“Just Pure Magic” – Gethin’s Extraordinary South Africa Expedition
19th March 2026 | Lauren Moses | 4 min read Conservation In Action Moments That Stay With You The Ultimate…
South Africa 10-week Expedition
Discover South Africa on an immersive 10-week Expedition that combines maximum adventure, impact, and personal growth.
Trek 205km through wild landscapes, support grassroots development in rural communities and help restore vital ecosystems alongside conservation experts, all against the backdrop of the stunning Greater Kruger area.
With a mix of physical challenge, cultural exchange, and hands-on project work, this is a transformative experience designed to push your limits, build meaningful connections, and leave a lasting impact - on the ground and on you.
Dates and rates
When
Feb – Apr | Jun – Aug | Oct – Dec
Bush, wildlife & grassroots projects
Raleigh Borneo Expedition life
Community project
Working shoulder-to-shoulder with local project partners & residents, for 3 weeks you’ll tackle meaningful community development challenges including sustainable farming projects and improving essential infrastructure. This work will demand effort, initiative, and teamwork.
Raleigh Borneo Expedition life
Environmental project
In partnership with the Cape Vulture Conservancy, spend 3 weeks helping to restore 1,800 hectares of land within the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere. This project focuses on habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and wildlife protection.
Raleigh Borneo Expedition life
Adventure challenge
A 19-day, 205km expedition through some of South Africa’s most varied and striking landscapes. The route begins in the warm lowveld, passing through orchards and game reserves, before ascending into the remote and rugged Northern Drakensberg Mountains.
Expedition highlights from South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA 10-WEEK ITINERARY
*This is a sample itinerary, and order of phases will vary depending on Cycles and Venturer numbers.
Induction and training (3-4 days)
3-day induction & training to meet your team and build practical expedition skills
Community Project (19 days)
Support grassroots development by helping build educational spaces, eco-gardens, and community infrastructure in partnership with local NGO Nourish, based in the Metsi community.
Contribute to lasting impact on poverty reduction, food security, and education, while gaining practical skills and cultural insight through hands-on work in a rural South African setting.
Debrief at Fieldbase (2-3 days)
At the end of each phase, everyone returns to Fieldbase for a few days before moving on to your next project. You’ll catch up with the rest of the Expedition team and start to prepare for your next project. Project groups will change between each phase, if numbers allow.
Adventure Phase (19 Days)
Trek through South Africa’s lowveld, Northern Drakensberg Mountains, and Panorama Route, covering 205km of diverse and challenging terrain including game reserves, steep mountain paths, and landmarks like Blyde River Canyon and Mac Mac Falls
Return to Fieldbase (2-3 Days)
Fieldbase changeover 2. Rest, reconnect with home, prep for what’s next.
Environmental Project (19 – 21 days)
Restore ecosystems and protect endangered species by working on habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and wildlife monitoring in partnership with the Cape Vulture Conservancy.
Gain hands-on conservation experience across 1,800 hectares in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, contributing directly to the preservation of one of South Africa’s last Cape Vulture nesting sites.
Final review at Fieldbase (2 days)
All Expeditions end with everyone coming together for a final few days back at Fieldbase. Catch up with friends and celebrate all you have achieved together.
Expedition life in South Africa
Every Raleigh Expedition in South Africa blends volunteering, adventure, and personal growth. You’ll rotate through three unforgettable phases: Community, Environmental and the Adventure Challenge
Community project
Working shoulder-to-shoulder with Metsi community residents and local partners Nourish, you’ll tackle meaningful community development challenges that demand effort, initiative, and teamwork. You’ll support sustainable farming and food security projects, build and improve essential community infrastructure, plan and lead local action days and activities, and collaborate across language and cultural differences.
Read more
Education & Youth Development
- The challenge: Support educational infrastructure of community
- The solution: Assist in the construction of educational playgrounds
Sustainable Agriculture
- The challenge: Support sustainable agriculture
- The solution: Assist with food gardens and farming structures (building and maintenance) .
Infrastructure
- The challenge: Support eco-village development
- The solution: Building and maintenance of Nourish eco-village e.g. recycling centre, pathway buildings, hygiene stations
SDGs:
This work addresses local challenges like underdevelopment and conservation pressure, and Venturers gain hands-on experience in sustainable development, building leadership, teamwork, and cross-cultural understanding. In particular they contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of 2 – Zero Hunger, 4 – Quality Education , 15 – Life on Land
Environmental project
In partnership with the Cape Vulture Conservancy, help restore 1,800 hectares of land within the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere. This project focuses on habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and wildlife protection.
Read more
Ecological Restoration
- The challenge: Restore degraded former farmland
- The solution: Invasive species removal, erosion control, bush clearing
Habitat Maintenance & Wildlife Protection
- The challenge: Improve habitat for native species & protect wildlife
- The solution: Fence removal, re-vegetation, species monitoring, snare sweeps
Conservation Awareness
- The challenge: Strengthen Environmental Understanding
- The solution: Daily briefings, learning from guides, environment debate, animal presentations, conservation classes
SDGs:
The project aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and contributes to 13 – Climate Action, 15 – Life on Land
Adventure Challenge
A 19-day, 205km expedition through some of South Africa’s most varied and striking landscapes. The route begins in the warm lowveld, passing through orchards and game reserves, before ascending into the remote and rugged Northern Drakensberg Mountains. It finishes along the iconic Panorama Route, taking in highlights such as Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels, and finishing with a well-earned dip at the idyllic Mac Mac Falls.
Read more
About the Trek
The terrain is diverse and physically demanding. The opening phase offers steady walking on flat, open ground, allowing time to adjust to the kit and conditions. The mountain section is significantly tougher, with steep ascents, rocky paths, cold nights, and long days at altitude. The final phase includes more moderate walking with time to reflect and take in views.
Skills Development, Activities & Opportunities
- Navigation
- Map reading
- Solitude (self-reflection)
- Leadership opportunities (Day Leader)
- Full responsibility to be taken by the venturers
Phase One – Orchard & Game Reserves:
This section is designed to be a steady, easy start to trekking, giving time to get used to your kit, and the physical exertion, as well as to practice navigation. This phase is also a lot warmer than the mountain section.
Phase Two – Mountain Section:
Time to head up Scramble Hill and into the mountains, for a challenging but epic few days.
- Change of altitude and the weather
- Different terrain and vegetations
- Drinking water from streams (don’t forget your purification tablets!)
- Beautiful views
- Swimming in natural pools
- Existing navigation skills
- High chances of ticks on you, please do a tick check every stop you get and during bathing times.
Phase Three – Tourist Phase and Panorama Route:
During this phase you will visit some of the most beautiful areas in South Africa, including:
- Blyde River Canyon (the 3rd largest canyon in the world)
- The Three Rondavels
- Bourke’s Luck Potholes (dependent on trek route)
- God’s Window
- Pinnacle Rock
- Graskop Gorge
- Mac Mac Falls
Where will I be in South Africa?
Location
You’ll fly into Hoedspruit Eastgate airport, close to the Great Kruger area, where you’ll be met & transferred to Fieldbase by our Venture Managers.
- Fieldbase: Situated just outside Hoedspruit, the safari capital of South Africa. The area welcomes large numbers of international tourists each year.
- Community Project: Metsi, on the fenceline of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, about 2 hours from Fieldbase
- Environmental Project: Cape Vulture Nature Reserve
- Adventure Challenge: The Drakensberg Mountains, Blyde Canyon and Magoebaskloof
Fieldbase, Hoedspruit
Accommodation
Fieldbase
- Tented camp
- Permanent toilet block
- Indoor briefing area
Community Project
- Basic Camp
- Bucket showers
- Long-drop toilets
- Camping Stoves.
Environmental Project
- Basic Camp
- Bucket showers
- Portable toilets
- No running water
- Camping Stoves.
Adventure Challenge:
- Tents
- Varied Terrain
- Camping stoves
South Africa 10-weeks dates & Pricing
CYCLE 1
Limited Time Offer
FEBRUARY - APRIL
8th February – 15th April 2027
£4490$5610$5610$5610
Save £220$280$280$280
Apply now
CYCLE 2
Limited Time Offer
JUNE - SEPTEMBER
28th June – 2nd September 2027
£4490$5610$5610$5610
Save £220$280$280$280
Apply now
CYCLE 3
Limited Time Offer
OCTOBER - DECEMBER
12th October – 17th December 2027
£4490$5610$5610$5610
Save £220$280$280$280
Apply now
Payment plans
5% deposit
Secure your spot from as little as £99.5
Installments
Pay over time interest free*
Discounts
Book early at a lower price
What's Included?
Extensive pre-departure training
Airport welcome and transfers
All food, transport and accommodation
24/7 in-country & UK office support
Orientation, project training & safety briefing
Free Raleigh International T-Shirt
All bookings also include a free NOMAD & MASTA Travel Health brief with health risks & vaccination requirements
Flights, visas, vaccinations, personal kit, travel insurance, DBS/Police background check and first aid training (for Venturer Managers) are not included in the price of a Raleigh Expedition. A full breakdown will be provided on point of booking.
Apply now
How to apply for an Expedition
1
Apply online
Fill in the online form. Be clear on why you want to go on Expedition!
2
Screening
If we accept your application, you’ll get a link to pay a 5% deposit. Your place isn’t secured until this is paid.
3
Confirmation
Your Venturer Coordinator will send you all the information you need for your Raleigh Expedition.
4
Pre-departure
Get ready for your Expedition! We’ll give you support and training in the run up.
Need more Expedition information?
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