Educator Expeditions

South Africa - Penguin Parade and Wildlife Field Safari

This trip has been sold out, but there may be waiting list spots still available if you'd like to register online for a spot on the waiting list. Thank you!

Come face-to-face with the Minnesota Zoo’s newest featured species—South African Penguins—in their home habitat! Continue the adventure with a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife
field safari tour in search of lions, elephants, rhinos, and more. Graduate credit available.

Travel with the Minnesota Zoo and fellow K-12 educators on a once-in-a-lifetime African safari.

Spend 4 days and 3 nights on safari in Kruger National Park - South Africa's most famous and diverse region for viewing the 'big five' - lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and leopards. Explore the park on guided daily game drives in open-air vehicles that allow unobstructed views of the big five and other wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, and antelope. Then fly to Cape Town, South Africa's most visited and most scenic city. Tour the Cape Peninsula and get up close and personal with African Penguins on Boulders Beach - the only place in the world this is possible! Round out the trip with a boat trip to an island seal colony, a whale watching mini cruise, and a visit to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years of his life in exile.

Dates: July 26 - August 6, 2012
Cost: $2,275 per person + airfare
Registration: A $500 per person deposit is required to reserve space on this trip. 

Itinerary at a Glance*
Please take a moment to view our detailed itinerary as well.
Day 1 – Depart Minneapolis.
Day 2 – Arrive Johannesburg; welcome dinner and overnight at local guest house.
Day 3 – Transfer to Kruger National Park and begin 4-day wildlife safari.
Day 4 – Guided morning and evening game drives in open safari vehicle.
Day 5 – Guided morning and evening game drives in open safari vehicle.
Day 6 – Early morning game drive.  Transfer back to Johannesburg.  Local flight to Cape Town.
Day 7 – Guided tour Cape Peninsula, Cape Point National Park, Boulders Beach penguin colony, and more.
Day 8 – Guided day tour to Hermanus, whale-watching boat trip, cellar tour and wine tasting.
Day 9 – Guided day tour to Table Mountain, Castle of Good Hope, and Robben Island.
Day 10 – Free day.  Choose to shop at the V&A Waterfront, tour world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, or if you’re more adventurous, sign up for a shark cage diving tour!  Farewell Dinner at Gold Museum with African Drumming performance.
Day 11 – Depart Cape Town.
Day 12 – Arrive Minneapolis
*All activities subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances





Tour Coordinator/Guide – Carol Strecker is the School and Teacher Programs Supervisor at the Minnesota Zoo. Carol has spent her entire career promoting the valuable relationship between out-of-the-classroom science education experiences and the formal classroom curriculum--working directly with teachers to customize programs, writing curriculum, and training teachers in inquiry-based science methods. She has a passion for traveling to exotic locations to experience the breath-taking diversity of nature, and delights in sharing her passion for animals and wilderness with others. Carol holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavioral Biology and a Master of Education in Science Education.

For more information, please feel free to contact Carol Strecker by phone at 952-431-9568 or email.