The first four weeks are set around Lake Kariba - by volume the world's largest man-made lake - in the Zimbabwean bush, with an abundance of sights, sounds and memories to be seen and made.

Staying in a tented safari camp with all the comforts of home - where elephant, zebra and hippo graze the lawn just outside and the haunting call of the African fish eagle fills the skies - you will gain hands-on experience of practical skills such as welding, football, art, brick making, building, first aid, cooking, biltong making and many other activities during your first week of acclimatisation.

The second and third weeks involve immersion in the true African bush, where you learn all about anti-poaching, tracking, conservation, flora and fauna identification, reading spoor and other such skills all related to our environment and caring for the world in which we live.

For the final week, you will be staying on a houseboat on the lake for four nights, during which you will be able to fish for the world famous tiger fish, bream and vundu. Furthermore, enjoy the thrill of a speedboat ride, settle in with sundowners and watch the magnificent sunsets over the Zambian hills.

For the second month, you will relocate to “The Warm Heart of Africa”, Malawi. Experience the joys of life as you immerse yourself in nature, and learn even more about this wonderful continent.

The base for the first and second week is Dzalanyama Forest Lodge, surrounded by beautiful scenery with direct access to a nearby river and waterfall. It also has all the necessary facilities, with showers, a kitchen and the availability of a barbecue/braai.

The first week focuses on helping out at a local school where you could be building, painting, planting trees, plumbing, harvesting honey, woodworking, brick-laying, or other such jobs, all of which allow you to help those around you (and enhance your own skill set!).

The second week: snake handling (with an expert!), sleeping under the stars on an overnight trip to learn about the bird and nightlife, from an expert birder, and completing projects from the first week. Immeasurably useful first aid training will also be included. Don’t worry, rest days are also part of the plan!

In a mountain hut at the base of Mount Mulanje, you will start your third week planning a hiking route suitable for all. You will then undertake this route up the tallest mountain in Malawi, (over 3000m!) practising both orienteering and mountaineering, before returning to the base for the last night.

Your final week has more freedom. Staying at a lodge right on the shore of Lake Malawi, there are endless possibilities, from scuba diving to kayaking, to catamaran sailing, and even snorkelling - you can fill up your days, or, equally, you can choose to lie by the pool or lake, and soak up the sun after a busy seven weeks.