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Baraka Build Trip Oct/Nov 2026

30th Oct 2026 - 8th Nov 2026

10 days/Zambia /Project Trip

Overview

This is a unique trip that gives you the opportunity to make a genuine difference for some African children and to immerse yourself in Zambian community and culture.

We will be spending the week assisting at the Baraka Learning Centre which will include building work and the development of the brand new Baraka Secondary school for girls. The Baraka Learning Centre supports over 80 schools in one form or another amongst various other projects. All of these schools are drastically under-resources with a chronic shortage of adequate infrastructure.

We will also take the time to pop in and visit Ndili School, where the 2024 build group built a classroom.

There is also a chance to extend your stay with a trip to the Zambezi and the Lower Zambezi National Park.

You don’t need any building experience to take part — just enthusiasm, a willingness to work hard and the desire to make a difference!

This unique trip gives you the opportunity to make a genuine difference for some of Zambia’s children. Working on the projects and a willingness to muck in is appreciated by the locals who find all our efforts useful.

Zambia has a generally laid-back attitude across the country and sometimes things take longer to happen than you would expect, this is often affectionately referred to as ‘African time’. You should be prepared for the odd last-minute change of plan and it’s important you allow a degree of flexibility.

The group will generally be between 12 and 15 people. Andy McKee is leading the tour on behalf of Baraka Community Partnerships. He will be assisted by Zambian colleagues and friends. You will also be accompanied by build manager Ant Waugh and Different Travel tour manager Jill Hopkins.

The minimum age to participate in this trip is 18 years old, or 15-17 if accompanied by an adult.

Accommodation in Kabwe and Lusaka is in chalets that are comfortable but in Lusaka they are in need of a bit of care.

We will also be staying one night at the Marriot Protea Hotel Safari Lodge – located within its own private game reserve of 2,500 acres with lovely gardens where you can relax and enjoy the wildlife.

The trip cost is based on two sharing a room. If you do not have a travel partner you will be assigned a room-mate of the same gender. If you would like to request a single room, this is available for £275, on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to availability. Please state this on your booking form.

The rainy season runs from mid-November to April so there is a chance of rain. The daily highs are up to 31°C, hovering around 25°C on average each day and dropping to 18°C at night. There is around 12.5 hours of daylight per day with a humidity of around 62% depending on where we are. Kabwe is cooler than Lusaka.

A lot of the food you will eat on this trip will be Western in style.

Maize is the staple food crop for much of the population of Zambia. Other produce includes cassava (a root vegetable), cowpeas, peanuts, pumpkins and sweet potatoes.

Typical meals include cereal, bread, jam, eggs and sausages for breakfast; sandwiches for lunch; and beef or chicken with lots of vegetables for dinner.

If we are informed in advance, the majority of special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. or any dietary preferences can be catered for to the best of The Different Travel Company’s, and our local partners’, ability. However, we cannot guarantee that food preparation will have taken place in a contamination free environment.

You will never be asked to do anything outside your physical capabilities and teamwork will be encouraged at all times. No volunteer should feel they have to do something they are not happy or comfortable doing. Be open and honest if you feel you cannot do what you have been asked to. If you do have any reservations about any job you are assigned, please do not hesitate to raise these with Andy.

The tour manager for this trip is ….

jill hopkins Jill

Itinerary

Day 1-2 (Friday 30 – Saturday 31 October 2026):

London – Lusaka
We travel together from London on an overnight flight to Lusaka. On arrival we transfer to Eureka Lodge. This evening we will have a briefing about the days ahead. Eureka Lodge is a nice base with thatched chalets and tame wildlife roaming around. It is not unusual to walk around the grounds and come face to face with a giraffe or zebra!
Meals: Dinner

Day 3 (Sunday 1 November 2026):

Lusaka – Kabwe
After breakfast we transfer to the Kabwe Safari Lodge in Kabwe. This will be our base for the next 6 nights. Journey time is around 4 hours depending on traffic.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Days 4 – 8 (Monday 2 – Friday 6 November 2026):

Kabwe 
We will spend the next few days assisting Baraka Community Partnerships at the Baraka Learning Centre. Details of the work we will carry out to follow but it is likely that we will be working on building school infrastructure at the Learning Centre and the new project of the Baraka secondary school for girls.

We will also take time to pop in and visit our friends at Ndili school, where we built a classroom in 2024.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 9 (Saturday 7 November 2026):

Kabwe – Lusaka
Today we head back towards Lusaka and transfer to the Mariott Protea Lodge for an overnight stay. This afternoon is free for your leisure before we meet again for a farewell dinner. The lodge is a beautiful place set in a huge area dedicated to some tame wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 10 (Sunday 8 November 2026):

Lusaka – London
You will transfer to the airport for your flight home. Depending on flight times you may return to the UK on Monday 9 November 2026.
Meals: Breakfast

Optional Extension

Day 10 (Sunday 8 November 2026):

Lusaka – Chirundu
Depart for Chirundu, a drive of around 4 hours. On arrival check into Breezes Lodge, situated on the banks of the Zambezi river and our base for a couple of nights.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 11 – 12 (Monday 9 – Tuesday 10 November 2026):

Chirundu
The next two days can be spent exploring the area at your leisure. You will be taken on a motorboat cruise down the Zambezi – as you wind your way down the river, home to a wide variety of wildlife, keep your eyes peeled for elephants, hippos and crocodiles. If you are lucky, you may spot the odd lion and leopard! Any additional activities, such as canoeing, will be at your own cost and can be paid locally.
Meals: Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 13 (Wednesday 11 November 2026):

Chirundu – Lusaka – London

Today we drive back to Lusaka for our return flight home. Depending on flight times you may return to the UK on Thursday 12 November 2026.
Meals: Breakfast

N.B. Adventure travel is unpredictable so the itinerary may change due to flight schedules, climate etc. We will do our best to keep to the itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for changes outside of our control. Your guide and tour manager will have the final say in the interest of the health and safety of the group.

Costs & How to pay

Total trip costs:

  • £2,995pp + £1,500 project donation
  • Each person must pay a deposit of £300 at the time of booking.
  • The remaining balance of the trip cost is due no later than 10 weeks prior to departure.
  • You are also required to pay a £1,500 project donation to be paid directly to Baraka. This donation will help Baraka purchase materials for the project work undertaken.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

  • A single room is available for an additional cost of £275.
  • Single rooms are not guaranteed and are on a first-come-first-served basis, subject to availability.

Optional Extension

  • £680pp (based on a minimum of 5 participants)
  • Each person must pay a deposit of £340 at the time of booking.
  • The remaining balance of the trip cost is due no later than 10 weeks prior to departure.
  • Single rooms may be available for an additional cost of £195 (on a first-come-first-served basis and subject to availability).

 

What's included

  • International flights and airport taxes
  • Transfers and transport in Zambia (as specified)
  • Accommodation (twin rooms)
  • Meals as specified
  • Activities as specified
  • Support staff from Baraka
  • Build manager
  • Different Travel tour manager

What's not included

  • Visa (this is currently free on arrival)
  • Vaccinations and anti-malaria medication
  • Travel insurance, personal expenses (e.g. tips, drinks, souvenirs etc.)
  • Single supplements
  • Optional extension

Have a question?

If you’ve a question about this challenge that you can’t find the answer to within the given information then complete this quick form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.