All Out Africa

Program Reviews

Izzy Weisz Go Overseas Headshot
Izzy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

All Out Africa: Making An Impact

The week I spent with All Out Africa in Swaziland was truly an eye-opening experience. I hadn't even heard of The Kingdom of Swaziland before 2018, let alone what day-to-day life there is like, or the challenges the country faces. I had no idea what to expect, but that turned out to be completely OK. All Out ushered me through a week of adventuring (camping in Kruger National Park was one for the books), volunteering (learning the role of volunteers and how much the community benefits from the work reminded me of the impact of community-based programs), and expanding my horizons. While the volunteer group was comprised almost entirely of 17-20 year old Dutch and German girls, talking to them about why they were there revealed an investment in their work and a deep caring for the kids they saw each morning. And it was instantaneously clear how much the kids (mostly 5 and 6 year olds) loved the time they spent with the volunteers, too.

My takeaways from the trip include, but are definitely not limited to:
- Volunteering with a group that's lead by a community-based program is the best way to both understand the culture, and make a difference
- International travel is so, so important
- The mountains of Swaziland are highly underrated
- I must go back

Kyle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Marine Conservation in Tofo, Mozambique

I had an excellent time when I volunteered for a month with AllOut Africa in Mozambique. It provided me an incredible cultural, ecological, and educational experience. I was able to kickstart my research career and begin my path towards becoming a marine scientist thanks to this opportunity. The director and staff at the marine research center were top-tier. I recommend this program to anyone interested in marine conservation, ecology, tourism, and local culture of Mozambique!

What would you improve about this program?
More funding!
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Lara
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Mozambique

We had a lovely time in Mozambique. It was good to get away for a week. We went surfing, kayaking and on the ocean safari. It was crazy to do those things because in Holland you could never do something like that. But it's a shame that you don't always see things on the ocean safari. It was also really good that besides the activity's All Out planned for you, you can do activity's on your own like quad biking and scuba diving. Mozambique is besides a beautiful country with an amazing landscape. And we had a wonderful time.

What would you improve about this program?
maybe the communication, because some things aren't that clear
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Nora
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The President

Every morning when we traveled to our NCP Bethany we went on a little adventure. We had to travel from Lidwala to Machlania Markets with a combi. In there we always had good african music. The drive would be just 15 minutes but we always had around 30 minutes because we were stopping at every stop for a long time and watched our drivers persuading people to come into our combi which was great fun. At Mahlanya Markets we had to wait again for "The President". The president is a small bus which looks like it would breakdown every minute but still a very remarcable vehicle. At Mahlanya markets we always had a nice chat with local people. We could never be sure that the president would actually arrive so everytime it did we were really relived. The drive with the president is on a very bumpy road. The ride not very comfortable but the view you got on it was breathtaking. You see little houses, lots of mountains and landscapes. When we arrived at Emagonini where we had a little hike to do our adventure was nearly finished. The hike up to Bethany was quite exhausting because it was most of the time very hot. Once we bumped into a herd of cows which was also an experience you only make in Africa. When we arrived at Bethany NCP we always had a new story to laugh about. Thanks to our long and slightly complicated way we have the feeling to have seen a bit of real Swaziland and not just the big cities.

What would you improve about this program?
It would be nice if you could spend a little bit more time at the NCP because sth we just started to do sth and already had to go again.
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Lianne
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great combination of traveling and volunteering!

Actually I didn't know what to expect exactly when I was planning this trip to Swaziland. Afterwards i'm glad I chose this exciting trip, because of the great combination of volunteering and activities. I saw the big 5 in Kruger Park, did zip-lining through the amazing nature of Swaziland, did snorkeling in the beautiful seas of Mozambique and on the other hand we can mean something to the sweet children at the NCP's. We helped with teaching, cooking and playing with the kids.

All Out is a great organisation and the staff is very kind. They want help you to make it your best experience and they do that very well! The main accommodation 'Lidwala Lodge' is really nice and feels like home within a week. I would recommend All Out to travel or volunteer with, and especially the trip that includes this combination.

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Henry
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Kruger to Coast Feb 2016

Kruger to coast adventure was outstanding. The week in Kruger to start off the trip couldn't have been more interesting. The wildlife was as amazing as expected. The volunteering after Kruger was rewarding. With the first week building and the second week doing the sports days, it was varied which was necessary to keep everyone entertained, especially in the heat. And Mozambique, was super fun and real chilled out. It was a shame we didn't see anything on the ocean safari but it's part of the risk, we knew that could happen. Quad biking was mad, had to do it twice, couldn't get enough. But the holiday as a whole was serious fun. I would definitely either recommend on do it again myself.

What would you improve about this program?
The timings for each working day, maybe a bit longer each day rather than just 2-3 hours in the morning.
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Stefan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a lifetime

When I decided to do a career break I was travelling to Southern Africa for a couple of months. As already being a certified scuba diver, I was keen on discovering Tofo's well-known marine life with its big fish. One of my friends who joined this project a few years earlier recommended it to me. And it didn't take me long to sign up. It was highly interesting for me to be part of a marine conservation project, even though I was "only" joining for one month. Not only did I get to see the manta rays and whale sharks and lots of other marine life, but also received a lot of first-hand scientific background information about it. Moreover, it was really impressive to see how such a conservation projects works and what it needs to be successful. And it really needs a lot, especially very dedicated and passionate people. On the dives, our target was to record the appearance of certain species of fish. And for specific fish like manta rays, turtles and leopard sharks it was the aim to get an identification shot with our underwater camera. Same thing for the Whalesharks but only by snorkelling during so-called Ocean Safaris. Subsequently, these whale shark ID shots were uploaded and compared with other ID shots on a global database. In this way, it is possible to research their migration and behaviour. The days in the project are generally not fully packed so you will have enough leisure time especially in the later afternoon. This gives you time to enjoy the beach or to explore the surroundings for a bit. But be aware that Tofo is a very small village in a remote area. So don't expect a lot to be going on there, especially out of peak seasons. On the weekends I always went for scuba diving on my own with the project's partner dive center Peri-Peri Divers, great team! Our volunteer house was perfectly located just next to the dive center and just a few steps down to the beach. One thing to mention: It's not a joke about the mosquitos. So make sure you prevent yourself from bites and bring your medication. But even if you should get sick, the dive center has its own doctor which is comforting to know. Overall, I definitely had a fantastic time and can highly recommend joining this consveration project to anyone!

What would you improve about this program?
The variety of dinner at the accommodation was quite limited. But in view of the fact that Tofo is so pretty remote and the local people living under moderate conditions, it is certainly acceptable.
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Patty
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

This is for the marine conservationists, marine animal lovers, and don't mind taking it slow.

I took a career break and had the time of my life at this project. Spent two months and the duration felt right. My fellow volunteers ranged from ages 19 to 49, and we got along great. If you're looking to party a lot and do very little, sure you can do that, but you should do that at another project that's cheaper and at a more "happening" town. If you're looking to gain great scuba diving experience, learn lots about the local marine ecosystem, lots of relaxing, simple/comfortable living, and can be creative in keeping yourself busy, then this is for you. I didn't mind the occasional power outage or lack of warm water for showers. I love the many science presentations and discussions offered by MMF. The staff are awesome and will take good care of you. Being a city gal, the beach environment, rudimentary infrastructure, and friendly locals really charmed me. I can't wait to visit Tofo again!

What would you improve about this program?
Not much, the program had the right amount of structure, support, and info to prepare me.
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Ruben
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Good for them good for me

What I love about All Out Africa, that what I did was a wonderful experience for myself but it was also so good for the local communities. I build a variety of things in Swaziland: a platform for a water tank, swings, fixed a roof and much more.

What would you improve about this program?
Give the option to do even more volunteering, we had quite some free time, I sometimes would love to do even more.
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Rosanne
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Nice, but be aware

It was a very nice program. A very beautiful environment. The only disadvantage was the price. It was expensive. Ok I could knew that when I booked, that was okay. But when we did the volunteering, we where expected to buy food and others stuff for the kids. So the costs where much higher. I didn't expect to pay for food for the kids. I wasn't wrong, but I would be nice to get informed before the program started. Not all western people are millionaire!

Although it was a very educational program. We did such nice things, like zip lining and visiting hospitals! I would recommend it, but you have to be aware of the costs!

O, and one note for the organisation. I gathered money for educational stuff for the kids. So I bought books, paper, pencils etc. I gave it to the All out Africa staff to give to one of the NCP's. When I was at home I asked for it: wether the stuff for the kids received the NCP or not, but I did never get an answer from the All out Africa staff. Maybe you could communicate better the next time. Because it is very important for the kids that there are volunteers who are donating stuff. So maybe you could thank them more for the fact that they gathered money and keep them up to date.. That would be more thankful, because next time I am not going to donate any stuff to the kids anymore..

What would you improve about this program?
See my review