The community project is focused around finding integrated sustainable solutions to issues such as poverty, low levels of education, food insecurity, and unemployment. Through a series of grassroots, community-led initiatives we aim to establish what works in a wildlife community landscape. Projects and programming that will be impactful, needed, and ultimately make a long-term sustainable impact. Our building projects are based on a community-specific needs assessment and relationship building between Raleigh, the local community and Tribal Authorities.

Each day you will walk into the adjacent community, working as a team and sometimes alongside members of the community, working on building sustainable food gardens. You will discover a warm welcome, gain an appreciation for the local culture and learn some of the Xitsonga language (one of the 11 official languages of South Africa).

Projects include:

- Clean water and sanitation: You will contribute to the building of toilet facilities for adults and children at local schools and crèches. Many of these schools have little to no facilities and our goal is to provide toilets for each school in our community.

- Building: Build playgrounds at schools to help give children the chance to develop their motor skills and learn through playing. Our goal is to create a playground at every school we work with.  

- Raleigh Farm: Assist at the Raleigh farm through planting, upkeep and harvesting of seasonal vegetable. You will also assist in cooking meals for 150 disadvantaged young people who rely on the feeding program.  

- After school programmes: You will assist with basic English and Math classes. These fundamental subjects are often lacking and by supporting their learning it sets them up for better achievement in their high school years where all subjects are taught in English. You will also play games with the children to assist in basic motor skill development.  

All our community projects support the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. 

What will I be learning?

Teamwork is essential to achieve the objectives of these projects. Other skills learned or put into practice are effective communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, leadership and negotiation. 

You will also learn practical skills such as building, using tools, playground design using reclaimed materials and farming practices in a rural setting. 

Where will I be staying during this phase?

You will be staying on the borders of Acornhoek, a semi-rural town named after the acorn-like fruits of the common marula tree. You will set up your basic camp (sleeping tents and a mass tent) in the heart of the community village, which will be home for the next few weeks. There will be basic washing facilities and toilets. 

Getting to know life in rural South Africa

Whether you are playing a game of football or netball, learning the language or helping children with homework, you will gain an insight into a different way of life. 

Around the campfire you will discuss your experiences, facilitated by a local to immerse you deeper into the culture. Amongst the hard work you will share stories, learn to cook traditional food and understand the local traditions, fears and culture.

At the end of each phase, everyone returns to the training centre for a couple of days before you move onto your next project. You’ll catch up with the rest of the Expedition team and start to prepare for your next project. 

We'll ask you to give us some feedback on your first project, so we can review our approach and learn from your experiences. This is also your chance to get in touch with friends and family. 

Once recharged and energised, you’ll be ready for the next phase –possibly in a new team.

The amount of remaining wild spaces on this planet is far too small due to the demands of humanity, leading to species reduction, human wildlife conflict and climate change. The environmental project will have direct impact on restoring a healthy habitat on land bordering the Kruger National Park. 

You will be involved in alien plant removal, indigenous tree planting, combating soil erosion, snare sweeps, litter picks and road clearing. All of which will help accelerate the restoration of a wilderness. 

Volunteers will be doing physical conservation work in the reserve. The work will be physical, dirty and fun, making a difference to the health of the habitat.

For this project they will be based at our base camp. 

Before leaving the training centre, you and your team will pack your kit and supplies together before you embark on your exciting 19 day adventure hiking. The Grand Traverse of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg is the definitive South African hike. 

Your ability to work as a team and to support others will be tested whilst the ability to navigate, a strong mental aptitude, sense of humour and proper planning are all essential elements of completing this hike. Add the unspoilt natural beauty and majesty of the Drakensberg, and you have all the ingredients for a truly world-class adventure.

Getting to the Drakensburg 

You will travel together by bus for a day through northern South Africa, skirting around Swaziland and heading towards the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. You will experience the ever changing and beautiful terrain, pass many rural villages as the excitement builds for the challenge ahead.

Real Adventure

Supported by our local experienced guide, medic and Raleigh leaders, your trek will allow you to explore a true wilderness, with no marked trails, facilities or shops along the way. 

You will cover a mix of cattle trails and going off-trail cross country. The terrain is not technical: consisting of grass, shrubbery, a few rocky sections and easy river crossings. However, do not underestimate how taxing it will be to walk long distances with a heavy backpack on sloping terrain and climb, on average, 1000m a day! 

The only people you are likely to encounter are some Basotho herdsmen and other hikers. At the end of each day, you and your team will set up camp out under the giant sky Africa is renowned for and cook outside together.

Everyone starts and finishes trek together. 

The trek is designed to be challenging, but no matter your trekking experience, you will learn to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Come rain, sun or snow everyone does it together.

It requires courage to do something beyond your comfort zone, and there will be highs and lows. Supporting one another through these moments, not giving up and sharing your achievements will be some of the most memorable and defining moments of your Expedition.

The friendships formed on the trek, whether through laughter, sweat or tears, are often some of the strongest on Expedition because of all that you have shared and learnt together.

Leadership and experiential learning

With all our projects, you will all take it in turns to lead the group for a day. This is a chance to develop your leadership skills but most importantly, to learn about the power of team effort and the strength of working together to achieve your goals. 

Throughout trek, volunteers will also take part in orienteering and navigations as well as develop planning and logistics skills. This is all part of your experiential learning experience and an opportunity to build your skills, confidence, and resilience outside of a classroom setting. Whether it’s scrambling up hills, lighting a fire or falling asleep in your tent after a long day of trekking under a beautiful starlit sky, these are some of the memories that will stay with you forever.

“On trek, you take turns to be day leader. It’s pretty indescribable, that feeling at the end of the day when everyone’s achieved something, and you had a role to play in that. I enjoyed that the most.” Freddy

“It forces you to step out of your comfort zone and develop as an individual, and your abilities to communicate and compromise.” Faith

Three phases, 10 weeks, lots of new friends and amazing experiences. All Expeditions end with everyone coming together for a final few days back at the training centre. 

This is a chance to catch up with friends and celebrate all you have achieved together.

Your journey doesn’t end with Expedition. 

- You will be to be part of a global movement of over 55,000 alumni 

- Join a Raleigh International alumni society full of venturers dedicated to taking action towards a fair, inclusive, and green world