Orientation
Upon your arrival in Vilanculos you will be met by an African representative, who will escort you to your new 'home'. Once you have settled in, you will receive further information on the current status of our programme involvements in the local community. You will be given a detailed Welcome Pack, which will contain all the important information you may need.
You will be orientated to the area that you will be living in and also the local town as well as be shown the areas that you will be volunteering in. In the next few days, you will visit the project sites and be introduced to the relevant project and volunteer coordinators that you will be working closely with.
Accommodation and Meals
Volunteers are accommodated at our beautiful rural beach camp, in rustic but comfortable thatched A frame bungalows. They are located just a stone’s throw away from the Indian Ocean and on the outskirts of Vilanculos town. Each bungalow sleeps 6 volunteers, please be aware that you may be in a unisex bungalow but we will do our best to have single sex rooms within the bungalows. Each bungalow has its own en-suite bathroom with toilet and shower.
You will be provided with three meals a day throughout your stay on this project.
Breakfast will be on a help-yourself basis and will usually consist of cereals, toast, tea and coffee.
Lunches will be lighter meals and dinners will be a simple and balanced cooked meal, influenced by both western and traditional Mozambican cuisine.
Please note that while we do our very best to provide you with varied and interesting meals, they will generally be quite simple as you are on a rural placement. The food may be basic but will be nutritious and plentiful.
There are restaurants in Vilanculos, including a number in which you can sample traditional Mozambican cuisine, as well as several places to go out to on the weekends so this will give you an opportunity to meet other travellers and local people who work in Vilanculos in a more social setting.
Free Time
There are a number of activities available to you on the project in your spare time at weekends. Please note that any optional activities are at your own cost and that these prices should be used as a guideline only.
-
Open Water 5-day PADI Certified Scuba Diving Course - US$470 (This can be incorporated as part of your project)
- Dhow Safari to Islands - US$60 per day (includes snorkeling equipment, National Parks fee and lunch)
- Deep Sea fishing excursions - US$300 for full day
- Snorkeling excursions
- Horseback rides on the beach - US$45
- Eating out at Smugglers Sports Bar, with pool table and beach volleyball or numerous other restaurants on the beach front
Support
Throughout your placement in Vilanculos, you will have the support and guidance of our experienced volunteer coordinators. They are part of our greater African support team who will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance. In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Project Age Limit
The lower limit is 18 years of age. There is no upper limit, although acceptance onto the project is dependent on applicants’ health and fitness.
Programme Requirements
There is a strong teaching focus on this project and a full range of abilities are taught in the various lessons conducted by volunteers. You should therefore have a strong and confident grasp of the English language.
