Sponsored by our amazing partners at Adventure Conservation, it was four days and three nights with no fences, no electricity, not even a tent – just stars, sand, survival skills, and some of the most unforgettable encounters with wildlife possible. Under the expert guidance of Lori and Jared from Lowveld Trails, the group tracked elephants on foot, learned the stories written in the soil, cooked over fires, slept under the Milky Way, and discovered not just the bush, but a renewed connection and appreciation for their own abilities.
As they set off, none of them truly knew what to expect. “At first, I was scared and didn’t know if I should go” says Respect Ndlovu of GCC. But, over the course of the trail, everything changed. “By the end, I felt so connected and at one with nature. It felt peaceful, like being at home. I was so sad to leave.”
From deep, fireside conversations to standing in complete stillness as a herd of elephants moved through the bushveld ahead, each day brought new, unexpected moments of discovery. For the environmental educators in the group, it proved a pivotal moment in their careers. “The exposure to the wild was so important to me as an environmental educator” one stated. “We are teaching about something that we have hardly experienced, so this was a huge stepping stone for my growth personally and solidifying my love for wildlife and nature. I have already shared so many stories with my learners.”
Ashleigh Christie, Program Director at GCC, reflected on the impact this has had for the participants and their organisation: “Respect, Aritah and Ntshuxeko have just made a great leap towards becoming top-class environmental educators and it is wonderful to think that they can speak from experience and not merely from the textbook. They have come back with such positive feedback, from “that was the best experience of my life” to “we made amazing connections” and “I realised how much there is to learn about the world – and I want to learn more.””
Candice Pearce from the Timbavati Foundation echoed her sentiments: “Having these in-person and on foot experiences has deepened Terryan’s and Hope’s connection to nature. Despite having a theoretical background, the in-field presence supported their understanding, applying true connection and exposure to what they knew.”
Alongside a shift in their perspectives towards nature, the trail also had a powerful personal impact. As our founder, Peter Eastwood, witnessed while joining the group, the participants grew in confidence and found strength in each other through the hardest moments. “It is an experience that will stay with us long after we return” described Ntshuxeko Mathebula. “At first we were worried we wouldn’t make it, but we supported each other and overcame that. I learned the importance of teamwork and resilience. That I’m capable of more than I thought.”
Another participant, Aritah Moyane chimed in, “the trail taught us that progress isn’t always about speed but sometimes about steady progress – it helped me reset mentally and remind me of the bigger picture behind my goals.”
For Peter, it was equally meaningful and inspiring. Though his greatest passion is for empowering local communities through conservation, he rarely has the opportunity to spend time with those at the heart of our mission. “To actually meet the people so deeply affected and to be able to share a unique experience like this with them was humbling. We had such an amazing time together in such a special environment.”
After four days and countless memorable moments, the group went their separate ways a real sense of accomplishment and revitalised motivation to achieve their goals. Though subtle, these changes have the potential to shape the very course of their lives. Participant Lans Lord Mashaba, who previously achieved his vehicle guiding qualification with the support of the Timbavati Foundation, has already stated his intention to follow in the footsteps of Lori and Jared and become a full Trails guide himself.
As the participants continue to advocate for the protection of our wildlife – in classrooms and their communities – they now carry a treasure trove of real-life experiences to bring their lessons, and passions, to life. Nicole Te Brake from Lowveld Trails, summed it up perfectly: “it was a real privilege to witness the powerful and meaningful impact that experiencing nature on foot had on each person in the group”.
This trail was only possible through the power of collaboration. A huge thank you, firstly, to Adventure Conservation for organising and sponsoring this fantastic opportunity. Second, to the Trails Food Company – who kindly donated a full supply of nutritious dehydrated trail meals for each participant. And last but not least, to our partner NGOs at Timbavati Foundation and GCC – and their participants – for jumping in feet first on this adventure.
Together, we can do so much more!
