South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
July 2027
Led by Jenny Howenstine, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of International Admissions, and David Wagner, Director of Admissions
We invite you to join us on a tour in Southern Africa that blends historical exploration, cultural and educational engagement through a visit to a UWC campus, and iconic wildlife and scenic experiences at Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls, and Cape Town.
This itinerary is custom-designed and distinctive to St. Olaf!
See the Overview to the right for more information on what we’ll see, do, and learn.
Embark on the journey of a lifetime designed for adventurers eager to experience the extraordinary flora and fauna of Southern Africa, explore the region’s complex history, and deepen their understanding of international education.
St. Olaf College has long partnered with United World Colleges (UWC) and the Davis UWC Scholars Program, and this travel program offers participants the rare opportunity to visit a UWC campus, hear from school leadership, and connect with St. Olaf alumni living and working in the region.
The adventure begins in Johannesburg, where travelers will explore the history of apartheid and visit the historic township of Soweto. From there, the group will travel to Mbabane, Eswatini, home to Waterford Kamhlaba United World College—the UWC that has sent more students to St. Olaf than any other school outside of Minnesota over the past decade.
A short drive from Mbabane brings the group to Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife reserves, where multiple game drives will provide unforgettable opportunities to observe Africa’s animals in their natural habitat. The journey continues to the breathtaking Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, before concluding in Cape Town. Here, travelers will visit Robben Island, ascend Table Mountain, and raise a glass of wine in the scenic Stellenbosch vineyards to celebrate the end of an extraordinary trip.
We’re working on the itinerary and pricing. Please check back soon!
This expansive tour starts in Johannesburg, and takes in Eswatini, Kruger National Park, and Victoria Falls, before finishing in Cape Town. You’ll be able to view – and download and print, if you wish – the most up-to-date itinerary here.
Our intention with each tour is to provide an itinerary that introduces you to key elements related to your destination or the educational theme, while also providing some free time for you to pursue your own interests or have some down time. The balance can vary from day to day, and from tour to tour.
You’ll get the most out of study travel if you research what to do during your free time. This allows you to reap the benefits of group travel, while also customizing the tour to your interests and activity level. Read more about How to Be an Independent Group Traveler.
Originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, Jenny graduated from St. Olaf in 1998 with majors in biology and psychology. She later earned a master’s degree in Higher Education Policy and Administration, with a focus on Comparative and International Development Education, from the University of Minnesota in 2011.
For more than two decades, Jenny has traveled the world recruiting international students and strengthening partnerships with international schools. She played a key role in cultivating the college’s relationship with the United World Colleges network, helping St. Olaf win the 2024 Davis Cup for enrolling the highest number of UWC Davis Scholars among all U.S. partner institutions.
Dave graduated from St. Olaf in 2003 with a theater major and a concentration in Asian studies. As a student, he performed in numerous campus productions, participated in the Global Semester, and attended nearly 30 performances through the Theatre in London program.
After graduation, Dave spent a year as an acting apprentice at the Actor’s Theatre of Louisville before returning to St. Olaf to join the Admissions Office. He earned his master’s degree in Higher Education Policy and Administration with a focus on Comparative and International Development Education from the University of Minnesota in 2009. As Director of Admissions, Dave oversees the daily operations of the office and leads the team responsible for recruitment, selection, and
enrollment.
SHARED COMMITMENT
Together, Jenny and Dave bring more than forty years of combined experience in international education. Both have served on regional service committees for the Council of International Schools, led recruitment trips across the globe, and co-led a Lilly Grant–funded service learning program in Egypt. Individually, Jenny led a similar program to Morocco, and Dave to Honduras.
They have also contributed to the Smith Center for Global Engagement at St. Olaf—Jenny as Assistant Field Supervisor for the Term in the Middle East (2007), and Dave as Program Assistant for Theatre in London (2009). Today, they serve as program advisors for the National Student Exchange.
Their son, Ollie Wagner, an intrepid young traveler, is thrilled to join this journey and promises to keep a keen eye out for animals on the game drives!
Expect an incredible blend of cosmopolitan culture, breathtaking natural beauty, and thrilling wildlife encounters. You should prepare for a diverse and multi-faceted experience.
Movement between cities will be by air-conditioned private motor coach and flights. Transportation at Kruger National Park is by safari jeeps. Movement within each city and at cultural/historic sites will be on foot, requiring a lot of walking and standing, often over uneven ground. You should be capable of walking a mile or more at a time and up to five to seven miles per day, often over uneven terrain, standing for two to three hours at a time, climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of climbing in and out of various types of transportation, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing different cultures, and of being a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible).
Any participant who has demonstrated an inability, in the opinion of the tour leader, of keeping up with the group or of safely participating in program activities may be prohibited from participating in certain activities.
You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage throughout the tour. Traveling lightly is highly recommended.
Hotels will be tourist class (at least three-star or better) with private baths. We look for properties that are centrally located and comfortable.
Inclusions and exclusions vary by tour, so please read the following information carefully. We try to strike a balance between nickel-and-diming you once on the tour and allowing you some freedom in your price point (for meals, for example). A variety of modes of transportation tends to be pricier than a single bus throughout the tour. Highly rated guides are essential and should command higher wages.
The tour price is PENDING.
Inclusions: discussions led by Jenny Howenstine, Dave Wagner, and guest speakers; full time tour manager for the duration of the tour; accommodations, meals, entrance fees, and activities listed in the itinerary; internal tour flights; non-alcoholic beverages with meals; gratuities for all local guides, drivers, and meals; and some limited medical coverage while overseas.
Exclusions: Airfare to and from Africa is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the tour fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: international airfare; airport transfers; any passport and visa fees; any recommended immunizations or vaccinations; alcoholic beverages; laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service or other items of a personal nature; expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities; and any meals not specifically included on the tour itinerary.
This schedule is TENTATIVE AND WILL BE based on payments St. Olaf College must make to tour vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the tour.
Deposit due: $500 upon registration
Refund if you cancel: $475 if you cancel on or before August 31, 2026. If the deposit is made after August 31, 2026 there is no refund.
Interim payment due: $4,000 on September 1, 2026
Refund if you cancel: $2,000 if you cancel on or before May 14, 2027
Balance due: May 15, 2027
Refund if you cancel: None, unless the tour is full and your place can be resold
Cancellations must be in writing.
Read the Terms and Conditions and Release and Waiver (in draft stage).
Review the latest information on recommended immunizations, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Check your passport: ensure that it has at least 6 months’ validity past the program return date. Should you need to renew, visit the U.S. Department of State for instructions.
Take time to Prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, safety overview, and more.
Do not book non-refundable air until we can confirm the tour is a go. Meanwhile see our tips on Booking Your Flights.
This tour will need a minimum of 12 travelers by January 31, 2027 in order to go. Once registration opens, don’t wait until then to register – it could fill much sooner! If the tour is a go and spaces remain available, registration will close on May 1, 2027.
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