Experience the beauties of Cape Town – one of Africa’s loveliest cities – and the vibrant culture of the urban townships. Visiting and local youth connect through global citizenship activities, environmental education and plenty of time for play in Mfuleni Township. Volunteer in the community and tour Cape Town’s stunning landscapes and compelling history together with township residents.
Our host in South Africa is Women for Peace, a local organization helping South African women build better lives for themselves, their children and their community. They run an after-school program at the Nobantu Centre, where visiting Global Buddies have helped build a playground and library for township youth.
Highlights Include:
– Get to know local children and families
– Robben Island (notorious apartheid-era prison)
– Township tour, home visits, community parade
– Community service (set up a library, plant food gardens, etc.)
Cost:
From $3,500 per person
Included:
– Accommodations for 10 nights in luxury apartments
– Airport transer at arrival and departure
– Ground transportation for all program activities
– Trip leader and trip guides
– Entrance fees for all scheduled excursions
– Specified meals, including nine lunches and four dinners
– Tips
– Pre-trip reading list and resources
– Global Buddies T-shirts
– Modest donations to our local host organizations
Not Included:
International flights; visa fees; travel insurance (highly recommended); personal expenses, including local purchases, and alcoholic beverages; meals not specified.
Airfare:
International flights and travel insurance are arranged separately. Families may make their own arrangements or work with us to secure competitive airfares and insurance rates.
Register:
A deposit of $500 per person will hold your place on this trip. Please register early, as our trips fill quickly.
While we make every effort to maintain the listed price, drastic fluctuations in fuel costs and currency exchange rates may require the addition of a fuel surcharge or foreign exchange adjustment. All prices based on double occupancy; single supplements apply.
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ARRIVAL: You will be met at Cape Town International Airport and transported to your accommodations at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where Global Buddies staff will greet you and orient you to the area. Traveling families tour local crafts markets, taking in Cape Town’s entrepreneurial spirit and energy, then gather for an opening dinner at the Africa Café. |
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PROGRAM BEGINS: An opening ceremony welcomes Global Buddies to Mfuleni Township, where visiting and local families meet for the first time. All join in a community parade to announce the start of the 2010 Global Buddies program. After lunch at the Nobantu Centre, the youth program and adults’ service project commence. |
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Enjoy an in-depth tour of Mfuleni and Khayelitsha Townships. Interact with a traditional healer and meet local leaders to begin getting to know the community. Youth and adult activities at the Nobantu Centre continue after lunch. |
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Today’s spotlight is on environmental education, as youth participate in hands-on learning about recycling, world resource use and global warming. Adults explore craft markets that create employment for local women. All meet at Boulders Beach to see African penguins, play in the sand and swim in the Indian Ocean. Dinner at Seaforth Lodge. |
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Visit the homes of Mfuleni Global Buddies in the morning, with the afternoon filled by community service and other program activities. |
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Share in the community’s joyful spirit with an optional morning visit to township churches. After lunch at the Nobantu Centre, all board the ferry to tour infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters were imprisoned. |
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The day starts with a chance to preview the excitement of the FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament, to be hosted by South Africa in 2010. The whole group tours Cape Town’s new Green Point Stadium, one of the official tournament sites. After lunch, all can join in or cheer on a high-spirited soccer game in the township. Travelers share a special dinner at Mama Africa, a restaurant established in celebration of South Africa’s new democracy. |
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Adults visit Philani Nutrition and Development Centre in Khayelitsha township, to meet local mothers making a difference in their community. Service projects continue at the Nobantu Centre, and travelers and visiting families share a meal in the lovely Franschhoek wine country. |
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A full day of activities for all, with a trip to the historic District Six Museum and a cable car ride to the top of world-famous Table Mountain. Then travel to Moyo at Spier for a glorious evening of pan-African food and entertainment, under an open-air Bedouin tent in the Stellenbosch wine country. |
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Our program comes to an end in Mfuleni, with a community lunch, youth performances and closing ceremony at Women for Peace. |
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DEPARTURES: Transportation to Cape Town International Airport. Families may explore South Africa further on their own (add-ons available) or begin their journey home. |
We reserve the right to adjust individual items on this itinerary as needed; the main components will not change.