Final Update from South Africa + Mozambique!
July 24, 2024
Hello, South African Friends and Family! Wow! We’ve had the most incredible time since our last update, and we can hardly believe our adventure has come to an end. We’ve experienced so much together.
We set out for Kwafubesi Lodge on Mabula Game Reserve, a beautiful, very large reserve with an abundant number of Big 5 animals! We arrived and were greeted by the amazing staff and brought to our beautiful tented camps with heated beds, bathtubs, and outdoor showers! We had lunch and met our wonderful safari guides, Vincent and Michaela. We headed out on our first game drive at Mabula and split up into the game cars. We saw some beautiful white rhinos, as they are all over the reserve, and some giraffes as well. As it started getting chilly, we all put on our stylish green ponchos! We watched a beautiful sunset while eating snacks, and Hadley captured it all on her little pink camera! We headed back to camp to warm up with some hot chocolate and a delicious dinner.
The next morning, we woke up, had breakfast, and got ready for a very exciting day. Today, we would be looking for cheetahs on foot in the bush. We had a debrief with the rangers of the reserve and set out to find cheetahs. We went with the cheetah specialist, who used frequency signals to track the cheetahs using the chip in their collars. After following the frequencies, we stumbled upon two brother cheetahs lounging under a tree. It was such an incredible sight to be feet away from these amazing animals and watch as they basked in the sun! We headed back to camp to have some downtime! Ella, Abby, Ashlynn, and Cheri Claire went on a jog around camp, and Ben, Hadley, Towne, Olivia, Madalynn, and Georgie played many rounds of our favorite card game called Skipbo! We had high tea, which is our favorite part of the day, as we get to drink tea and eat snacks before our upcoming game drive! We set out for our afternoon game drive and saw many animals.
We woke up really early and had an amazing breakfast while we watched a beautiful sunrise over the bush. We headed over to The Ground Hornbill Conservation Team, where we learned about the ground hornbill, a very pivotal bird in the safari ecosystem. The girls were very intrigued and asked many questions regarding these fascinating birds. Rowan and Anne were asking many interesting questions! Next, we had lunch overlooking the bush as we ate with rhino, buffalo, and warthog right next to us! Next, we did something really exciting, which was heading out to feed the rhinos. We drove out into the bush and met the rhino managers. We split into two groups and hopped onto trucks full of grass. We drove out to pairs of rhinos and buffalo and had a front-row show as they ran right up to the truck. The girls got to actually throw the grass off the trucks, and we would drive away and watch as the rhinos would eat right in front of us! Afterwards, we headed back for our daily snack, reading, rest, and multiple games of Skipbo! Next, we were greeted by Nikki, who is the Lion Manager of the reserve. We were briefed about the lions and how we would track them for our night game drive. We followed Nikki into the lion reserve, which is kept separate from the rest of the reserve. Like the cheetahs, the lions also have chips in their collars so we could track them with frequency. We arrived to the beautiful sight of every single lion and their seven cubs lounging in the sun. We had a beautiful sighting of them and watched them frolic at sunset for about an hour. It was incredible. The girls were able to ask Nikki a bunch of questions about the lions, and Ann and Hadley were specifically intrigued! Next, we went to a really cool spot on the reserve, which is a bunch of rocks piled up that you can climb on and watch the sunset!
The next morning, we were up super early for an amazing last day. The first thing out of our amazing day was celebrating Abby’s 15th Birthday! 🥳 🎈 We woke her up with exciting music, balloons, and surprised her with all of her favorite candy and a Moondance shirt! She was so excited, and it was a great start to the day! Next, we were in for a fantastic surprise: we would be darting and chipping a rhino! All the girls were thrilled and jumped right into the action. Andrew and his wife, Maria, a team of veterinarians, led the entire project. Andrew loaded a rifle with anesthetics, and we were driven into the safari to dart the rhino. Abby and Rowan even got to ride on the back of the car and see the entire darting process in full action! He hit it with his first shot, and the rhino took off. We were on the hunt to find it! It was exhilarating to watch the scientists and rangers urgently tracking the rhino. Finally, we found the sedated rhino, and the scientists had already begun their work. It was hooked up to an EKG, and the girls eagerly assisted in every way possible. Hadley and Cheri Claire microchipped the rhino and even gave it anti-tick spray! Madalynn and Georgie got to remove the collar on the rhino, and Madalynn even kept part of it as a souvenir. Ashlynn got to scan the microchips in, and Towne and Ella measured the horn and body. Olivia cleaned the area of the rhino where it would be given antibiotics, and Rowan and Ann administered the shots! All the girls even got to stick their hand in the rhino’s mouth, which is something that many people can’t say they have ever had the opportunity to do! We took pictures with the rhino and watched as it woke up and reunited with its family. We went back to camp for high tea and relaxation time! Olivia even jumped in the freezing cold pool! That night we had our final night game drive, which we were sad about, but we would make it the best ever! We listened to music on the cart and jammed out until we stumbled upon an entire herd of elephants chilling at a dam and drinking water! It was quite an amazing sight and an even better one to end on! Half the group went up to Christmas Hill, which is a beautiful viewpoint to see the sun set over the mountains, and the other half stayed and watched the elephants play as the sun went down! We returned to the lodge for one final surprise: an incredible dinner under the stars. The staff prepared a barbecue while we played games around the fire. We ate our delicious dinner, and afterward, we sang songs around the table for a while. After that, we continued celebrating Abby’s birthday with a delicious chocolate cake! We gathered around the fire for our final Moonup, discussing how amazing this trip was and how grateful we were for the experience. The girls were persistent about waking up at the crack of dawn for one final game drive. We set out for the last time and got so incredibly lucky as we stumbled upon an entire pack of wild dogs! These animals are so rare to see, and we haven’t seen them all summer, so it was really cool to watch them roll around in the bush for our own private sighting of them! We went back to camp for our final breakfast and headed to the airport right after. As the girls head to the airport and home, we know this experience will stay with them forever. Meeting these girls was so special. We don’t know what we’ll do without them. They were such a kind, positive, and enthusiastic group who perfectly embodied what it means to be a Moondancer. We will miss them so much and are so thankful for the joy and love they brought!
Love,
Ben and Julianna
Hello from South Africa and Mozambique!!
July 19, 2024
A lot has happened since we last checked in, and this trip has been incredible! We continued with community service at the daycare, and the girls did an incredible job without complaining once. We painted the daycare a lovely blue color, which was very cheerful. We listened to tunes while we worked, and Hadley and Cheri Claire made friends with a little boy named Peńo, helping him paint the building. We also hung out with an older boy named Brendan, who loves hanging out with the girls and teaching them his dance moves. Madalyn, Ashlyn, and Brendan made a dancing video and had a great time. Rowan paid great attention to all the little details while painting. We finished the majority of the building, and it looked amazing and bright. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Ahna and everyone in the community. It was a very sad and heartfelt moment, but they were so grateful for the work we had done, and we know the girls took a lot from this experience. Next, we headed out on our evening safari drive, which was pretty amazing. We got up close and personal with an entire herd of elephants. One even stopped by and said hello to one of our cars, brushing its trunk against the side. It was a very rare and special moment. We saw all thirty elephants crossing with their babies, which was so special. We ended the drive with drinks and snacks as the sun dipped over the bush. We returned to Little Mongena, where we had a surprise for the evening: a cooking competition to make Poike stew, a traditional African stew made with chicken, veggies, potatoes, and butternut squash. We split into two teams: Team 2 (Cheri Claire, Ben, Ashlynn, Ann, Towne, and Georgie) and Team 1 (Julianna, Olivia, Abby, Rowan, Ella, Hadley, and Madalyn). Team 2 won the competition as the staff voted theirs the best. We had a beautiful dinner afterward, where both teams tried each other’s stews. We ended the night with a Moonup and laughs, then went to bed, as we had a big travel day ahead! We woke up very early the next day, said goodbye to the amazing staff at Little Mongena, and headed out for our adventures in Mozambique! We set out for the Johannesburg airport, checked in, and made it to our gate. After a safe flight to Mozambique, we were greeted with warm weather and a nice breeze. We set out for our six-hour car drive, which all the girls were super high-spirited about. This drive is one of our favorite parts of the trip, as it allows the girls to see a large part of Mozambique and experience the country’s unique and rich culture. The girls had a blast singing along the entire time. We cruised down to the coast and stopped at the Tropic of Capricorn to take a photo. The drive ended with a beautiful sunset as we drove through a forest of palm trees, with the girls singing to the music. Finally, we arrived at the beautiful Tilak Lodge, owned by the wonderful Brodie! Although Brodie couldn’t meet us due to an injury, we were greeted by her incredible husband, Dan. The girls settled into their bunk rooms, and we had our first dinner with the sounds of waves crashing in the background. The next morning, we woke up for our first ocean safari! After a delicious crepe breakfast, we headed down to Tofo Scuba for the next few days. Our ocean safari began on a beautiful morning with blue skies. We saw some humpback whales up close as they have just arrived in Mozambique! We returned to Tofo Scuba for some relaxation. Towne, Ben, Hadley, Ashlynn, Georgie, Madalyn, and Abby played beach volleyball while the other girls tanned and read on the beach. We all played in the waves and had lunch before getting ready for our first day of surfing. We walked down to the surf shack and met our surfing guides. Although the surf wasn’t great, we still had a wonderful time and caught some waves. Olivia, Rowan, and Hadley were naturals! Next, Abby, Ann, Ashlynn, Georgie, and Ben did a sunset swim, enjoying an hour of body surfing under the beautiful sky. We returned to the lodge for dinner and dessert, then headed to bed. We woke up for sunrise the next morning and saw whales jumping on the horizon. Towne, Hadley, Cheri Claire, and Ella did a sunrise walk, while Georgie, Abby, Ann, and Ashlynn did a sunrise swim. After breakfast, we had a morning surf with crystal clear water. Following surfing, we relaxed at Tilak, swimming, reading, and tanning. We then headed out for our second ocean safari. Initially, we didn’t see anything, but Hadley pointed out some bottlenose dolphins, and we jumped in to swim with them briefly before they swam away! It was a cool experience. We continued the boat ride, listening to tunes and riding the waves. Returning to Tofo Scuba, a driver took us to the Mozambique market. We hopped in the back of the truck and headed to the beach market, which offers beautiful homemade jewelry, art, wood pieces, and fresh fruit. The girls had a field day bargaining for their favorite items. Rowan, Olivia, Hadley, Ashlynn, and Abby got some beautiful bracelets, while Cheri Claire and Towne bought wooden spoons. The next morning, we woke up before sunrise for a beach walk/hike to Tofino Point, about an hour away. We had a stunning sunrise the entire way, with whales jumping and waves crashing against the rocks. It was an incredible way to start the morning. We returned to the market for last-minute purchases before meeting Tony, a Tofo Beach local, who welcomed us into his home for a cultural immersion activity. His brother climbed a coconut tree to chop down coconuts, which the girls loved. Tony and his mother showed the girls how to make a coconut sauce, with Georgie excelling at shaving coconut and squeezing it to make coconut milk. We also made homemade coconut bread. Tony and his family cooked a delicious meal of fresh fish, pineapple, coconut rice, and bread with homemade sauces. After the meal, we returned to the lodge for some rest before our next activity. Tony met us at the lodge, and we geared up for a traditional dhow boat ride in the bay. We stopped at various places for surprises, including coconut bread, sodas, and snacks. At the bay, we met our dhow boat captain and waded through the water to get on the boat. We cruised around the bay, spotting wild flamingos lounging on the sand. Ben, Georgie, and Abby got out to see them up close. We continued sailing through the mangrove trees, watching the sunset over the bay. It was a beautiful end to our adventures in Mozambique. Unfortunately, our time here has come to an end, and we are currently on our way back to South Africa, excited to return to safari life. This trip has been amazing, and we can’t wait to see what else is in store! Here are some messages from the girls!
Cheri Claire- hey mom, dad, Caden, Cg, Camden, and leia!! I’m having so much fun in Africa and miss yall so much. Thank you for sending me on this incredible trip. Can’t wait to see yall! Love yall💗💗
Olivia – hi mom and dad! I am having so much fun in Africa! I miss you guys so much, but very happy you guys let me go on this trip! Love you guys so much!
Ella- Hi everyone!! I’m having so much fun here it’s amazing I never want to leave!! Thought I actually saw Parker yesterday 😅Can’t wait to see everyone, miss and love yall so much!!
Towne- Hiii!! I miss yall SO SO much!! I am so happy and surprised I actually am here! I can’t type that much so I love yall so much and thank you for letting me come on this trip! The people here are so nice, I am so excited to tell you about them when I get home! This is the coolest trip I have ever been on! Love yall!!
Hadley- Heyyyyyy miss all of yall. I’m having the best time ever! This trip has brought me new friendships and memories I will never forget. In case you’re wondering I have journaled every night. Hunter good luck at junior am say hi to Blades for me 😀😀. Thank you thank you thank you for letting me experience moondance!! LOVE YALL
Ann – Heyyy Mom!! I’m having the best time!! I love it here so so sooo much. I can’t wait to tell yall all about it. I miss and love you so much ❤️❤️
Madalyn – Hi fam I am having the best time in South Africa and Mozambique!! I have had the most wonderful experiences and the most fun with these amazing people!! Special thank you to Indie for this trip thank you so so so so much!! Love yall!! ❤️❤️
Abby – Hi mom and dad! Thank you so much for letting me come on this trip because I am having such an amazing experience in South Africa and Mozambique! Everyone is so nice and everything I have gotten to do has been so fun! I love you guys so much!
Georgie – hey mom, dad, and Addie!! I’m having the best time here with everyone and I’ve seen so many cool things that I can’t wait to share with y’all. Thank y’all so much for letting me come on the amazing trip! I love and miss yall and the dogs so much!
Ashlynn- Hey!! I miss you guys! I am having so much fun in South Africa and Mozambique!!! All of the activities are so so cool and the girls are so nice!! Thank you for letting me come on this trip and experience all of the amazing things it comes with! I can’t wait to tell you all about it!! love you!! 💗💗
Rowan-Hey Mom and Dad! I miss you both so much and I can’t wait to see you and tell you all about my trip, I bought a few gifts for you that I think you will like. I’m having a pretty good time and I’m excited to see you. Love you!!❤️❤️
Hello from South Africa!
July 13, 2024
Greetings South African Families and Friends!
Our adventure in South Africa has just begun, but it already feels like we’ve been together for a lifetime! From the moment we arrived in Johannesburg, the energy and enthusiasm of this group of girls have been absolutely infectious. We’ve made incredible memories since the group’s arrival, and it’s amazing to see the bonds forming so quickly.
After gathering at the airport, we checked into the City Lodge Hotel for our first night. The girls settled into their rooms, and we enjoyed a delightful dinner filled with great conversations. Following dinner, we had our first Moonup, a time when we come together to reflect on the day and ask insightful questions. The first Moonup went wonderfully, and Rowan and Ann were elected as our first leaders of the day.
The next morning, we set off for Mongena Safari Lodge, where the adventure truly began. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by four giraffes, much to Cheri Claire’s delight, as this was the animal she was most excited to see. As we drove to the lodge, we saw dozens of monkeys, which thrilled the girls. We arrived at our beautiful lodge site, right on the water overlooking the bush, and settled into our tents. While waiting for lunch, we played games and enjoyed the stunning surroundings.
We had our first lunch overlooking the entire bush, followed by a relaxing afternoon around the pool. Later, we embarked on a sunset boat safari with our great ranger, Declan, who guided us through a dam full of Nile crocodiles and hippos. The girls loved watching the sunset, eating snacks, and chatting on the cruise. We returned to camp to find a huge fire and a beautifully set dinner table awaiting us. We sat around the fire, chatted, and were surprised with a traditional African drum lesson. Ann, Towne, Abby, and Georgie were particularly good drummers! We danced and sang until it was time for a delicious dinner of steak and pasta. We ended the night with a Moonup around the fire before retreating to our tents, surrounded by the sounds of wild animals in the bush.
The next morning, we woke up early for an incredible breakfast to fuel us for our first day of community service. Our guides picked us up in a truck, and we headed to the Mongena Community, where we met Anna, the community leader. She told us we would be painting the daycare center that houses many orphan children in the community. The girls got to work immediately with great attitudes and paintbrushes in hand. Rowan, Madalyn, and Olivia were especially diligent, hardly putting their brushes down. Later, we had the opportunity to play with the kids in the daycare, which was a truly special moment. The children, so full of joy, enjoyed playing with the girls, and it was heartwarming to see the bonds forming.
After wrapping up our work for the day, we returned to Little Mongena and surprised the girls with a special night ahead. We told them to pack warmly for a bush walk, a safari on foot. After a two-mile walk through the bush, we arrived at a secluded spot where dinner and a fire were set up. The girls were thrilled to learn they would be sleeping in the bush for the night. We gathered around the fire for dinner and played a fun game called “Three People on a Couch.” Even the rangers, who were staying with us for protection, joined in. Afterward, we had our Moonup and prepared for bed, layering up for the cold night ahead. We ended the night watching the Milky Way and listening to calming music as we fell asleep. However, by 2 AM, the cold set in, and we all gathered around the fire to stay warm, telling stories and chatting until sunrise. Despite the freezing temperatures, the night brought us closer together, and we couldn’t stop talking about it all day.
After breakfast, we headed back to the community for another day of painting the daycare. The girls did an incredible job, even with little sleep. We returned to Little Mongena for our first official game drive and were incredibly lucky to see a male alpha lion, a female lion, and an entire herd of elephants. It was an awe-inspiring experience. We ended the day with a beautiful sunset over the bush and a delicious dinner back at the lodge.
This trip has been nothing short of extraordinary, and we couldn’t have asked for a better group. We are so excited to be ending our summer with such a sweet and fun group of girls. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the trip brings!
Safe arrival in South Africa!
July 10, 2024
Hello South Africa +Mozambique Families!
All students have landed safely in Johannesburg and the group is headed to their first activity! The trip is off to a great start and we can’t wait to share more updates from their adventure.
-Moondance HQ
