EDGE of AFRICA
is combining a visit to breath-taking countries in Africa with a life-changing volunteer experience.
Our vast variety of wildlife, environmental, sports, medical and community projects ensures exposure to the colourful heritage, cultures and traditions these countries have to offer, with the valuable benefit of making an actual, tangible difference in the lives we touch.
Our private organisation operates without any official funding. We rely solely on the goodwill, dedication and enthusiasm of our team members and volunteers.
As winner of the 2010 Welcome Awards for best South African tour operator, we accommodate all ages and nationalities, and guarantee an authentic, African experience in a safe and beautiful environment.
EDGE of AFRICA was founded by Dayne Davey in 2007.
The main aim at that time was to contribute towards conservation putting emphasis on community-conservation projects.
Within a year, it became clear that there was a great need in various sectors of the local community for support and specialised assistance. EDGE of AFRICA stepped in and began forming strong bonds with the local people and various organisations.
By the end of 2007, we had established community, sports and medical projects which were run solely by the goodwill of volunteers and our small EDGE of AFRICA team.
To this day we maintain those strong relationships and our network base is expanding. We have become respected in the local community and act as an umbrella organisation encompassing a variety of organisations and individuals.
Our enthusiastic and specialised team
are dedicated to our project work and making EDGE of AFRICA volunteer experiences unforgettable.
One of our main criteria for choosing team members is their passion for Africa's heritage, and this is evident throughout our organisation.
We are a passionate, hands on team and we all distil our passion for Africa’s community and environment in each volunteer joining our mission. EDGE of AFRICA relies on a growing network of specialists based worldwide. The core team includes conservation specialists: Biologists, Zoologists and Field Guides, community workers: Qualified Nurses, Social Workers and Teachers, to name a few. Close relationships with local people in every project field are carefully nurtured, and constant updates with the local councils, researchers and community members ensure the support of reliable, sustainable projects. Not only this but we have dedicated and caring staff to run our volunteer accommodation and give our volunteers an unforgettable experience in Africa.
Dayne Davey
Managing Director
The founder of EDGE of AFRICA, Dayne Davey, established the organisation in a response to personally experiencing the potential impact that volunteers can have in a local community. The impact has the potential to be negative if projects are not managed correctly. Dayne therefore decided to create an organisation which clearly shows the results of volunteer involvement.
It is important to her that the organisation is respected by the local community and volunteers know they are working towards the improvement of the lives of local people and the conservation of the African environment.
Dayne was born in Zimbabwe and after following a BSc (Hons) in Zoology, Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, she travelled round Europe, Asia and Africa before settling back in South Africa. Dayne worked on various wildlife projects including Meerkat research in Lesotho, Lion Rehabilitation and Community Conservation in Zimbabwe whilst continually being involved in the community volunteering sector throughout Southern Africa. Dayne was one of 12 individuals nominated for the 'Most Inspiring Woman' in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo in 2011.
Dayne says:I am extremely proud to see what EDGE of AFRICA has become over the last few years. Our team of local and international individuals continuously surprises me with their dedication and support.
Without our volunteers we would not exist and we would not have such an outstanding record of achievement. Working with the staff and volunteers there is a sense of family, long lasting friendships and mutual respect- something I really enjoy experiencing. They are a hard working group of people with the same vision in mind: To make a difference, and enjoy doing it!
I always hope that volunteers who join our projects will leave with a feeling that they have not only contributed to something long-term and worthwhile, but they have learnt about the African soul and taken away life long memories from this beautiful continent.
Volunteering in Africa 101
Our branches
Knysna
South Africa
Knysna is based in one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa. Stunning views, impressive mountain passes, lush green forests and white sandy beaches.
Knysna itself is nestled on the shores of the Knysna estuary - or Knysna Lagoon, as it is more commonly know. It's the most biologically diverse estuary in South Africa and home to the Knysna Seahorse, the most threatened seahorse species in the world. Knysna is also an avenue to the Tsitsikamma Forest, which stretches from just west of George to the Tsitsikamma River near Humansdorp. This indigenous forest is home to numerous fauna and flora. The forest also houses the worlds's most southerly elephants. Sadly, with only a handful of elephants left, the forset elephants are rapidly becoming part of Knysna's history, rather that Knysna's nature.
Mossel Bay
South Africa
Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, beautiful Mossel Bay is a coastal village and harbour of the World Famous Garden Route. This popular holiday town is surrounded by a sunbathed peninsula and the refreshing waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a busy summer destination as well as an ideal winter retreat. It is blessed with a mild climate all-year round but its most important feature is its status as the historical capital of the Garden Route.
Buea
Cameroon
Cameroon is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. It also offers an array of activities and sight-seeing opportunities; from trekking Mount Cameroon, the highest peak in West Africa and a still-active volcano, to visiting Fon's palace, an insight on Cameroon's traditional culture. Buea is the capital of the Southwest Region of Cameroon. The town is located on the eastern slopes of Mount Cameroon and has a population of 90,088. Please note that Buea is the nearest town from the camp site and at times volunteers will be distant from civilization.
Harare
Zimbabwe
Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, is a bustling centre that gets its name from the Shona phrase meaning “one who does not sleep.” The city is also famous for its abundance of Jacaranda trees, which line the majority of its streets with beatiful purple flowers. The city and surrounding areas offer ample opportunities to experience all that Zimbabwe has to offer; from the amazing balancing rocks, to the batholith rock mountains rising far above the rural villages and farmlands below, to the numerous wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves.
Wedza
Zimbabwe
The Wedza district of Zimbabwe, in the province of Mashonaland East, is approximately 105 km east of Harare. The landscape of this rural area is dominated by farmlands, long grasses and flat-top trees, as well as the famous Wedza mountain range. Visitors to the area are welcomed by friendly locals who inhabit quaint villages along the dusty roads.