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4th May 2024 - 14th May 2024
11 days/Zambia /Project Trip
This is a unique trip that gives you the opportunity to make a genuine difference for some African children. Helping at the projects is not compulsory but willingness to get stuck in and do your best to help will be useful and appreciated. Some of the highlights are:
We start the trip in Lusaka where we spend time with some of Baraka’s college sponsored kids before visiting a Baraka-supported school enroute to Kabwe and assisting at the Baraka Learning Centre near Kapiri-Mposhi. We will also spend some time at the Baraka Safe House in Maamba, home to 27 teenage girls on their journey out of poverty. The next part of our adventure will see us transfer to Livingstone for a visit to the incredible Victoria Falls before our flights home. There is also the chance to take part in an optional two-day safari in the Chobe National Park in Botswana for an additional cost.
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 is far from compulsory on this trip but a willingness to muck in is appreciated by the locals who find all our efforts useful. If you are not keen on painting or manual work, interacting with the kids and teaching English, science, maths, sports etc. is also a valuable contribution.
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.
Flights are not included in the cost and should be arranged independently.  If you require any further arrangements such as extra nights’ accommodation, single rooms or any other arrangements please let Different Travel know at the time of booking.
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.
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. At Eureka there are wild animals roaming. In Livingstone we will be staying at Jollyboys, a comfortable lodge in the centre of town.
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 £375 on the main trip and £150 on the Chobe safari extension, on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to availability. Please state this on your booking form.
May is warm and dry in Zambia. Rainy season has finished so the chances of rain are very low. The daily highs are up to 26°C, hovering around 19°C on average each day but can drop to 11°C at night. There is around 13 hours of daylight per day with a humidity of around 71% depending on where we are. Kapiri and Kabwe are cooler than Lusaka, and Maamba and Livingston/Chobe are hotter and more humid.
Maize is the staple food crop for much of the population. 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.
Western toilets are found in hotels and restaurants catering to foreign visitors, however facilities may be more basic in remote areas. You should take toilet paper with you wherever you go as this is not often available. Where bins are provided it is customary to dispose of toilet paper rather than flushing.
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.
Lusaka
We arrive in Lusaka and 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: None
Lusaka
Sponsored kids’ day
Today is a relaxed day where we host our Baraka sponsored university students. Andy will contact you before the trip to see if you can conduct any of the lessons or you may wish to simply help out with the lessons being delivered. Either way this is a great opportunity for you to interact with college and university students that Baraka supports.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Lusaka – Kabwe
Today we leave early and travel to Kabwe. We will be visiting the Baraka-supported Upeme School enroute. We will transfer to Kabwe Lodge where we will stay for the following four nights.
Meals: Dinner
Kabwe – Baraka Learning Centre – Kabwe
We will spend the next few days helping at the Baraka Learning Centre, which assists over 20 rural schools and thousands of pupils. You will help with activities with various tasks around the centre with the infrastructure but also assisting and interacting with the Centre’s many children and our teaching team. You will see first-hand the work that the centre does for local schools and children.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Kabwe – Lusaka
Today we leave Kabwe and travel to Lusaka. Upon arrival in Lusaka we will return to stay at the Eureka Lodge for the night where there will be some time to relax.
Meals: Breakfast
Lusaka – Maamba
Today will be spent on the road as we travel to our next stop in Maamba. It is a long journey but we will be rewarded on arrival by meeting the lovely girls of the Baraka Safe House whom we will join for dinner. We stay at the basic but comfortable Naipolela Lodge for the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Maamba
Today we will visit the Maamba Safe House, a safe haven for 27 teenage girls from poor rural backgrounds. The house was set up to support them on their way out of poverty, offering a chance to pursue their dreams of education without worrying about their next meal, their personal safety or how to pay rent. Baraka will put on a fun and educational day for the girls and you will be asked to help with the delivery of some of our activities.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Maamba – Livingstone
Another early start as we head to Livingstone today for a guided visit to the stunning Victoria Falls. Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe it is one of the world’s largest waterfalls with a width of 1,708m.
(NB. An entrance fee of $20 must be paid directly.) After spending some time by the falls we will check into our overnight stay at Jollyboys, a comfortable lodge in the centre of town.
Meals: Breakfast
Livingstone
You will transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Livingstone – Chobe
We will leave the main group and depart early for a two-day safari in the Chobe National Park in northern Botswana.
The area is known for its large herd of elephants and Cape buffalo as well as lions, antelopes, hippos and more.
After a day of animal spotting by jeep and boat we will return to spend the night at the Elephant Valley Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Chobe – Livingstone
We will continue our safari today before returning to Livingstone in the afternoon for our final night at Jollyboys, a comfortable lodge in the centre of town.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Livingstone
You will transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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.
Total trip costs:
Please note there is also a suggested donation of CAN$200 per person to be paid directly to Baraka. This donation will help us purchase materials for the project work undertaken during the trip. Once you book, details of how to make this donation will be sent to you. Please note that this is just a suggestion and less or more then CAN$200 is acceptable.
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