It's time to get excited, after many months of planning and preparing, your adventure is finally here! After touching down, you will be welcomed by your friendly local team before hopping into your private vehicle for the journey to eSwatini. Along the way, you will stop at the famous Alzu rest point, where students can explore the lookout, stretch their legs and choose their own lunch and snacks. Once you cross the border and officially enter eSwatini, the excitement continues as you travel to Sondzela. Here you will settle into your lodge-style dorms, soak in the stunning surroundings and enjoy a delicious dinner to wrap up your first day on the road. Your eSwatini experience is off to an unforgettable start!

Meals:  D

After breakfast, you will meet up with your team for a full trip and safety briefing and a fun orientation session, where you will learn all about the exciting elements of your program. Once orientation wraps up, you will enjoy lunch before heading out for your very first activity and challenge inside the incredible Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Get ready for a guided mountain bike ride through this stunning landscape, surrounded by open plains, rolling hills and the chance to spot wildlife along the way. It is the perfect way to dive into the spirit of exploration and kick off your adventure with energy and teamwork.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you will meet your driver and travel to Mhlumeni, the starting point of your incredible Lubombo Trek. Once you arrive, you will set up camp and have time to explore this spectacular setting tucked between mountains and open wilderness. As the afternoon cools, you will hike up to the top of the Lubombo Plateau, arriving just in time to watch the sun set over the lowveld below. From the summit, you can enjoy breathtaking views stretching across Mlawula Nature Reserve to the west and the coastal plains of Mozambique to the east. It is a truly unforgettable moment. After dinner, your trek guide will lead a briefing on the days ahead, helping students prepare, plan and get excited for the journey along the trail. Camping at Mhlumeni Camp in shared tents with access to western style toilets and showers.

Meals:  B,L,D

We rise early for breakfast because today we hit the trail for real! After packing up, we set off on foot along the plateau, trekking through the beautiful Mhlumeni Wilderness Area and into Mlawula Nature Reserve at Ndzindza Gate. The plateau walk is approximately 8 km of wooded depressions as well as open grassland dotted with pockets of vegetation. At the edge of the plateau, amazing views open westwards across the lowveld and the trail then drops steeply off the Lubombo ridge before a gentle descent into the Siphiso Valley, ending at Siphiso Campsite. When we arrive, our support staff welcome us to camp. They have set everything up for us and have the donkey boiler fired up for warm showers, what a treat! Packed lunch is served on the trail, picnic style, and we each carry our own lunch, water and snacks in our day packs. Our main gear is delivered to the camp by vehicle. Camping at Siphiso Campsite. The trail is 10km (approximately 5.5 hours). Dinner will be served around the campfire.

Meals:  B,L,D

We wake up, prep for the day and enjoy breakfast before hitting the trail once again. Today’s route is approximately 10 kilometres and should take around 5 hours to complete. From Siphiso Campsite, we begin by climbing the foothills of the Lubombo Mountains, enjoying the fresh air and morning light as we gain height. After about two hours, we connect with the Malayida Trail, which winds down through a beautiful valley. We keep our eyes peeled for baboons along the Lubombo ridges as we walk. The trail continues to descend towards the Mbuluzi River Valley, offering stunning scenery and plenty of chances to appreciate the wilderness around us. The final 500 metres of today’s hike takes us up one last hill, and at the top we arrive at Sunset Camp, our home for the night. Here we find fresh drinking water and a pit latrine toilet, as well as incredible views that make the day’s effort absolutely worth it. Overnight wilderness camping at Sunset Camp with bush ablutions

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we rise, prepare breakfast and pack up camp before continuing our trek. We begin with a short descent from Sunset Camp and then follow the south bank of the Mbuluzi River Gorge as we make our way north. After around 4 kilometres of trekking alongside the river, we pass under the boundary fence as we leave Mlawula Nature Reserve and enter the next protected area, the Mbuluzi Game Reserve. Just beyond the fence, our guides point out a water point where we can refill our bottles. As the trail leads us through beautiful savannah woodland, we keep our eyes peeled for wildlife such as giraffe, zebra and impala, all of which are often seen in this area. After a short but steep ascent, we descend once more to the Mbuluzi River before walking the final kilometre to our last stop, Mbuluzi Campsite. On arrival, we can relax and enjoy the comforts of camp, including wood stockpiles, drinking water, hot showers, flushing toilets and open lawns where we can unwind after our trek. Trail distance: 6 km (approximately 4 hours).Overnight Camping at Mbuluzi Camp in shared tents with access to western style toilets and showers.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we rise, prepare and enjoy breakfast before boarding our waiting vehicle for the transfer to Brookside Lodge in the scenic Malkerns Valley. Along the way, we stop at the vibrant Swazi Candles Complex, where we watch local artisans at work and see the candle-making process in action. Swazi Candles is a wonderful community operation that celebrates creativity and craftsmanship, and the colourful setting makes it a great place to explore. After our visit, we continue on to Brookside Lodge, where we settle into our accommodation. The afternoon is ours to enjoy at leisure, giving us time to relax, unwind and soak in the peaceful surroundings after several big days on the trail. In the evening, we enjoy dinner together at our accommodation. *Today's lunch is at your own expense

Meals:  B,D

After breakfast, we meet our driver and make our way to the Mantenga Cultural Village. Here, we experience an energetic and captivating Swazi dance performance, while learning about the cultural significance of dance in Swazi life. After the performance, we explore the traditional village with our hosts, gaining insight into daily life, customs and history. We then stop at a supermarket to pick up our packed lunches before continuing our cultural journey. After lunch, we visit the eSwatini National Museum and Memorial Park, where we learn more about Swazi history and the legacy of the late King Sobhuza II. In the afternoon, we return to our accommodation to relax. Dinner is enjoyed at the lodge. Overnight dorm rooms at Brookside Lodge with access to western style ablutions. *Today's lunch is at your own expense

Meals:  B,D

This morning we journey to our new base for the conservation program. Our first stop is a lookout, where we take a short walk up to the Lions Cavern to capture photos of the incredible views. We then drive a short distance to the Ngwenya Glass Complex, where we see how recycling is incorporated into their production process, and explore shops featuring items made by artisans supported by the eSwatini Fair Trade Organisation. After Ngwenya, we continue up into the beautiful mountains of Malolotja Nature Reserve for the start of our conservation project. On arrival, we set up camp and join an orientation session where we learn more about the project and our role in supporting it. Malolotja Nature Reserve is a unique and vital conservation area, rich in biodiversity, globally recognised geology, and ancient archaeological sites. It is, however, under threat from lack of funding and pressure from international mining groups. Our conservation project aims to support Malolotja by assisting with key developments that boost eco-tourism revenues and help park rangers in the fight against poaching. Overnight camping at Malolotja Nature Reserve *Today's lunch is at your own expense

Meals:  B,D

Over the next three days, we immerse ourselves in conservation work at Malolotja. We rise early each day and set out with our project coordinator to take part in hands-on conservation and park management activities. Our tasks include maintaining ranger huts, monitoring and repairing fences, clearing hiking trails, controlling erosion, and supporting community and conservation outreach initiatives. Alongside our practical work, we explore the park on short walks, visiting stunning viewpoints and waterfalls along the way, gaining an in-depth understanding of the environment we are helping to protect. Overnight camping at Malolotja Nature Reserve

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, we pack up our gear and set off with our driver for the journey to Mbabane, eSwatini's bustling capital. Our first stop is the awe-inspiring Sibebe Rock, the world’s second largest exposed granite formation. We take some time to marvel at the incredible views and snap photos to remember this epic landmark. Next, we dive into the vibrant atmosphere of the Ezulwini Craft Market, a colourful celebration of eSwatini’s creativity and culture. We explore stalls filled with handcrafted treasures, from intricate wood carvings to traditional textiles, and meet the local artists who bring their heritage to life. There’s plenty of opportunity to pick up unique souvenirs before we continue on to our accommodation, ready to relax after a day of adventure and discovery.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we set off with our driver and coach for the transfer to our rural community project. On arrival, our camp will already be set up and ready for us. We take an orientation walk to explore the local area and settle in before meeting the local building team and community leader. They run us through cultural considerations and a safety briefing as we prepare for the project phase of our trip. In the evening, we help our guides with dinner preparation and enjoy a shared meal together, ready for the exciting work ahead. Overnight camping in rural community *Today's lunch is at your own expense

Meals:  B,D

We begin our community project, guided by our team and the local build crew. Students split into small groups and take on different tasks, developing leadership and teamwork skills as we work together to complete the project within the designated time. During our stay, we have the opportunity to interact with the community through optional activities such as a weaving lesson, a SiSwati language class, or a village and community walk. Meals are prepared by our team, and we camp on the community grounds overnight. Past projects have included constructing chicken coops for schools and the community, supporting micro-financing initiatives and providing eggs and chickens for school meals; renovating classrooms and teacher resource rooms to assist local teachers, who play a vital role in educating young people; and building or renovating washing facilities, such as sinks outside toilets, to improve basic hygiene and increase school attendance. Overnight camping in rural community

Meals:  B,L,D

We say goodbye to the local community and hit the road, crossing into South Africa for our Kruger adventure. First stop: Komatipoort, to grab any essentials for our stay in Kruger National Park, then onward to Crocodile Bridge to meet our safari guides. We jump into open safari vehicles and head straight into the wild on game drives, eyes peeled for the South African Big 5. Dry-season conditions mean animals are easier to spot, and we watch for elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and giraffe in their natural habitat. After an action-packed day, we return to camp to relax before dinner around the campfire. As darkness falls, we set out on a night drive, spotting nocturnal creatures like porcupines, leopards, and African wildcats. Back at camp by 10pm, we fall asleep to the sounds of the African bush, already buzzing from the day’s adventures. *Today's lunch is at your own expense

Meals:  B,D

The next morning, we rise early and fuel up with tea, coffee, and rusks before heading into the park at gate opening times between 5:30 and 6:00. We prepare our breakfast and lunch to take with us on today’s full-day game drive, making the most of the morning. This is the perfect time to see animals at their most active and we keep our eyes peeled for lions prowling, elephants moving in herds, leopards resting in the trees, buffalo grazing, and giraffe wandering across the plains. We return to camp mid-afternoon to rest and reflect on the day’s experiences. Later, we head out again for a sunset drive, soaking up the breath taking colours as the orange sun dips below the horizon, creating a quintessential African scene that will stay with us forever. Back at camp, we cook dinner together and spend our final night sharing highlights, stories, and learnings around the campfire. Every turn of the trail offers new surprises and photo opportunities as we explore deeper into the park.

Meals:  B,L,D

We rise early for one last morning in the park and pack up camp, ready for our final game drive. Climbing into the open safari vehicles, we take one last chance to spot wildlife and savour the sights and sounds of the African bush. Our safari concludes at Crocodile Bridge, where we meet our driver and board the main vehicle for the journey to Johannesburg. Along the way, we stop at Alzu for lunch, which we can purchase ourselves, before continuing to the airport. At Johannesburg Airport, we say goodbye to our team and board our flight home, carrying memories of an incredible adventure and unforgettable experiences in Kruger National Park. *Today's lunch is at your own expense

Meals:  B