Science trip to Graaff-Reinet
EARLIER this year, Grade Nines undertook a three-day science trip centred on Graaff-Reinet. Led by Lucien Pienaar and Jan Augustyn, the trip was highly successful, and the group had a great time.
On day one, the group travelled from Colesberg to Graaff-Reinet, viewing fossils and Bushmen paintings on the way. In the afternoon they visited the Valley of Desolation outside Graaff-Reinet, accompanied by guides from the Department of Nature Conservation. That evening they arrived at the Camdeboo Environmental Education Centre, a dedicated educational centre with its own accommodation in the Camdeboo National Park.
The next day, the group went on the Camdeboo Orientation Trail, enjoyed lectures on conservation, the ecology, animals and spoors, went on a spoor hunt, and went on a night game walk to experience night food chains in the wild.
On the last day, the group explored Graaff-Reinet, including visits to the Graaff-Reinet Museum, the Montego dog food factory, and Karoo Taxidermy, a large taxidemy business based in Graaff-Reinet which specialises in preparing trophies for local and foreign hunters. Karoo Taxidermy takes pride in its progressive and responsble practices. For many learners, visiting this modern facility and viewing the dramatic full-size trophies of large animals such as giraffes and elephants was the highlight of the trip.