Day 6 started in the dark, which felt fitting because we were headed into a day that we never saw coming. We left early for a safari drive through Chobe National Park with our driver, Moses, who quickly became one of the highlights of the morning. He was knowledgeable, funny, and clearly enjoyed sharing the park with us.
As the sun rose, Chobe slowly came into view. Moses stopped near elephant bones and explained that elephants are known to return to the remains of their dead. It was a reminder that the animals we were seeing were not just “wildlife” to check off a list. They are part of complex social systems, family structures, and landscapes that people here are working hard to protect.
During the drive, we saw a lilac-breasted roller, lions, monkeys, impalas, kudu, giraffes, hippos, and Cape buffalo. Some animals were close enough for us to study their movement and behavior, while others appeared in the distance, partly hidden by brush or morning light. The sunrise, the dust, the quiet, and Moses’s explanations made the experience feel less like sightseeing and much bigger than a list of animals we had seen.
After the safari, we visited Lupani Primary School and spent time with students connected to Children in the Wilderness, a program that uses environmental education and leadership development to help young people understand conservation and their role in protecting their natural heritage.
At Lupani, we were welcomed with a student dance performance, visited a classroom, and observed an Eco-Club lesson outside. The lesson focused on photosynthesis, giving students a chance to connect science with the plants and environment around them. What stood out most, though, was the students themselves. They were curious, energetic, and eager to participate.
Lupani made me think about how education moves beyond the classroom walls. Conservation was not being taught as an abstract science topic. It was connected to community, responsibility, leadership, and the future. Learning is more meaningful when students can see how it connects to the world around them.
After leaving Lupani, we crossed into Zambia and made our way to Livingstone, where we checked into the Zambezi Waterfront. It had been a full day: sunrise in Chobe, wildlife in its own environment, students learning under trees, and a reminder that education and conservation are deeply connected.
Day 6 was another day that was full from beginning to end. It gave me stories, images, and questions I will carry back into my classroom. It reminded me that teaching is not just about content. It is about helping students pay attention, care deeply, and understand that they are part of something larger than themselves.
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