South Africa Adventure Bonus Week

Staff at the zoo and Loop Abroad were amazing to work with and were so helpful in every aspect! We unfortunately got sick on our trip and had to miss a few days of the experience but the staff at the zoo made sure to video everything for us and do everything in their power to make us comfortable. 10/10 recommend.

Bonus week in Cape Town was easily one of the most amazing experiences of my life! Our accommodations were clean, safe, and fun! We spent a few days exploring as tourists, but were also given the chance to experience South Africa as the locals do. The Cape Town experience isn't just adventuring, we also learned about conservation, history, the people and cultures, poverty, and the effect we can have on the lives of others. Between touring Robbin Island and Table Mountain, visiting so many beaches (including the penguins), going to a rugby game, and even just relaxing at the backpack; I couldn't have asked for a better experience! My favorite part of the trip had to have been the day spent at the southern tip of Africa. It was so relaxing and the views were stunning. It was also a nice little bonus that we happened to be there during FIFA 2018, and nothing brings people together quite like soccer. It was absolutely awesome! I would gladly do it again.

Our trip to Capetown, though it was only a week long, was incredible and unforgettable! We were able to do many incredible things. We did a guided bus tour of Capetown and traveled to the top of Table Mountain where we got an incredible view of Capetown and encountered dassies (also known as rock hyraxes). We also visited Robben Island, and were even able to see Nelson Mandela's cell, on a tour given by a previous prisoner. We ate at various fantastic restaurants, including Addis in Cape, an Ethiopian restaurant. We visited the African Penguins at Boulders Beach as well. We spent one night in Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa, and visited its beautiful beaches where we even saw an old shipwreck. We had lovely accommodations there in the Agulhas National Park. We also had the fantastic opportunity to attend a South Africa V England rugby game. We purchased rugby shirts, painted our faces and got geared up for the game! Even though South Africa lost, it was an incredible experience. One of the most important experiences in this Bonus Week, was visiting the black township called Langa. During our tour, we were educated on the lives and hardships of the people there, as well as given the opportunity to purchase their art and pottery. It is truly humbling and important to see this part of Capetown -- not just the luxurious houses and apartments on the water. I honestly can't recommend this bonus week enough - it is an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity.

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The ABW in Cape Town was one of the best weeks of my life. What was so cool about this experience was that we not only got to take part in some touristy activities, but we got to live life as a true Capetonian. Everything was brilliant from the housing accommodations, to the food, to the cultural experience. Would recommend to anyone. Wish I could go again!