PUPILS from a school near Tenbury have headed off on an ambitious African adventure which includes sports matches, the presentation of more than £2,000 to a village hospice and donation of sporting equipment.

A party of children from Abberley Hall School are spending two weeks of their Easter holiday in the Kwa-Zulu region of South Africa.

Accompanied by four members of staff, the 28 boys and girls aged from 11 to 13 years old are playing rugby and hockey matches against South African school teams.

However, the trip also included far more than sport.

“We ensure that all the pupils learn about the history, culture, wildlife, landscape, adventurous activities and political situation of the country,” said headmaster Nigel Richardson.

“The tour is so much more than the four fixtures that they will play. After flying to Durban they stay in ‘Shakaland’, a Zulu cultural village before learning all about the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879, visiting the battle sites of Isandlwhana and Rourke’s Drift.

“They will stay in an adventure camp on the Buffalo river watching game move about at dawn and dusk and abseiling, zip lining and white water rafting.

“Two nights will be spent in a game park under canvas looking for rhinos, amongst many other game, and learning all about the ecology of the country.“

Besides all of the sport and adventure the children will also be visiting Philanjalo (www.philanjalo.org.za), a hospice and care centre that Abberley Hall School has supported over the years where they will learn all about the health issues of South Africa.