South African Learning Safari

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Johannesburg

Arrive in Johannesburg, meet your ACIS Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel. Get a taste of this vibrant and multicultural city before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Hoedspruit

Today journey to Hoedspruit, in the Limpopo Province. This afternoon visit the Khamai Reptile Centre, one of the oldest centers in Africa dedicated to the preservation and conservation of native reptiles and amphibians, along with public education and research.

Day 4: Hoedspruit

This morning a short walk brings you to a local school where you will have the opportunity to learn from and with your South African peers as you partake in joint activities with the local students, pending school approval and availability. In the afternoon visit the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre to learn more about native animals, such as cheetahs, that may soon be extinct.

Day 5: Karongwe Private Game Reserve

After breakfast, this morning's first stop is a local school visit and tour around the campus, pending school approval and availability. Then travel to your safari camp in Karongwe Private Game Reserve for check-in and lunch. Located in the Limpopo Province, this reserve lies between four different rivers, producing ideal habitats for a diversity of flora, fauna, and prolific birdlife. The primary draw for many visitors is the chance to spot the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, African buffalo, and rhinoceros), and this is one of the few places where the chances of seeing the elusive leopards are higher. Tonight enjoy a special South African BBQ dinner.

Day 6: Karongwe Private Game Reserve

After an early wake-up, a light snack of coffee, tea, hot chocolate and rusks will be available before you depart on this morning's game drive in Karongwe Private Game Reserve. Return to the camp for breakfast. Then depart the reserve for a local school visit and opportunity to participate in joint activities with the students, pending school approval and availability. After lunch back at your camp, head out into the bush for this afternoon's safari game drive. Return to the camp for tonight's dinner.

Day 7: Kruger National Park

After an early wake-up, a light snack of coffee, tea, hot chocolate and rusks will be available before you depart on this morning's game drive in Karongwe Private Game Reserve. Return to the camp for breakfast. Then depart the reserve and drive to your next safari camp inside wildlife-rich Kruger National Park, one of the top national parks in Africa. This afternoon embark on a game drive through Kruger National Park. Some of the animals you may spot include zebra, blue wildebeest, impala or giraffe, all while enjoying the scenic landscape within the park. Dinner tonight is back at your camp.

Day 8: Kruger National Park

After an early wake-up, a light snack of coffee, tea, hot chocolate and rusks will be available before you depart on this morning's game drive in Kruger National Park to watch the sunrise over the African bush. This southern area of South Africa’s most famous game reserve is separated from farmland by the Crocodile River, a popular area to spot crocodiles, playful hippos and other thirsty wildlife. The game viewing area is known as the 'Southern Circle' and is renowned for its rhinos and lions, with different prides boasting an array of different hunting techniques and behaviors to observe. Return to your camp for breakfast, then feel Africa underfoot as you depart for a guided bush walk with a highly trained game ranger. This experience offers an intimate encounter with nature and wildlife, and the identification of medicinal and other plants en route. After lunch, enjoy another game drive. Return to the camp in time for tonight's dinner.

Day 9: Departure

Depart for your overnight flight back to the USA, via Johannesburg.

Day 10: United States

Arrive in the USA.



Optional Extensions and Extra Nights:

Enhance your South African experience with a three-night extension in Cape Town via flight from Johannesburg—including sightseeing, Table Mountain, Robben Island and more—at the beginning of your tour.