Faculty-led travel courses · Africa
South Africa Faculty-Led Travel Course
This program explores Johannesburg, the Cradle of Humankind, an elephant sanctuary and Kruger National Park with its native wildlife and plant life. Students study South Africa's history, conservation and diverse communities.
Good to know
- Language
- English, Afrikaans, Zulu and eight other official languages
- Currency
- South African rand
- Best season
- May–September (dry season, best for wildlife)
- Typical length
- 10–14 days (customizable)
Highlights
What students will see and do
- JohannesburgSouth Africa's largest city, with major museums and a central role in the country's economy and history.
- Apartheid MuseumThe Johannesburg museum traces the rise and end of apartheid in South Africa.
- SowetoA large township southwest of Johannesburg, the home of Nelson Mandela and site of the 1976 student uprising.
- Cradle of HumankindA UNESCO World Heritage Site northwest of Johannesburg with caves that have yielded many early hominin fossils.
- Elephant sanctuarySanctuaries in South Africa care for orphaned and rescued elephants and teach visitors about conservation.
- Kruger National ParkOne of Africa's largest game reserves, home to lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo.
Faculty-led travel courses
Courses that fit South Africa
Professors build their own syllabus; ARAMFO arranges the visits that bring it to life.
Geography & Environmental StudiesA course could study savanna ecosystems, wildlife conservation and the economics of ecotourism.
Psychology, Sociology & Social WorkStudents could examine apartheid, reconciliation and social inequality in post-1994 South Africa.
Education & Teacher PreparationA course could look at educational access and community programs in township schools.
Map
Where you will go
Academic and professional visits
- A local university faculty of humanities or science
- A township community project
- A wildlife conservation organization
- A museum or memorial institution
Visits are chosen with the professor to match the course.
Itinerary
Sample itinerary
A starting point only — every trip is adjusted to your course, dates and budget.
Customizable. This sample shows the kinds of visits and places available. Days, pace and academic visits are built around your course.
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Day 1
Departure for Johannesburg
Fly from your home airport to Johannesburg. Meals and rest are on board; the program begins on arrival.
- Check in for the international flight to Johannesburg
- Overnight flight
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Day 2
Arrival in Johannesburg
Arrive at OR Tambo International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
- Airport pickup
- Hotel check-in
- Dinner
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Day 3
Orientation and Welcome Dinner
Get oriented in Johannesburg before the program starts in earnest.
- Rest at the hotel
- Short city tour
- Welcome dinner with your professor and guide
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Day 4
Soweto
Learn how Soweto shaped the struggle against apartheid.
- Orlando West High School
- Vilakazi Street and the Desmond Tutu house
- Nelson Mandela House museum
- Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum
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Day 5
Apartheid Museum and Lesedi
Visit the museum dedicated to the apartheid era and a cultural village in the Cradle of Humankind.
- Apartheid Museum
- Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve
- Lesedi Cultural Village
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Day 6
Johannesburg Sites
Tour the city's places of law, culture and commerce.
- Constitution Hill
- Alexandra Township
- Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton
- Nelson Mandela Bridge
- MuseuMAfricA and Miriam Makeba Park
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Day 7
Politics and Fly to Cape Town
Learn about the political life of post-apartheid South Africa and head to the coast.
- ANC headquarters, Luthuli House
- Visit to a children's charity
- Flight to Cape Town
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Day 8
Volunteer Day in Cape Town
Serve alongside a community and learn about housing and inequality.
- Volunteer service project at Blikkiesdorp community
- Discussion with community leaders
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Day 9
Robben Island
Visit the prison island where Nelson Mandela spent many of his years in detention.
- Ferry to Robben Island
- Guided tour of the prison with a former political prisoner
- Return to Cape Town
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Day 10
Cape Peninsula
Drive the Cape Peninsula from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.
- Clifton, Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles
- Hout Bay and Chapman's Peak Drive
- Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point
- Boulders Beach penguin colony and Simon's Town
- Optional Table Mountain cable car
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Day 11
Groote Schuur Hospital and SHAWCO
Meet health professionals and students working in public health.
- Groote Schuur Hospital
- SHAWCO, the University of Cape Town student service organization
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Day 12
Departure Home
Final transfer to the airport and flight home, with course notes and credits ready to complete.
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Cape Town airport for the flight home
What is included
ARAMFO arranges everything
You choose the dates and the airport your group flies from. We handle the logistics and the academic visits so you can focus on teaching.
3–6 credit hours, offered through your own department · 8+ students and the professor's travel cost is covered by ARAMFO · Your dates and your departure airport
- Airfare from your preferred airport
- Hotels or student housing
- Meals as set out in the itinerary
- Transportation in the host country
- Tour guides and entrance fees
- University, company and professional visits
- A native guide with the group for the whole trip
- Customized dates and itinerary
Get started
Plan a course in South Africa
Tell us about your course and we will reply with a draft itinerary and cost.