Some moments etch themselves into your memory—not because they were loud or flashy, but because they make you feel. And over four wild days in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, a group of young explorers from the Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center (AAEC) felt everything. This recent trip marked another powerful chapter in an eight-year partnership that has brought together AAEC, Ulovane Environmental Training, and Dr. William Fowlds of Ikhala Vets, transforming lives through the raw beauty of the African bush.
For many of these students, this was a journey of firsts. First time on a plane, first time out of the United States, first time seeing elephants, standing in the ocean, or staring up at a sky so full of stars it steals your breath. This is the Ulovane Experience—raw, real, and profoundly grounding.
Brought to South Africa as the top 12 students from AAEC’s campuses across Arizona, these teens weren’t just here to visit. They came to connect with nature, with themselves, and with a deeper purpose. This long-standing collaboration with Ulovane Environmental Training and Dr. William Fowlds is built to open hearts, shift perspectives, and plant seeds of conservation in young minds ready to make a difference.
A Wild Welcome
From the moment they arrived at Leeuwenbosch Country House on Amakhala Game Reserve, the bush had something profound to say. A golden afternoon welcomed them with wide skies and the distant call of jackals. And then—just as the sun began to dip—we found them: three young cheetah brothers, proudly draped over their fresh kill in the tall grass. Silent, powerful, electric. That evening, gathered around a crackling bonfire under fairy lights and the open African sky, there were whispers of disbelief. “Is this real?” It was only the beginning.
Into the Wild Heart
The Eastern Cape didn’t hold back. Over the next few days, nature put on a show. A majestic elephant herd moved through the valley, dust rising like gold around them as they rumbled by in silence and grace. A rhino and her calf surprised us on an open plain, pausing just long enough for everyone to hold their breath. And one unforgettable evening, as the sun melted into the horizon, a group of giraffes appeared like silhouettes from a movie—long legs on a high ridge, framed in orange light. No classroom could prepare them for this kind of learning.
Salt, Sand, and Something New
On day three, it was time to meet another side of nature—the ocean. For some, this was the first time their feet touched salt water. A marine walk along the wild coast opened eyes to the wonder beneath the waves: starfish, anemones, seaweed forests, and the endless rhythm of tides. The more adventurous even braved the chilly waters for a swim, they’ll never forget! And then came beach lunch: juicy boerewors rolls, barefoot laughter, and a salty breeze filled with joy. Every bite was earned, every smile real.
Bush Braais, Bonfires & Big Feels
Evenings were made for stories and connection. One night, dinner was set in the middle of the bush—long tables, warm firelight, fairy lights twinkling in the trees, and a sky full of stars. Around the fire, students opened up—there was laughter, wonder, and the kind of honest conversations that only happen when you’re unplugged and fully present. The topics? Conservation. Eco-tourism. Home. Purpose. Life.
Sunrises were chilly but spectacular, layering soft pastels over the hills as we walked quietly in single file through the bush. Each step was a lesson, every moment a gift.
More Than Just a Trip
By the time we said our farewells, something had profoundly shifted. These weren’t just American students anymore—they were part of something bigger. They had encountered African wildlife up close, eaten burritos in the bush (don’t ask—just taste!), shared boerewors by the sea, and discovered a piece of themselves in the wildness of South Africa.
They came for an adventure.
They left changed.
To our 2025 AAEC group—thank you. For your open hearts, your bravery, your belly laughs, and your tears. You reminded us why we do what we do. This was more than just a conservation experience; it was connection.
Until we meet again—stay wild, stay kind, and never forget the magic of the Ulovane Experience.
Candice & Schalk
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” –John Muir