Students from Alton College have been on a safari and cultural experience field trip to South Africa.

The expedition brought together 11 Alton College students studying A-level geography and environmental science with seven students from Dudley College.

They enjoyed four days of dawn and dusk game drives, plus guided ecological walks, to gain first-hand insight into South Africa’s diverse landscapes and wildlife.

Midday lectures from local university academics deepened their understanding of the conservation biology and environmental sustainability A-level curriculum topics.

An Alton College spokesperson said: “A stand-out highlight of the trip was accompanying a local anti-poaching unit to dart a white rhino, observing closely as conservation specialists fitted a hi-tech tracking device into the animal’s horns.

“The experience offered a rare and moving opportunity for students to get close to these majestic creatures, allowing them to properly appreciate the importance of frontline conservation work and the urgent challenges that face species all around the globe.”

There were four days of intensive tracking and sign learning complemented by night drives, allowing students to observe predators in the wild, including witnessing lions feeding in their natural habitat. A formal track and sign assessment saw all students pass at various levels.

The programme placed a strong emphasis on cultural understanding and citizenship. Students visited the Cradle of Humankind caves and travelled to Soweto to hear a talk from the sister of Hector Pieterson, a 12-year-old boy shot by white police during the anti-apartheid Soweto Uprising.

A bike ride through Soweto to the homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu illustrated South Africa’s history of racial segregation.

The spokesperson added: “Working, living and learning together throughout the trip, students formed lasting friendships while sharing perspectives, skills and ideas. The memories, skills and confidence gained by students on the trip will remain with them long after the journey concluded.”