Intercultural Studies in South Africa
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.
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Day 1: Fly to South Africa
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Day 2: Fly to South Africa
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Day 10: Cape Town • Depart for home
Add this in-depth excursion:
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
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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
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
Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness
What's Included
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Transportation
Various modes of transport are tailored to your program. While some transfers are included, others may come at additional cost.
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Accommodations
Safe, comfortable lodging will be waiting for you at your destination.
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Select meals
Enjoy a combination of included meals and the freedom to explore local cuisine on your own.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Field Visits
Experience academics in action during engaging visits with relevant organizations, thought leaders, and partners.
