FEEDBACK: 1-wk Bush Survival Course

1-WEEK BUSH SURVIVAL COURSE FEEDBACK

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“The one week bush survival week has been great. The first day was a bit strange as we didn’t know each other, but as the days went by it got better. Everybody has been really friendly and everyday has been fun. The best day was the trip to Shamwari Game Reserve where we saw lots of animals, including black rhino. The day we had the most fun was learning to make fire with sticks and build a shelter. Meeting Basil Mills, who looks like Crocodile Dundee, was amazing and I got to touch an owl, something I’ve always wanted to do”. Adrianna Muga (Spain)

“It was really an interesting course and I learnt lots of useful things, and what to do when you are lost in the bush or anywhere in the world. The best part was the game drive where we saw many animals, lions, rhino, zebra, hippo etc. I have also learnt how to make shelter, fire with sticks and how to use tracks and signs when lost. It was also a good way to start my other course (teaching) and make friends. Wayne Vos is a great survival teacher and a bit like Ray Mears. The course was really worth doing and a great first memory of South Africa”. Emma Hambling (UK)

“This week has been interesting and unique for me. We have learnt many things that would not have been possible in most other places. The best day for me was going on a hike on the neighbour’s game reserve where we spotted, counted and observed animals. Our guide, Wayne Vos, is one of the most knowledgeable I have ever met and he always knew the answers to most of the questions that we asked him. An experience I doubt I will ever be able to forget”. Mathew Speed (UK)

“This was a great way to make friends and I am glad it was my first stop because it feels very isolated-away from any other people our age, but was a good introduction to South Africa. One week is enough to learn, understand and adjust to a new environment, and although I enjoyed it, I’m looking forward to moving on (next teaching placement) and seeing new things. Don’t be fooled by the name, it’s not a hard-core bush survival course and I felt that most of the time I was just on holiday. It may sound geeky but I wish I had had a pen and notebook on me all the time because the people you meet tell you all the cool facts and I don’t want to forget them! What I really enjoyed was meeting Bazil Mills, because he reminded me of a Viking and his extraordinary home left me gob- smacked. We went to Louis pub in Alicedale twice, and that was great because we bumped into many other students and volunteers. My favourite day was on a jeep in Shamwari Game Reserve, where we followed a pride of lions, saw white and black rhino and hippos, as well as the usual kudu, warthogs and various birds. We saw 3 giraffe too!” Charlotte Brouwer (Holland)

“I think this bush survival week has been the most interesting part of our 8-week conservation course so far. We have learnt how to build our own shelter and make a stretcher in the bush out of branches to carry an injured person. The guest speaker we met, Bazil was a very interesting person who knew almost everything about African cultures and we got to shoot his old musket, which was very loud and heavy but still fun. We all visited Shamwari Game Reserve which was lovely to see animals in the wild normally only seen in the zoo. On the last day we learnt how to find and collect water by digging holes, filling them with leaves and then letting the condensation drip into a container. We then camped out at Esingeni which was scary and fun at the same time. This week has been the week where I think we laughed the most and it was easy to make friends with everyone getting on well. Our course instructor, Wayne Vos, is a very intellectual and interesting man”. Debbie Allen (UK)