This year's winners of the National Geographic Kids magazine "Hands-On Explorer Challenge" essay and photo contest went on their once-in-a-lifetime safari in South Africa. The group of kids and two teachers flew to Johannesburg on August 6 and set out on a 10-day safari to track South Africa's "big five" animals—elephant, lion, African buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. During the expedition, the team took photographs and kept journals of their adventure.
The expedition team also visited the Sam Nzima Primary School and met with local kids. The team had spent the previous several months holding bake sales, walkathons, and house- and pet-sitting services to help the school purchase a computer and establish an Internet connection. The new resources will not only enhance and advance the local children's education, but also provide a means for continued communication between the students.
; swapDescription('img_caption','The team mingled with South African wildlife with the assistance of trackers and guides.'); swapCredits('img_credits','Photograph courtesy Laurence Monnaret/Getty');)
; swapDescription('img_caption','Lions attracted attention as the team practiced new photo tips.'); swapCredits('img_credits','Photograph by Beverly Joubert');)
; swapDescription('img_caption','At Sabi Sabi, the goal was to spot elephants, rhinoceroses, African buffalo, lions, and leopards.'); swapCredits('img_credits','Photograph by Beverly Joubert');)
; swapDescription('img_caption','The expedition team had the rare opportunity to watch leopards in the wild.'); swapCredits('img_credits','Photograph by Beverly Joubert');)
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