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GYC3226 - Adventure travel with community and conservation Country: Mozambique Cost: £1705.00 Please note: Prices up until 31st August 2008 are: 2 weeks £1705, 3 weeks £2315. Children under 12 are half price. Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food, kit and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance or visas      Duration: 2 weeks Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7514 or

 

	This placement would suit... independent travellers aged 26 upwards including families with children, (8 years min) and the golden oldies wishing to ‘give something back’ by combining life changing worthwhile conservation and community projects, as part of a relaxing 2 or 3-week adventure holiday, in a stunning location. Combine Adventure travel/holiday with Community and Conservation Venture off to the Mozambique shores of Lake Malawi to the 'barefoot chic' Nkwichi Safari Lodge, built right on the edge Lake Malawi’s wildest coast and pristine beaches to combine all the elements of a relaxing holiday whilst participating on life changing local project work to help some of the poorest communities in breath taking country. The Lodge was built and is owned/managed by Patrick Simkin and his partner Nadia who founded the Manda Wilderness Trust. The trust has single handedly developed sustainable community and conservation projects that greatly need your help. Mozambique is finally becoming a hot destination for the intrepid traveller. It is a wonderful country offering some of the most spectacular beaches and reefs in the world, yet both the pristine surroundings and the contented, humble attitude of its people have been unspoilt by conventional tourism. On your time off you will be able to make full use of the lake with all the water sports on offer, venture into the bush on safari or simply sail peacefully down the Lake on an African Dhow. At a Glance Helping Who? Local communities of Cobue, Mbueca and Mala. Local rangers and wildlife Helping How? We’re not asking you come and change the world, far from it. Our intention is much simpler; we want you to contribute in the simplest form possible by joining our project team helping them achieve their long-term goals. More often than not they just need fresh enthusiasm, energy and an extra pair of hands. Very occasionally we get builders, nurses or plumbers who really make a dramatic difference by skill sharing with the locals. Visiting children make an impact by working side by side with the communities, teaching basic English, art or playing sport. It is their interaction and friendship that really matters. Ultimately it is the participation and the enthusiasm that this unique mini leap to Mozambique intends to harness making it a rewarding and memorable experience for all involved. Community Projects These projects are for the benefit of the communities close to the Lodge, such as Cobue, Mbueca and Mala. Help establish and run a community market to sell their agricultural products. Repair and develop a local maternity ward. Supervise school building projects. Teach English, hygiene/health and conservation to school children. Conservation All projects are close to the lodge: Help build and establish bush camps in the reserve. Anti poaching and patrolling for animal snares set by poachers. Carry out aquatic and land reserve studies Identification and mapping of game movements. Assist in road and simple bridge construction. Adventure Travel and explore independently. Visit Likoma Island or mainland Malawi. Safaris on foot, canoe or dhow. Lake Malawi - snorkelling, sailing, hiking and climbing. Accommodation and Meals Will be in lovely spacious rustic chalets. These are all very attractively designed and individual in style, built by hand out of local materials, and sleep 2 comfortably. The rooms have great views of the lake and romantic showers and baths, with loos, open to the stars. Whilst on the conservation projects volunteers will be provided with tents - 3 to a tent. Good homemade food. Safe drinking water will be provided. Vegetarians will be easily accommodated. Conservation projects in the Reserve: basic but good and cooked in the camp. Departure Dates Whenever suits you but this will depend on rooms being available. They can accommodate 14 guests in 7 chalets at any one time. Includes Briefing by telephone on all aspects of the scheme. 24-hour emergency back up, management and support by UK team and in-country Placement Manager, with reliable communications and infrastructure. Safety and induction briefing on arrival. Airport pick up and transfer to the placement. Return transfer by boat from Likoma Island to Nkwichi Lodge. Food, tea, coffee, drinking water and accommodation throughout. All water sports. Donation to the project/community - £150 per person (unless under 12 years old). Not Included International flights, internal return flights from Lilongwe to Likoma Island, on a charter plane - budget $230 each way, visas, departure tax, travel insurance, medical expenses (reclaimable through travel insurance), drinks (beers, sodas, bottled water etc), gratuities and independent/weekend travel. Exchange Rates Please note that as we are paying the project host in US Dollars to cover all in-country costs, and the cost of the placement is set so far ahead, if there is a big change in the exchange rate then we reserve the right to increase the cost of the scheme, as per our Booking Conditions, but will absorb any minor fluctuations, and will give plenty of warning if we have to raise prices slightly. 0845 344 7514 The Leap: Don't just walk through life... take the Leap. Voluntary placements in Africa, South America, Asia and Australia, combining work in some of the most authentic safari camps/eco-lodges in the World, with effective and life-changing conservation and community projects. We are the only company to offer this fascinating mix of conservation, community and eco-tourism projects. Take the Leap on your own, with a friend or in a team. Flexible departure dates. 12-, 10- or six-week schemes including a Summer Team Leap.