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South Africa

South Africa: Discovering Cape Town — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 6 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Explore a country known for its wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Learn why the nation is a cultural melting pot with 11 official languages. Tempt your tastebuds as you try unique foods at a centuries-old garden. Then dig into service at a local school garden and play sports with the children. Take in the scenery. Watch penguins roam at the beach. Snorkel off the coast, and hike the outstanding Table Mountain. Get your adrenaline pumping while ziplining across a deep valley. Add on a safari to search for lions and African elephants. This program has it all – service, culture, adventure and wildlife.

We saw incredible animals, indescribably beautiful landscapes, and met people with the most wonderful stories to tell.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 9-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Depart for South Africa

Meet up with your group at a pre-selected location at your home airport. Once everyone has arrived, check your bags and go through security as a group. From here you will board your flight and depart for your international flight to South Africa. This first day is counted as a full day of travel because the standard travel time to this destination exceeds 12 hours. This may change depending on your departure location. Flight Details: Rustic Pathways will be happy to book your flight as an add-on service.
2

Welcome to Cape Town!

Land at Cape Town International Airport, and meet your program leaders. Head to your accommodations, settle in and then join the group for an orientation. Get your first taste of local cuisine during a “Welcome to Africa” dinner. Wrap up the evening by enjoying the local culture during a drumming lesson and live music and entertainment show. Overnight: Hotel, Cape Town
3

Explore Cape Town

Head out for a walking tour of one of South Africa’s capital cities. Get an introduction to the local culture, history, geography, and food. Visit Company’s Garden - South Africa’s oldest garden that was created to replenish ships rounding the Cape. Taste locally grown rooibos tea, rusks, and milk tart. After lunch, travel to the once racially segregated Bo-Kaap district, known for its bright colorful homes. Enjoy an interactive cooking lesson, making local Cape Malay dishes. Overnight: Hotel, Cape Town
4

Snorkel & Swim with Penguins

Hop in a van to drive to the coastline. Watch an African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, where you can relax and swim. Explore underwater as you snorkel in the Great African Kelp Forest or in Hout Bay with the seals. Then head to the Cape of Good Hope, the furthest southwestern point in Africa. The day includes a spectacular coastal drive along Chapman’s Peak, with views of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range. Overnight: Hotel, Cape Town
5

Launch into School Service

Learn about local needs from the Amy Foundation, as you provide service at one of the school gardens in a local township. See why school feeding programs are a vital component of South Africa’s food security measures for children. After working in the garden, play sports with children from the school and enjoy spending time with them. Overnight: Hotel, Cape Town
6

Hike Up Table Mountain

Get ready to work up a sweat as we hike up Table Mountain with a qualified mountain guide. Take in the views of the Cape Floral Region along the way. At the top, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch and then take a cable car down the mountainside. Relax after your trek with an option to visit the V&A Waterfront for some shopping. Overnight: Hotel, Cape Town
7

Zipline over Elgin Valley

Start your day with a journey to Elgin Valley amid the mountains outside of Cape Town. Check your bravery as you zipline over fynbos shrubland and view the mountainscapes. After lunch, head back to Cape Town for a program wrap-up. At the end of each program, students join in the Rustic Ties ceremony, reflecting on their experiences and talking about how to apply the lessons they’ve learned in their own worlds. Overnight: Hotel, Cape Town
8

Farewell to South Africa or Begin Safari

If you are leaving this day, say goodbye to your new friends and the beautiful country of South Africa. Depending on your departure time, you may have time for last-minute shopping or a quick beach visit before heading to the airport.
9

Return Home or Continue Safari

Head home with memories you'll cherish for a lifetime. Or, if you are continuing on for the add-on Safari portion of the program, prepare for 4 days of wildlife adventure!
Program Add On

Safari - 4 days/3 nights

This optional safari is available for an extra per-person fee. Depart from Cape Town to travel to the Garden Route Game Lodge, overlooking the Langeberg Mountain Range. Arrive in time for lunch and head to a balcony to search for wildlife. Hop aboard a safari vehicle for your first drive looking for the African “big five” - lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and African buffalo. Spot giraffes and other wildlife along the way. Enjoy more safari drives on the following days, experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime animal adventure. On day three, stop for lunch in Mossel Bay and a swim in the Indian Ocean before returning to Cape Town. Spend your last morning enjoying one more breakfast in South Africa before heading to the airport after an unforgettable safari experience.

Total: 9 calendar days / 8 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

South Africa

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
South Africa offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

South Africa Africa Animal Adventures
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