in my mind, I was thinking what if the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and no one comes to our rescue, what if we get eaten by lions. I had so many what if’s in my head. 

My transport picked me up at 9 O’clock in the morning driven by Ayandza from the tours office, deep in thought as we drove off to the famous Kruger National Park. I was as happy as a child eating ice-cream. The funniest part is that though skeptical about the whole trip, I could not wait to reach my destination. 

I spent 2 nights sleeping in a tent at the beautiful African bush and my days on safari tours, trying to find the big 5 and explore the natural beauty and wonders of my land Africa.

There’s only 2 words to describe my experience…’’Absolutely Amazing! I got addicted seeing wild animals every day, you can never get enough seeing these beautiful creatures in their habitat, it was one of the most fascinating experience I have ever had. A big thanks to Jackie Wall, Tours Director, for organising this beautiful trip for me and to my bosses at the AOA office for allowing me the opportunity. 

I must say at some point I was terrified by the elephants as they charged towards our OVS. Thanks to Ruben and Adriaan, who were our guides the entire trip, they were calm as the sea and took care of the situation by stopping the vehicle and asking everyone to be quiet and stay calm until these huge creatures cross the road to the other side. I was quick to loosen up as I was with a group of All Out Africa volunteers who made it a point that I was ok by comforting me as they could see that I was scared and trembling. 

Be warned!! This is a once in a life time trip that everyone must experience. Trust me,  you won’t think twice about coming back because Africa is a truly magical place and next time I will be taking my children with so they too get a chance to experience such beauty in their very own continent.

Click here Kruger Day Safari if you want to know more about this experience.