World Challenge - Namibia 2025
Our Year 11 students went to Namibia in two separate teams in the summer holidays this year for their world challenge. They both followed the same itinerary, here is a recap from Team 2 with photos featured from both teams.
Travel Days
The day before departure, the team had build-up day at school where personal kit was scrutinised, and group kit distributed and squeezed into rucksacks. With rucksacks bulging at the seams, the next day the team travelled down to Heathrow to catch their first flight to Ethiopia. However, it was a rather stressful journey for team two as the M40 was closed. Miss Thomas and two challengers got to Heathrow with 15 minutes to go. A close call! The first flight was a night flight but due to excitement, very few students slept and devoured eight hours' worth of films and online uno. After a short layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it was then six hours to Windhoek, Namibia. Now it was time to sleep!
The First Night
At Windhoek airport, the team leaders stepped up, withdrawing enough money for the first week and purchasing a SIM card for the team phone. The money was then split up amongst the team and hidden in their money belts. Onwards to meet our driver for the trip and our awesome 4x4 vehicle. A short drive to the first campsite where tents were pitched before sunset and the team headed straight to the campsite restaurant for their first meal. A good sleep was then had by all.
Challengers emerged from their tents the next day to sunny skies and a good breakfast cooked by their teammates. Today was orientation day. The team had the day seeing the sites of Windhoek, planning meals for the next phase of the trip and doing a big supermarket shop. It is certainly a challenge budgeting and planning to feed 12 people for 4 days with teenagers taking the lead. However, it turned out that they were very good at cooking. Parents take note!
Phase One - The Conservation Initiative
The first phase of the trip was the conservation initiative. This was in the North of Namibia in a nature reserve called ‘Timbila’. The scenery was beautiful. Much to the challenger's horror there was no Wi-Fi or fences around camp to keep the lions out! They would have to make do with conversation, playing cards and two armed guards to protect them at night. On the very first afternoon, the team were treated to a game drive around the nature reserve. They were lucky enough to experience a game drive every day and saw elephants, giraffes, zebra’s, lions and more. A truly magical experience.
Over the course of the next four days, the team helped clear the dried riverbeds and banks of scrap metal and litter that had come down in the wet season. They helped the reserve staff count animals and identify animals visiting the watering hole at night. The most fun was had cleaning out an animal watering hole. This was mucky and involved removing socks and shoes! Equally fun was helping at the reserves farm and holding the small animals! Although the nighttime got very cold at the reserve, the days got very hot, so work was done in the morning and late afternoon. During lunchtime, the team entertained themselves with makeshift cricket games (using a bin and big stick!), uno and washing clothes! After four days, it was time to pack away, say our goodbyes to the staff and head for Spitzkoppe. But first, a ‘please Miss can we use the Wi-Fi for ten minutes’, saw a detour to reception to touch base with loved ones before we continued onto trek phase!
Phase Two - Trekking in Spitzkoppe National Park
The drive into Spitzkoppe National Park was breathtaking. Although basic, the scenery at this campsite was spectacular. It was the perfect location for star gazing at night and witnessing golden sunrises and sunsets. Our treks would take on some steep ascents and scrambling. Some challengers were raring to go, and some were apprehensive. All challengers completed the three treks with some overcoming fears of heights and knee injuries. All three treks were great fun with views to die for and some very impressive rock formations. Miss Thomas, as a geography teacher, was in her element and forced geography on them all! She even made them run to the famous arch for sunset! A moment no one will forget.
Campfires became the norm in the evenings, and it was lovely to see the team getting along so well and having good conversation. The joys of no Wi-Fi! Another highlight was the team vehicle breaking down and everyone getting out of the vehicle to help jump start it! Good pre-season rugby training for some.
Phase Three - Relaxing in Swakopmund
The hard part was over, and now we moved into the last phase of the trip, a journey to the coast for rest and relaxation. Swakopmund was a beautiful seaside town with a very western feel. The team took the opportunity to indulge in the Wi-Fi and tell their families all about their trip so far. Off they then went into town to fill their bellies with food and spend their remaining money at the market on souvenirs. Haggling skills were superb! A small number got to witness the most incredible sunset on the first night. The team ensured that the final night here was spent at a nice restaurant where we could have our final reflections. Many chose to try oryx, a local meat, which was most delicious. It was lovely to hear the challengers reflect on their trip; what their highlights were, what they've learnt about themselves and praising each other. This made Miss Thomas very proud.
Travelling Home
Time to pack up for the final time and head back to Windhoek airport. Students are tired now and want their own bed. We waved off our drivers and dropped off the bags. All souvenirs finally purchased at the airport and on to the night flight. I've never known such tired teenagers sleep the entire flight home! Very happy parents met the team at the airport in Gatwick and cuddles were had by all (even some tears). Miss Thomas and Holly wished them well with their exam results and said goodbye. Suddenly it was silent for the first time in two weeks! No more loud music and constant teenage banter. Bliss??
Trip of a Lifetime
This was a trip of a lifetime for Year 11 and one they will never forget. All challengers fully embraced life outside their comfort zone, came together as a team and made the most of this special opportunity. I hope they have come away from it with a little more confidence, an appreciation for what they have and a passion to travel the world further! It was a pleasure to share the experience with them.
Thank you so much to Miss Thomas for wonderful write-up about this trip. We appreciate the time and effort you and Miss Sheasby with Team one put into capturing the experience and supporting our students, we are glad you all had a wonderful time.
You can see more photos and updates on our BlueSky Ed Visits Account.
