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20th Sep 2024 - 1st Oct 2024
12 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 immediately heading off down to the Southern Province and the mining town of Maamba. Here we visit the Baraka Safe House in Maamba, home to 27 teenage girls on their journey out of poverty. We will then head to Kabwe via Lusaka to assist at the Baraka Learning Centre in Kapiri Mposhi and also spend some time visiting a Baraka-supported school or two. Our last couple of nights are in the relatively luxurious Marriott hotel an hour or so north of Lusaka.
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.
We will also be staying 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 £350, on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to availability. Please state this on your booking form.
The end of September is dry and getting hotter in Zambia. October is the hottest month and the rainy season runs from mid-November to April so the chances of rain are very low. The daily highs are up to 31°C, hovering around 22°C on average each day but can drop to 14°C at night. There is around 13 hours of daylight per day with a humidity of around 88% depending on where we are. Kabwe is cooler than Lusaka, and Maamba is hotter and more humid.
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.
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 – 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: 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 – Lusaka
We set off early today to return to Lusaka. We will stay overnight at the Eureka Lodge again tonight.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Lusaka – Kabwe
Today is a relaxed day where we just transfer to our comfortable lodge in Kabwe called the Kabwe Safari lodge. Journey time is around 4 hours depending on traffic.
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 – Protea Safari Lodge
Today we transfer to the Mariott Protea Lodge for an overnight stay. This afternoon is free for your leisure before we meet again for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Upeme School
Today we will spend some time at the Baraka-supported Upeme School. There will also be some down time to enjoy the delights of the lodge where you can swim, bike ride, walk or just relax in the pleasant environment with relatively tame (and not dangerous!) wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Lusaka
You will transfer to the airport for your flight home or into Lusaka if you are staying on for a private trip extension. Please note do note book any morning flights as we will not get to the airport before 1 pm. If in doubt please check with us before booking your flights. If you do wish to book an early flight, private transfers can be arranged.
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:
*Trip costs are based on overall group size and are subject to change.
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