Partnering with Protected Area Communities

The Zululand Conservation Trust recently hosted two exciting days of School Game Drives, welcoming 130 Grade 7 learners from neighbouring schools. For many of the children, it was their very first time seeing wild animals in a protected area.

The game drives are designed to introduce local learners to conservation in a practical, hands-on way. Learners spent the morning on safari in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve, guided by trained field rangers and accompanied by their teachers. Along the way, they learned about different animal species, the importance of conservation, and how protected areas contribute to the wellbeing of local communities and biodiversity.

To support the learning experience, each child received a wildlife identification booklet in both English and Zulu, which they could take home and continue to explore after the day ended. These booklets included pictures and facts about the animals they might encounter and served as an extension of the day's learning.

A number of lodges within the reserve provided the vehicles and guides needed for the day. This meant that learners were split into smaller groups, creating a more personal and interactive experience. The children asked thoughtful questions and were fully engaged, with many expressing how much they had learned and how exciting it was to be out in nature for the first time.

The event was carefully coordinated to ensure everything ran smoothly, including transport, snacks, and safety logistics. The two-day program is part of ZCT’s broader community engagement efforts, aimed at inspiring the next generation to value and protect the natural world around them.

Ongoing support for this initiative helps cover key costs such as lunches, drinks, rain ponchos, fuel, and transport, allowing the Trust to continue offering this experience to more learners in the future.