“When I grow up I’ll go to Africa.” I shouted that as a little girl of about 8 years old. But my life turned out differently and it wasnโt until I was 35 that I first came into contact with the continent of Africa. I fell in love immediately and knew that I would forever be connected to the most beautiful continent in the world.
It was in November 2022 that I heard from Remke Lasance and her BEWILD foundation. I didn’t hesitate for a moment and contacted her by email within an hour. A few days later we met and Remke told me everything I wanted to know about the special trips through southern Africa. She ย organized this trip from the Netherlands in collaboration with Blue Sky Society Trust founded by Carla Geyser. I decided to go on the next available Journey with purpose trip called โ Earthโ in May 2024.
Blue Sky Society Trust is a non-profit organization with the aim of contributing financially to wildlife- nature conservation, humanitarian and environmental projects visited during these trips. Carla gives people like you and me the opportunity to meet the amazing people behind the scenes, talk to them around the campfire to hear all about their great work and help out in the field were possible. Together we can make a difference on such a journey in the southern countries of Africa.
In the meantime we raised an amount of 110,000.00 Rand. I have contributed by making personal photo books for people in my area, a sponsored run at a primary school, a Christmas auction, and by selling jewelry from the “Down 2 the wire” foundation, an organization in South Africa working with anti-poaching units. They remove deadly traps and snares (mostly from Kruger) from poachers in nature reserves. These are then processed into handmade jewelry as a symbol of life. The proceeds go to a select group of wildlife veterinarians. When animals get caught in snares they have a rapid response group who have also dedicated their lives to making a difference in nature conservation. They pay for vets to go assist. Blue Sky Society Trust is one of the organizations that supports the wildlife vets when needed.
The money we have raised together as a travel group has been distributed to organizations such as “Elephants Alive, Endangered Wildlife trust -Birds of Prey Program, Medike Nature Reserve and K9 Unit @ Wildlife College.”
Almost 10 months later the time had come and I traveled to South Africa with Remke and 4 others. In Johannesburg we were met and welcomed with open arms by Carla and Erin from Blue Sky. Outside, 2 Toyota 4x4s were waiting for us and they would take us over 2300 kilometers through the vast wilderness of South Africa over the next two weeks.
We spent the first days in Kruger National Park. In the small Skukuza tented camp we slept among the wild animals. It is a surreal and magical experience to be woken up in the early mornings by roaring lions and the whooping calls of hyenas. In this wilderness, the hustle and stress of everyday life immediately falls away. During game drives in the early mornings you will see the soft golden glow of the rising sun glide over the endless views with lush flowers and grasses that gently sway in the breeze. The whole thing gives a dreamy image and it is wonderful to wake up in the early mornings in the African landscape.
During the game drives in Kruger we saw a lot of wildlife. It was always a gift to be able to admire an elephant, lion, giraffe, leopard or hyena in their own habitat. But also the fact that on the endless plains and in the surrounding area you are only surrounded by wilderness and serene tranquillity, you will encounter virtually no trace of civilization other than these beautiful creatures and that is a true blessing.
But unfortunately there is also a dark side to the free life of the wild animals in this beautiful environment. The evil called “poachers”. I have seen the suffering with my own eyes and heard the terrible stories from the team members of the various organizations. Elephants and rhinos are killed for their ivory and horns, causing young calves to die of starvation if they are not found in time, and vultures are poisoned through abandoned carcasses so that they can no longer betray poaching activities. These stories break your heart and make you deeply sad.
In the days that followed we visited various locations. We were able to take a look at a rhino sanctuary. Orphans are cared for here, but unfortunately rhinos are also preventively dehorned so that they are no longer attractive to poachers to kill. A great initiative, but deeply sad and intensely sad that it is necessary. The calves of killed rhinos are also given a surrogate mother here so that they can be returned to the wild after a few years to prevent and in the hope that they do not become completely extinct.
We also visited the K9 unit at SA Wildlife College. Here, dogs are trained every day from an early age to detect poachers as quickly as possible so that they can be arrested. During a demonstration where would-be poachers were given a head start of about 20 minutes, these heroes found the poachers within 2 minutes. My heart skipped a beat when I heard that these dogs had been able to track down more than 200 poachers in recent times. Really fantastic! Part of the money has been donated here to renovate the kennels of these dogs. Important because they protect them and they can completely relax here after such an intensive mission.
In addition, we were privileged to spend a day with the wonderful team of “Elephants Alive” led by Dr. Michelle Henley. Here was some of the money for the elephant’s transmitter. After a morning briefing by a professional vet, the goal was to collar a female elephant named Mrs. Jabari. We were each given our own task. It is surreal and incredibly impressive and beautiful to see a wild elephant in front of you, but at the same time you immediately realize why it is so important to protect these beautiful giants. When you have to and are allowed to perform your task, you simply act. Afterwards, while watching from a distance how the elephant wakes up from the anesthesia, you realize what you have done and seen and it brings tears to your eyes.
In the last days we got to spend some time with 2 teams from “Endangered Wildlife Trust”. On the first day we participated in the “Bird of Prey” program led by John Davies and Lindy Thompson. This day an attempt was made to place a transmitter on vultures. We were lucky because 3 white-backed vultures and a tawny eagle were caught. We were allowed to assist in installing the transmitter and the birds were also briefly examined. This must be done quietly and as quickly as possible to give the birds as little stress as possible. When the job is done, everyone watches breathlessly as they are released again and fly to their freedom in the hope of better protecting these animals.
EWT’s second team was in the Medike Nature Reserve in the Southpansberg Mountains. Here we met Catherine Vise & Darren Pieterson along with the other rangers from the team. They are committed to protecting Medike Nature Reserve, and encouraging the neighboring farmers to join the biosphere area. Many (plant) species occur here that are found nowhere else. They also try to remove exotic plants that do not belong here and are proliferating and hope to bring back native animal and plant species. They also clean up snares every day that have been left behind by poachers. Here we learned a lot about trees and plants and how important it is to protect and preserve these species. Here we donated new uniforms and first aid equipment, among other things. For all these organizations and their teams, nothing more than a lot of respect for their tireless efforts.
Two weeks in South Africa. Far too short, but a dream came true. And Africa was and still is a dream. For two weeks I lived on adrenaline. A rollercoaster of emotions and they all passed. South Africa is a world apart. You are a guest in the animal world where they (poachers aside) determine the rules. You are tiny, vulnerable and alert. You feel the tension at times, but I think it’s a wonderful feeling, I can completely surrender to it, and I can’t get enough of it. The feeling that you cannot do what you want in these wild reserves and that you always have to look back is fascinating and overwhelming but feels like a liberation but with a healthy dose of tension. Just the way it should be. The upside-down world that everyone should experience to realize how vulnerable these animals are and how they need our protection. The world is not ours alone but instead of sharing it we are slowly destroying it through greed and selfishness.
Like I said, all the moments and emotions have passed. Words like “unreal, fantastic, wonderful, soothing, happiness-making, impressive, breathtaking” are often used. I have felt admiration, excitement, joy, longing, enthusiasm, hope and emotion. But also emotions such as horror, fear, confusion, disgust, anger, disgust, rage and sadness have all passed. And so I can go on and on.
I feel blessed to have been able to make this special journey. Not only as a “travel experience” but also as a journey for myself. You discover yourself and discover even more what you want in your life and what you find important.
I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know many beautiful, inspiring people. Each with their own story, admirable passion and dedication for the Wildlife here in Africa. I feel incredibly connected to them and the work they do. I would like to never leave and join them for the rest of my life, but my responsibility awaits me at home. I can only hope that the friendships continue and that I can meet these people again in the future and be part of their daily passion again for a brief moment. Because one thing is certain, Africa, its people and its wildlife have stolen my heart.
My “Journey with Purpose” is over for now, but will definitely continue next year. You only live once and you have to get the most out of it. After seeing these inspiring, ย passionate people at work, I have no choice but to help them as often and as much as possible from my place in the world so that they can continue their important and hopeful work.
Finally, I have one word: GRATEFUL
Grateful for many moments and many people.
Carla Geyser, Erin Dickson, Remke, and my travel buddyโs, ย Michelle Henley and her team from EA, John and Lindy, Catherine and Darren and their teams from EWT and everyone else involved for this unforgettable journey.
A journey full of wonderful adventures, pleasant conversations, conviviality, solidarity and good care.
Grateful for all the knowledge, for the tears we shared together of sadness, happiness and much laughter. The safe traveling, the feeling of safety and one big family. You are the best. For the fascinating and hilarious stories around the campfire, the magical sunrises and sunsets, the trust and the unforgettable experiences while supporting your fantastic work that you do with so much passion. I admire you. Never give up!!
And finally Africa and its wildlife. Thanks for letting me be here. Africa cannot be explained, it is a feeling. That I could be a guest and take a look into your world. That I could enjoy your presence, observe you in your natural doings and see with my own eyes why it is so important to continue to protect you and your habitat. Thank you for waking me up every morning and making my day before it even started. That I can and may feel at home in “your home”. So precious, Stay safe!!
Life hurts nature heals
Until we meet again.
With LOVE Ilse
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The Blue Sky Society Trust is an accredited Non-Profit Organisation and Public Benefit Organisation. NPO number | NPO 118-708
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