Y11 Orange River Trip

After months of anticipation and excitement, the day finally came for the Year 11 leadership camp to the Orange River. We set off at 5 am sharp on the morning of the 28th of July and returned 4 days later on the 1st. Despite the early start, we were all brimming with excitement to get on the road for the long drive that stood ahead of us.

The bus ride was one filled with lots of singing and laughter, with the teachers enduring several hours of songs from the impromptu choir that had formed at the back of the bus. After lunch in Springbok we had arrived at the border, and following the filling out of all the necessary forms (and waiting for what seemed like ages) we were finally on our way to the basecamp!

The arrival was a swift affair, with most of us rushing about to set up camp whilst the sun remained cooperative. With the tents up–including one rather unlike the others. We were introduced to our guides to be, and our dinner, both equally lovely.

The morning of the 29th was when everyone fought to get all of their clothes, tents and sleeping bags onto our boats without forgetting anything. Our first day on the river came with beautifully sunny weather and plenty of wind, so much so that we had to move our first lunch spot further down the river because of the copious amounts of sand that were getting swept into the food, fire and our boats. The wind, however, did help with the insects that were trying to enjoy our hot dogs just as much as we were.

Another helpful bug repellent were our nightly fires. The fires weren’t only for cooking – they were also our source of warmth for the late night debates and stories after the sun had gone down. We spent hours huddled around the fire and chatting while looking up at the stars, relying on the few of us who could identify constellations to guide us around the night sky.

Whilst we all enjoyed the adrenaline rush we got from the rapids as they threw and bumped us around, the quiet patches of the river were also a surprising source of enjoyment. The peace and calm you would experience while drifting slowly downstream while surrounded by the most beautiful mountain views and the occasional goat, was extremely soothing. On our last day of paddling, and on a particularly long still section, we all had the bright idea to link our boats together, forming several “house” boats, some consisting of up to 6 boats joined together!
During the 3 days we spent on the river, we got to engage in numerous fun activities, such as setting up a volleyball court with our paddles, trying to swim across the river, and even some people working together to build a jacuzzi as well as a huge fire on the last night. However, by far the most unique venture was the rescue of Jeremy, a lost racing pigeon!

The poor bird–presumably sent out to race– had gotten a stick lodged beneath his wing. Thanks to a seriously determined effort of a particular student, we had managed to capture, feed and importantly free the poor creature of his troublesome attachment. Judging him not quite fit for the journey home alone, a cooler box was commandeered and outfitted for first class pigeon transportation. The little trooper came all the way back to basecamp with us, where his owner was contacted–thanks to the ring around Jeremy’s leg–, and where we left him with the somewhat perplexed yet happy to help staff.

Jeremy, however, was far from the only ‘natural’ highlight of the trip. From the moment you start off down the river, nature swallows you whole. We were enveloped completely in an entirely different world. Swallows danced their way through cloud-like swaths of midges, kingfishers watched from overhanging branches, waiting for an unlucky fish to swim just a little too close to the surface. All the while the mountains, straight from the surface of mars, track by, the layers of rock rising and twisting their way alongside us. There really is nothing quite like it.

The final day on the river was somewhat bittersweet. The atmosphere of friendship and accomplishment somewhat twinged with the realisation that this really was the end. The day’s paddling was short, although not so much as the somewhat humbling drive back to basecamp. The effort of three days rowing eclipsed in under an hour. Upon return, following the now well practiced setting up of tents we were treated to a wonderful two-course meal, and more importantly: ready access to hot, running water. After a heartfelt thanks to the guides who had taken such good care of us, we went to bed for the last time on the banks of the Orange river.

On the last day, we had another early morning to pack up tents and get everything and everyone onto the bus. We had reached the Namibian border by 5:30 am, in the darkness and an outdoor temperature of 3 degrees. The heaters inside were a welcome luxury as we got our passports stamped and ready to enter South Africa again. After crossing the Orange River for the last time, it was time for the long drive back to Cape Town. Unlike day one, this drive was much quieter as we all spent the first few hours fast asleep recovering from the last few late nights and early mornings. The singing, laughter and chatting picked up as everyone began to wake up after our first stop. Arriving late Friday afternoon, we were home again.

Thank you so much to the amazing guides and teachers for making this trip possible! This trip definitely improved our connection and camaraderie throughout the grade, and was an absolutely amazing start to our leadership course.

– Angelina, Kristen, Quinn