…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
10-12pm: 8/7/11
It’s the first night of the trail and me and Felicia are doing our first nightwatch shifts.
It’s a strange feeling being responsible for the lives of many people, but so far we’re coping well. It’s going okay, and we’re both pretty calm, just making sure the fires are still going and that no animal comes too close.
It’s pitch black apart from the fires and the lights form our headtorches, but we’re keeping each other sane by just being together.
I can’t wait to go back to sleep.
Art
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Johannes 08/07/11
I have never had such a connection with nature. I have never thought that I’d have love for animals and plants. I feel so blessed to have this kind of experience. It’s so refreshing and keeps me more healthy.
Being in Umkhumbi Lodge was a fantastic and amazing experience. I liked the accommodation. It was brilliant. I felt safe at all times because of Tom. He showed how loving and caring he is and he does everything out of love. I learned that from him.
I realized how nature relates with life science and it’s so amazing. I like the food prepared it was perfect and delicious at all times. I wish we had quiet times around the lodge, maybe in a certain area whereby I could think and capture the moments.
Johannes …part2… 09/07/2011
My first nightwatch went so good. I woke up before 12:00 and was supposed to stay until 2am. I am enjoying the nature. Being around such places does not always come always. So I am grabbing this opportunity with both hands and stay awake to experience all different sounds of animals.
Thank Umkhumbi Lodge for such an experience and keep up the good work.
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Felicia 9/7/11
Today is yet another day on night watch. I am doing the first shift today 8pm-10pm. It is such a great experience to know that you are not only responsible for your own life but the lives of other people is in your hands. Ella and I are on guard and I think if we follow the safety precautions then everything will go well. We do not know when an animal might approach us but we have to anticipate its next move.
So far the campsite has been wonderful. The work into the game reserve has been nothing but fun and exciting. The campsite is most definitely not what I expected, it is far more luxurious than what I had picture, flashing toilets were the least on my mind. Above all I am enjoy every bit of the stay.
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Ella 9/7/11
I am having the most incredible time here, so far I do think that this has been the most intimate and unique experience with nature. I really do feel like I am in the animals’ habitat and I have so much respect for them as a consequence of that. This is a truly priceless experience and one which no amount of documenting or photos will capture. You really do have to see it to believe it. I never ever want to forget this time, sitting by the fire with Felicia keeping watch. Truly spectacular.
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Zama 9/7/11 – 00:00
It’s my second day on trail starting the third one. I really love where we are camping. Before we came here I was afraid that I won’t feel safe but guess what it is my second time on guard from 00:00—02:00 and I’m not even scared. I loved that our toilets are clean and toilet paper is always in there. I like our tour guide he really knows how to explain things about the wildlife and the bush. I actually learnt a lot from him. I really love where we are camping. 
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Hlengiwe
Yesterday was the best day ever. We walked for hours tracking down a Cheetah. Before we could find it my feet were very sore and I wished I could just turn around and come back to our camping site but I couldn’t. So we all continued walking and walking and walking. After a lot of walking we finally found what we’ve been looking for. Two male Cheetahs just seating there. I thought they’ll attempt to attack us or run away but they didn’t. The amazing part of the day was actually seeing the Cheetahs and finding them felt like an accomplishment to finally find what you’ve been looking for. The experience taught me not to give up easy. Like with the Cheetahs if I had it my way and I could go back to the camping site whenever I wanted to I would not have seen the Cheetahs.
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Charlotte 2.30am 10/7/11
This is certainly not my usual Saturday night, but I would rather be here, watching the fire with Hlengiwe and listening to the sounds of the forest, than anywhere else. Words can’t describe how peaceful this is. I thought it would be scary but the fires and Tommy (a.k.a ‘the colonel’) sleeping nearby ensure I’m feeling perfectly calm.
I think what this trip is helping me to do is to sort out what is truly important in my life. Pieter sat us all down separately to watch the sunset, which he said reminded him of how small we really are in the universe. It’s funny because the sunset not only made me feel that, but it also reminded me that it is our duty to protect the world around us, and that while individuals may be ‘small’, as a group humankind can achieve great things. It gave me hope that we will all face the environmental challenges facing us today.
We found a snare on our walk earlier which was a truly shocking moment for me. The sheer brutality of that sharp wire… It’s difficult to point the finger at those doing it due to poverty – we need to sort out social and equality issues in order to in turn help the environment.
So I suppose what I’m working out that what is truly important to me, what I really want to achieve in life, is LIFE – I want to help people better their lives, and protect our beautiful environment and animals. A big goal perhaps, but this experience has made me feel like anything is possible.
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Georgina 11/07/2011
This has been one of the most experiences of my life. I’ve never imagined being in the bush. I’ve never been given such a responsibility of watching over people. I’ve learnt a lot about animals. I’ve never done so much walking ever that I think should be minimized. I also enjoyed the camping out in the bush in the wild.
It was amazing the birds the food was amazing so was the accommodation, besides the fact that we had no hot water for a day.
I’ve come to enjoy nature and I don’t see how people can destroy our beautiful Mother Nature who needs no make-up to make her look good. It is also nice to see the sunrise and sunset it like a privilege to me and Tumi and William are excellent guides they made us understand more about nature and had time for us.
Which was so nice!
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Buhle 11/07/2011
Being in the bush has been a remarkable experience. Our campsite is beautiful, it’s not what I really expected. I enjoyed walking in the game park and learning more about the animals and the different trees. We had the best tour guides, they are educated and knowledgeable about nature. We learnt a lot about the animals and the plants.
I had a marvelous experience when we hunted the Impala and William killed it. Actually this experience made me to come out of my comfort zone in terms of skinning the impala. My hands were soaked in blood.
This game park is a beautiful, amazing and a phenomenal place to be. It a unique experience to see the sunset and even listen to the different sounds within the bush.
This bush is really graceful and peaceful. It is rare to see the sunset in Jo’burg so this is a great place to retreat to reflect yourself and it really helps you to come back to your sense.
The food was finger licking good!
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Duke of Westminster Award 2011
It’s our first night in the bush and this evening has just been incredible.I was expecting to be staying in the middle of a clearing with absolutely nothing around me but this camp is incredible. Showers, a real toilet and kitchen! Luxury!
Being here has been a remarkable experience so far. I was sat at the dinner table earlier after an amazing 3 course meal and I have never felt so content with my life. The sky was perfectly clear, I’d just had the best meal of my life and I was surrounded by nature that most people do not get the opportunity to experience. I am so lucky to be here and I hope to encounter loads more animals tomorrow. I know that I’ll never experience anything like this again so I plan to make the most of it.
The guides have been brilliant! So knowledgeable and helpful. They have been able to answer any question that we have asked them no matter how odd. i feel really safe with them here and I know that they will be able to deal with any situation that we come across.
I am slightly nervous about the night watch as I have only ever done something like that once. I think the company and listening to the hundreds of different sounds will keep me awake.
This is an amazing place to come to to get away from all technology and the worries of day to day life. It is definitely an experience I will never forget. It will be really hard to explain to the people back in the UK exactly what we’ve done here as it’s really to describe it. Even this essay hasn’t come close, I really don’t think anything will.
Thank you for everything.
Charlotte
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
23/07/2011
Not many people can say they spent their 18th birthday in the middle of nowhere surrounded by wild animals. It has been such an amazing experience. I even got balloons and cake, a card and a lush 3 course meal!
We went out walking for the whole day yesterday and saw a 12ft long python, some crocodiles, zebra & rhino. The guides have been excellent and I have learnt so much from the trail walks.
Thank you for everything!! I will never forget yesterday and this experience.
Freya
x
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
23/7/2011
The past week has been incredible! I have learned so much about animals I never thought I would even see (never mind get close to!). My favourites have been the buffalo and the African rock python.
I have really enjoyed the walks because it seems that every meter we travel; there is another fascinating thing to be learned about nature!
I love being outdoors in the UK, but being outdoors in Africa is 100% better! So many noises and things to look for!
The campsite is brilliant and the beds are second only to the mealtimes.
Our guides have been knowledgeable, hard working, captivating, professional and trustworthy and I would have every confidence in them, should a dangerous situation arise.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this whole experience and sincerely hope this isn’t the last time I get to experience the nature and wildlife of South Africa / Swaziland in this way!
Thank you very much!
Chris
…………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Canterbury Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award 2012
Day Zero:
Dark, cold, noisy.
We are one with the bush
We are one with Africa
We are Legion.
George and Peter
10-11pm
………………..
Day: Unknown 11-12pm
Participants: Ellie and Ruphina
State of Mind: CRAZY SCARED!!
It all started with a bang for us. I opened my eyes knowing that Ellie and I faced the task of looking out for creatures. CREATURES WHOSE MAIN INTENTION WAS TO MAKE US THEIR GAME MEAT!
“EEEK EEEK” is how the drowning noises began, slowly enveloping then deafening us. A thud from my right made me say my prayers; was it too late?
Only time would tell…
…time spoke. We are still alive. We noticed that the intensity of the sound would increase rapidly for five minutes then everything returned to a serene hush. At this time, we both sat in silence; Ellie farted (no joke) and I was pondering my very need for existence.
Frantically at around 11:30pm we started looking for our head torches, prepared for whatever battle we were about to face. Turns out the sound was just Adam, Jess and Ndumiso competing for who can snore the loudest – if Ellie was asleep she’d deffo win.
Towards the end of our shift we started discussing how lucky and blessed we were to find ourselves here. Never in a million years did I believe I would be sleeping with many people under the African stars. What adds to the experience is that we are surrounded by beautiful animals (large and small) who occasionally grace us with their presence – or should I say, allow us to explore their habitat.
This has truly been a wonderful experience and one of us even managed to have a wee in the bush whilst protecting our peers from Gods creatures.
Ellie and Ruphina
………………………………….
Day: Unknown
Participant: Reegan and Jess
State of Mind: Too far gone…
Our shifts have changed over and ours has just begun. Everything is silent sitting under the stars, initially that is, before the frogs began to bellow their midnight tunes and the crickets chime in the grass. Only a nice warm safe fire and a beacon of warm chocolate was able to give us some comfort amongst the darkness, which was full with strange and sudden voices. Who knew what could be lurking out there; a hippo? or maybe even a few crocodiles? :-O
You’d think experiencing all of this so far would make you appreciate life far more, but in truth, you just feel shit scared and there is not much that you can do about it. Every crack of a twig and any rustle in a bush has your head turning in every direction (even the rumble of Reegans belly had us going!!)
But asides from the fear of being eaten alive, it’s quite a nice and interesting experience. There aren’t many people who can say that they’ve done a night watch, in the middle of Africa, surrounded by wild animals under the night sky, full of stars. But although this is an experience one ought to embrace, you find yourself not looking up at the stars, but down at your watch by the fire light, waiting to climb back into the warmth of the sleeping bag and be rid of the responsibility of making sure we all stay alive!!
xx
………………..
Day: No idea, in Africa you loose track of time.
Ladies of the night: Lottie and Eliz
State of mind: Like two old ladies having a chat and a cuppa
El: Do you want to hear about how hippos will fuck you up?
Lottie: erm… no!
El: Alright, did you know they fart through their nostrils?
El: I’ve never done drugs, well apart from viagra…
Lottie: What!?
Lottie: OMG its 1:54! (seriously, that felt like 10 mins)
El: Oh, we’ve just been chatting shit!
(Breaks into a verse of the nandos skank)
Oookay, not so dramatic, but we did hear hyena ooooooo! and El battled with the fire to boil the kettle and failed, epic fail!
Omg, and two bats flew out of the toilet and into my face!
Love from Lottie and El xxx
p.s we want to spend more time in the bush!
……………
Day 6 in the Swaziland house>
Great unwashed: Anneka and Adam
State of mind: mashed
Sooo… Got woke up by a lady of the night
…………………
Captains Log
Stardate: Somewhere between the 11th and 30th August 2012
Location: Swaziland
Crew: Myself and Stewart
Local time is 3:30am, myself and my first officer have been tasked with sitting in the dark to guard against gigantic land and/or amphibious beasts.
Nothing to report apart from that one of the landing party can imitate the call of the Earth-hippo in their sleep by what is called ‘snoring’.
But wait… I… hear a sound…
Transmission terminated
…………………
