School Expedition to Eswatini & Mozambique

Unzip your tent in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. With awesome wildlife, traditional culture and a backdrop of craggy hills, this is the ‘Valley of Heaven’. Dive into expedition life, allocate some group roles and contact the ground team to discuss your plans. You’ll need to buy some food supplies, so head to the markets and get to grips with the currency, the Swazi Lilangeni. Jobs done, it’s time to get immersed in Swazi culture. Learn about the importance of dance, stroll to the craft market or hike up a local peak for breathtaking views.

Discover the reality of local life when you join a rural Neighbourhood Care Point (NCP). These community-driven centres support vulnerable children with meals, education and more. On the way to the community, stop off to experience traditional candle making and see the Dali-style sculptures at Eswatini’s top performance venue. Help out with the NCP’s work and get immersed in village life. Learn about cattle herding, grass weaving and the role of the church in everyday life. This is a side of Eswatini that few tourists see. You’ll be using bucket showers and pit latrines, with none of the comforts you’re used to back home. Leap outside your comfort zone and embrace this opportunity.

Take a road trip through the Ezulwini Valley, starting with the chilled-out capital of Mbabane and the massive granite dome of Sibebe Rock, the world’s second-biggest monolith. Drop into the Ngwenya Glass Complex to see recycled glass transformed into stunning sculptures and household items, then continue to the Malolotja Reserve, Eswatini’s last true mountain wilderness and full of breathtaking landscapes. Next, head to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can explore the reserve on walking, cycling, or horseback safaris. Keep your eyes peeled for warthogs, crocodiles, zebras, antelope, hippos, and colourful birdlife roaming freely across the scenic terrain.

Cross the border to South Africa and Kruger National Park. Of all the parks in Africa, this vast wilderness has the greatest diversity of wildlife. Wake up early for a sunrise safari when the animals are most active, or venture out later to spot them snoozing in the shade. You’ve also got the option of a night drive, when lions and leopards are on the hunt. As you explore in a 4x4, look for herds of buffalo and elephants on the plains, they could be drinking at the waterhole, just a few paces from your jeep. At night, you’ll sleep safe in your tent, listening to the whoops of hyenas and the distant roar of big cats.

Pile into the transfer vehicle and strike south to the Lubombo Mountains, these volcanic peaks stretch all the way to Mozambique and South Africa. A biodiversity hotspot, the Lubombo Conservancy spans three wildlife reserves. You’re about to explore the walking trails that link all three. Volunteer as team leader and set the pace as you trek through the foothills and onto the Lubombo Plateau. Stop to explore secret caves and listen for wildlife, this rugged region is home to baboons, giraffes, zebras and impala. Work as a team to cross the savannah and climb tricky mountain ridges, prepare for tough ascents with epic views over the lowveld. You’ll set up camp in a new spot each night. Collect some water, build a campfire and doze off to the sounds of the African night.

Watch a very different world go by as you travel to Tofo in Mozambique. Gaze out of the window at coconut palms, granite mountains and roadside stalls piled high with fruit. With its white sand beach, tropical palm trees and turquoise waters, Tofo is the perfect beach town. It’s a good place to buy souvenirs, so change some money into Mozambican Metical and head out to the vibrant markets. You could also book a snorkelling trip in the Tofo Estuary; sink beneath the surface to spot seahorses, frogfish, cowfish and more. Or how about sailing to a nearby island on a traditional wooden ‘dhow’? Cruise across the blue, then step ashore to meet the island community.

Learn more about the underwater world by contributing to a marine conservation initiative. Meet the experts who protect Mozambique’s marine life and learn about the challenges faced by whales and sharks worldwide. Your task is to gather data on whale sharks, humpback whales and other marine life. When conditions are good, you’ll head out on the project boat for snorkelling surveys, and you’ll record your discoveries in the database. You could also get involved in humpback monitoring from the shore. Go one step further by organising a beach clean and categorising the litter, this helps local conservationists to target those responsible and choose the best solutions.

And relax. North of Tofo, the little town of Vilanculos is the perfect base for discovering Mozambique’s best beaches. It’s up to you how you spend your time here, so do some research and make a plan. You could go horseback riding on the beach, or arrange a boat trip to the nearby Bazaruto Archipelago, a beautiful chain of islands in a protected marine park. Or you could simply swing in a hammock and reflect on everything you’ve experienced. When the sun sets on your final day, gather the team and splash out on a final team feast to celebrate.

After the best three weeks of your life, it’s time to travel home, so cram everything into your backpack and head to the airport. Check in, sit back and let it all sink in, you’ve just experienced something incredible. Africa has opened your eyes and challenged you more than you ever imagined. You’ve fast-tracked your life skills and connected with the locals; you’ve led your team and made new friends for life. These experiences will shape who you are and put you on the path to becoming a true global citizen. Prepare to return home forever changed.