Program Reviews

My experience was beyond fantastic, I loved Swaziland and the people there very much. My volunteer programme proved very formative and has influenced my career path. I made some incredible memories and although it was challenging, the challenges grew me in a wildly cliche way. The greatest thing was making completely new friends and having a great group to experience Swaziland with. I left with great memories and a lust for life. Highly recommend

This is my third time on the Build A Future programme run by All Out Africa. Each time I go I meet fabulous people and make new friends. What makes All Out Africa stand out is that the projects do actually make a difference and there is an on-going review process to ensure that this remains the case. The building projects are supervised by Michael who is a very competent builder, a great teacher and a thoroughly decent man. The projects are hard work as everything is done by hand, but this does mean that you are safe and that people from the community can, and do, help where they can. The more involvement from the local community the better as this means that they buy into the project more which, in turn, can help in its success. At every step of the way you have the full support of the All Out Africa staff whose head office is at Lidwala Lodge where all volunteers stay for the duration of their time in Swaziland.
Lidwala is a backpacker’s lodge in a beautiful part of Swaziland called Ezulwini. The staff have always been very helpful, friendly and it’s a pleasure to be there. I would say that the quality of the food can be improved – when you are out working on site all day, the options for packed lunch are limited and basic. But that aside, the atmosphere in the lodge is great and it is lovely to sit on the veranda or by the pool after a long day building and either read, catch up with all the other volunteers or meet the travellers who pass through.

My volunteer program was the best thing I have ever decided on doing. I was just 18, and never been abroad by myself. I was welcomed in the All Out Africa family do warm and loved. I insteanly felt like I belonged there. The staff was so good and organized. The program was 6 weeks. 1 week kruger park in South Africa. What an experience this was. Together with my group (which is also an amazing experience because you get to be in a group of people who are from all over the world) and with the tourguides you drive through the park to spot the amazingly beautiful wildlife. The tourguides were sooo excited and the took you with them in their excitement. Never a doll moment. The accomodation and food were perfectly arranged.
Then it was two weeks of volunteerwork at one of the NCP's (nursery care point) in Swaziland. This has changed me completely, and no i am not making it better than it was. I became so aware of what I had and what was so unneccerary in life. The kids made me see and feel the value of life. Knowing how little they had and still such joy and brightness in their eyes.
After the two weeks we went to Mozambique. A week of partying, chilling at the most beautiful beach of Praia do Tofo! Ocean safari, fun markets to go to, delicious food.
Then back to swaziland to do another two weeks working at the ncp. Realizing how much you missed your kids at the ncp.
The All aput Africa team is a team that feels like a family. Whenever something is wrong or you had a question or anything you wanted to know or do, All Out Office was always open and there for you. Which made you have no time to feel home sick to your home country.
My 6 weeks in swaziland have been so life changing and i made friends for life. I enjoyed it so much, i have been back for 4 more times to help All Out Africa and work for the company because their work is truly inspiring. It became my home away from home.

My decision to volunteer with this project is the best I have made so far. It led to my ultimate love for diving and preserving the environment everywhere. I learned so much about the ocean and its inhabitants. Not only that, you get to know the locals and their language, their culture and their simple way of life.
Last but not least, the friends. The incredible bond you form with the other volunteers you eat, sleep and dive with. You have so much fun learning and working together.

All in all, the place is great, the diving is amazing and the experience, I promise you, you'll never forget or regret it!

My firt experience in Africa.
My first day eated gnamachoma in the slums.
My first morning I sow the best sunrise ever.
My first climbing to the Table Mountain.
My first face to face with apartheid.
My firs run into someone who never sow a coloured person before.
My first roommates from Germany.
My last memories of Xhosa language: Molo.

My family & I travelled to Swazi in January 2015 to take part in a building project with AOA. It was a wonderful way to immerse yourself into Swazi life & culture. Each day we grew not individually but as a whole.

Dorming with my partner & 2 teenage sons was a fun way to hear their inner thoughts on what they were experiencing. Every day they happily got out of bed ready for their next challenge, whatever it might be. Not in anyway did they seem intimidated. Instead they confidently engaged with the locals, especially the little children. I saw sides to my sons that I didn't know existed. I think this is largely to do with the wonderful in country team support provided by AOA. There was always someone available if you needed any assistance. Travel & adventure with a purpose is so incredibly gratifying.

Swaziland is as beautiful as is it's people but they do need help....visit the hospital or visit the orphanage to see that we need not apologise for what we have but we do owe it to ourselves to help make a difference! Mum's, Dad's, go with your kids...I've had some of the proudest parental moments ever to date. My only regret was... we didn't stay longer!

I were a volunteer at all outs marine project dec 2013 to jan 2014 and I had the time of my life. The project is very good. Everything works well and if you should run in to any problems you have two wounderfull project coordinators how will help you! You can notice that they have been doing this for a time and really love it. They are so good!
The dives here are amazing and the divecenter, who takes you on dives, are so good.

I had such a great time here and i woulde recommend it to eveyone!

Waking up everyday knowing your'e going to see something that will stick with you forever is the most amazing feeling. On an average day a volunteer will walk down to the dive centre, get their gear ready for diving and launch the boat. A lot of laughs and smiles all round, the dive sites are not a far boat ride away. Once you descend onto the reef, your eyes explode as you see a flurry of colours and movement. A friendly potato bass will most likely great you as you reach the bottom, followed by turtles, an abundance of fish and corals and even a few manta rays if you're lucky! Exploring the reefs with the dive master you're sure to see eels, shrimps and some elusive frog fish. As we ascend back to the boat, you keep your eyes peeled for any whales swimming by! Back onto the boat you receive a tasty lollipop as you head back to shore. Next in your amazing day is an ocean safari! This is the best chance you get to see the most magnificent animal of all, a whale shark. As you spot the dark mass in the distance, you scurry to ram your mask on your head and rip your flippers on your feet. You jump into the water and are greeted by an enormous whale shark seven times your size, and you get the chance to swim by this amazing creature, taking identification shots and if you're quick enough, diving to see if its a male or female. After a long swim with the whale shark you once again clamber onto the boat and continue looking for dolphins, turtles and other large sea creatures. Going back home after a long day of adventure, you crash, get a home cooked meal by the best locals you've ever met and chat with all the volunteers. At night, if you've managed to save some energy, you experience the local night life, full of beers, pool and music. Make sure you let the leaders show you around, they're sure to have some unforgettable dance moves.
Volunteering in Mozambique was the most amazing experience of my life, i felt safe at all times and always had support and would recommend it to everyone.

I can honestly say the marine conservation project in Mozambique is one of the best thing I've ever done. The staff running the project (Ross and Katie) are amazing, inspiring and great fun. The dive staff were fantastic. The diving itself was absolutely spectacular. Every day was a new high. The first few days were spent learning to dive and learning about the local marine life. After that, each day involved diving, snorkelling, whale-watching, as well as free time to take a stroll along the beautiful beaches of Tofo. Your fellow volunteers quickly become your friends as you bond over your love of all things marine. Each day there would be someone running through the door after a dive with the biggest grin on their face, exclaiming "Guess what we saw today?". In the evenings we'd either have a group dinner at the house (possibly followed by a showing of Finding Nemo or a shark documentary..), head to the local bars or restaurants for a bit of partying, attend a marine conservation seminar or sit back and watch a movie at one of the local hostels. By the end of the trip I felt like I'd learnt a lot, not just about marine conservation, but also about the country itself, the people and, of course, diving. When I looked out the plane window on my flight home, I had already made a promise to myself to return again. And I will. 3 weeks was not enough.

It was wonderful to get to know the country by working with the people there, not only as a tourist. Especially the different projects (T-Bags and the Ikhaya le Themba) gave me diversity. I had only highlights, no difficulties. =)