During the last week, the "First South-Africa-German Summer school on comparative psychology" took place in one of the most exciting cities of the southern hemisphere: Johannesburg. Supported by the National Research Foundation of South Africa and the BMBF, students, young academics and senior scientist from the biopsychology lab and the department of anatomical science of the University of Witwatersrand had the opportunity to discuss their projects, plan new experiments and intensify South African -- German cooperation in the field of neuroscience.From damaraland mole rat courtship behavior over elephant hippocampus research to cetacean neuroanatomy and many other research areas the school covered a wide range of fascinating topics within the comparative psychology of unusual African model species.Receiving overwhelming positive feedback from all participants we agree that this summer school was a great experience and we are looking forward to further cooperations and activities with our old and new friends from South Africa.