How School Trips to South Africa Bring Learning to Life

At Glo-Ed, we are a small team who are passionate about educational travel, and we work closely with independent partners around the world who care about the same things we do: education, community, and the environment. Every trip we plan is built with that in mind, and with a genuine respect and appreciation for the people and places we work alongside.

Glo-Ed was founded because we believe that travel adds a level to learning that is unique and adds a perspective for students that they cannot gain in a classroom.

Biology and Environmental Science: Conservation They Can Actually See

South Africa is one of our favourite places to send school groups for this reason – being surrounded by nature, seeing the ecosystems, biodiversity, and environment first hand enriches the educational experience for students. Learning with a hands-on approach, being in the environment, and speaking with people who work in conservation and with animals daily, adds a depth to the understanding that cannot be reached through reading a textbook.

On our trips, students get to meet conservation teams protecting some of the world’s most threatened species. Through presentations and conversations directly with these teams, students get to learn about how population monitoring works, why some species are struggling, and what conservation looks like day to day in South Africa.

We work closely with organisations like Project Rhino to help protect endangered species. Students can get hands on experiences working with local conservation teams and can also get the opportunity to observe real animal interventions such as rhino dehorning’s or lion collaring’s. These are carefully controlled operations used to help reducing poaching, and seeing this kind of work up close is a powerful moment for students and an experience they won’t ever forget. We hear it all the time – “this is when the subject finally clicked.”

Geography: A Landscape That Teaches Without Trying

South Africa is a brilliant place for geology students because there is so much variety in the landscape. One day you are by the coast, the next you are inland, and suddenly the climate, landscapes, land use, and ecosystems are completely different. Students see these changes and gain an understanding of these environments that goes beyond what a lecture or photos can provide. They see how water scarcity affects daily life, how cities grow and shift, and how tourism and conservation shape local economies. Instead of reading about development or biomes or climate patterns, they’re right there in the middle of it. And because every Glo-Ed trip is custom-made, we can easily lean into the topics your school wants to explore— without making the trip feel like a fieldwork assignment.

History, Cultural Learning, and Subjects Intertwining: Understanding Through Connections with People

South Africa’s cultural diversity means students end up learning simply by talking to people. Whether it’s chatting over dinner, asking questions during a community visit, or hearing personal stories from local guides, students get a genuine feel for everyday life.

It often sparks great conversations about identity, values, and what it means to live in a diverse society. It happens naturally — and those are usually the moments students remember most. The people they meet and conservations they have will stay with them long after they go home from the trip.

Through these conversations, students also begin to understand how everything connects in South Africa. Water issues turn into discussions about climate and politics. A wildlife experience introduces conversations about ethics, conservation, and the economy. A chat with a community leader can tie together history, citizenship, and development. Students start to see that nothing exists in a bubble. Being there, talking, helping, listening and learning brings everything together for students. These connections are a huge part of why these trips are so valuable and why we love South Africa as a destination for school trips.

We’re lucky to work with community organisations doing incredible work in education, healthcare, environmental outreach, and youth development. They welcome our groups in and make them part of their world, even if only for a few days.

Many schools fundraise for local organisations in South Africa before they travel. Seeing first hand where that money goes hits home in a way nothing else can. It gives context to the issues students might otherwise only see in a classroom — inequality, social change, democracy, resilience, and the long shadow of history.

Let’s Build the Right Trip for Your School

Every school is different. Every group is different. And every set of curriculum goals is different too. If there are particular themes, subjects, or outcomes you’d like your trip to support, we’d love to build something around them.

If you’re thinking about school trips to South Africa, or you simply want to talk through what’s possible, you can reach us any time at hello@glo-ed.com.

We’d love to help you create a journey your students won’t forget.