South Africa - Nkundusi Creche

SOUTH   AFRICA

Join us for an African adventure to South Africa! As an Ambassador for a sustainable future, you will see how your travel $$ are used for positive benefit.

After arriving from the US, you will rest four nights in Johannesburg. 

Here you will hand deliver gifts to  our adopted children’s home -  Sinethemba, visit Mpumelelo Creche,  tour a Squatter Camp, and visit the Lion Park before your adventure in to the heart of KwaZulu Natal   

Have an African Adventure!

You will fly into Richard’s Bay to begin an African safari with purpose.  You will stay at the Hluhluwe River Lodge and join morning and evening game drives in Imfolozi  Park, where you can see the BIG FIVE; (lion, rhino, elephant, leopard, buffalo), as well as zebra, giraffe, baboons and more! 

Take a cruise on the St. Lucia River to see crocodiles and hippos close up and visit the weaving and handcraft centre, Ilala Weavers.

Help Local People –

Zulu Village of Nkundusi

Travel by quad, horseback or Land Rover on a cultural tour of AAI’s “adopted” village of Nkundusi. You will visit the local school, meet with families in their homes, talk to a “sangoma” (healer) and learn firsthand about life and challenges of HIV, unemployment and access to water and food in  Zulu culture. 

Community leaders have asked for our help and you will deliver supplies and help refurbish the “creche” or day care center where we are providing food water, a playground, and supplies.

See the grateful faces and hear the songs

of the children you are helping.

 South Africa Mission Itinerary

Day 1 – Leave US for Johannesburg, S. Africa

You can leave from Washington DC or New York on South African Airways, or from Atlanta on Delta Airlines. You can also travel to Johannesburg via London on various airlines.  Air transportation arrangements are the responsibility of each participant.

Day 2 – Johannesburg Arrival - Sinethemba

(Most flights leave from the US in the late afternoon or evening) US flights arrive in Johannesburg at 5:00PM – 7:00PM.  Airport Welcome by your hostess Silviya Simmonds. Silviya will take you to the Afrika House, a local bed and breakfast so that you can get settled and refreshed after your long journey and enjoy dinner.

Day 3 – Mpumelelo Creche

In the morning, you will shop for gifts for the crèche which provides shelter and love to children 3-6 years of age. 

Later, you will visit the children and enjoy activities and playing with the children.

The Kitchen at Mpumelelo Creche

Please click on the photo of the kitchen

to learn more about Mpumelelo Creche and how you can help

from our in-country coordinator, Silviya Simmonds.

In the afternoon, you will meet the children of Sinethemba and participate in an outing (movie and milkshake) and games.  The evening will include a dinner at Sinethemba.

Day 4 –  Lion Park

Following breakfast, you will leave for the Lion Park.  While there, you will enjoy close-up encounters with lions including interaction with cubs and picture-taking opportunities.  And…if you’ve never fed a giraffe, this may be your only opportunity!

In the afternoon, you will leave for Daveyton and take a tour of the Squatter Camp there.  You will have dinner at Sinethemba or a Johannesburg restaurant.

Day 5 - Elephant Sanctuary and Local Flea Market

This morning you will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  After breakfast, you will take a

morning visit to the Elephant Sanctuary. 

While you are there, you will be able to touch, feel, feed and interact with the elephants - even get a "kiss" and have a walk -- trunk in hand.  This is an amazing up close encounter with these magnificent animals and an unforgettable experience. Rides are optional -  for the fit and adventurous!!  

Day 6 – Depart for Hluhluwe

Enjoy breakfast – and depart mid morning for a flight to Richards Bay.  You will be met at the airport by a guide from HluHluwe River Lodge, to begin your African Safari adventure. Stop for lunch in Zulu country and enjoy a cruise on the St. Lucia Reserve and see abundant wildlife including Hippos and Nile Crocodiles …Arrive at HluHluwe River Lodge and get settled in your chalet. http://www.hluhluwe.co.za  Have dinner and meet your host Gavin Dickson.  Lodge management will brief the AAI team on the itinerary and the humanitarian assistance project that they will perform on Day 3 of the Richard’s Bay portion of the trip.

Day 7 – Safaris and Crocodiles, Crafts Market

Enjoy a pre-breakfast game drive at 5:30 am. Drive through Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, the oldest park in South Africa where you can see the Big 5 (this is an abundant habitat area for lion, elephant, water buffalo, rhino’s, giraffes, monkeys, and more).   Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast.   Midday, relax and some leisure time.   Light lunch at 2:00 PM before leaving to a Zulu cultural village to experience Zulu cultural dance and historical lifestyle. Visit Ilala Weavers, an arts and crafts centre specializing in Zulu basket weaving and handcraft.  Return to the lodge for a traditional “braai” barbeque.  

Day 8 -  Zulu Adventure

Following breakfast, depart (by quad, jeep or horseback) to visit Airline Ambassadors adopted Zulu village of Nkundusi and the Senzokuhle Creche -- or the Cwebeni Primary School (depending upon the pre-facilitated AAI project at the time).

This project will require some physical labor as well as interaction with the children and teachers.  Lunch is taken along and eaten during a work break. 

This is a full-day of humanitarian work before returning to the lodge for a well-deserved rest and dinner!  

Day 9 – Full-day Game Drive to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve with a picnic barbeque lunch in a beautiful setting in the Imfolozi area of the park.  Your guides will lead you on an expansive tour of the 100,000 hectare game reserve.  As you take in the African landscape, you may enjoy a moment unlike any other.  You may spot a member of the “Big 5” - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino.  In the late evening, you will return to the lodge, freshen-up, and attend a farewell dinner. 

Day 10 –  Depart for Home.  Depart from Richards Bay for Johannesburg and the US after your amazing African Adventure.  

In -Country Information:

The Republic of South Africa lies at the southern tip of the African continent. South Africa has a generally moderate climate, with sunny days and cool nights. There are adequate facilities in all areas most commonly visited by tourists.

Food and water are generally safe in major cities, and a wide variety of consumer goods and pharmaceuticals are readily available. Best private health facilities in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban are comparable to those in industrialized countries.

Medical care is substandard outside major cities. South Africa is a developing nation but is in the upper half of the world's economies. Visa applicants may need to meet specific requirements. Review the application and contact South Africa's embassy if you have questions. According to the U.S. Department of State, HIV testing is required for all mine workers, regardless of their position. Foreign test results are accepted.

• For accommodations at the HluHluwe River Lodge (Days 6-9) ,

        please contact Tanith at:  info@hluhluwe.co.za, and for more information,

        visit the lodge's site http://www.hluhluwe.co.za.

        You will book your room with Tanith.  Deposit will be paid upfront at least

        one week prior to the arrival date to confirm your reservations.

VACCINES AND MALARIA

• Vaccines: Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, rabies, typhoid, or a one time polio booster if you haven't previously received one for travel. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed. Malaria:
• Risk (predominantly P. falciparum) exists throughout the year in rural low-altitude areas of Northern (Limpopo) and Mpumalanga provinces, including Kruger National Park and neighboring game reserves. Risk also exists in the coastal lowlands of KwaZulu-Natal north of the Tugela River (including in Zululand, but excluding urban areas of Richards Bay). In all risk areas, risk is much lower from June to September. In risk areas of KwaZulu-Natal between the Tugela River and the St. Lucia Estuary, risk is minimal year round and becomes negligible from June to September. There is no risk in major cities or resorts (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Sun City) or for game reserves in proximity to these.
• illness occurring within 3 months of your return home. Be sure to tell your health care provider your travel history.

 

Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in South Africa

• U.S. Embassy: 877 Pretorius Street Arcadia in Pretoria (Tel.: 27-12-342-1048; Fax: 27-12-342-5504; Web: usembassy.state.gov/pretoria/).

SINETHEMBA—HOPE HOUSE NEEDS LIST

REGISTERED AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION 026-625

REGISTERED WITH SARS UNDER SECTION 18A :  NUMBER 930 004 479 TELEPHONE : 011 963 0437  FAX/PHONE : 011 963 0382   CELL : 084 3544 114                                                                          

Wish List:

•   Stationery 

•  Pens, pencils, crayons

•  Stickers, glue, coloring books   

•  Toys - puzzles, balls, blocks, educational,    bubbles, dolls, cars, dressing up. 

•  Board/card games for teenagers   

•  Toiletries - any little personal things

• Food is always needed but best purchased in South Africa.

To Participate on this mission:

• Become an AAI member (or keep your membership current, if needed).
• Register for the trip (and sign a Release Form).
• To Join and Register, visit our Mission Page and review the section

         "To Participate on a Mission".

• For accommodations at the HluHluwe River Lodge (Days 6-9) ,

         please contact Tanith at:   info@hluhluwe.co.za

• Estimated Ground Cost of the trip is $1500.00 US Dollars (including a $100.00    in-country donation, to be determined by participant when in-country).

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