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Leeds university real south africa experience
- 1. REAL SOUTH AFRICA EXPERIENCE 2017 INFO SESSION EMMA GARSIDE & MEL MORGAN UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
- 3. Travelling with Plan My Gap Year
- 4. 4 weeks 18th June – 15th July 2017 Structured from start to finish Spectacular locations and eye opening experience Trip Summary
- 5. 2 weeks childcare based volunteering in the epic location of Cape Town Tackling Table Mountain Spotting The Big 5 in Addo National Park Surfing in Jeffrey’s Bay Wine Tasting in Stellenbosch Meet the penguins in Betty’s Bay An epic journey across the Eastern Cape awaits you! Trip Highlights
- 7. DAY 1 – WELCOME TO SOUTH AFRICA DAY 2 – ORIENTATION PERIOD DAY 3-6 - VOLUNTEERING BEGINS! DAY 7-8 - IT’S THE WEEKEND! DAY 9-13 - VOLUNTEERING CONTINUES DAY 14 - TRANSITION DAY Itinerary
- 8. DAY 15 - TRAVELLING TO STELLENBOSCH DAY 16 - FRANSCHOEK; THE GOURMET CAPITAL OF SOUTH AFRICA DAY 17 – TIME TO KISS AN OSTRICH DAY 18 – ELEPHANT ADVENTURE DAY 19 – SURFS UP AT JEFFREY’S BAY DAY 20 – THE BIG 5 SAFARI AT ADDO NATIONAL PARK Itinerary
- 9. DAY 21 – A DAY OF CULTURE BEGINNING IN HISTORIC GRAHAMSTOWN DAY 22 – A DAY IN COFFEE BAY DAY 23 – THE ICONIC NELSON MANDELA AND HORSE RIDING DAY 24 – TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK DAY 25 – CANOEING ON WILDERNESS LAGOON (OPTIONAL BUNGEE JUMP) DAY 26 – CAPE AGULHAS AND CLIMBING LIGHTHOUSES Itinerary
- 10. DAY 27 – SHARKS, PENGUINS AND UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES DAY 28 – ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END WE’LL DROP YOU BACK TO THE AIRPORT IN GOOD TIME FOR YOUR FLIGHTS! Itinerary
- 11. SPLITS INTO TWO ….. • The Volunteering Team: Your first two weeks will be spent at our volunteer hostel based in the heart of Cape Town. Here we have office staff, placement staff, hostel managers to ensure you have everything you need during the volunteer phase of the real experience with us. • The Travelling Team: The final two weeks will be run by our experienced tour leader who will guide you all along the way the immense experiences you are about to engage in as we work our way across the Eastern Cape. They will be on hand to manage logistics, entrances, accommodation and even take a photo or two! PMGY SOUTH AFRICA TEAM
- 12. • Backpacker hostel format throughout. • Volunteer hostel located centrally in Cape Town. • Wi-Fi available. • Communal areas. • Usually up to 8 people per room. • All accommodation included in the programme fee. ACCOMMODATION
- 13. • Please check the itinerary on the web page link for what meals are and are not included in the programme fees. • When volunteering all breakfasts and dinners included • Lunch not included when volunteering – budget £2 per day for this. • Food generally in South Africa is high in variation to reflect its modern day multicultural identity. Our team will do their best to cater for any dietary requirements but there may be instances where you may need to purchase alternative ingredients at your own expense. MEALS
- 14. • Will be childcare focused due to exam / holiday period for the schools at this time. • Volunteering takes place Mon – Friday; usually 3-5 hours per day. • Support a range of childcare placements in the local area – some walking distance / others a short bus ride away. • Majority of the children come from underdeveloped communities where social and health problems are rife. • Your role will vary from assisting permanent staff in daily tasks, creating learning aids, general supervision, teaching English and Maths and leading arts & crafts activities. The Volunteer Project
- 15. • Airport Pick Up and Drop Off included in the programme fee. • All projects either within walking distance or a short bus ride away. • All transport across the travelling part of the itinerary included in the programme fee (mini bus format) Transport
- 16. Costs • Programme Fee £990 • Includes – Accommodation, Meals (as in itinerary), Airport Pick Up and Drop Off, Private Transport across Eastern Cape, Orientation, Various entrance fees and cultural activities, In- country orientation, PMGY T-Shirt • Registration Fee £149 • Flights to Cape Town £450 - £800 • Travel Insurance £70 (Depending on optional activities, you may need additional cover) • Background Check £25 • Visa £0 (free for up to 90 days) • Spending money of around £50-£100 per week
- 17. How to Sign Up • www.planmygapyear.co.uk/leeds/ (click the Red apply now button) • No fees to apply – 20 minute online application – processed within 24 hours • 25 spaces available • Deadline of 17th March 2017 £149 deposit
- 18. Leeds University South Africa Experience 2017 • All further information will be placed into a Facebook group • Please join if you are interested or plan on attending the trip • https://www.facebook.com/groups/1797833683870681/
- 19. ANY QUESTIONS? Contact the event page or myself direct hello@planmygapyear.co.uk
Editor's Notes
- Hello, and welcome to this information session about the University of Leeds trip to South Africa with PMGY. The trip will be 28 days, with volunteering in Cape Town for the first two weeks and travelling the country for the final two weeks.
- Plan My Gap Year are an Award-winning international organisation that Specialise in volunteer abroad programmes They aim to provide Safe, affordable, volunteer travel opportunities in 11 countries worldwide Here to help organise every aspect of your trip Trip to South Africa, primarily Eastern Cape which is situated along South Africa’s eastern coast and is the birthplace of Nelson Mandela and traditionally one of the safest places to visit in south africa
- Last summer I attended a trip to Sri Lanka organised with the company Plan My Gap Year. The trip was absolutely amazing, and similar to this the trip was organised as half volunteering and half travelling the country. Travelling as a group of 37 made the experience all the more memorable, as we were guided around the country by experienced and fun tour guides who ensured we were well looked after and taught us all about the background of Sri Lanka
- Travelling along the Garden Route – a wonderful mix of beaches, forests, lagoons and seaside towns. With PMGY the money the volunteers pay goes towards the structure you receive during your time overseas. The fundamentals of this structure include food, accommodation, airport pickups, around the clock support from our UK and in-country team. PMGY do their best to keep our programme costs as low and affordable as possible, without sacrificing on quality and safety. However with flights, travel insurance and spending money to factor into your overall budget, you may find you need a little bit of help with the finances. We recommend setting up an online fundraising page to allow friends and families to learn more about your trip and make donations. PMGY have partnered with the online crowd funding website GoGetFunding.
- 2 weeks of childcare volunteering spot the big 5 learn to surf go wine tasting meet penguins
- Here's a video to show what the experience 2 weeks is like
- Day 1 - Welcome to South Africa! We will arrange for you to be collected from Cape Town airport by a backpacker bus – the driver will be waiting for you at arrivals holding a name sign. You will then be taken to our Volunteer Hostel in central Cape Town. The rest of the day is yours to spend relaxing and getting to know your fellow travellers. The rest of the week will be spent volunteering and becoming accustomed to South African life The typical volunteering day is 08:30–13:30 with a one hour lunch break. Weekends/ afternoons are free time for volunteers – this gives you time to explore! Some of the reccommended activities include visiting the prison island (Robben island), visiting the waterfront marina, experiencing the backpacker backstreets of Cape Town or climbing Table Mountain, and abseiling or ziplining back down if you’re feeling brave enough! Then it‘s time to hit the road
- The group will travel around by private minibus and be accompanied throughout by our tour guide driver. Day 15 will start with visiting Cape Point, where oceans crash into the tip of Africa at its most south-westerly point . There is an optional boat trip during the day where you can go to Duiker Island – home to a colony of thousands of Cape Fur Seals! The boat trip to is £5 per person. On day 16, a local tour guide will take you on a walking tour through Kayamandi Township. Late in the day there will be wine and cheese tasting in a vineyard. We will then travel to the gourmet capital of South Africa, Franschoek On day 17, our first major stop of the day will be at an Ostrich Farm, where you can interact and even ‘kiss’ these peculiar’ birds. After lunch at the Ostrich Farm, we’ll make our way to Cango Wildlife Ranch –contributes towards the conservation of over 60 species, including: White Lion, Cheetah, Bengal Tiger, Nile Crocodile, Hippo’s, Meerkat, birds and other wild animals. On day 18 we’ll visit an Elephant Sanctuary. You’ll have the option to interact and feed elephants. Then we head over to the Cango Caves. Our tour will explore three kilometres of passageways that lead to halls inside the earth, where colourful stalactites hang from the roof . That evening we’ll check into our hostel in the surfer’s town of Jeffrey’s Bay. On day 19, there's a whole day in Jeffrey’s Bay this is the perfect place to go for a surf or just chill on the beach. The hostel we’ll be staying at hire out surfboards and wetsuits, and there are plenty of places you can take surfing lessons. Please note that the cost for hiring the surfboards and taking lessons etc is not included in the Programme Fee. There are some cool beach bars where you can go in the evening. On day 20, Today we’ll be visiting Addo National Park, the third largest national park in South Africa. Supporting the most dense population of wild elephants on the planet. Sanctuary to over 500 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, a variety of antelope and zebra and other species. Game drive through the park. There is an option to take an additional 2-hour game drive in 4×4 vehicle with a ranger for £20 per person. This will give you the chance to see some of the more shy animals aren’t as easy to sport on the main game drive.
- Day 21 - walking tour through the historic Grahamstown. Later on we make our way through the Transkei section of the Wild Coast. This is rural Africa at its best a stunning landscape of rolling green hills dotted with thatched mud huts, offering glimpses into a culture removed from modern life. Day 22 - Free day in coffee bay– could go for some hikes around the local area and of course there is the beach where you can for swim, surf or just chill out Day 23, we learn more about the life of South Africa’s iconic former president, Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela Museum, with a guided tour and a heritage trail that follow his footsteps. We will then travel to the coastal area known as Chintsa, where you can go for a swim in the Indian Ocean or go on a sunset horse ride on the beach. The horse riding option will cost £20 per person. On day 24 - Drive to Port Elizabeth, where we will stop for lunch. We’ll then make our way to Tsitsikamma National Park. We’ll explore the marine reserve with its combination of coastal and forest landscapes. On day 25, - opportunity for you to face your fear and jump from the world’s highest bungee jump 234m. The cost for the jump is £55. Then go to Wilderness National Park where we will go canoeing along the Wilderness lagoon and watch the bird life. We will spend the next day we will travel to Cape Agulhas. where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Here you can climb to the top of an old lighthouse and walk to a shipwreck
- On the penultimate day, the first stop will be Gansbaai where you can go cage diving with the Great White sharks (£100 per person) or spend the morning wandering along the cliff paths and shops in Hermanus. (possibly whale watching) We then head over to Betty’s Bay where we get close to about 5000 African penguins! Kogelberg Biosphere is our next stop. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has more plant species than many countries. Then all good things come to an end! We’ll drop you back at Cape Town International Airport from the hostel. Spend the time before your flight at your own leisure, buying any last-minute presents or soaking up the atmosphere for one last time.
- Volunteer - 2 weeks, hostel in the heart of cape town (Sea Point) Office staff, placement staff, hostel managers Travelling - final 2 weeks, run by experienced tour leader managing logistics and accomodation
- During the two weeks of volunteering we will be staying in a backpacker hostel with bunk beds and up to 8 people per room, which has a communal area for volunteers to hang out with sofa’s, flat screen TV and DVD player. Each volunteer has their own locker to store valuables so you should bring a padlock with you to store away your items. There will also be fridge space available for volunteers to store any items they need to keep chilled. As this trip is during the busiest months, we may be placed at alternative accommodation. This could be a nearby guesthouse or one of our summer Volunteer Houses. The hostel where you’ll stay during your first two weeks in Cape Town will be located in a central point close to restaurants, bars and essential facilities such as banks and supermarkets etc. With the beach only a short walk away. It is also close to Long Street, Cape Town’s premier nightlife destination which is only 10 minutes away by public transport. During the winter period (June to August) it can get quite cold at night, so please bring warm clothes and a sleeping bag – although you are provided with a bed sheet and blanket so it’s up to personal preference. travelling accommodation will be the same format however there may not be a communal space. Every hostel will have shared bathrooms with western toilets and hot showers. Internet facilities may be available however there may be a charge
- In the itinerary section we have outlined what meals you will receive during your time with us. Breakfasts will be standard continental breakfasts i.e. toast, eggs, fruit, cereal etc. The dinners provided during your first two weeks (Mon to Fri) will be a variety of local and western meals either served at the hostel or a local restaurant. All meals not specified in the itinerary, you will need to purchase yourself. During your time with PMGY South Africa you will experience a range of different cuisines. You will be able to find all the meals you have at home as well as some local gems you may never have heard of before. Our local team will give you the heads up on the best places to go.
- When we arrive the schools will be busy with exams and then break up for summer. This means the volunteering will most likely be in a childcare environment with children from 2-6 years old. Tasks will involve helping with feeding, craft activities and playing with the children. the typical volunteering day is from 8:30 to 1:30
- pick up and drop off from the airport included in the fee volunteer project will be walking distance or a short bus ride away travelling will be in minibuses so if you get travelsick remember to bring tablets
- fee is £990 this Includes accomoation, meals, transport, activities and entrance fees The registration fee £149 to secure place Flights checked yesterday £400 from London £450 from B'ham and Manchester The sooner the flights are booked the cheaper they'll be, Emma and I will post on the group with our flight details if people want to go as part of a larger group. PMGY also offer Travel insurance - £70 however this 'will not cover extreme activities' DBS / CRB check can be provided through the union for a discounted price spending money depends on what optional activites you want to do Budget £1800 – £2200 (including your flights and spending money)
- In order to confirm your place you need to pay the Registration Fee of (£149). You’re only required to pay your £149 Registration Fee once we can guarantee you a place on the programme. We will notify you by email that you have been successful in your application. The final deadline for the registration is 17th march and there are only 25 places available on a first come first serve basis, this could possibly be expanded if there is a lot of interest Payments can be made in one lump sum or in several instalments. If you chose to take our insurance or book a flight with PMGY then these must be paid for (in full) at the time of booking. Or send an email and ask for them to be added to your programme You will receive a Volunteer Handbook which contains literally everything you need to know – from what to pack, to how to obtain a visa, to local language guides. You can also attend an online webinar that is designed to cover all of the essential pre-departure information you need to know and things you need to do before you go and the second webinar is more programme specific with advice and information for whilst you’re on your placement.
- We have made a group on Facebook so join this group if you are interested in or attending the trip. Any further information will be placed on the group like flight information or weekend activities. Thanks for listening :)
- So that is a summary of the Real South Africa Experience – I hope you are excited as we are! Thanks for listening :) If anyone has any questions I can answer now, or you can ask me after the session or message Emma or I on Facebook