VACorps Mozambique and Kruger Park Adventure

VACorps Weekend Getaways

VACorps facilitates exciting optional weekends away to various beautiful locations outside of Cape Town.  These locations are chosen based on the time of year, weather, and local events. We try and take you to places that are off the beaten track and hard to get to on your own. These weekends often involve camping, some sort of outdoor activity, and at least one traditional South African braai under the stars! 

These fun weekend trips take place at least once every session and are scheduled between two to three months in advance into the VACorps calendar.  They are, however, very weather dependent, and we may have to cancel or reschedule at short notice if the weather is not playing along.  The cost of the weekend trips is not included in your program fee.  We try very hard to price these trips reasonably in order to make them accessible for everyone. We aim for a price point that would come in less than what you could reasonably expect to pay should you to the trip on our own.

Previous VACorps weekend getaways include:

Cederberg Camping and Hiking Weekend

Located about 300 kms north of Cape Town, the spectacular Cederberg Mountain Range is world famous for its stunning rock formations, exquisite scenery, and crystal clear night skies.  While here, we camp and enjoy meals cooked under the stars; We taste wine at South Africa’s highest altitude vineyard;  We hike up to the “Wolfberg Cracks”; rock formations so unusual and beautiful they will take your breath away;  We swim in the clean, crisp pools of “Malgaat” swimming hole, and those that are brave enough can try cliff jumping into the cool water below. This is an exceptionally fun weekend away, which gets us out into nature as we explore some of the most beautiful scenery in South Africa. This trip only runs during our summer months (Sessions 1 & 4), as the Cederberg gets too cold to camp in the winter where snow is not an uncommon sight!

Hermanus Shark Cage Diving Weekend

Hermanus is a beautiful coastal town situated an hour and a half’s drive from Cape Town. It is famous for its stunning beaches, beautiful surrounding mountains and valleys, gorgeous vineyards, epic whale watching, and great white sharks! This trip generally runs in winter, where we stay in the historical town centre, which is filled with great restaurants, charming shops and stunning ocean views. We explore the world famous “Hemel en Arde” Valley (literally translates to “Heaven and Earth” Valley), stopping at the various vineyards for wine tasting as we marvel at the beautiful views below. We hike in the magical  Fernkloof Nature Reserve and along the dazzling coastal cliffs. A definite highlight of the trip is the opportunity to swim with Great White Sharks. This activity is optional and weather dependent.

Waterfall and Langebaan Weekend

This is a wonderful weekend away that combines epic adventures in the great outdoors with an unforgettable 10-course seafood dining experience on the beach in Langebaan.  We take a 90-minute drive to the “Waterfall Family Farm”, which is just outside the small town of Porterville. Here, we sleep under the stars,  cook meals over open flames, and relax and soak up the gorgeous scenery.  We do a spectacular day-long hike which takes us to no less than 22 waterfalls, and through stunning indigenous fynbos.  On our way back to Cape Town we stop off in Langebaan, a beautiful town on the West Coast, known for its beaches, lagoons, and kitesurfing.  It’s here that we enjoy a long and lazy 10-course feast at the “Strandloper”, a restaurant famous for its beautiful setting on the beach, and exceptional seafood (not to mention the occasional Charlize Theron sightings!).

Montague Rock Climbing Weekend

Montague is a small yet historic town three hours drive north of Cape Town.   Situated in a fertile valley surrounded by imposing sandstone mountains, the town is known for its scenery, beautiful vineyards, productive farmlands, and rock climbing, which is rated as some of the best in the world. Here we enjoy some festive braais around the campfire, go on some incredible hikes, and explore the surrounding vineyards as well as the beautiful town itself.  A highlight of this trip is our rock climbing adventure, where we rent gear and take lessons from professionals who will show us the beginner-friendly routes in a rock climbing spot called “Lego-Land”.  An action-packed and fun-filled trip indeed!

Watch these videos made by VACorps alumni who participated in a weekend trip:

VACorps interns, travel, Cape Town

FAQ’s

There are no set dates for weekend trips.  We typically run at least one trip per program session and publish them on the VACorps calender about two months prior to the trip date.  Our trip dates are weather dependent and are sometimes rescheduled at short notice if the weather does not play along.  Please check with your program advisor on when our next trip is scheduled!

The costs of the VACorps weekend trips are not included in your program fee, and if you want to attend, you will have to pay for them.  We price them very reasonably, and trip costs are dependant on what is included in the itinerary.  Typically, our weekend trips cost between R1500 and R2200 and will include most food, all accommodation and transport.

VACorps provide tents, sleeping mats, and all other camping gear.  You will, however, be required to bring your own duvet/sleeping bag and pillow.

If an activity with monetary value (e.g. shark cage diving or rock climbing) on the trip is canceled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you will be refunded for the value of that activity, and we will try to find alternative activities to do instead.

Each trip is different and will require a different packing list.  Your trip leader will inform you of the required packing list for the particular trip that you are going on.