Gap year & Travel News

After the July team’s expression of absolute bewilderment and delight in the new environment, everyone has settled in very well. Thursday was unpack and relax day and on Friday, after the paperwork, debriefing, goal setting and first aid chats, everyone was taken on an orientation and sunset safari.  They returned to a blazing fire, dinner and a welcome party in the boma-built-by-leapers. Start as you mean to go on we say!

Nelspruit Airport...probably the best thatched arrivals department in the world!

Matt settles into his new room at gazebo lodge

Welcome home!

After a whopping cooked breakfast on Saturday morning, the team was divided into two smaller groups and both partook in a bush walks. The designated group for the day also assisted in the packing for Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre for the following day (and of course the designated kitchen duty group also did their thing!)

The wildlife centre

A lick of approval for the S.A. team.

Jessica the tea loving Hippo

Sunday morning was early birds and off to the animal rahab, Jessica the spoilt hippo (who loves to drink tea!) and the reptile park were highlights. Every one survived despite the weird change of weather (we are not supposed to get rain in July !) and came back full of stories like “I held a vulture”, “I hugged a baby rhino”. The weary team returned late on Monday, after a visit to the Nelspruit Mall to stock up.

Tuesday heralded the teams first taste of Microlighting and Elephant safaris. Those that were scheduled had a blast. The reserve conservation project was also tackled with gusto as some in the team started the bush clearing and some collected river sand for the bush beach volley ball court. Some also assisted with the collection of elephant food and those scheduled for the early morning Manyatta game drive were lucky enough to see lions.

Wednesday and Thursday was a rotation of groups to do the Sangoma, clinics and rural town visit on one day; and Tembalethu, Dindella – the site for the outreach programme and Malelane town the next day they were taken to see Tembalethu – an established orphanage and then our new “baby” – Dindela – and everyone has agreed to contribute their volunteer donations to this needy cause.

That’s all for now folks!