Learning in the Wild
The Lapalala Wilderness School is an educational centre operating in the Lapalala Game Reserve aimed at teaching young students about protecting and conserving the natural environment. The school is well-known for its teachings about conservation, sustainability and ecological factoids.
The school was founded in 1981, consisting of just three tents and 10 students. The schools founders, Clive and Conita Walker, knew that along with establishing the Lapalala Game Reserve, they wanted to educate the youth on what conservation means and where we as humans fit into the natural world.
It became an internationally recognized school during the 1990’s, when airline sponsors made it possible for children from South East Asia, the UK and US to experience Lapalala Wilderness. During the 2000’s, the school expanded to accommodate more learners, and trained environmental educators join the team to allow the children to interact more closely with the wildlife. In 2011, tertiary level training was introduced, as well as a Youth Development Programme.
Lapalala Wilderness School teaches young people concepts such as ecology, the protection of wild creatures, wild landscapes and the natural resources of the environment. Children have the opportunity to experience interactions with wild animals such as giraffe, Cape buffalo, black rhino and leopard.
Issues such as sustainable living and climate change are discussed, as well as education around the conservation of biodiversity. Leadership skills are built and a lively, relaxed atmosphere is created with team building. The school supports Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as part of the national curriculum.