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South Africa is set to burst into a colourful celebration of African sport and culture next summer as The World Cup, arguably the world’s biggest sporting event, hits African soil for the first time.
But there’s just one problem – how to get out there and experience it? Some tour operators are charging upwards of £4,000 for three-match packages – prohibitively expensive for most.
Volunteer travel specialists i-to-i offer an alternative, however, for travellers who don’t want to spend their life savings, not to mention most of their time in soulless hotels and buses.
By volunteering near Cape Town during June and July 2010, travellers will experience the frenzied excitement and joy of the World Cup from the heart of the South African communities they’re helping.
What’s more, volunteering is set to be one of the cheapest ways to get to the World Cup, with 2 weeks in Cape Town starting from as little as £765 (excl flights). Those who want to stay for six fantastic weeks in order to experience the whole of the World Cup, and stay a little longer to take advantage of lower flight prices before and after the tournament, can do so from £1,325 (excl flights).
Bruce Haxton, operations director at i-to-i, said: “Being in South Africa for the World Cup next summer will be the experience of a lifetime. The World Cup itself is an incredible event (whether you like football or not!), but to be part of it for its first ever visit to Africa will be stunning. South Africans simply can’t wait for the world to come to visit and to share their own unique, passionate support for the world’s favourite game.
“Plus, by volunteering, travellers will experience not only the atmosphere of an African World Cup, but will also be able to see its impact from the inside. Through working alongside communities around Cape Town they’ll be able to see the excitement and joy that an occasion like this brings, as well as making a difference to the lives of some very disadvantaged people – an incredible combination!”
Volunteers can choose to help out at any of i-to-i’s six brilliant projects based in and around the beautiful coastal town of Fish Hoek, near Cape Town. They could find themselves giving orphans and disadvantaged children get a better start in life, helping abandoned animals, or even getting to grips with surfing! So, as well as enjoying the party set to erupt when the first matches kick-off in Johannesburg and Cape Town on June 11th, travellers will also be doing valuable work at their projects.
While volunteers will have an amazing time just soaking up the World Cup atmosphere while in South Africa, those who want to catch a game (or two) will easily be able to, as Fish Hoek is just 40 minutes away from the centre of Cape Town by train. Tickets for the eight matches taking place in Cape Town (including one of the semi-finals)
All i-to-i trips include 24-hour emergency support, pre-departure advice and the help of dedicated in-country coordinators (vital for asking where’s best to watch the match!), as well as accommodation and airport pickup. Depending on their project, volunteers can stay in Cape Town for 2 to 12 weeks. Those wanting more information should visit http://www.i-
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