On 16 September, the Form III Life Sciences classes departed on a trip into the Savannah biome to Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve near Kruger National Park. The camp was very educational and all of our learning took place while having great fun with our friends.

We took a dip in the pool to cool off as soon as we got to the camp and were surprised by Modjadji the elephant watching us from the other side of the fence. Over the few days that we were there, we focused on our ecology syllabus, learning about a number of food chains, food webs, cycles and symbiotic relationships, to name a few. We worked through an activity booklet in which we recorded all the tree, bush, grass, animal and bird species we saw.

We were split up into a number of small groups and participated in several activities that allowed us to learn many new things, as well as make memories that will last a lifetime. Some of the activities included horse riding through the veld, target shooting as well as a three-hour game drive in Mjejane game reserve. We saw many different species of animals, including giraffe, impala, warthog, white rhinoceros, elephant, buffalo and vultures. We went on two reserve walks in Kwa Madwala and learned about the Big Six trees in the area, as well as some uses of plants, such as the magic guarry, which can be used as a toothbrush.

We also focused on animal ecology, learning about the Big Five and the Little Five, as well as examining the skeleton of a catfish that had died in the mud at the bottom of a dam that had dried up as a result of the drought. Our highlight of the tour was meeting Modjadji and Tswali, the elephants who were saved from culling on another reserve.

We were all afforded the opportunity to ride one of the elephants and play some games with them. The games included soccer, the memory game and the shoe game. It was interesting to hear about how the elephants have adopted their trainers as their new herd or family and to learn about the food reward system used to train and entertain the two elephants. The Life Sciences camp was an experience of a lifetime and we thank Mrs Ellis, Mrs Page, Revd Claudia and Ms King for making it possible.

Mufaro Sambaza

Form III