School Safari Programme
Introduction
Founded in 2018, the School Safari Program is a cornerstone initiative dedicated to bridging the gap between local communities and the environments on which they depend. Our mission is to provide an immersive environmental education to young learners, connecting them with the natural habitats and wild animals in their neighbouring reserves.
Partnerships and Evolution
In collaboration with the Good Work Foundation (GWF), Sabi Sand Pfunanani Trust (SSPT), and other key partners, the program initially took root in the Bushbuckridge community of Mpumalanga Province. Its core lies in facilitating game drives for primary and high school students, offering them a unique opportunity to explore and experience life in commercially operated game reserves, such as Lion Sands Game Reserve (the project’s pioneer). Our scope has since expanded to include Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve in Zimbabwe, and the Marine World in Cape Town, with further extensions planned in the Limpopo region.
The Safari Experience
Each safari is designed around meaningful education. Students and their teachers are taken out on a game drive, headed by an expert Field Guide, into a world of wonder where they encounter wild animals, learn about various plant species, and understand the intricacies of natural habitats. These experiences directly support and enrich their school curriculum, opening their minds to the importance of conservation and the environment. In many, it could spark a lifelong passion for the environmental sciences, field guiding and reserve management.
Bridging the gap
The School Safari Program was born out of a necessity to connect isolated communities with the natural resources that flourish around them. These communities, often bordering game reserves like Sabi Sand Reserve, Kruger National Park and Marakele National Park, have historically been on the periphery of eco-tourism, and the habitats that sustain this very important sector of the economy. Our program brings these worlds together, fostering a sense of belonging and an appreciation for nature.
Impacts and Successes
Since its inception, the School Safari Program has seen remarkable growth. In 2023 alone, over 200 learners participated. The program is now also an integral part of our annual Extra Mile Fundraising Event.
The program’s success is reflected not only in the number of participants, but in the tangible integration of these experiences into school curricula, broadening learners’ perspectives and potential career paths.