Language courses and schools abroad: Travelling Classroom in South Africa

Departing from LAL Cape Town at 8.30 am, the Garden Route adventure starts as you ride along the coastal whale route in Gordon’s Bay for a scenic drive over the panoramic R44 mountain pass with views panning across False Bay to the elegant, seaside town of Hermanus. After taking some snapshots and snacking down on a light lunch on the promenade, you move onto Birkenhead Brewery to taste some local ales brewed from the area before heading to Myoli Beach for some chill time on the white sand beach. This day is perfect to relax and get to know the rest of your group, while becoming accustomed to life on tour.

You begin the day with a drive over the picturesque Outeniqua mountain range into the semi-desert region of the Klein Karoo and Oudtshoorn. Known as the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn is situated in a beautiful valley between the Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountains, and offers the wildlife and adventure enthusiast loads to choose from. 

The Cango Caves will be the first stop and here you’ll embark on a 1-hour guided tour of the cave system to view its massive caverns and a wonderland of stalactite and stalagmite formations, millions of years old. Cango Caves is a world heritage site and one of the great wonders of the natural world. If you don’t mind trying to squeeze through some smaller gaps then you are also welcome to take the 1.5 hour adventure tour!

Next is an option to view and ride ostriches on a working ostrich farm or go on a guided tour of the Cango Endangered Wildlife Ranch for an opportunity to pet cheetah, cage dive with crocodiles and view many rare and endangered animal species.

In the morning, you’ll have a choice between visiting the Addo Elephant National Park and the Monkey Sanctuary.

Then, you will explore the lush Tsitsikamma National Park. This national park is made up of a marine reserve consisting of 80km of pristine coastline filled with sea life and has beautiful forests and landscape. A third of the park is covered in fynbos, a unique flora indigenous to the Western Cape region, which flowers amongst the forest bush. The protea ranks amongst its most beautiful flowers.

In the afternoon you drive to the highest road bridge in Africa at Bloukrans Bridge. At a dizzying height of 216m, this is the highest commercial bungee jumping site in the world! Face your fears and take the jump! 

Then it’s off to the famous surfing town of Jeffreys Bay where you’ll stay right on the beach at a backpackers.

At sunrise, you start your Addo Park Safari along a network of winding roads, always stopping for memorable photos and interesting information on the variety of wild animals which you cross along your route. This malaria-free park stretches all the way to the Indian Ocean and is inhabited by the densest African Elephant population in the world, totalling more than 500 of these huge creatures.

During your game drive, you will get off the vehicle at the main lookout point for a panoramic view over the uncontained wilderness that is Addo. Then you’ll have a relaxed drive towards Sedgefield for the night, stopping by the famous Knysna Heads for some absolutely amazing pictures where the ocean meets the inlet to the Knysna Lagoon, if time allows.

After your final breakfast overlooking the ocean in Sedgefield, you start your journey back to Cape Town, re-visiting all the memories over the last few days with your travel buddies. You visit an Aloe factory in Albertinia and relax during the gorgeous scenic drive back via Swellendam and Sir Lowry’s Pass. You arrive at LAL on Thursday in the late afternoon/early evening. 

1 week (course + accommodation + excursion) from EUR 1020 

Included in price:
- Round-trip transportation in air-conditioned bus
- 4 nights dormitory accommodation in quality budget establishments (bedding provided)
- Qualified tour guide and experienced teacher throughout the trip
- 5 x 60-minute formal English lessons
- Breakfast and dinner

Day 1: Beer tasting at Birkenhead Brewery
Day 2: Standard guided tour of Cango Caves
Day 3: Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park
Day 4: Addo National Park (entrance fees and 3-hour guided game drive in open 4X4 vehicle)
Day 5: Aloe factory visit / canoeing & hike

Not included in price (to be paid during the trip):
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips or gratuities
- Optional activities (subject to season, schedule, minimum number of participants and availability):
Prices 2019
Day 1: Treetop Obstacle Course & Zipline (seasonal - not in winter)
Day 2: Tour of a working Ostrich Farm (approx. EUR 10), entrance and activities within the Cango Wildlife ranch (weight restrictions apply to riders)
Day 3: Elephant Sanctuary (approx. EUR 50), Monkeyland (approx. EUR 20), Bloukrans bungee jump (approx. EUR 75), Bloukrans bridge walking tour (approx. EUR 10)
Day 4: Addo Game Drive with SANP

To find out more about the school, accommodation options, dates and prices for this exclusive programme, contact us.

Image credits: Thomas Guillem (CC BY 2.0)