Deputy principal Paul Bolton said the school was approached last year by the World Challenge Expedition organisation to send pupils on a four-week trip.
The Australian-based organisation's expeditions teach life skills and expand minds outside the classroom by sending pupils to destinations in Africa, Asia, Southeast Asia, Pacific, South America or Central America.
Mr Bolton said the group would depart in late September, and after spending a week acclimatising, would trek for a week through various villages in Botswana, getting a feel for the cultures and lifestyles of each community.
They would then spend a week in Namibia, teaching children about New Zealand and painting a school.
The last week would be spent at a safari park observing the wildlife.
While the trip was an experience in itself, Mr Bolton said the pupils were already gaining invaluable life skills because they were designing the trip.
"The kids have been given a budget - they have to design the itinerary and organise transport, meals and accommodation.
"It's all about the kids self-managing. We're there to make sure they are safe, but to intervene as little as possible."
The trip had been estimated to cost about $9000 per pupil, he said.
"We didn't think it would fly because of the cost to the kids. But they've made a really good start on raising the money."
Taieri College pupil Jessie Cox (16) was daunted by the trip, because all the comforts of home would be far away, and there would be little room in their backpacks for basics such as toiletries.
"It's going to be scary.
"We've been told we will be offered food by village people, and it will be disrespectful not to eat it.
"I can't stand red meat, but I'll have to get over it because it's a lifetime experience."
Jessie called on members of the community to contact the school if they had any "odd jobs" the pupils could do to raise funds for their trip.
