Day 13: Mosi-Oa-Tunya

Picking up students from the Zimbabwean border

Christine & Kwanele, rangers from the Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe

Meeting past students from 6 national parks

Group photo with Willie van Greunen & Theresa Sowrey

Cooking crew busy with lunch preparations

Bush office! Our centre of communications.

Getting up close with the lions!

Did you see that lion?

Oom Willie (Pot) van Greunen vang ook gees!

Brian Haveman serenading the team.

Today was a very exciting day from the SAWC perspective as a total of 9 students got together and discussed their successes and challenges since graduating from the College. These students came from as far afield as Luiwa Plain NP, Sioma Ngwezi NP, Mosi-Oa-Tunya and Victoria Falls NP in Zimbabwe. Not only we were able to discuss training opportunities, but these students saw each other for the first time in many years. A very jubilant reunion was witnessed by all.

It is interesting to note that once again training needs involve human animal conflict, TFCA (Trans Frontier Conservation Area) management and CBNRM (Community based Natural resource management).

All 9 students had been promoted to management positions since their training at the Wildlife College. Once again, 9 success stories!

While sitting around the fire last night, the Peace Parks Carbon Project staff was able to talk to members of the Sioma Ngwezi Parks Board about problems they encounter in the larger area.

From these discussions they were able to get some background from Sioma Ngwezi and feelings of the communities towards the national park. The general public believe the GMA around Sioma Ngwezi is working well, however it is clear from discussions that there are many problems associated with the GMA, not least of which is the high level of poaching, the previous war-ridden area and veld fires, all of which has resulted in very few hunting or photographic concessions in the GMA and therefore no financial benefit to the communities.

On another note, during this trip 73 new rangers have signed up as members with the GRAA so far!

The strengthening of relations during this visit paved the way for increased corporation between these parties.

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Day 12: Victoria Falls

Official handover of the two Toyota Land Cruisers sponsored by Toyota South Africa to Peace Parks Foundation's Climate Change Programme. Left, Willie van Greunen (Toyota South Africa); right, Tony Knowles (Peace Parks Foundation)

GRAA meeting with rangers from Mosi-Oa-Tunya Reserve

Januario Valoi admiring the view at Victoria Falls

Another view of the falls

Sandra Botha soaking up the wonderful scenery

Januario, William & Hendrik imitating David Livingston

Local musician adding some colour

The team rose early with everyone commenting on the very cold conditions we had to endure during the night. Everyone is making sure they won’t freeze again tonight!

Although we all love the stunning scenery here, the noise polution from micro lights, helicopters and the one Dakota is spoiling it a bit. We are so used to the sounds of animals when we wake up in the morning, that the sound of engines is not that appealing!

But nothing will take away the breathtaking beauty of the Victoria Falls. The thunderous sound of the water crashing beneath and the perfect rainbow in the water spray that fills the gorge is a sight no photo can capture! You have to see it to understand what it is to experience the wonder of these waterfalls.

Before I get carried way, let’s backtrack to the beginning...

We started the morning with a presentation by Tony Knowles from the Peace Park Foundation’s Climate Change Programme and the official handover of the two sponsored Toyota Land Cruisers by Toyota South Africa for this specific project.

As usual, we met with the local rangers from as far as Sioma Ngwezi National Park to share experiences, struggles, but also to connect on a friendship level.

Steven Malungu, Area Warden of Mosi-Oa-Tunya, also gave a presentation on the park. It is so encouraging to see yet another African dedicated and passionate about conservation!

The meeting was followed by a visit to the Victoria Falls.

Tomorrow will be another full day meeting with past students of the SAWC and also exploring Mosi-Oa-Tunya.

Day 11: Mosi-Oa-Tunya

In the absence of a bridge we crossed the river with a ferry.

Local transport

Counting local money to pay for fuel

Willie van Greunen, Asset Manager Corporate Relations Toyota South Africa, enjoying a rest on a locally crafted bench

The African wheelbarrow

Enormous potholes en route to Livingstone

We said goodbye to the rangers of Lower Zambezi National Park to leave for Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park close to Livingstone. We travelled on some of the worst roads encountered yet. The day's journey covered a distance of 581km and all went smoothly until we were halted for about 40 minutes at a police roadblock. However, we tried to make the most of the situation and enjoyed lunch until the issue was resolved.

The potholes on the national roads here are unbelievable. At times the entire convoy has to swerve across the road in slalom style to avoid hitting the potholes. Unfortunately, it is impossible to avoid them all, but the Toyotas and Goodyear Tyres handled them with ease.

We will stay at the National Park for three days, meeting with different rangers from different parks as well as see the stunning Victoria Falls. More details in the next few days.

Day 10: Lower Zambezi National Park

Picture 1: Meeting with the local rangers

Picture 2: William Soko, Operations Manager of Lower Zambezi National Park and graduate of the SAWC

Picture 3: Exchanging experiences and struggles regarding anti-poaching

Picture 4: Informal discussion with Johan Oelofse

Picture 5: 50/50 interview with Brian Haveman, Conservation Director of WESA

Picture 6: A glimpse of the beauty of the park

Picture 7: Johan Oelofse fly-fishing

Picture 8: Boat cruise on the Zambezi River

Picture 9: Buffalo at Mana Pools

Picture 10: Elephants next to the river

Picture 11: Herd of elephants crossing the dry river bed

Today was another amazing day next to the Zambezi River at Lower Zambezi National Park. To see the local rangers from Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools National Parks engage in conversation with our team was very exciting, as they shared experiences, struggles and solutions, but also learned from one another. When the local rangers engage in these discussions with enthusiasm it is clear that this outreach has been long overdue!

A few rangers from Mana Pools in Zimbabwe joined us from across the Zambezi as well. The senior ranger said that his biggest dream for their team is to have 2 GPS’s, so that he can accurately log incidents such as areas where poaching occurs, to locate his colleagues in the field, but also to simply see the full extent of this vast National Park.

We were also fully briefed on the Lower Zambezi National Park and also on the NGO, "Conservation Lower Zambezi", and the work they do here for conservation.

During the afternoon we went for a short boat cruise on the Zambezi River and some fly-fishing.

Tomorrow we will have an early start and we were warned that the roads we are to encounter, are the worst so far!

Day 9 - Lower Zambezi National Park

Picture 1: Foeta Krige had a close encounter with one of the local elephants! Foeta ran for safety while leaving his tripod behind.

Picture 2: Corporal Januaro Valoi (left) & Sergeant William Ndobe both Field Rangers of Kruger National Park

Picture 3: Quick stop at Hippo City

Picture 4: Water Crossing

Picture 5: The mighty Zambezi River

Picture 6: Washing line using 2 Toyota Land Cruisers

Picture 7: Lunch Time

Picture 8: Sunset at Lower Zambezi National Park

After our leopard visit last night, our guide, William Soko, kept watch all night to make sure no other animal makes a surprise visit.

It was a real privilege to wake up in the Lower Zambezi National Park, with the sound of lions roaring.

We said goodbye to team members and guests this morning, but were joined by 4 new journalists!

Our new campsite is very close to the mighty and magnificent Zambezi River looking onto the Mana Pools in Zimbabwe.

Tomorrow former students of the SAWC from Mana Pools National Park will join past students from Lower Zambezi National Park for a meeting, as well as being introduced to the GRAA. More about this tomorrow.

To view today’s route on Google Earth, please click here

Day 8: En Route to Lower Zambezi National Park

Hendrik Melk, a great help with all practical matters!

Cobus Bester sprayed himself with DOOM to get rid of all the flies before the live broadcast.

Cobus Bester interviewing Elmarie Groenewald and Frank Carlisle from Bhejane 4x4 Adventures who are in charge of the food for the Outreach.

Entering Lower Zambezi National Park

TV Crew of 50/50 interviewing Prof Willem van Riet of the Peace Parks Foundation.

The campsite for the evening

Thank you for all the SMS we’ve received. It is great to hear from you!

Today we travelled 700km from South Luangwa National Park to the Lower Zambezi National Park. We left at 06:00 and arrived at about 17:30. We had a brief stop next to the road for another live RSG Broadcast to interview Elmarie Groenewald, wife of Gerhard Groenewald and also with Frank Carlisle from Bhejane 4x4 Adventures who are in charge of the food for the Outreach.

We stopped about 40km short of our planned destination, as it was getting dark. We are camping close to the Zambezi River and will move on to our planned campsite tomorrow. We already had leopard visiting our camp!! So who knows which animals will come see what we’re up to?

To view today’s route we travelled, please click here.