Educational adventure for learners at Tshukudu Bush Camp

For Laerskool Barberton Primary’s Grade 7 learners, October was not just another month in the school calendar. They had a week filled with adventure, discovery, and unforgettable learning experiences in the wild. From October 12-16, the group, accompanied by their teachers, spent five days at Tshukudu Bush Camp in Hoedspruit, where classroom lessons came alive in nature.

According to Liza-Mari Drummond, Natural Sciences teacher and organiser of the annual trip, the mornings began with a bush walk alongside Duma, a cheetah, offering learners the rare opportunity to see him in action as he attempted to hunt. After breakfast, the group embarked on morning game drives, exploring the diverse wildlife of the area.

Afternoons were devoted to study sessions, where the learners covered topics such as trees, snakes, conservation, and anti-poaching. These sessions were not just educational, but also inspired an appreciation for the balance of life in the bush. Each evening concluded with a sunset game drive, during which they were fortunate to spot lions, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos, a breathtaking showcase of Africa’s Big Five.

After dinner, evenings around the campfire offered a chance to relax and reflect on the day’s adventures. One of the highlights, said Liza-Mari, was the drumming session under the stars, which created an atmosphere of rhythm, unity, and fun.

Tuesday night brought a particularly memorable experience when the group slept out under the stars in the open bush. “It was absolutely incredible,” said Liza-Mari. “Early the next morning, a lioness and her cubs quietly passed by the edge of our sleeping area. Although we were a bit nervous, the rangers were alert and the lions moved calmly past us. It’s something none of us will ever forget.” The following day, learners enjoyed a refreshing swim in the Blyde River, rounding off a week of outdoor learning with laughter and camaraderie.

The Grade 7 tour has a long and proud history at Laerskool Barberton Primary. It was first introduced in 1994 by then-Natural Sciences teacher Johan Venter van Zyl, whose deep love for wildlife inspired him to take his top science learners on a special field trip to the Kruger National Park.

“My passion has always been the natural world, the animals, their behaviour, and their habitats,” Johan said. “That passion was the driving force behind asking permission to take the Grade 7s on a proper Lowveld tour.”

He approached School Tour Services in Sabie to help design the original itinerary. The first educational tour began in Skukuza, where the group stayed at the Youth Centre and explored the Kruger National Park. From there, they travelled to Graskop, staying at Summit Lodge and visiting God’s Window and the Three Rondavels. The journey continued to Moholoholo Mountain View, where learners engaged with raptors and mammals at the renowned rehabilitation centre. On the way home, they stopped at Van Zyl’s own Tsakani Silk Farm, where fascinating demonstrations were given on how silk products are made.

That format remained largely unchanged for many years, forming part of Barberton Primary’s proud tradition of experiential learning. However, with recent changes in school travel logistics, it was decided that this year’s tour would focus on a single destination, Tshukudu Bush Camp, allowing for more in-depth learning and a truly immersive nature experience.

For the learners, the week at Tshukudu was far more than just a school trip, it was a celebration of learning, teamwork, and appreciation for the natural world. And for the teachers who continue to nurture this tradition, it remains a powerful reminder that education extends far beyond the classroom walls.