Your Voluntouring experience is not complete without taking in some key heritage and tourist sites during your off-periods. We can recommend some “must see places” however recommendations may vary and are dependant on the location of your project and number of tourists. Extensions and additional sight-seeing can be arranged at a fee on request.

The Nelson  Mandela Museum

The museum was officially opened on the 11 February 2000, at a function to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the release from prison of Nelson Mandela in 1990. The birthplace/museum is situated at Qunu, along the N2 highway, south of Umtata

Situated 73km from Port Elizabeth, in South Africa's Eastern Cape, the park is a true conservation success story. The Eastern Cape boasts the most concentrated elephant reserve in Africa. Home to a herd of 300 elephants, the Addo Elephant National Park allows close-quarter viewing.

The product of volcanic and erosive forces of nature over 100 million years, the Valley of Desolation, outside Graaff-Reinet, is one of the most spectacular sights in the country. A steep and narrow road leads into the mountains that surround the valley – a journey not to be dared by the faint-hearted.

Africa's largest and most colourful cultural event takes place, annually, in this University town, offering a choice of the very best of both indigenous and imported talents.

Just south of Coffee Bay, on the eastern seaboard, is a prominent rock formation with a big hole in the centre.  This distinctive site has become a symbol for the Xhosa in remembrance of a great historical tragedy - the "Great Cattle Killing". The unique structure with a huge detached cliff that has a giant opening carved through its centre by the waves. The local Xhosa call this place "izi Khaleni", which means "place of thunder".

The Tsitsikamma National Park, also known as "the place of much water", is where the great breakeing waves of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound rocky shores; where temperate high forest and fynbos (indigenous flora) roll down to the sea and where ancient rivers carve their paths to the ocean down rocky ravines.

The world's highest bungee-jumping site is to be found at Blaauwkrans Bridge on the Storms River. A daring adrenaline-rushing dive from this bridge ensures a dazzling 180 meters of freefall at 193kmph, taking seven seconds - even the rebound is higher than the Victoria Falls.

The Baviaanskloof (Valley of Baboons) is rapidly assuming national conservation and heritage prominence. The Baviaanskloof is a wilderness area situated on the eastern border of the Cape Floral Kingdom, some two and a half hour's drive from Port Elizabeth.

Enter a magical world at the famous Owl House in Nieu-Bethesda. Just outside Graaff-Reinet, this is where Helen Martins spent the latter part of her life. Regarded as an eccentric and deeply interested in Eastern philosophy, she lived a hermit-like existence, devoting her life to her beloved owl statues and "the search for light and brightness".

Experience the perfect wave in Jeffreys, the surfing capital of South Africa and a major international surfing venue that attracts visitors from all over the world to experience the “perfect wave”.

Tiffindell is the only ski resort in Africa. Situated in the Southern Drakensberg on the slopes of the highest mountain peak in the Eastern Cape (3001m). The resort was started in 1994 with basic small accommodation, a rough road and few facilities and has since become a popular destination for those in search of an exciting snow adventure.

The Eastern Cape offers 800km of untouched and pristine coastline along with some of the world’s best beaches. Port Elizabeth, alone, has 40km of magnificent beaches and, with its perfect combination of warm water, calm sea and fair breezes, it is one of the best sailing venues in the world, and a magnet for all beach and water sports enthusiasts.

Port Elizabeth’s Southern Beaches offer safe and sheltered swimming, body surfing, sunbathing, boardsailing, excellent waves and surfing opportunities as well as interesting inter-tidal sea life, while the Northern Beaches offer vast stretches of sand and dunes, ideal for long beach walks and superb angling and swimming options.

The Swartkops River Estuary is a unique water sports playground - ideal for power boating, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and angling.

Further north, along the Eastern Cape's east coast, is the largely untamed and extravagantly beautiful Wild Coast - the ultimate holiday destination.Fishing, more than anything else, draws holiday-makers to the Wild Coast. In summer, catches include huge reef fish such as musselcracker. In autumn, the annual sardine run brings fighting game fish. Totally unspoilt and un-commercialised, the Wild Coast offers a pleasant climate, mild seas and family resorts where fresh seafood features on most menus.

Southern right whales and their calves are regularly spotted from the high dunes, usually between May and November, and common and bottlenose dolphins are often seen close to shore.

The Eastern Cape offers unlimited adventure possibilities in a virtually unspoilt part of the world. A number of routes can be taken off-the-beaten track. However, road infrastructure can be limited at times – so, ensure that you have the right vehicle, adequate directions and safety instructions to ensure the best possible experience.

Information provided courtesy of South African Tourism - www.southafrica.net