Join us for a stress-free travel experience! Our trip leaders will be with you every step of the way, from meeting you at the airport on arrival day to ensuring a safe transfer on departure day, and everything in between. We’ve got you covered!

*Reserve your spot with a nonrefundable deposit today!

 Explore the vibrant and diverse landscape of South Africa! From the bustling city of Cape Town to the breathtaking safaris in Inverdoorn Game Reserve, this trip offers an unparalleled adventure for educators. Visit schools, engage in professional development, and dive deep into South Africa’s rich history and culture. Whether you’re taking in the sights of Table Mountain or learning about the country’s educational practices, South Africa promises an experience you’ll never forget. Book today before spots fill up! 

 Professional Development: You will have the opportunity to visit schools and meet local educators. Please note, when we offer school visits, we are not guaranteeing you will be in your exact grade level.  Learning about a new culture and making connections with educators provides an authentic learning experience for you to reflect on and bring back to your classroom.

You will be given a professional development certificate for 20 hours of professional development. 

Terrain: Some hills, uneven walking surfaces

Additional Questions?  Please visit our Bookbag Tours FAQ page.

Leaders:

Kim Eckert

Steve Sherman

Welcome to Cape Town!

Welcome to the vibrant and beautiful city of Cape Town! As you step off the plane, you’ll be greeted by the stunning views of Table Mountain and the refreshing sea breeze. Get ready for an exciting journey filled with learning and exploration.

Our Trip Leaders will greet you at the airport and provide transportation to the hotel. 

Group Welcome Reception- Enjoy a welcome reception at the hotel around 5pm

Free Time: After settling into your accommodation, enjoy some free time to explore the city at your own pace. Here are some fantastic options for educators:  

• Visit the V&A Waterfront: Stroll through this bustling area filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It’s a great place to relax and soak in the local culture.
• Explore the Company’s Garden: Take a leisurely walk through this historic garden, home to a variety of plants, statues, and museums. It’s a peaceful spot to unwind and reflect.
• District Six Museum: Learn about the history of Cape Town and the impact of apartheid at this insightful museum. It’s a powerful experience that offers valuable lessons for educators.
• Bo-Kaap: Wander through the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap, known for its vibrant houses and rich cultural heritage. It’s a perfect spot for some unique photos and cultural immersion.

Overnight in Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre, an IHG Hotel (or similar)

Arriving early? Let us help you plan your early adventure! Fill in this form on the website.

OR  Choose your own activity.  Click Here!

Group Activities:  

Together we will head to Robben Island and then head over to Table Mountain to take in the amazing views. 

Robben Island: Discover the rich history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. The guided tour offers a profound insight into South Africa’s struggle for freedom and democracy.

Table Mountain- Embark on scenic hikes up Table Mountain and Lion’s Head for breathtaking views. Enjoy a thrilling cable car ride to the summit of Table Mountain.

We will head back to the hotel and you can enjoy some evening free time to explore on your own. 

(This day and day 10 activities may be interchanged depending on the weather) 

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Overnight in Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre, an IHG Hotel (or similar) 

Today is a free day and it is  a Public Holiday called YOUTH DAY!
This holiday commemorates the Soweto uprising, a key event in the fight against apartheid. The riots sparked renewed opposition to apartheid both domestically and internationally.              

Here are some events and activities you can look forward to enjoying at your own leisure. 

The Long March to Freedom

• Time: Free guided tours every hour from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
• Details: Located at Century City, offering a monumental procession of life-size bronze statues1.

Jive Cape Town Funny Festival

• Time: Shows at 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
• Details: Held at The Baxter Theatre, featuring popular local comedians1.

Youth Day Classic Basketball Tournament

• Time: From 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Details: Hosted at the German International School of Cape Town1.

Mama Africa Kids Festival

• Time: From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
• Details: Activities include face painting, marimba lessons, and storytelling1.

Feet4Fees Youth Day Fun Run

• Time: From 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
• Details: Held at Groot Constantia Wine Farm, featuring a superhero dress-up theme1

Educational Workshops and Exhibitions

• Time: Generally from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Details: Hosted by museums and cultural centers like the Iziko South African Museum and the District Six Museum.

Community Service Projects

• Time: Typically from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Details: Organized by local NGOs and community groups, focusing on various social initiatives.

Outdoor Activities

• Time: All day, with specific activities like hiking starting early in the morning around 7:00 AM.
• Details: Popular spots include Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and Cape Point.

Live Performances and Concerts

• Time: Afternoon and evening, usually starting around 4:00 PM and continuing into the night.
• Details: Featuring local artists at various venues around the city.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Overnight in Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre, an IHG Hotel (or similar) 

Today we will enjoy engaging with local schools and educators! 

We will be visiting a rural school in Phillipi, called Vukani Primary. There may be a possibility to visit the neighboring secondary school as well. 

Free Evening after 6pm (tbd)

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Overnight in Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre, an IHG Hotel (or similar) 

Today we will be visiting Oakly House School and learn about their amazing approach to teaching exceptional students within the South African school system.

About:  Oakley House School makes a difference in the lives of children and adolescents with learning difficulties. We support children with learning difficulties – such as ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, speech and language delays, motor difficulties, sensory difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and other needs.

Free Evening 

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Overnight in Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre, an IHG Hotel (or similar) 

FREE DAY IN  Cape Town

Choose to explore on your own or choose from an optional excursion below. 

Optional excursions:  Can only choose 1 since they are full day trips  (additional cost) - sign up in WeTravel  Add-ons)

Whale Watch with transfer: Cape Town Central (Pass By)Pick up will be at your accommodation in Cape Town. Your exact pick up time will be communicated to you the day before the tour, but please prepare for an early morning of between 6:00 and 6:30am. We will drive along the N2 national road for approximately 1-hour, 30-minutes to the town of Hermanus. 1Southern Right Charters. Upon our arrival at New Harbour, guests will receive a briefing from a Whale Specialist who will inform them about the order of the boat trip. After the briefing, we set sail to the Whale location at sea. The crew members and the skipper will ensure up-close encounters and brilliant photo opportunities for guests to marvel at. It is said that the Southern Right Whale is the size of 10 elephants! On this boat trip, guests may encounter the Southern Right Whale, Bronze Whale, Humpback Whale, and the Bryde's Whale. They may also see Dolphins and Penguins, bearing in mind that these are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The Whale watching boat trip is 3 hours  • Admission Ticket Not Included. Cape Town Central (Pass By)We take a scenic drive through Hermanus on our way back to Cape Town to drop off guests back at their accommodation. Driving time from Hermanus to Cape Town will be approximately 1.5-hours.  

Shark Dive: Dive with sharks off the coast of Cape Town during this small-group excursion. With an experienced captain and crew in the lead, you'll be perfectly safe and listen to guided commentary on the biology and behavior of the sharks before you get in the water. A small group makes for lots of personalized attention and an intimate atmosphere.

• Use of all equipment included 
• Snacks provided on the boat 
• Small group for an intimate experience 
• Learn about shark biology and behavior

Wine Tour: Explore the Franschhoek wine region on a hop-on hop-off tram tour, which allows you to explore the wineries that interest you at your leisure. Sit back and enjoy the scenery while you ride through vineyards dotting rolling hills; you're able to taste as much wine as you like without worrying about driving. Includes convenient transfers from Cape Town.

• Round-trip transportation from Cape Town to Franschhoek
• Access to the hop-on hop-off wine tram with multiple routes
• Visit as many vineyards as you like; hop off at ones that interest you
• Leave the driving to someone else and fully enjoy your tastings

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Overnight in Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre, an IHG Hotel (or similar) 

As a group, we will head to Inverdoorn Game Reserve!

Group Activity: 

Travel to Inverdoorn as a group

When we arrive, we will participate in an Evening Game Drive (Safari)

About Inverdoorn

Inverdoorn Big 5 Private Game Reserve is just under 2.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town, in the malaria-free Ceres Karoo. The reserve is also home to a successful cheetah conservation project and has made a significant contribution to sustaining the biodiversity of the region.

The 10 000 hectare private game reserve offers luxurious Big 5 safaris for overnight guests. All members of the Big 5 – the elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and the elusive leopard – are represented at Inverdoorn. The wildlife is thriving and during your safari you may come across herds of eland, gemsbok and zebra, or hippos wallowing in the dam. The rhinos are a distinct highlight at Inverdoorn.

In 2012 Inverdoorn became a luxury Big five safari destination, after the introduction of elephants onto the reserve, accompanying the lion, rhino, African buffalo and the elusive leopard. The cheetah rescue and rehabilitation centre was founded in 2001 and is home to a great number cheetah.

Together with a profusion of wildlife which includes zebras, hippos, giraffes, wildebeest and springbok, our guests are sure to have an unforgettable safari experience.

Educator Takeaways

Conservation and Biodiversity: Highlighting the importance of conservation efforts and biodiversity, with a successful cheetah conservation project and the introduction of elephants, illustrating the significance of protecting wildlife and ecosystems.

Sustainable Tourism: Discussing sustainable tourism practices and the balance between economic development and environmental protection, using Inverdoorn’s blend of luxury tourism and wildlife conservation as a case study.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight in at Inverdoorn Game Reserve

Today we will experience more amazing wildlife and the beautiful nature of the Inverdoorn Game Reserve!

Group Activities: 

Morning Game Drive (Safari) 

Lunch 

Free Time

Dinner

Evening Game drive (Safari)

About Inverdoorn

Inverdoorn Big 5 Private Game Reserve is just under 2.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town, in the malaria-free Ceres Karoo. The reserve is also home to a successful cheetah conservation project and has made a significant contribution to sustaining the biodiversity of the region.

The 10 000 hectare private game reserve offers luxurious Big 5 safaris for overnight guests. All members of the Big 5 – the elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and the elusive leopard – are represented at Inverdoorn. The wildlife is thriving and during your safari you may come across herds of eland, gemsbok and zebra, or hippos wallowing in the dam. The rhinos are a distinct highlight at Inverdoorn.

In 2012 Inverdoorn became a luxury Big five safari destination, after the introduction of elephants onto the reserve, accompanying the lion, rhino, African buffalo and the elusive leopard. The cheetah rescue and rehabilitation centre was founded in 2001 and is home to a great number cheetah.

Together with a profusion of wildlife which includes zebras, hippos, giraffes, wildebeest and springbok, our guests are sure to have an unforgettable safari experience.

Educator Takeaways

Conservation and Biodiversity: Highlighting the importance of conservation efforts and biodiversity, with a successful cheetah conservation project and the introduction of elephants, illustrating the significance of protecting wildlife and ecosystems.

Sustainable Tourism: Discussing sustainable tourism practices and the balance between economic development and environmental protection, using Inverdoorn’s blend of luxury tourism and wildlife conservation as a case study.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Overnight in at Inverdoorn Game Reserve

Today we will wake up and do one more safari at the Inverdoorn Game Reserve!

Group Activities: 

Breakfast

Morning Game Drive (Safari) 

Return to Cape Town

About Inverdoorn

Inverdoorn Big 5 Private Game Reserve is just under 2.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town, in the malaria-free Ceres Karoo. The reserve is also home to a successful cheetah conservation project and has made a significant contribution to sustaining the biodiversity of the region.

The 10 000 hectare private game reserve offers luxurious Big 5 safaris for overnight guests. All members of the Big 5 – the elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and the elusive leopard – are represented at Inverdoorn. The wildlife is thriving and during your safari you may come across herds of eland, gemsbok and zebra, or hippos wallowing in the dam. The rhinos are a distinct highlight at Inverdoorn.

In 2012 Inverdoorn became a luxury Big five safari destination, after the introduction of elephants onto the reserve, accompanying the lion, rhino, African buffalo and the elusive leopard. The cheetah rescue and rehabilitation centre was founded in 2001 and is home to a great number cheetah.

Together with a profusion of wildlife which includes zebras, hippos, giraffes, wildebeest and springbok, our guests are sure to have an unforgettable safari experience.

Educator Takeaways

Conservation and Biodiversity: Highlighting the importance of conservation efforts and biodiversity, with a successful cheetah conservation project and the introduction of elephants, illustrating the significance of protecting wildlife and ecosystems.

Sustainable Tourism: Discussing sustainable tourism practices and the balance between economic development and environmental protection, using Inverdoorn’s blend of luxury tourism and wildlife conservation as a case study.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Overnight in Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre, an IHG Hotel (or similar)  

Today we will head together to the Southern most point on the continent and stop to enjoy the famous colony of African penguins!

Group Activity: 

Cape Point: Experience the dramatic landscapes and stunning vistas at Cape Point, located within the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. This iconic landmark offers rugged cliffs, diverse flora and fauna, and the chance to see where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Don’t miss the historic lighthouse and the scenic trails that wind through this breathtaking area.

Boulders Beach: Visit the famous colony of African penguins at Boulders Beach. This unique experience allows you to observe these charming creatures up close in their natural habitat, set against the stunning backdrop of the beach’s granite boulders.

(This day and day 2 activities may be interchanged depending on the weather) 

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Overnight in Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre, an IHG Hotel (or similar) 

Time to head home.  

Our BBT Team will ensure that you have a safe transfer back to the airport. 

Meals Included- Breakfast

Extending your stay? 

Let us help you plan your next adventure. Fill in this form on the website.

OR  Choose your own activity.