The first week of the trip were pretty mellow so that everyone could get their barings. The group consists of 12 Americans, 2 Costa Ricans, 5 South Africans, and 1 Botswanan. It is wonderfuly diverse. The typical day in Nylsvley Reserve would be wake up early around 5 or 6 and go on an early morning game drive. There is no big game in the park so we could get out and walk around safely. We saw giraffe, wildebeast, kudu, warthogs, ostriches, and lots of impala. We had lectures for 5 -7 hours a day as well as 2 presentations and 1 experiment.. all within the first 3 days. It is very intense academically but it is nice to be absorbed in and actually studying the environment hands on. The park was beautiful and the stars at night are indescribable. We have 1 free day every 6 or 7 days. We spent our free day climbing up a mountain, it was quite the experience. Around 5:30 we go to a lookout tower in the park and watch the sun set (normally with beer or some sort of drink) for a traditional called "sundowner". It is very relaxed and the sunset is beautiful. At night we have found ways to entertain ourselves by playing a form of catch phrase (with peices of paper for the words and watch for the time). All in all every day and night here is filled with experiences I will never forget. The park was a good intro into the environment and climate in the Eastern part of South Africa. After a week in Nylsvley we packed up our stuff and headed to our next destination.