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South Africa Student Tours: Educational School Trip Itinerary

  • Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Albertinia
  • 9 nights / 10 days
  • Environment, Social Justice, History

One of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth, South Africa, fondly known by locals as the ‘Rainbow Nation’, boasts 11 official languages, and its inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Above all else, its biodiversity and untamed wilderness is astonishing, making South Africa a place unlike anywhere else in the world. 

With a blend of eye-opening history and majestic wilderness, a South African adventure is filled with curiosity and excitement. Unveil the beauty of sprawling landscapes and learn how South Africa's complex past still influences its present.

Students will explore a range of diverse hot-spots, including Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, and Albertinia.  Adventure awaits on world-class safari to see the ‘Big Five’ game animals!  Diversity and equality are two themes that will be addressed during meaningful activities with communities impacted by the long-term implications of Apartheid.  This adventure will be as exciting as it is educational, making learning an exhilarating experience for every student involved. 

Elephants seen in a typical safari in Oudtshoorn

Top Highlights

  • Cable car to the top of Table Mountain
  • Cape Peninsula tour to see penguins and ostriches
  • Tour Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned
  • Explore the 750 million year old Cango Caves
  • Malaria-free African Wilderness Safari
  • Cultural immersion with cooking class and local engagement activities

What’s Included

We design unforgettable educational journeys for you and your students. Our educational trips include:

  • Shared occupancy at centrally located 3* and 4* hotels
  • Breakfast at hotels
  • Dinners at restaurants featuring local cuisine
  • Private transfers
  • Private tours and experiences
  • Full support from your travel designer and on the ground
  • International and Domestic flights

Itinerary

Arrive in Cape Town

Cape Town

Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling city of Cape Town presents an alluring combination of drawcards. Incredible powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed wine routes, and astonishingly beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub. This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and a spectacular, chic waterfront harbour. Highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art; Table Mountain’s jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm Indian ocean waters; the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and many more.

Activities: 
  • Table Mountain: ride by cable car up to the top of this famous landmark and hike through Table Mountain National Park 
  • Orientation City Tour: see the historic Company’s Gardens, Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s St. George’s Cathedral, and a historic Slave Lodge 
  • Gold Restaurant: participate in a drumming session for  a fun introduction to Africa’s rich music and gastronomy
  • Cooking Class: embark on a walking tour of the Bo-Kapp neighborhood and learn about the incredible Cape Malay cuisine
  • Cape Peninsula: travel the coast on a boat cruise, stopping to see the Cape of Good Hope, seal colonies, and Boulders Beach’s penguins
  • Uthando (Love) South Africa: this is a non-profit organization leading a township excursion, covering the recent history of Apartheid
  • Robben Island: tour this important piece of history, where where thousands of freedom fighters were incarcerated, including Nelson Mandela
  • Aquarium: students will have a two-hour lesson followed by time for a self-guided exploration of Two Oceans Aquarium 

Oudtshoorn

Located along the well-known Route 62 in South Africa’s beautiful Klein Karoo, the charming town of Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich capital of the world. It is surrounded by numerous ostrich farms and the golden arid landscape of the Karoo. Visitors can enjoy the locally produced wine and port; sample ostrich meat and biltong; learn about the ostrich feather boom at the C.P. Nel Museum; and visit the world-renowned Cango Caves, the largest cave system in Africa featuring ancient rock formations and sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. Other popular activities include: mountain biking, paragliding, horse riding, and taking a day trip to the quaint town of Prince Albert over the scenic Swartberg Pass.

Activities:
  • Ostrich Farm: enjoy the famous ostrich tractor tour, which makes Oudtshoorn so popular
  • Cango Caves:  learn through experience about the earliest human history on a guided Heritage tour

Albertinia

Nestled at the base of the Langeberg Mountain range, Albertinia is a serene town renowned as the home of the Aloe, specifically the indigenous Aloe ferox, or Cape Aloe. The region’s favourable conditions allow the Aloe plants to flourish, and their leaves are collected and processed to extract the bitter-tasting sap used in the health and skincare industries. Apart from its association with Aloe, the town offers opportunities to explore the area’s natural beauty. Visitors can hike through the scenic Reins Nature Reserve in nearby Gouritsmond or experience an adrenaline rush by bungee jumping from the Gourits River Bridge.

Activities:
  • Safari Game Drive: see the majestic beauty of the South African wilderness and its incredible array of wildlife
  • Garden Route Game lodge: choose between a range of activites to embark on, including a guided bush walk, mountain biking in Mossel Bay, or a zipline
  • Hermanus: on the journey back to Cape Town stop for a light hike along the beautiful coastline

Depart from Cape Town

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.

Hear it from our clients first

I had an absolutely incredible experience with GHardy Tours for my trip to Switzerland. From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized and executed. The attention to detail was remarkable – from the seamless travel arrangements to the carefully selected accommodations that provided stunning views of the Alps. I can confidently say this was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure with them!
Tamara Bahry / Toronto Canada
Thank you so much for arranging everything for our Italy trip. We had an amazing time without focusing on planning logistics. Your driver and guides are top of the line and mesmerized us with their in-depth knowledge. We cannot express our sincere gratitude with everything you have done for us. Thanks to you, we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED our experience in Italy!
Rob Romero / King City, Canada
The GHardy team planned the perfect family vacation to Italy for us! The hotels, private tours and excursions were all exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for! We didn’t have to stress over anything - we just showed up and there was always someone to meet us. We also took great comfort knowing if any issue did arise, the G/Hardy Tours team, as well as a 24/7 emergency contact on the ground in Italy were always a message or call away.
Kerri Torrey / Toronto, Ontario
Our family vacation to Greece, which included Athens, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, was unforgettable! The accommodations were lovely and centrally located to maximize our time at all of the hot spot destinations. Our private guides were very informative with all of the history and culture that Greece has to offer. Various transportation needs were met through planes, boats and private transfers which made travel effortless from one destination to the next. Thank you GHardy Tours for putting together a remarkable experience for the whole family to enjoy and providing memories to last a lifetime.
Tammy and Jason / Toronto, Ontario

Why we are the top choice for your next luxury trip.

Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.

  • We prioritize personalized experiences tailored to guests’ wants and needs, from holiday getaways to educational trips and everything in between.
  • Travel is about more than just going from point A to point B. It's an experience; we're here to help you create the best possible one for you and your family or friends.
  • Taste. Indulge. Immerse. Each destination has unique flavours and dishes. Bespoke travel is the perfect way to indulge your senses.
  • Our team of experienced travel planners has an eye for detail, meaning no stone goes unturned when crafting the perfect itinerary. Whenever you want it, the way you want it.