I’ve been back in the states now for a little over 3 weeks and I’m already planning how to go back to South Africa next summer. I had an absolutely incredible experience with EcoLife and I highly recommend anyone interested to apply for the program. I appreciated how much the program was focused on showing […]
Week 3, part 2: I’m Not Done Blessing the Rains
Sunday was reptile day. Everyone held the snake and I posed next to Stella holding it. Snake demonstration, held spiders. Went to see Jessica but mistake in scheduling, saw a giant Baobab tree instead. Monday was HELICOPTER DAY. We were working with Andrei again so he came to our came in Swadini to have a […]
Week 3, part 1: The Big Five
After we got back to camp from Ralf’s lecture, we spent the evening and the following day going on game drives. We paid for an evening drive with a park worker and that was kind of a waste, we did not see anything exciting really. But that is the way it works. Wednesday we got […]
Week 2, part 2: 12 Year Old and Minky the Mongoose
Finally, it’s time for the Kruger! Our next lodging after leaving Zion and Dr. John was located in the Greater Kruger area, a large strip of privately owned land that surrounds the proper national park territory. Here we studied disease ecology under the most interesting man I’ve met in a while, Cornell. This man was […]
Week 2, part 1: Many, Many Firsts
We thought 5am wakeup was the end of the world. Then, we found out we had to roll out of bed at 4am on Tuesday. We almost rioted. But this is where my “Don’t be grumpy, its worth it” mantra came into full affect, we were going to get the special opportunity of participating in […]
Week 1, Part 2: Canis Afrikaans and Learning Experiences
After NWU, we ate dinner and had an early night, then we packed up and left Johannesburg Friday morning. On our way to Shosholoza game lodge, we stopped at CLAW veterinary clinic. This facility only services people in the Townships, those that can’t afford typical veterinary care. They turn away anyone that pulls up in […]