Biology Field Trip Showcase

Over the 2011 summer break, biology students from Strode and Yeovil Colleges enjoyed a two week field trip to Uganda as part of their studies, learning about native animals, plants and habitats, history and culture, and enjoying some amazing new experiences.

The students travelled through dramatic landscapes of craters, lakes, rainforests, swamps and plantations, getting close to an astounding variety of wild animals in their natural habitats including gorillas, lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, birds and many others. 

Spending time with gorillas in the forest was a great highlight of the trip.  After a tough trek through the mountain forest, where the students explored native plants and creatures, they were rewarded with the wonderful experience of watching these rare animals playing, grooming, eating and socialising.  The silver back was much larger than expected!

The students drove across many bumpy and dusty roads in search of wildlife and they were not disappointed.  The tree-climbing lions posed for photos, the elephants obligingly stopped to drink from the river, and herds of buffalo ran across the plains for dramatic effect.  The students took some great photos to remind them of their adventure.  Other activities included bungee jumping over the river Nile for the braver among the group, and visits to Lake Victoria which is the source of the Nile, a tea plantation, a local village and orphanage, the spectacular Bujagali falls and the capital city Kampala. 

The students completed project work throughout the trip and wrote journals about their experiences. The journals have been added to their trip webpages and can been seen on the Yeovil College website.

This residential is the thirteenth such adventure made by Strode and Yeovil student biologists. Previous destinations have included Belize in 2010, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia in 2009, Vietnam in 2008, New Zealand and Australia in 2007, Costa Rica in 2004 and Sri Lanka in 2002.