On 17 June, a group of our Gr 10 – 12 Geography students, traveled to Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Isimangaliso Wetland Park for an exciting Mpumalanga Adventure Tour. The first few nights were spent at the Blyde River Adventure Camp where energetic camp masters facilitated activities to keep them actively busy and academically enriched. These included visiting the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where they came in contact with animals that could not be released back in the wild – they came close to lions, cheetahs, a black leopard, several endangered birds and even saw Stoffel - the famous honey badger - that can escape any enclosure! At the Hoedspruit Reptile Centre, they learned about the strange, and often creepy, cold-blooded creatures Mpumalanga has to offer. Many of them even faced their fears and managed to pose for a photo while holding a big snake around their necks!

The next day they went on a boat drive across the Blyde River Dam, which forms part of the third largest green canyon in the world. On this trip, they learned incredible facts about the wildlife and geology of the surrounding areas.

They then traveled to the Kruger National Park. For some it was a first to be in a real game reserve and there was real excitement when they saw big animals really close to them in the wild! At Satara Rest Camp, they attended an environmental workshop presented by park officials, followed by an eventful drive through the park right through to Crocodile Bridge. Amazingly, they saw nearly every member of the Big Five - including a leopard hiding in a tree next to the road! The following 2 nights they were based in Marloth Park in Malelane – with lions and other wild animals roaming around in the streets at night!

From there, a tour guide introduced them to the amazing geological wonders of the Barberton Greenstone Mountain Range. On the Barberton Geo Trail, they touched some of the oldest known rocks on our planet. The guide took them to an old gold mine where they learned about Barberton’s mining history, as well as modern gold mining techniques.

The following day, the buses headed to St Lucia. That night, many of the students claimed to have heard hippos very near their accommodation.

The next morning, at the Cape Vidal Game Nature Reserve, they were treated to a full-day’s game drive and a 5-star picnic lunch. The tour guides were so informative and the students learned many interesting facts about the estuary itself, its endangered animals and, right at the end, they finally saw a rhino! They spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach – a true highlight for many of them.

We are grateful to Mrs. Niehaus for organizing the tour, as well as Mr. Bouwer and the bus drivers, Mr. Niehaus and Mr. Haddon-Davies. The learners will cherish the memories they made along the way for years to come.

St Lucia

Paint Ball

Potjie

Hoedspruit Reptile Centre

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