South Africa and Zimbabwe
Program Dates:
May 31 - June 14, 2025
Enroll Now:
Do you have questions about this program, need more information or want to connect with a teacher-leader? Let us know!
Read below for day-to-day activities and inclusions.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Departure Day
Board your flight bound for South Africa!
Day 2 - Johannesburg
Arrive in Johannesburg. Meet your local Travel Director and transfer to your hotel for check-in. This evening, enjoy your group welcome dinner.
Day 3 - Johannesburg
This morning, set off on an immersive tour and discover the cultural and political history of Johannesburg. Explore Constitution Hill – the Old Fort, the Women's Jail, Number Four and the Constitutional Court. You’ll learn about the precinct’s complex history, its mutations through time, the humiliations and injustices to which its inmates were subjected, and why the court’s presence in this place is so meaningful. Later, set out on a bicycle tour of Soweto Township. Your guide will highlight many of Soweto’s historical landmarks and share anecdotes of the student uprisings. Visit the former home of Nelson Mandela, and home of Bishop Desmond Tutu.
Days 4-6 - Karongwe Private Game Reserve
This morning, you’ll depart for the Karongwe Private Game Reserve to start your 3-day safari adventure. Over the next three days, you will go on five game drives, including two early morning game drives, when the temperatures are still cool and the animals are active. Keep your eyes open for big cats returning from their hunts. While you’re at the game reserve, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about anti-poachers and the Black Mambas, an anti-poaching unit made up of mostly female rangers that was founded to protect the wildlife in South Africa. In addition to the game rides, you’ll do the Panorama Route Tour, which is set high on the towering Drakesberg Mountain range, see the Blyde River Canyon, one of the biggest canyons in the world and other breathtaking sites such as Gods Window, Bourkes Luck Potholes and the three Rondawels.
Did You Know?
You will have the opportunity to see all kinds of wildlife in South Africa…elephants, giraffes, lions…but did you know that in the early 1980’s two pairs of African penguins showed up at Boulders Beach, along the Cape Town peninsula, and made it their home. Today, there are thousands of penguins at Boulders Beach!
Day 7 - Cape Town
This morning, transfer to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Cape Town. This afternoon, take a cable car to the top of the Table Mountain. Enjoy a 360° panoramic views of the city of Cape Town and its surrounding natural wonders. This evening, dinner will include an authentic Djembe Drumming experience.
Day 8 - Cape Town
Start your day at Boulders Beach in Simons Town, a striking sheltered coastline, home to the region’s famous penguin colony. Explore the penguins’ natural habitat by kayak. After kayaking with the penguins, you’ll continue on a scenic drive around Chapmans Peak and on to Cape Point, the most southwestern tip of the African continent. This afternoon, explore Cape Point Reserve and the take the Funicular to visit the lighthouse on the summit, and take in the breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean. This evening, have dinner at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
Day 9 - Cape Town
This morning, visit Robben Island to uncover the truth about the notorious prison where Nelson Mandela was held for over twenty years. Gain a fascinating, firsthand glimpse into the realities of what went on here on a tour conducted by former inmates. This afternoon do a walking tour of the Bo Kaap, a neighborhood of Cape Town with rich and multicultural history. Later, be fully immersive in a social and cultural experience combining a walking tour, hands on cooking workshop which will introduce you to the food, culture and traditions of the Cape Malay's of Bo-Kaap.
Day 10 - Cape Town
Today is a day of giving back to the people of Cape Town. You will take part in a philanthropic tour and visit local community projects where you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to a variety of community projects. This rare opportunity allows you to interact with local people and nonprofit organizations fighting for worthy and valuable causes in South Africa. Help out at a women’s skills workshop, animal protection center, refugee training center, or youth development center—there are so many great ways to make a difference.
Wonders of the World
Bucket List
Did you know that Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World? The others are the Great Barrier Reef, Grand Canyon, the Aurora Borealis, the Paricutin volcano, the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro and Mount Everest.
Day 11 - Victoria Falls
Transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Zimbabwe. On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, you’ll transfer to your hotel for check-in. This evening you’ll take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Day 12 - Victoria Falls
This morning, take a guided tour of Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is one of the most compelling sites in the world, this cascading column of sheer energy powers its way down a 330 foot chasm, taking your breath away, as you gaze in awe by its strength and incredible beauty. As you captivate this famous wonder you will be completely enthralled to see and feel “The Smoke that Thunders.” You will have the opportunity to learn about the flora, fauna, bird & wildlife and other related issues on this World Heritage Site.
Days 13 - Victoria Falls
Today, you will take part in an activity "Through the Eyes of the Elephant.” You will learn about the many challenges that elephants face in the wild and how you can help. From research projects to elephant conflict mitigation, community engagement and other supported conservation projects. As a charity, Zambezi Elephant Welfare and Conservation Trust (ZEWACT), puts any surplus it has toward projects that will benefit elephants.
Day 14 - Victoria Falls
Depart to Victoria Falls International Airport for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. Depart Johannesburg for your journey home to the US.
Day 15 - Arrival Day
Arrival into the US.
What’s Included:
Roundtrip Airfare
Accommodations
Girl Scout Leaders
Full Time Local Program Director
Transportation to Included Activities
Breakfast and Dinner Daily, Select Lunches
All Attractions and Activities
Guided Sightseeing by Local Expert Guides
All Tips and Gratuities
24-Hour Support
All Taxes and Fees
Global Citizen Certificate
Pre-Travel Preparation Meetings and Seminars
