11 days
Johannesburg, Kruger National Park area, Cape Town

The lions and giraffes are fascinating, but the important social and political lessons will make an even bigger impression.

Standing in Nelson Mandela's former home - and the tiny cell where he spent 18 of his 27 years in prison - adds powerful context to his fight for democracy and reconciliation. As you explore South Africa's cultural diversity, remarkable wildlife and natural landmarks, you'll begin to understand the story of a fascinating country.
  • Day 1: Fly to South Africa

  • Day 2: Fly to South Africa

  • Day 3: Johannesburg

    Meet your Field Director at the airport

    Take a guided tour of Johannesburg

    With your Tour Director you will:

    • Explore the Soweto neighborhood, and explore the impact of segregationist planning
    • See the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, which played a major role in the struggle for freedom
    • Visit the former homes of Winnie and Nelson Mandela, and Bishop Desmond Tutu

    Enjoy lunch

    Visit the Apartheid Museum to learn about the history of apartheid in South Africa and listen to an interview with Nelson Mandela from when he was in hiding

    Enjoy dinner

  • Day 4: Johannesburg

    Full day excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Cradle of Humankind, home to around 40% of the world’s human ancestor fossils

    Visit the Maropeng Visitor Centre; an award-winning exhibition focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years

    Discover ancient fossils during a guided tour of the Sterkfontein Caves

    Enjoy dinner

  • Day 5: Johannesburg • Kruger National Park

    Travel along the Panorama Route

    During your transfer you will see:

    • Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the world
    • God’s Window, a breathtaking stretch of cliffs
    • Bourke’s Luck Potholes, formed by erosion

    Visit the gold rush town of Pilgrims Rest

    Travel to Kruger National Park area

    Take a walk through a Shangaan village and visit a clinic, trading store, school, and homes of the inhabitants

  • Day 6: Kruger National Park

    Jump into an off-road safari vehicle and take a full-day game drive through Kruger National Park.

    Enjoy lunch

  • Day 7: Kruger National Park • Cape Town

    Take a morning bush walk, where you can expect to see smaller game and bird life, but also zebra, wildebeest, impala and the occasional leopard or hyena

    Transfer to Johannesburg

    Fly to Cape Town, a coastal city known for its natural beauty

  • Day 8: Cape Town

    Visit the summit of Table Mountain, a sandstone plateau that overlooks the city

    Take a guided tour of Cape Town

    With your expert local guide you will see: 

    • Devil's Peak and Lion's head, which flank Table Mountain
    • Company Gardens, built to provide vegetables for Dutch colonists
    • Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving building in Cape Town
    • Greenmarket Square, one of Cape Town's oldest markets
    • Victoria and Alfred waterfront, a vibrant waterfront area with shops and restaurants

    Visit the District 6 Museum, which works with the memories of the District Six experience, removals, and marginalization

    Enjoy lunch

    Visit Robben Island, which, despite its grim reputation, came to symbolize the power of the human spirit

    • Nelson Mandela's prison cell where the revolutionary leader was held for 18 years
    • Lime quarries where the prisoners were used for hard labor

    Enjoy dinner

  • Day 9: Cape Town

    Take a tour of the coastal suburbs of Sea Point, Clifton, and Camps Bay with your Tour Director

    Discover Cape Point Nature Reserve home to an array of wildlife and the Cape Point lighthouse

    Enjoy lunch

    Visit the Boulders Penguin Colony before stopping at the naval hamlet known as Simon's Town

    Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and take in flora and fauna unique to South Africa

    Enjoy dinner

  • Day 10: Cape Town • Depart for home

    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Langa Township

    Langa Township

    Take an educational tour of the Langa Township, one of the most culturally and historically significant neighborhoods in Cape Town. Get a glimpse of what life was like in one of the most segregated towns in South Africa during apartheid.

    Board your overnight flight home

  • Day 11: Arrive home

  • Day 1: Fly to South Africa

  • Day 2: Fly to South Africa

  • Day 3: Johannesburg

    Meet your Field Director at the airport

    Take a guided tour of Johannesburg

    With your Tour Director you will:

    • Explore the Soweto neighborhood, and explore the impact of segregationist planning
    • See the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, which played a major role in the struggle for freedom
    • Visit the former homes of Winnie and Nelson Mandela, and Bishop Desmond Tutu

    Enjoy lunch

    Visit the Apartheid Museum to learn about the history of apartheid in South Africa and listen to an interview with Nelson Mandela from when he was in hiding

    Enjoy dinner

  • Day 4: Johannesburg

    Full day excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Cradle of Humankind, home to around 40% of the world’s human ancestor fossils

    Visit the Maropeng Visitor Centre; an award-winning exhibition focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years

    Discover ancient fossils during a guided tour of the Sterkfontein Caves

    Enjoy dinner

  • Day 5: Johannesburg • Kruger National Park

    Travel along the Panorama Route

    During your transfer you will see:

    • Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the world
    • God’s Window, a breathtaking stretch of cliffs
    • Bourke’s Luck Potholes, formed by erosion

    Visit the gold rush town of Pilgrims Rest

    Travel to Kruger National Park area

    Take a walk through a Shangaan village and visit a clinic, trading store, school, and homes of the inhabitants

  • Day 6: Kruger National Park

    Jump into an off-road safari vehicle and take a full-day game drive through Kruger National Park.

    Enjoy lunch

  • Day 7: Kruger National Park • Cape Town

    Take a morning bush walk, where you can expect to see smaller game and bird life, but also zebra, wildebeest, impala and the occasional leopard or hyena

    Transfer to Johannesburg

    Fly to Cape Town, a coastal city known for its natural beauty

  • Day 8: Cape Town

    Visit the summit of Table Mountain, a sandstone plateau that overlooks the city

    Take a guided tour of Cape Town

    With your expert local guide you will see: 

    • Devil's Peak and Lion's head, which flank Table Mountain
    • Company Gardens, built to provide vegetables for Dutch colonists
    • Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving building in Cape Town
    • Greenmarket Square, one of Cape Town's oldest markets
    • Victoria and Alfred waterfront, a vibrant waterfront area with shops and restaurants

    Visit the District 6 Museum, which works with the memories of the District Six experience, removals, and marginalization

    Enjoy lunch

    Visit Robben Island, which, despite its grim reputation, came to symbolize the power of the human spirit

    • Nelson Mandela's prison cell where the revolutionary leader was held for 18 years
    • Lime quarries where the prisoners were used for hard labor

    Enjoy dinner

  • Day 9: Cape Town

    Take a tour of the coastal suburbs of Sea Point, Clifton, and Camps Bay with your Tour Director

    Discover Cape Point Nature Reserve home to an array of wildlife and the Cape Point lighthouse

    Enjoy lunch

    Visit the Boulders Penguin Colony before stopping at the naval hamlet known as Simon's Town

    Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and take in flora and fauna unique to South Africa

    Enjoy dinner

  • Day 10: Cape Town • Depart for home

    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Langa Township

    Langa Township

    Take an educational tour of the Langa Township, one of the most culturally and historically significant neighborhoods in Cape Town. Get a glimpse of what life was like in one of the most segregated towns in South Africa during apartheid.

    Board your overnight flight home

  • Day 11: Arrive home


Learning outcomes on this program

Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness


EF Global Learning Model Post-Study Abroad Learning Resources
Academic resources

With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions
  • Sample assignments
  • Journal prompts
  • Webinars
  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development
See the resources you get
EF Global Learning Model Post-Study Abroad Learning Resources
Academic resources


With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions
  • Sample assignments
  • Journal prompts
  • Webinars
  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development

See the resources you get


What's Included

  • Transportation

    Various modes of transport are tailored to your program. While some transfers are included, others may come at additional cost.

  • Accommodations

    Safe, comfortable lodging will be waiting for you at your destination.

  • Select meals

    Enjoy a combination of included meals and the freedom to explore local cuisine on your own.

  • End-to-end support

    Your dedicated EF team helps secure administrative approval and academic credit, provides enrollment tools, and helps establish your program’s ongoing presence on campus.

  • EF Global Learning Toolkit

    We offer various tools to help educators facilitate student growth abroad and on campus, including academically enriched travel programs, industry engagement opportunities, global learning resources, and a Global Competencies Assessment tool.

  • Field Director

    Your Field Director is on the ground with your group, providing deep local insights while handling program logistics.

  • Guided exploration

    Gain insider knowledge and cultural perspective from licensed local guides: natural historians who provide cultural insights to enhance learning moments throughout the program.

  • Field Visits

    Experience academics in action during engaging visits with relevant organizations, thought leaders, and partners.


Programs in real life

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Programs in real life

EF College Study Tours Instagram page     Instagram →

EF College Study Tours Facebook page     Facebook →

EF College Study Tours blog page     Blog →

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