An Unforgettable trip to South Africa
By Maggiemae Jones ’19
Ten students along with two teachers went on an unforgettable trip to South Africa through Operation Wallacea. The trip lasted 15 days, split up into two amazing locations, and will last forever in our minds. The main purpose of this trip was to assist in biological studies and surveys of nature - but we were also able to complete our scuba certification as open water divers, which was a bonus!
After hours of travelling, we arrived in Johannesburg where we continued on by bus to Balule Park, our home for the first week. There was a lot of laughter and joy as we met our tour guides and made new friends from De La Salle College, another independent school from Toronto that was on the same trip. We spent the first week learning interesting things about the bush on our bushwalks, listening to lectures and doing surveys in the fields. We were able to learn a lot about animals we do not have in Canada, different vegetation, bird calls, signs of animals and the poaching and ivory trade issue. The poaching and ivory trade was a large issue that we learned about during our stay at Balule - how to guard against it, the effect it has, its history and how it is not as simple as it seems. We also were able to see some wonderful animals on this trip including giraffes, zebras, elephants, a white rhino, hyenas, buffalo, hippos, wonderful birds, impalas, kudu and many more.
After a wonderful week at Balule we packed up and headed to our second camp, Sodwana Bay, which was on the coast of South Africa. This week was focussed on coral reefs and the ocean along with lots of things that can affect fishing and the plants and animals that live in the ocean. We learned about biodiversity and how the environment, and all parts of the ocean, work together and are interdependent. This really opened up our eyes to the different ways the ocean can be affected and damaged from bottom trolling to coral bleaching. During the days, we were occupied with dives and viewing amazing coral and fish, but afterwards we would write up everything we saw that day on a whiteboard. By the end of the week it was full with everything from turtles to all types of fish to reef sharks to coral that we had seen on our dives during the days.
As we reflected on our way home, we realized this trip didn’t just teach us about diversity, plants and animals, issues affecting nature and meeting new people - we also learned and experienced a new culture in a different country. This was evident in the food we ate which included pap, a South African dish that is cheap, easy to make and can fill you up. We also saw their culture displayed in a Zulu in Sodwana. It was an eye opening and breathtaking experience as you saw these people from all ages move, and listened to the drum beating and their singing.
This truly was a trip to remember as it was educating, fun, had amazing views and introduced us to some amazing people.
After hours of travelling, we arrived in Johannesburg where we continued on by bus to Balule Park, our home for the first week. There was a lot of laughter and joy as we met our tour guides and made new friends from De La Salle College, another independent school from Toronto that was on the same trip. We spent the first week learning interesting things about the bush on our bushwalks, listening to lectures and doing surveys in the fields. We were able to learn a lot about animals we do not have in Canada, different vegetation, bird calls, signs of animals and the poaching and ivory trade issue. The poaching and ivory trade was a large issue that we learned about during our stay at Balule - how to guard against it, the effect it has, its history and how it is not as simple as it seems. We also were able to see some wonderful animals on this trip including giraffes, zebras, elephants, a white rhino, hyenas, buffalo, hippos, wonderful birds, impalas, kudu and many more.
After a wonderful week at Balule we packed up and headed to our second camp, Sodwana Bay, which was on the coast of South Africa. This week was focussed on coral reefs and the ocean along with lots of things that can affect fishing and the plants and animals that live in the ocean. We learned about biodiversity and how the environment, and all parts of the ocean, work together and are interdependent. This really opened up our eyes to the different ways the ocean can be affected and damaged from bottom trolling to coral bleaching. During the days, we were occupied with dives and viewing amazing coral and fish, but afterwards we would write up everything we saw that day on a whiteboard. By the end of the week it was full with everything from turtles to all types of fish to reef sharks to coral that we had seen on our dives during the days.
As we reflected on our way home, we realized this trip didn’t just teach us about diversity, plants and animals, issues affecting nature and meeting new people - we also learned and experienced a new culture in a different country. This was evident in the food we ate which included pap, a South African dish that is cheap, easy to make and can fill you up. We also saw their culture displayed in a Zulu in Sodwana. It was an eye opening and breathtaking experience as you saw these people from all ages move, and listened to the drum beating and their singing.
This truly was a trip to remember as it was educating, fun, had amazing views and introduced us to some amazing people.
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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