DAY 1 – Theme SOUTH AFRICA AND SHANGAAN CULTURE

This theme concentrates on our country. The Field Guide will provide information on the area Tintswalo is in, its people, our flag and other relevant details.

Talk and Game Drive: This first game drive is used to introduce the safety guidelines (WHICH ARE VERY IMPORTANT), and also an Introduction to the Bushveld (Why it’s called Bushveld, what makes it unique).

Activity: Shirt painting with fabric paint. Older kids will paint the South African Flag on T-shirts; younger ones can use the flags’ colours to paint anything on their T-shirts. African Bead making is also an option (Manager discretion or Guest choice). Items such as key chains or necklaces can be made.

DAY 2 – Theme BUSH SUPERMARKET AND RESTAURANT

This theme concentrates on what humans can survive on in the bush and what animals eat.

Talk and Game Drive: The focus is on trees, shrubs, grasses, animal droppings, etc.

Activity: Younger children can collect plant items on the drive that can be used as substitutes for, amongst other things, toothbrushes, toilet paper and cups. Older children can also partake in collage making. They can collect different leaves, grasses, etc, paste them on a piece of cardboard and undertake an identification exercise; the completed collages can be used at their school for show and tell. Little ones can make leaf prints with paint.

DAY 3 and 4 – Theme TRACKING

This theme can run over two days. It concentrates on teaching children the different spoor (tracks) of animals and also tracking techniques. Professional trackers assist with this task. Children can be taught how to follow animals and look for distinguishing signs.

Game Drive: Very important for children to go out and experience real tracking in the bush.

Activity: Plaster of Paris footprint moulds can be made, which can then be painted. Little ones can do play dough. If the children want to do additional activities, alternatives such as a Treasure Hunt can be arranged. In this kind of activity children can use their new techniques to find a ‘Treasure’. The Treasure Hunt is arranged in a safe area as designated by the field guide. The guide will “make” spoor for children to follow in conjunction with various clues that will lead them to the treasure, which they can keep. This can also be an indoor activity.

NIGHT 3 or 4 – Theme STAR GAZING

This theme concentrates on our solar system, as well as showing children prominent stars in our spectacular southern hemisphere skies.

Activity: Painting of the planets and stars can be done using black paper, glitter, white paint, etc for good effect. “Mooncatchers” can be made with fishing lines, beads and also with selective natural options such as feathers and seed pods.

DAY 5 – Theme INSECTS AND BIRDS

This theme concentrates on our feathered friends and small creatures. The Small 5 can be sought out.

Game Drive: Go out to find our Small 5, as well as other smaller creatures such as butterflies, lizards, frogs, etc. Birds can also be identified, the field guide will explain how to do this from various visual aspects as well as from bird calls.

Activity: Mosaic pictures of little creatures can be made. Mosaic kits will be supplied for the children.