Program Overview
Meaningful service projects, thrilling adventures, and an abundance of wildlife come together on our South Africa program for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a difference and reshape your worldview. Our goal will be to get in touch with the heart of this amazing country by working with conservation experts and marine ecologists to learn more about South Africa’s natural beauty, wildlife, and conservation practices. During this program, we will discover everything South Africa has to offer while exploring the major cities, stunning countryside, and mind-blowing game reserves.
For our service project, we work together to build a playground at a local school in one of the many villages in the area. The new playground will have a huge impact on the community and also demonstrate what a difference we can make! Your efforts will be rewarded with the meaningful friendships and connections you’ll form with the locals along the way and the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you have completed the project.
In addition to our service work, there is plenty of adventure like learning to surf, spotting the Big Five on an exciting safari through a world-famous game park, ziplining, hiking, riding horses, whale watching, swimming with sharks, and more!
This program has been postponed and will return for summer 2023
During this program, you will…
- Visit the Apartheid Museum for a better understanding of this major part of South African history
- Lose yourself in the awe-inspiring views from God’s Window along the route from Johannesburg to Nelspruit via Blyde River Canyon and Bourke’s Luck Potholes
- Safari in Kruger National Park and spot the Big Five in South Africa’s largest game reserve
- Earn up to 40 community service hours as you perform a much needed revitalization of a school’s playground
- Connect with the friendly people who live along the Wild Coast of South Africa as you volunteer at an elementary school
- Surf on the gorgeous beaches of the Wild Coast
- Eat a traditional Xhosa meal and enjoy a local cooking lesson in a rural village to gain insight into village life
- Soak up some sun on the wild coast after your service is complete by riding horses on the beach*, playing beach volleyball and ultimate frisbee
- Hike along the spectacular coastal cliffs above Morgan Bay to learn about shipwrecks, the story of Nongqawuse and the prophecies that have colored the rich history of the Wild Coast
- Complete your journey with discussions about “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty” and addressing larger global issues as your worldview expands from all you have seen during this incredible program
*This is an optional excursion
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM NEW YORK (JFK)
DAYS 2–3: JOHANNESBURG
Our journey begins in Johannesburg, where we will see first-hand the juxtaposition that exists between rich and poor. Here we will learn about the country’s oppressive past at the must-see Apartheid Museum before taking a bicycle tour to explore the truly unique Soweto Township. Experience a welcome Braai, the South African version of a delicious barbecue!
DAYS 4–5: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
We will wave goodbye to big city life in Johannesburg to traverse some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes, including the third largest canyon in the world, Blyde River Canyon, checking out the misty highlands, the incredible geological formations of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the magnificent views of God’s Window, and even spot a soaring Taita falcon.
Our journey will take us to one of the most unbelievably beautiful regions of South Africa, Mpumalanga, where we will explore the incredible locations of Kruger National Park. Picture yourself in a game drive vehicle passing herds of elephants, pods of hippos, dazzles of zebra, and, of course, a pride of lions! Have the chance to see the Big Five in the wild during exhilarating wildlife safaris, including a night game drive! You will be astonished by the beauty of this place, as we are led by experienced local guides who take care of our safety while still bringing us close to the many animals who call the park home.
DAYS 6–12: COMMUNITY SERVICE ON THE WILD COAST
We’ll bid Kruger goodbye before catching a flight from Nelspruit to East London, the capital of the Wild Coast. The Wild Coast of South Africa boasts beautiful beaches, incredible wildlife, and friendly locals who will welcome you into their homes. For the next week we will be based in Chintsa, just outside the city of East London. We will spend our time volunteering at local elementary schools to revitalize the school buildings and focus on finishing a new playground for the local children. Our local partner organization has dedicated itself to matching volunteer efforts with local communities in need.
One of the local school mothers gave a passionate speech to our last group at the conclusion of our project and described our work as “oxygen for the village, as you have breathed new life into this community.”
This service project is perfect for anyone who wants to participate in a hands-on construction service project with an abundance of interaction with young children. We’ll be welcomed into the homes of those who live here, and enjoy lessons in cooking and dance, getting insight into the everyday life of the Xhosa people. There’s plenty of time for activities outside of work too! Spend your time surfing, horseback riding, engaging in discussions about developing world issues, beach sports, and visiting a local game reserve.
Once our service work is complete, we’ll feel the satisfaction of having made a real contribution to people’s lives as we say goodbye to the Wild Coast. Time and time again, those who join us on our South Africa program return home with increased confidence, self awareness, and a renewed passion for volunteer work as a meaningful part of their goals in life.
DAY 13: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of teen typically participates in this program? What are the requirements to join?
Teens from all over the world join this program! Typically, our participants are culturally curious individuals who are excited to make new friends, experience something unique, and interested in stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding their horizons.
This program is exclusively for students who are currently in grades 9th through 12th and approximately 14 to 18 years old. Students living outside of the USA are welcome to join!
Where do we stay?
Our hotels are chosen specifically in safe areas and are well suited to facilitating group supervision. We stay in centrally located accommodations, usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
During the program we stay at a combination of hotels and hostels, chosen for their authentic feel and convenient locations. In Johannesburg, we stay at a modern hotel in the very safe Sandton area of the city. We have en suite dormitory accommodation with a maximum of four students per room in Kruger National Park and Plettenberg Bay. We stay on clifftops overlooking the Wild Coast in Chintsa and in well-appointed cabins (think beach bungalow) on the river near Addo National Park. In Cape Town our accommodation is a locally owned modern, ultra-chic hotel, perfectly located close to the city’s famous seafront promenade.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
Do most travelers go on their own?
Yes! In fact, over 75% of students who travel with us choose to come independently. This encourages teens to step further outside their comfort zone and make new friends. We believe that one of the most rewarding and exciting elements of travel is the new friendships that form along the way. When we travel by ourselves, we are bound to make new friends from all over the country and even the world. The best part is, you can travel again with your new friends on another TFT program the next summer!
If you are thinking about joining a TFT program by yourself but you are feeling unsure, please let us know! We have plenty of references from solo travelers who had great experiences and would be happy to chat with you about it.
Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely! We ask that if you do come with a friend, you and your friend(s) maintain openness to meeting new people and sharing this special experience with the entire group.
What do students like most about the South Africa Service & Safari trip?
Students love that the South Africa Service & Safari program takes them out of their comfort zones on an incredible journey through all the best parts of this gorgeous country. The vast range of experiences and sights gives travelers unparalleled nature and wildlife, incredible vistas of unbelievable locations, and a boatload of cultural experiences and activities. Students form close bonds with their fellow travelers and the locals that they meet on this unforgettable journey!
What is unique about the South Africa Service & Safari trip?
The community service component of the South Africa Service & Safari program is nothing short of captivating. The days are incredibly rewarding; working to improve the facilities of the local school for the appreciative children who you will form very strong bonds with as you interact with them each day. This is also one of our more adventurous programs that captures the best of this diverse and fascinating country.
What is included?
Tuition cost includes ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts, 11 lunches, and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
How do the optional group flights work?
Upon registration, you will be contacted by our International Logistics Team to discuss the program’s flight details. There is no requirement to take the group flight, but there are several advantages to doing so. The group flight is usually chaperoned by a TFT staff member, and it also offers an opportunity for the students to get to know one another prior to the start of the program. Parents are responsible for coordinating transport to the departure airport – however, the logistics team will send out instructions detailing the exact meeting spot and airport point person. For additional information about flights, visit our dedicated flight page.
Who leads the program?
Our staff is a cut above the rest! We seek out two main characteristics in our counselors – extensive knowledge of and experience in our destinations, and a passion for working with teens. Our staff’s backgrounds include living abroad and working in summer camps or other educational settings. Team members are proven leaders and role models, who connect easily with others and form genuine friendships with each student – all while bringing each destination to life.
We celebrate diversity! Our staff represents 49 different nationalities, speak a combined total of 21 languages, and visited 142 countries. Additionally, 80% of our staff lived or worked abroad in their lives. With so many unique experiences to share, you are sure to gain a global perspective.
Our average minimum ratios are one staff member to every seven participants. Each program has one Trip Director with several support staff, depending on the group size. Directors must be at least 25 years old within the calendar year and have prior experience working with TFT.
What are the safety qualifications for our staff?
Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid. We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.
What is the average group size?
We pride ourselves on small group sizes to create a more authentic and personalized experience. Our group sizes fall between 13 and 24 students – the perfect size to facilitate new friendships without feeling lost in a crowd! We believe smaller groups eliminate the likelihood of cliques, and allows for a well-rounded, healthy group dynamic.
How does this program connect to other programs?
Our program dates are designed specifically so that participants can opt to combine trips throughout the summer. When connecting to another program, your counselor will escort you to the airport on the last day of the program and assist you in meeting your next group at your new destination.
What is the food like on this program?
In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food should be an integral part of the travel experience and always make an effort to eat at authentic establishments when we can. What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of a place than by sampling the local delicacies, and we encourage students to do so whenever possible! Just as we stay away from Americanized hotel chains, we try to avoid restaurants with menus that cater only to tourists because every good traveler knows the best food is found wherever the locals are eating!
South African food is colorful, interesting and unlike anything you’ve tried before, it is also known as Rainbow Cuisine, due to the wide variety of multicultural influences including Dutch, French, Indian and Malay. Meat is an integral part of the food culture, highlighted by South Africans’ love of a good braai (barbecue). We will have the chance to enjoy a few traditional South African meals in a buffet style so that participants can try a lot of different local foods found nowhere else but here.
Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
Do most travelers go on their own?
Yes! In fact, over 75% of students who travel with us choose to come independently. This encourages teens to step further outside their comfort zone and make new friends. We believe that one of the most rewarding and exciting elements of travel is the new friendships that form along the way. When we travel by ourselves, we are bound to make new friends from all over the country and even the world. The best part is, you can travel again with your new friends on another TFT program the next summer!
If you are thinking about joining a TFT program by yourself but you are feeling unsure, please let us know! We have plenty of references from solo travelers who had great experiences and would be happy to chat with you about it.
Do I need to bring anything special for the community service portion of the program?
Participants will need to bring a pair of work gloves as well as a set of clothes and a pair of close toed shoes that can get paint on them. All tools and materials will be provided to participants on site.
A more detailed packing list will be provided upon registration.
Do I need any vaccinations for this program?
We recommend checking with your family doctor regarding vaccinations and medical advice for the destination you are visiting. For more information, please check the World Health Organization’s website. Upon registration, we provide a list of recommended vaccinations that can be discussed further with your doctor. For Specific questions pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.
What kind of visa do you need for this trip?
Any US citizen who enters South Africa is automatically granted a free 90-day tourist visa.
When joining a TFT trip from outside of the US, please be sure to check your country’s specific visa requirements.
Do I need to speak the language?
No, our skilled staff members will help you get around and even teach you a few fun phrases!