Disconnecting to reconnect. A techno-savvy American communications expert learns to unplug and connect with nature in the South African Wilderness.
Interview with Bo Wood By Sharlene Versfeld
“For as long as I can remember, I had never been truly disconnected from technology until going on a Wilderness trail in the Imfolozi Game Reserve, in South Africa last year,” muses Bo Wood, a Communications Director from South Carolina, USA. “To be honest, it took some getting used to. I thought the fruit I was carrying in my pocket was my mobile phone a number of times – that cannot be good, right?”
Bo who was sent to experience the African Wilderness through the Wilderness Leadership School in Durban, works for Black Knight International, the international company representing the legendary conservationist Dr Ian Player and celebrated SA golfer Gary Player brands. Dr Player was instrumental in ensuring the Imfolozi Wilderness in KZN (amongst many others wilderness initiatives) was set aside as a place for nature to exist without human interference, and he established the globally renowned Wilderness Leadership School that offers trails into the wilderness so that people can be reminded of its value to the human spirit. “When I first started working for Black Knight International, I quickly learned the organization was not just all about Gary Player. Several different entities fill the company’s umbrella, including all the intellectual property of Dr Ian Player. The Wilderness Leadership School is very much a part of Dr Player’s legacy. I went on trail to get a first-hand experience of what he left behind and to understand how we can help going forward,” explains Bo. The Foundation has started formally archiving Dr Player’s legacy, to ensure there is a consolidated bank for future generations to access. Bo elaborates, “We are thinking big. We want to build on the legacy of one of the world’s most influential environmentalists so his legacy will extend through time and impact our global society years from now. Ambitious, we know.”
“Going into the Wilderness in Imfolozi is quite daunting,” says Bo. “For five days, you are right there walking in a “Big Five” reserve with elephants, leopards, lions, rhino and buffalo. You sleep under the stars and keep watch alone at night. You carry in all your equipment and food, collect wood, make the fire, clean pots and plates and cutlery with sand, dig a hole to go to bathroom, and wash off in a river. No soap allowed. The idea is for us as humans to connect with nature, as we would have thousands of years ago. To become tuned in to the sounds and sights. To truly have time to think about what we have done to the planet.” “No doubt I was out of my comfort zone, being from America. But it was more a feeling of excitement. Invigorating. On the other side of the “boundary” – as our guide called it – escaping and disconnecting from the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life gave me a certain tranquility I had never experienced,” he says.
Bo says that the trail helped him to recharge. “Even though I was exhausted from the physical burdens of being on trail, my mind came back excited,” he enthuses. “I have come to realize how connected the world is even without our modern technology we rely so heavily on for unnecessary convenience.” While walking, Bo and fellow trailists came across the carcass of a poached rhino. “Our guides on trail explained how the entire ecosystem is affected if a rhino becomes a victim of poaching. Seeing that carcass lying there really hit that message home for me.”
Night watch on one’s own for one to two hours, is always a little intimidating for first-timers, but Bo loved it. “I thrived under the responsibility of watching over our group. Some people had done the trail before, but I did not know what to expect. So, for me, developing the right routine was crucial - checking that no dangerous animals were in the proximity of the camp and tending to the fire. But I felt it also was important to take many moments during the watch to give gratitude to mother nature.” And mother nature delivered for Bo. “There are no tents on trail. You sleep on a flat platform of rock and it was surprisingly easy and comfortable in a way,” he laughs. “Although it does make you more thankful for a mattress and clean sheets.
We named the one camp “Pride Rock” (like in the Lion King) overlooking a river. One afternoon, all of us huddled in the water under the rock’s shade to escape the blistering sun. Mindful that we were in shallow enough water not to be eaten by a crocodile. An elephant appeared out of the bush for a quick afternoon drink. This majestic creature put on a show. He strutted along the bank as we watched in reverence. A moment in time I will never, ever forget.”
The quiet yet driven 31-year-old, says that he was truly humbled and grateful for the experience. “At the end of the trail, as we exited the wilderness, I realized exactly why the Foundation wanted me to do this. It truly is a life-changing experience for the human spirit. By having this experience, I believe that I can now truly play an important part in keeping Dr Player’s legacy alive.”
ends
Note:
As director of communications travels to South Africa to lead the communication efforts for the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player for Black Knight International. His most recent visit was for the November 2019 event as well as the Gary Player Invitational charity golf tournament at Sun City which raised money for the Gary Player Foundation. He went on the Wilderness trail in November 2018.
The Wilderness Leadership School offers 4 night, 5 day trails with experienced guides for individuals and groups (as well as corporates) in various areas aimed at reconnecting humans to nature. For more information contact 031-462 8642 or email info@wildernessleadershipschool.co.za. For more information about Wilderness Trails go to https://www.wildernesstrails.org.za/
(Sharlene Versfeld is a Durban-based nature guide and communications consultant)
