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With its vibrant and diverse culture, eventful and complex history, and some of the most incredible natural landscapes on Earth, South Africa stands out as a fascinating destination for school trips, whatever the subject focus. From investigating the cities and humanity’s relationship with the environment, to exploring the country’s impressive land features, to discovering the rich, relatively new tradition of South African literature, it is a country with wide educational appeal. As well, it is somewhere that will help young visitors expand their horizons and enhance their understanding of the wider world around them. For a taste of what is on offer for school groups, read on.
Wild South Africa: Kruger National Park For those studying geography or science, South Africa is one of the finest places to go on school trips, thanks to its breathtaking national parks. Among these, Kruger National Park – the first to ever be created in the country, in 1926 – is a 19,485 square metre natural wonderland, spanning Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. One of the largest national parks on Earth, it includes a range of landscapes, including mountains, grasslands and bush. With several rivers running through it, it supports diverse plant and animal life, including the ‘Big Five’: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses and Cape buffalo. There are also cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and wildebeest, many reptiles including crocodiles, and over 500 species of bird – making it perfect for studying ecosystems and biodiversity. Budding geographers will find plenty to investigate in terms of land forms. Visiting a national park as part of school trips is also a fantastic way to explore questions of conservation and humanity’s relationship with the environment, and Kruger National Park provides plenty of opportunities.
Urban South Africa While South Africa’s wild landscapes are breathtaking, the country’s urban spaces can be just as striking and fascinating in their own way. Some of the most interesting cities to visit include the vibrant and colourful Johannesburg, which is the country’s largest and wealthiest city, Cape Town, which as well as being in beautiful natural surroundings is rich in culture and history, and Pretoria, the tree-filled administrative capital of the country. A visit to any of these will give students on school trips the chance to explore the many facets of modern South Africa, including its growing role in the worlds of art and business, as well as the layers of its troubled history – and in particular, the rise and fall of Apartheid. Under the infamous system, cities and public services were segregated, and townships created – the most famous being Soweto (shortened from South West Township). Today, townships play a different role, displaying their diverse cultural heritage, and a township tour is a good way to delve deeper into the South Africa of past and present. Angela Bowden works for EST (Equity School Travel), the UK's largest educational travel company, providing school trips for secondary schools, primary schools and colleges. School trips with EST can encompass a wide range of learning opportunities in worldwide destinations.
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