Some of Caprivi’s most disadvantaged children had the time of their lives at Lianshulu Lodge in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip. Children in the Wilderness hosted two groups of children from the communities surrounding Mudumu National Park for a week of laughter, outdoor adventure and environmental education. 

The two camps, marking the first time that Children in the Wilderness has operated in the Caprivi, were both an amazing success. Lianshulu Lodge in the East Caprivi overlooks the Kwando River and is situated on a private concession inside Namibia’s Mudumu National Park. The area is a lush wilderness of riverine forest, marsh and open woodland, with superb scenery and a fascinating array of fauna and flora which served as the perfect canvas for a variety of wilderness activities, a favourite of which was the Kwando River Boat Cruise.

“I loved the boat cruise because we got to touch and smell different plants,” said one camper. “We saw hippos in the water and I loved the fish eagle.” Other campers enjoyed the game drives and learning about how to protect their crops from animals. A hands-on activity taught campers how to combine dried chillies and elephant dung to create a substance that safely repels elephants when set ablaze. “Elephants are important,” said another camper. “They help other animals to get food and they create jobs for us. We don’t have to throw stones at them. I will teach my family about what I learned on camp.”

In addition to the wilderness activities, children learned about their rights, particularly when it comes to bodily integrity and protecting themselves from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The safe environment created by Children in the Wilderness gave campers the freedom to explore, to try new things and to open up about challenges they are facing in their lives.

“I will never forget the people on camp,” said a young camper. “They are so nice and they make you feel special. I wish I could stay here forever.”

Led by an experienced team of Wilderness Safaris staff, this series of Children in the Wilderness camps was a wonderful opportunity for children from the Caprivi to learn about themselves, their environment, and each other. Children in the Wilderness is dedicated to working with Namibian children to provide them with hope and belief in their own future and the future of their country’s natural environment. The organisation is thrilled to welcome Lianshulu to its growing programme.

Christabel (13), Children in the Wilderness - Zambia

Christabel is 13 years old and lives with her mother. Her father passed away and her mother is very ill all the time. She is a very responsible girl and was always helping to take care of the others. She would be the first one to help clearing the table for example. When Doreen was sick, she would go to Doreen in the middle of the night to check if Doreen was okay. Christabel is very clever and was always contributing in the classes. She would like to protect all the trees, because they give oxygen to the Earth. After school she would like to be a manager like Rob and Ingrid, because management is a good position.

She told us that she learned during the programme that it is not good to insult other people to make you feel better. She admitted doing so when she was feeling bad herself. She told us that she would never do it again.

Mwanaisha James (11), Children in the Wilderness - Malawi

Mwanaisha is in Grade 3 and when she grows up, she would like to be a teacher. Her favourite activities during camp were playing and singing. Her most enduring quality was her friendliness and her enthusiastic intelligence. She promised that she would work hard at getting the message to people about the value of wildlife and try to discourage her relatives from killing wild animals and carelessly cutting down trees. She was everyone’s friend and helped wherever needed. When she had to say who her new friend that she made at camp was she said: she is now a friend of nature!