South Africa & Eswatini

Join us on an exciting educational adventure to two vibrant and unique countries in the southern tip of Africa. We will first learn about South Africa's brutal history of apartheid and subsequent struggle for racial reconciliation through the lens of Johannesburg and its famous township of Soweto. After that grounding, we travel to the Kingdom of  Eswatini, where we will engage in nutrition, sports, education, and conservation initiatives with children and youth in semi-rural Swazi communities. The program culminates in a safari drive through the Hlane Royal National Park, where we will see lions, elephants, hippos, white rhinos, zebras, giraffes, and other wildlife of the region.


South Africa: South Africa is a land of incredible beauty, breathtaking landscapes, and divergent geography. This rich diversity is similarly reflected in the people of South Africa, where eleven national languages and an array of different cultures, customs, and religions exist side by side. However, South Africa faces challenges that can often seem insurmountable, most prevalent in areas such as high unemployment rates, corruption, poor educational outcomes, poverty, and the ongoing legacies of Apartheid. It is against this backdrop that students are invited to engage with the fascinating history of South Africa during their brief experience of Johannesburg.


Eswatini: Recently renamed from its colonial name of Swaziland, Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa, as well as one of only three remaining monarchies on the continent. Teeming with culture, wildlife and adventure, its landscape is diverse, with mountains running along its Mozambique border, savannas in the East, and rainforests in the Northwest. A majority of our program will be based in Ezulwini, the Zulu and Swaziword for paradise, and one of the country's most beautiful valleys.

Program Highlights:

  • Explore the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city, and dive into the history of Apartheid while also learning how that harsh history still shapes the country's identity and culture. 
  • Work alongside education and public health professionals in rural destinations throughout Eswatini. This is a great opportunity to work in the classroom in another country, and may inspire future research ideas and help build confidence and first-hand experience in a new setting.
  • Experience the wonder of Africa while visiting Malolotja Nature Reserve, one of Eswatini's largest and most popular parks to experience wildlife. One of the best ways to take in the incredible views here is on an unforgettable ziplining tour!
  • Meet and learn from locals throughout our journey - tour Lobamba village, visit local craft markets, learn how Swazi candles are made.

Info Sessions:

Please join us to learn more about this Summer program!

October 16th @ 4:00-5:00pm in GAC 127

October 29th @ 12:10-1:00pm in GAC 127

SPARK GRANT:

Qualifying freshman, sophomore, and transfer students can use their SPARK Grant for this short-term study abroad program.

Program Details

Program Dates

This program will run from May 17- May 31, 2027. 

Program Itinerary

Below is a proposed itinerary for 2027. Please note that this itinerary is subject to change and a final program itinerary will be provided to participants before our departure at the pre-trip meetings. 

Day 1: Monday, May 17 | Departure for Johnnesburg

  • Leave Nazareth campus late afternoon and travel by bus to Toronto. Fly from Toronto to Johannesburg

Day 2: Tuesday, May 18 | Arrival 

  • A local team member will meet you upon arrival at the Johannesburg airport. Together, we will travel to our lodgings for the night, settle in, and enjoy a light dinner at the accommodation.
  • Overnight: Emerald Guest House 

Day 3: Wednesday, May 19 | Apartheid Museum and Soweto Township
Experience 

  • After breakfast, we will visit the Apartheid Museum and take part in cultural engagement activities in the Soweto Township, learning about the culture and history of Apartheid. We will have the chance to experience the Soweto culture, meet locals, and try local food during lunch, and visit a local market.
  • Overnight: Emerald Guest House 

Day 4: Thursday, May 20 | Transfer to Eswatini 

  • This morning, we will transfer to our lodgings in the Ezulwini Valley, the Zulu word for paradise, and settle in to our new accommodations.
  • Overnight: Lidwala Lodge

Day 5: Friday, May 21 | Orientation, Craft Market and Lobamba Village Tour

  • After a thorough program orientation in the morning, we will visit a craft market. After lunch we will take a tour of Lobamba village, the spiritual capital of the nation. This is where the Houses of Parliament are found, and where King Mswati III rules the Kingdom with his Queen Mother, or Ndlovukazi/She-Elephant. During our tour, we will learn about the history of Eswatini and its culture.
  • Overnight: Lidwala Lodge

Day 6: Saturday, May 22 | Malolotja Nature Reserve 

  • Today we will make our way for an overnight at Malolotja Nature Reserve, a picturesque highland reserve. On the way we will stop at Sibebe Rock (the second largest monolithic rock in the world and 3 billion years old) and the Maguga dam. While at Malolotja, we may see blesbok, zebra, blue wildebeest, antelope and more. It is also home to a wide variety of bird and plant species.
  • Overnight: Malolotja Nature Reserve Cabins

Day 7: Sunday, May 23 | Malolotja Canopy Tour 

  • After breakfast we will have a canopy tour within the Malolotja. We will zipline along the Sihlotswane Gorge and view the scenery and wildlife from above. After, we will make our way back to Lidwala Lodge with a stop at Lion Cavern (an ancient mine) and Ngwenya Glass Factory.
  • Overnight: Lidwala Lodge

Days 8-10: Monday - Wednesday, May 24-26 | Project Work 

  • Today, we will begin the experiential service component of our program, simultaneously working on local nutrition, sports and education initiatives and familiarizing ourselves with the community.
  • Overnight: Lidwala Lodge

Day 11: Thursday, May 27 | Project Work and Presentations 

  • We will continue our project work in the morning and present on the findings of the week. In the afternoon we will join the Thursday Computer Club to take part in technology learning. In the evening we will have time for reflection as a group. A speaker on the impact of USAID in local development initiatives will talk to our group as well.
  • Overnight: Lidwala Lodge

Day 12: Friday, May 28 | Transfer to SRC and Shewula Primary School Visit

  • Today we will have an early transfer to the Savannah Research Center, which will be our home for the remainder of the program. We will arrive by mid-morning for an interactive engagement with Shewula Primary School. We will continue to Shewula Mountain Camp for a traditional lunch and exploration of the area.
  • The evening we will settle into the our new lodging.
  • Overnight: Savannah Research Center

Day 13: Saturday, May 29 | Hlane National Park Excursion 

  • Today we will visit Hlane National Park for a morning game drive. After the drive, we will have time to explore the main camp and visit the bird hide. We will then take part in a presentation and discussion on conservation in Eswatini. Hlane is Eswatini's largest protected area, home to elephant, rhino, lions, and leopards all reintroduced to the conservation area. You may also see giraffe, zebra, hippos, impala, kudu, wildebeest, and over 300 bird species!
  • Overnight: Savannah Research Center

Day 13: Sunday, May 30 | Khabane Cave and Free Time 

  • This morning we will start on a hike in the Mlawula Reserve to Khabane Cave. This cave holds anthropological significance, showing evidence of human occupation in the Middle Stone Age and ties to the Dlamini Clan. This afternoon we will have some free time to relax or explore the area in groups. We will then come together for a campfire dinner to reflect on out time in Eswatini.
  • Overnight: Savannah Research Centre

Day 14: Monday, May 31 | Departure 

  • All good things must come to an end. It is time to say farewell to the locals we have met along the way. After breakfast, we will transfer to the Johannesburg airport as a group with a stop along the way at Swazi Candles.
  • Evening flight from Johannesburg

 Day 15: Tuesday, June 1 | Home

  • Arrival in Toronto mid afternoon. Travel by bus back to Nazareth campus. 
Accommodations

The group will reside at a series of comfortable and secure volunteer houses, lodges and retreats: Backpackers Connection or Emerald Guest House in Johannesburg; Lidwala Lodge in Ezulwini Valley; Shared Cabins in Malolotja National Reserve ; and the Savannah Research Center. With room to relax and often spacious gardens and areas for communal activities, students will enjoy their stay. Monkeys and a wide range of bird species often rest in the trees!

Program Costs & Funding

Program fees for 2027 are to be determined. 

Program Fee Includes:

  • Round trip airfare
  • All hotels and accommodation
  • All meals part of the itinerary
  • All in-country transportation
  • All projects, activities, workshops, etc.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tour guides
  • Excursions and entrance fees

Not Included:

  • Passport (must be valid at least 6 months past the return date of the program). Contact Josh Fess as soon as possible for assistance with applying for or renewing your passport.
  • Additional meals (meals not in the itinerary)
  • Miscellaneous expenses (such as souvenirs, personal care items, etc.)

Funding Sources:

For SPARK eligible students, you will receive the $1,500 SPARK Grant from the Center for Life's Work.

For non-SPARK eligible students, you may be awarded some funding through the Center for International Education. 

Vaccination Guidance

Visit the following sites to see the recommended immunizations and medications for your program. Talk with your family and your physician to understand which ones you may need to travel. 

CDC 

Passport Health

U.S. State Department

Application (Due November 8th)

Please complete the application by November 8th. 

Views from Abroad:

    At A Glance

    Term: Summer A 2027

    Program Level: Undergraduate & Graduate Students

    Program Types: Experiential Learning

    Major(s): Open to all majors, and of particular interest to the following majors:

    • Anthropology
    • Community Youth Development
    • Education
    • Global Sustainability
    • International & Global Studies
    • History
    • Museums, Archives & Public History
    • Music Therapy
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Physical Therapy
    • Political Science
    • Public Health
    • Psychology
    • Religious Studies
    • Social Work
    • Sociology
    • Sports & Entertainment Management

    Language Requirement: None

    Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5

    Views from South Africa & Eswatini