Rodean School & Beaulieu College - TPA

The Presidents Award

Chameleon Adventure Academy Silver Level Exploration report

Mountain Sanctuary Park 

EXPEDITION

Client:

Rodean School & Beaulieu College

Venue:

Mountain Sanctuary Park

Area:

North West province

Date:

25-27 November 2011

Delegates:

Mpho

Mokaba

Bianca

Conticini

Shazia

Patel

Phumla

Zitha

Stephanie

Gillespie

Shelby

Read

Danielle

Nortjé

Africa

Amoes

Facilitators/Guides:

1) Jo-Anne Glen

2) Otto Wipplinger

Purpose / Outcome

1) Explore the Biosphere of the Magaliesberg

Route:

The Area:

The Magaliesberg are among the oldest mountains in the world, almost 100 times older than Everest. They stretch for 120km from Bronkhorstspruit Dam east of Pretoria to Rustenburg in the west and separate the highveld grasslands to the south from the bushveld savannah in the north.

Sheer quartzite cliffs face south, overlooking a wide valley and a smaller ridge similar in shape and structure to the Magaliesberg. Water runoff from the mountains has created deep gullies and wonderful kloofs, some more than 100 metres deep, with perennial waterfalls of crystal clear water spilling from the heart of the mountain.

With its variety of habitats, the Magaliesberg provides the ideal setting for over 130 species of trees and a magnificent collection of flowers, ferns, grasses and fungi. The area is home to numerous species of birds including Cape Vultures, Red Breasted Cuckoo, and Black Eagle. Dassies, Rabbits, Klipspringer, Jackal, Civets, Porcupines and Rock Agamas are also common.

Friday:

After arrival the participants moved to set up base camp, from where they would explore the environment. Heading west, a stream was soon found. An abundance of interesting plants and small creatures caught attention. By sundown the birds sang their territories. Moving away from the stream a drier more arid landscape awaited. The semi circular stone piles that remain are all that is left to identify a late Iron-Age Kraal. A Night Adder was found per chance. Soon afterwards it was time to return to Camp to prepare food. After Supper a Civet came to investigate the camp area, showing that it is an opportunistic feeder.

Saturday:

The second day saw us armed with a compass, and couple of coordinates heading for an Orientation course. The goal was to complete the course, learning basic navigation skills and exploring the significance of the geology on magnetic declination. A couple of interesting Rock formations highlighted in the activity. Quartz veins were found and weathering patterns of the metamorphosed sandstone observed. With the high heat of the day an exploration of the run of a Gorge and lunch was in order. This was an opportunity to explore life in the gorges.  Shade trees, various small flowering plants and a few exotic Brambles were found. Progressively the pools grew colder down stream.

After returning to camp in the late afternoon a session was allocated to researching various questions that cropped up during the day.

Sunday:

A sketch map of the area and some knowledge of navigation helped participants find new areas to explore, including a woodland, some big pools to the east of camp, a stretch of grassland with Transvaal Sugar Bushes and the Grotto. In the woodland the various aspects and significant traits of the Buffalo Thorn were discussed. In the Grotto a sheltered waterfall and pool are home to some frogs, water skitters and small fish. In the afternoon it was time to gather possessions and return home for some rest.

Incidents:

No incidents recorded.

General:

I believe in the value of Experiential learning, and I believe in the power of the wilderness. You could, in only two days, see what effect the environment had on the participants. If we can facilitate life-long change within the participants, over a constant time, one would reach great outcomes. This is where the Presidents Award programme is so strong.