Your first week in South Africa starts with a warm welcome at Cape Town International Airport and a scenic drive to your homestay in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch. After settling in, you’ll enjoy a traditional ‘Welcome Braai’ and meet your host families. Day two includes an orientation covering safety, cultural insights, and an introduction to your itinerary, followed by a walking tour of Cape Town’s historical landmarks. From days three to six, you’ll volunteer in Kayamandi, working with children in crèches and kindergartens, teaching basic skills, and participating in renovation projects to brighten learning spaces. Cultural activities like drumming lessons and jewellery-making add an immersive touch to your evenings.
Week two takes you beyond Cape Town as you explore the Cape Peninsula, including a Robben Island tour and visits to the V&A Waterfront. The journey continues along the Garden Route, with stops at Betty’s Bay for penguin watching and Hermanus for whale-spotting. You canoe in Wilderness National Park, hike to waterfalls, and enjoy quad biking in Sedgefield. Visits to Knysna, Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, and Tsitsikamma National Park follow, with highlights like zip-lining, surfing in Jeffreys Bay, and exploring Port Elizabeth’s beaches. Your two-week adventure ends with a farewell to South Africa’s stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.
Your School Trip to South Africa
- Choose Start Dates & Trip Durations That Work Best For Your School
- Flexible Itinerary & Activities To Suit Your School’s Needs & Priorities
- Build Student Confidence & Teamwork Through Travel & New Experiences
- Focus On Student Growth & Development Through Travel & Cultural Immersion
- Enjoy Exceptional Value Without Compromising On Quality, Safety & Support
- Teachers Travel Free To Support Your Students Through Their South Africa Trip
- Support Childcare, Education & Community Projects In Kayamandi Township
- Explore Cape Town, Robben Island, Cape Peninsula & The V&A Waterfront
- Travel The Garden Route & Explore Hermanus, Sedgefield & Tsitsikamma Park
- Experience Cape Town Through Braai Nights, The Waterfront & Table Mountain
Program Map
How It Works
Plan My Gap Year has the expertise, experience, and networks to ensure your South Africa school trip is accessible, safe, and stress-free. We prioritise safety management and provide detailed risk assessment documentation for all our overseas trips, including South Africa, to ensure that participants are well looked after throughout their journey.
Organising an overseas school trip involves a lot of preparation, from booking flights and insurance to arranging pre-trip training - and that’s before you even begin planning the itinerary! That’s where PMGY comes in. We specialise in organising school expeditions abroad, offering exclusive group trips for large student groups, full board options, meaningful community project work, and exciting travel opportunities. We can take care of everything, including:
- Comprehensive Flight Options, Travel Insurance & Complete Visa Assistance
- Customised, All-Inclusive Volunteer and Travel Itineraries
- Thorough Pre-Departure Preparation with 24/7 Support Both Throughout
As part of our social initiative, we offer affordable pricing without compromising the quality of our programs. Many schools choose our programs as a more budget-friendly alternative to other providers. We can customise your trip to meet your specific needs and work closely with you to design a personalised itinerary for your school trip to South Africa. So, why not follow the steps below and make your tailor-made school trip to South Africa a reality!
Your South Africa School Trip Awaits...
Step 1 - Arrange a Call - Contact us via email, phone or Zoom to discuss your South Africa school trip. One of our expedition specialists will tailor the trip to your needs!
Step 2 - Meet & Greet - After the initial discussion, our specialist will meet you and your colleagues in person to refine the trip details and answer any questions.
Step 3 - Information Session - Once the itinerary and dates are finalised, we’ll host an information session for students and parents to provide all trip details and answer any queries.
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Step 5 – Pre-departure Support – Leading up to the trip, we’ll provide ongoing support, including a bespoke trip handbook, risk assessments, safety management, and project preparation webinars.
Step 6 – Pre-departure Session – Around 2 months before departure, we’ll host a final pre-departure session at your school for staff, students, and parents to ensure everything is set. PMGY T-shirts will be handed out during the session.
Step 7 – Before You Go – In the days before departure, we’ll stay in regular contact to ensure everything is in place, including arrival procedures, dietary needs, and medical requirements.
Step 8 – Enjoy the Trip! – During the trip, our ground team will be your point of contact, with daily check-ins to ensure everything runs smoothly. We’re available 24/7 from afar for any support.
Step 9 – Return Home – We’ll ensure a smooth return to Port Elizabeth International Airport and send each participant a certificate of completion. We’ll follow up shortly after the trip for feedback.
Step 10 – Future Planning – Once the trip blues have settled, it’s time to start planning your next adventure with PMGY. Whether returning to South Africa or exploring a new destination, we’ll support you every step of the way!
Itinerary
We’ve created a 14-day sample itinerary showcasing the ultimate South Africa school trip, blending volunteering, travel, adventure, and cultural immersion. While this provides a great starting point, we understand every school has unique goals. That’s why we offer bespoke itineraries tailored to your needs - whether you want to adjust the trip length, focus solely on volunteering, or combine it with travel experiences. Whatever your preferences, we’ll ensure your South Africa school trip is affordable, structured, safe, and unforgettable.
On day 2, start with a hearty South African breakfast before an insightful orientation. The local team will provide safety tips, cultural insights, and an overview of your itinerary and community projects. In the afternoon, take a guided walking tour of Cape Town, exploring landmarks like St George’s Cathedral, the Parliament Building, Green Market Square, and The Castle of Good Hope, while learning about the city’s rich but complex history. After a full day, you’ll be ready to begin your volunteering journey in Kayamandi.
Your school group will support crèche and kindergarten facilities in Kayamandi Township, catering to children aged 1-6 years in a community where poverty and unemployment are widespread. Many families cannot afford traditional childcare, so children often play unsupervised in the streets. To address this, a few locals have established small childcare facilities that provide a safe environment, basic education, and at least one cooked meal daily at minimal costs. However, these centres struggle with limited staff and resources, heavily relying on volunteers to keep running. Your group will assist the local staff with educational games, songs, and creative arts and supervise playtime while also helping clean, cook, and feed the children. Beyond daily tasks, your role as a positive role model will make a meaningful impact, offering the children encouragement and support they may not receive elsewhere.
Additionally, students will leave a lasting legacy by completing a makeover at one of the kindergarten facilities, involving hands-on renovation, painting classrooms, and transforming the playground into a brighter, more engaging learning space. This experience combines meaningful community service with a tangible and rewarding impact on the lives of these young children.
Beyond volunteering, immerse yourself in South African culture through activities like a bicycle tour of Stellenbosch, jewellery making, a nature reserve hike, and a drumming lesson. In the evenings, enjoy delicious traditional meals prepared by your host families, reflecting the warmth and hospitality of South African culture.
Accommodation
During your school trip to South Africa, you’ll primarily stay in hotel-style accommodations that are comfortable, secure, and thoroughly vetted. Most of your time will be based in Cape Town, where the volunteer portion of your trip takes place, in a peaceful and safe part of the city.
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Facilities in Cape Town
- Room Setup: Each room accommodates up to 6 people (same-sex) and includes fans, bed linen, and mosquito nets. Teachers have separate rooms.
- Communal Areas: Spaces are available for students to relax, play games, and prepare lesson plans.
- Kitchen Facilities: A refrigerator is provided for storing chilled items.
- Storage: Cupboard space is available; we recommend bringing small padlocks or storing valuables with the local team.
- Transportation: Transport is arranged daily to and from your volunteer project.
- Additional Facilities: Western-style bathrooms provided and convenient access to local laundry services available.
- On-site security: A host family member resides at the accommodation, alongside the local coordinators living nearby, ensuring 24/7 support and safety.
Our host families in South Africa are experienced in welcoming international volunteers, having been rigorously vetted by our local team to ensure they provide a warm and comfortable home environment. Living with a South African host family offers an authentic cultural experience. The homes are modern, equipped with electricity, running hot water, and familiar comforts. Host families are dedicated to ensuring you feel at home, with their doors always open and meals prepared, whether you’re heading out early for a volunteer project or returning late from an evening activity.
Accommodation During Travel
For the travelling portion of your trip, you’ll stay in our partner hostels at various destinations, including:
- Hermanus (1 night)
- Sedgefield (1 night)
- Oudtshoorn (1 night)
- Stormsriver Village (1 night)
- Port Elizabeth (1 night)
Rooms are designed to accommodate up to six students of the same sex, while teachers are provided with private rooms. All accommodations are fanned or air conditioned, clean, and comfortable, featuring western-style bathrooms for added convenience. A local team member will accompany the group throughout the travel experience, ensuring continuous support and guidance. This setup ensures a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience throughout your South Africa school trip.
Wi-Fi
Yes (Usually Available)
People Per Room
Up To 6
Single Sex Rooms
Yes
Western Bathroom Facilities
Yes
Airport Transfer
45 Minutes
Nearest ATM & Shops
10 Minute Walk
Meals
You will enjoy three freshly prepared meals daily during your school trip to South Africa. During the first week, while volunteering in Kayamandi, meals will be provided at your host family's accommodation. In the second week, as you travel across South Africa, meals will be served at local restaurants, where you’ll have buffet or set menu options. Most meals will feature traditional South African dishes, with occasional Western options included. Vegetarian meals are always available throughout the trip.
One of the most festive and popular culinary traditions in South Africa is the braai, a barbecue-style feast featuring a variety of grilled meats and sides. To welcome you to South Africa, your first dinner will be a traditional braai, offering an authentic taste of local culture. While most meals focus on traditional cuisine, occasional Western dishes such as pasta or burgers may be included. As a precaution, avoiding tap water is recommended; bottled water is widely available for purchase.
* Our team will do their best to cater for dietary requirements, but this cannot always be guaranteed. Volunteers may need to purchase additional ingredients at their own expense. Please note any dietary requirements in your application and re-iterate them to the local team on arrival. For major concerns, contact the PMGY International Team before confirming your place on the program.
Here is an example of the meals you can expect:
