Immersion SA strives to ensure that 70% of all costs go directly towards TransCape, it's Tshani Community Projects and local small business established to service volunteer needs and foster local economic development. This amount is audited and published on an annual basis.

• Return transfer from Umtata to Tshani Village

• Shared accommodation

• 2 day local home stay

• 3 meals daily

• Cultural orientation

• Cultural hosts

• Daily support from volunteer coordinator

• Xhosa language lessons

• Placement  in TransCape NPO  projects 

•  Flights, visa costs and travel and medical insurance

• Additional recreational activities such as kayak rentals, surfing or scuba diving

• Souvenirs, snacks and drinks.

• Transport to Umtata (we can help arrange this for you)

Immersion participants can most certainly pursue their own interests, whether this involves academic research or facilitating your own project. Before you do this however, it is important to understand that one might not always understand the needs of the community and it is best for them first to invite your involvement. Although you might think that you are helping, only the community really know what they need the most. If you would like to pilot a project, or conduct research, we advise that you contact Immersion SA and Transcape to discuss and arrange this.

We prefer not to although individual cases will be assessed. Please feel free to contact us. Immersion SA is serious about making a real difference to the community and providing participants with a unique personal experience that they can learn and grow from. It is our experience that shorter periods diminish the value to both the community and volunteers and accordingly we discourage trips shorter than 1 month.

Yes we most certainly do. In fact we encourage it. Immersion SA is serious about making a real difference to the community and providing participants with a unique personal experience that they can learn and grow from and in our experience longer trips increase the value of this experience to both the community and volunteers. Please contact us to arrange this.

Should you feel that you bring particular skills or experience and you are also prepared to volunteer for an extended period, We, along with TransCape will be happy to assist you to raise funds to participate in the Immersion SA experience. Please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances, by using our contact form below.

Update: We've now introduced a new more affordable self-catering package without all the optional extras. Please take look at this.

Also, if you are interested in a long-term stay or are coming as a group,  we can arrange a special price. Please contact us to discuss this further.

Yes there is.

The low impact living you will be enjoying with Immersion SA is designed to highlight your water and energy use. There is sufficient hot water if used sparingly.

All rain water is collected in 3 large 5000 liter tanks and this supplies all the water required for eating, drinking, washing up and cleaning. Hot water is produced by a boiler that is fired by wood collected from the area. We have a bucket and pulley system in our showers that will allow a  ±7 minute shower.

We encourage you to think about your waste and energy and water usage and to find ways to reduce your environmental footprint.

There is limited electricity. The Immersion SA experience hopes to educate people about their energy consumption. We have a solar panel which allows guests to charge mobile phones and cameras but if the sun doesn't shine for a few days then we have to work together to find alternatives.

At night, light is provided by gas and  paraffin lamps, candles and natural gas is used for cooking.

In time, with the help of volunteers and once we have determined our basic energy needs, we hope to develop more renewable sources of energy.

Tshani village is a nature lovers paradise and will suit those that enjoy the outdoors.

The nearby Mdumbi river and the stunning Mdumbi beach offer an endless number of water sport opportunities. If you enjoy surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, kite boarding, body surfing, fishing, snorkelling or simply relaxing on the beach and working on your suntan, then you're sure to find enjoyment.

At the right time of year you can even spend hours looking out to sea and watching Southern Right whales breaching the surface.

The Milky way on a dark night will soon have you interested in studying the Southern night sky and learning the constellations.

If you enjoy hiking there are some wonderful trails that you can explore along the coastline with the help of a local guide.

Mdumbi Backpackers and TransCape have also assisted a number of community members in setting up little businesses that service visitors to the area and you will find many activities can be arranged through them. An example of these are the neck, back and foot massages provieded by Lindeka or Lindiwe on a deck in the forest overlooking the beach or the canoe rides on the Mdumbi business run by Nochana.

 Malaria is not present in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. If you intend travelling in other parts of South Africa we suggest you consult your local travel clinic.

Yes, you will. We recommended that you bring along an unbarred mobile/cell phone and purchase an inexpensive prepaid sim card upon arrival. This will enable loved ones to phone you around the clock and you will be able to purchase airtime to make local and international calls. These sim cards can also be used to access the internet with the correct device. If you plan to do so we recommend you purchase a data bundle.

Once you are living in Tshani Village, you will still have mobile phone coverage and will be able to receive and make telephone calls. Internet access is available at the nearby Mdumbi Backpackers 5 minutes walk from your eco-village. If you wish to make a call overseas from South Africa, you need to first dial 00. You then dial the country code, area code of the city or region and the number of the person you wish to call.

Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.

Internet access is available at the nearby Mdumbi Backpackers, 5 minutes walk from your accommodation.

Please feel free to use our contact form to submit further questions and we will get back to you as soon as possible.