Real Gap Africa

Real Gap has launched a brand new family volunteering experience in Swaziland, off the back of significant demand in the Australian market for family-friendly volunteer holidays.

THE family that holiday together, stay together – and thanks to a brand new family volunteering tour based in Swaziland’s Ezulwini Valley, the typical family holiday is about to become more meaningful than ever before.

Real Gap Experience is giving families with children aged 6-16 years the unique chance to give back on their travels, experiencing life in Swaziland whilst volunteering together in one of the many small care centres for local Swazi children.
Not only that, an exciting safari in South Africa’s Kruger National Park is also included – a guaranteed highlight for mums, dads and kids alike.

As volunteers, families will help to build a brighter future for orphaned and vulnerable children. Swaziland has one of the highest rates of HIV / AIDS in Africa and as a result, many of the children have lost their parents and face a fight for survival.

Volunteers will work together to prepare food, organise games, play sports and teach basic English lessons. There will also be a chance to get involved in small projects together, such as creating gardens and vegetable patches, building new water systems and other structures such as play areas.

After a stint of rewarding volunteer work, families will be whisked off to the world famous Kruger National Park. Here they will embark on an unforgettable camping safari in search for the Big 5, where they will enjoy an exciting night drive and camp out in the park under the beautiful African stars.

Tim Williamson, who is currently in Swaziland volunteering at the project with his wife and two boys, said that the experience so far had been amazing. “Our Neighbourhood Care Point was an inspirational sanctuary from the moment we walked in and saw 31 little faces staring at us. In reality they weren't staring at us... they were staring at Matthew and Patrick as they clearly didn't know that volunteers came in their size!”

“We really didn't know how our boys would react and how the local children would react to them. The standoff lasted a matter of minutes – as soon as break time came, they pounced! We were all set upon for cuddles... and the boys were instantly into games of chase”, he said.

The brand new Real Gap family package includes all accommodation in a private ensuite family room, all meals, return airport transfers, a 3-day Kruger National Park camping safari, a visit to a Swazi cultural village, in-country orientation and 24/7 emergency support.

Priced from only $2699 for adults and $1869 for children, families can spend between 2 and 12 weeks at the project.