We learn so much when we are outside on either a drive or a walk. I personally prefer walks. Not only cause we get some excercise but it is also a complete different feeling. A feeling of being one with nature. It is so peaceful and yet so dangerous. I feel quite safe in the company of my instructors, but very vulnerable at the same time. I guess I still cannot believe that I walk around in the bush. The same bush that lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and so much more inhabit. Of course I hear the lions roar, the leopard growl and the elephants trumpet. Of course I see all the tracks and signs, the dung on the way and the footprints in the sand. But it is still a bit unreal.
Anyway … I did not want to get philosphical but talk a bit about what we do out there in the bush. I mean, I am not here on safari but to learn, isn`t it?
Some insights:
During walks some important rules apply: Always walk behind the rifle. Always follow the instructions. Never run! Walk as silent as possible. And – obviously – walk in a single file.
Instructor Vaughn is demonstrating how tribes used Sandpaper Raisin branches as punishment
Frank found a snake skin on the way …
… and Instructor David a bone. A big one …
Whenever we find something interesting, we come together to discuss it or to get explanation and information from the instructor.In this case it is a giraffe track.
Instructor David shows us the Zebrawood, one of the strongest and hardest trees in South Africa. It got the name from the black-and-white texture that reminds one on the colouration of a zebra. It can be used to treat diarrhoea, headache, bronchitis and colds, rheumatism, prevent miscarriage, treat gonorrhoea, stomachache and abdominal pain, to clean wounds, relieve pain in joints and to treat inflammation in mouth and throat. Due to its black and white texture, it is also often used for furniture.
Time for a coffee break
Instructor David found a Tailless whip scorpion under a stone. They look like a mixtrue between a spider, a scorpion, and a crab but are harmless to humans. They neither bite nor are venomous. Still a bit creepy.
Apart from the “big” things like Elephant, Lion, Rhino or Giraffe, I am always fascinated by the small things as well. Those little conical pits for example belong to one of the “Tiny 5”, the Antlion. To be more specific: the Antlion larvae. At night, the larvae finds a nice spot in a sandy area and creates this conical pit. The larvae itself sits underneath, waiting for prey items, such as ants, to fall down and get trapped. Alarmed by the constant movement of the ant´s attempt to escape, the larvae comes out to catch the ant.
Even the best day has to come to an end.
This is how we spend our days. Heading out to learn every morning and every evening. It is exhausting. My head hurts from all this new information, but I am looking forward to every single day that comes and that I can be outside.
Sininho´s World 
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