#umphafa

[a-framed-dog]

Kudu crossing

[a-framed-dog]

Curious foal

[a-framed-dog]

Vogue

[edenplummer]

Day Fourteen

Today we climbed up the Leopard Gorge. From where the three valleys meet all the way up to where I’m standing. We climbed through rivers, up rocks and boulders and finally up a steep grass slope to see this view. We whilst we were tracking a female leopard we found out there was a male one behind us too so it was very exciting. Next we bought some bush meat and cut down some dead trees for the braai for our last day at UmPhafa!

I’m going to miss it here...

[edenplummer]

Day Twelve

Today we were helping with erosion control by making dirt walls and using rocks to reinforce them. Then in the afternoon we cut down trees (do not worry, they were invasive species and therefore unwanted) and laid the branches on the flat ground near the wall.

The walls should stop water running off the hard, flat ground which washes the soil away which can lead to crevices quickly turning into gorges from the water cutting into the soil. The branches will trap the soil and seeds that is being moved by the rain, allowing plants to naturally grow again.

It was really nice to do some hard labour since I don’t get many chances to push my body anymore, especially using my upper body. It was also nice to see the progress we made throughout the day and that team work really helps get things done. I was happy to find out what my body can do when I push myself and see that I have improved over the time I’ve been here. I hope to try more active things when I get back to England, I miss it.

[edenplummer]

Day Ten

Today we had a discussion type debate on the legalisation of rhino horn trading in SA. It was really interesting to see how complicated this issue is and I can see why it takes the people who actually have to discuss this a long time to decide, we were here for at least an hour and that was just us skimming the surface.

Here’s a little snippet of the conclusion of the discussion, which focused on solutions. I suggest turning the volume up to hear people further away and I will try to put a transcript up later for you.

Afterwards, we had the afternoon off so I stayed and did coursework whilst everyone went to a local South African town to experience some of the culture! I wish I could’ve gone but I am still a student with work to do unfortunately but next time I will go.

[edenplummer]

Update

I’ve updated all my posts on being at UmPhafa since I realised that the wording hasn’t been the best so hopefully you can understand them better now!

[edenplummer]

Day Eight

Today we were given a presentation on anti-poaching and then a talk on tracks & tracking which was really interesting, I even made notes! Then we went on a tracking walk to practise the skills and methods we learnt in the bush. We looked at giraffe, jackal, impala, porcupine, leopard, rat and more! Later on we’re going on a night drive to see some nocturnal animals. I hope it’s not too cold!