At COLT we don’t offer volunteer opportunities and educational expeditions here there and everywhere, we go to the place we know intimately – Africa!

We know the continent and its people. We have lived and worked there. We have visited and evaluated the places you want to go, not read them out of a brochure (if you want to know more about our unique suitability to help you, you can read more here).

So what happens when you want to make your choice and book your African adventure? How do we help you put it all together? Like we’ve said, it’s not like hopping on a flight to Disneyworld – this is real life, exciting, inspiring, challenging and right up close!

Our services differs slightly depending on whether your interest is in volunteer work in Africa or an educational expedition. Let’s look at “voluntourism” first.

If you’re a student spending part of your gap year in Africa or an individual who just wants to volunteer and experience this fabulous continent here’s what happens:

Step One: Browse the African volunteer projects (here) and decide which appeals to you most. If you can’t decide, or need more info, get in touch and we’ll help you. This is a personal, one-to-one service and our goal is simply to help you get where you want to go. Initially you can contact us by email but we’ll talk on the phone as much as you need.

Step Two: Once you’ve decided we’ll help you sort out everything. African volunteer project managers meet you at your destination airport in Africa, they don’t usually help you arrange your flights to and from the country of your choice. Unlike other services we are happy to help you with this if you would like, and with arranging all aspects of your volunteering adventure in Africa, advising on recommended inoculations, insurance, accommodation, passport requirements, visas, etc. It’s sounds quite a list but it’s not really and we have the experience to help you get through it quickly and easily.

Step Three: We’ll send you an invoice letting you know the deposit, balance requirements and a schedule – we wouldn’t want you to miss the plane for Africa!

Educational Expeditions

Step One: Contact our education specialist, director Paul Davies, who is himself a teacher. Email us and let us have a phone number and a time when Paul can contact you. He will explain our services and answer your initial questions.

Step Two: We understand that arranging educational expeditions has its own challenges. We believe Paul is the only currently employed teacher who leads and organises these expeditions and as such he understands precisely what you need. He can provide detail of nature of activities, risk levels, support crew, potential impact on students, itineraries (we’ve provided examples here but each is individually tailored to your requirements).

Paul can also help you organise all the necessary paperwork and provide template letters for the parents covering advice on visas, immunisation, currency, optional activities, indemnities, authorisation forms, The Clean Blood Foundation, etc. The service is as comprehensive as you need, and the only one of its kind in the UK.

Step Three: We will give you details of costs and schedule.

I suppose the thing we want to emphasise is the personal nature of our service, whichever African adventure you are embarking on. We’re not some big faceless travel agent, we’re a small family firm uniquely qualified to make your idea of Africa into a reality.

If you have questions, please ask, and keep on asking until you have precisely the answers you need.