Albane Bossuyt

My main motivation for this trip was to go beyond what I'd been learning in biology class at school. I had the basic facts about animal wildlife and their habitats, but I had no real sense of what conservation actually looks like on the ground, and I'd never been to Southern Africa.

The biggest highlight for me was Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Getting to see how animals are cared for, particularly those under threat from poaching or illness, was something I'd never experienced before. We had a tour and spoke with some of the people who work there, and it was incredible to see the dedication behind it all. Animals that might otherwise have been deemed hopeless are given a second chance, either being prepared to return to the wild or being cared for long-term. That really stayed with me.

Before the trip, I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. The only part of Africa I'd ever visited was Egypt, and the only other exposure I'd had was through the news, which, looking back, had given me quite a distorted picture. Growing up in Europe, Africa simply wasn't something I thought about day-to-day. But being here completely changed that. Despite how different it is from my world, I was struck by how much there is to discover, not just in terms of the animals and conservation, but the culture and way of life too. 

This trip has been so much more than I anticipated. It hasn't just taught me about wildlife; it's opened my eyes to a much bigger world beyond where I live.