THE sixth graders of the Cambagocboc Elementary School in Balamban could not contain their excitement when they saw the van of Gothong Southern (GS) Foundation Inc. approaching their assembly area.
They knew it was safari time.
The three-hour journey from Balamban to the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Carmen, northern Cebu was delightful as the pupils shared how much they waited for March 9 to come for their educational tour.
The pupils and the GS Geese enveloped the safari with lots of “wows” after they arrived in the park.
Three mascots arrived for a photo opportunity with the smiling kids.
A quick orientation happened at the safari’s stadium before the tour started.
Afterwards, the group proceeded to the Orangutown where they saw macaques, lemurs, gibbons and orangutans.
The trams later transported them to the safari’s northern area where they saw otters, box turtles and crocodiles.
A little over 100 meters from the crocodiles was the place called the African Savanna—the home of zebras, wildebeests, greater kudus, blesboks, waterbucks and elands. The pupils enjoyed the five-minute guided vehicle expedition in the savanna.
After the exclusive lunch at Michel’s Pavilion, the tour resumed with a trip to the safari’s outpost and the pupils saw giraffes, hyenas and meerkats.
The tour guides led everyone to the canopy trail where the swans, ducks, pelicans, geese and crowned cranes met them.
The trail’s end, where the camel was resting, led them back to the safari stadium to witness the highlight of the tour—the Bird Show.
The group also visited the Tiger’s Turf, while the tigers were being fed. They were in awe with the white tiger’s beauty.
Later, they went to the Deer District to visit the deers, black bucks, warty pigs, javan rusas, and peafowls.
They headed south of Cebu Safari and watched the emus, kangaroos, and wallabies; they went back north and saw the rheas, llamas, and capybaras.
The group explored the Macaw Aviary, the Aviary Dome and Michel’s Garden—the place of 800,000 to 1 million species of orchids.
The GS Geese and the pupils were still full of vigor even after the trip’s end. The kids found magic and it was in the safari.