IT was school dinner with a difference as pupils from Derby

caught antelope for their breakfast.

But the beasts weren't wandering across the plains of South

Derbyshire – they were in the Kalahari desert where the 17

youngsters were on a school exhibition.

And they had some valuable help in their hunt, in the shape

of Kalahari bushmen.

Teacher Carol Riley, who travelled with the pupils from

Derby High School, said the group spent five days camping with

three bushmen in the desert.

She said: "We baked bread in the hot ashes, made bows and

arrows and tracked animals.

"We also set traps and were lucky enough to catch two

antelope on our first morning, which we skinned, gutted and

cooked on the open fire. The liver was particularly tasty."

The pupils voted the trip to Botswana and Zambia "the

experience of a lifetime".

The girls, accompanied by two teachers, were taking part in

a World Challenge Expedition for which they raised £57,000.

The month-long trip included helping at a day centre.

Carol said the first night under canvas was marred by the

theft of 1,400 dollars, two cameras, two pairs of walking boots

and a mobile phone.

"But a trip to the local police station proved an

interesting experience," said Mrs Riley.

"And the sheer wonder of the Kalahari desert for the

following five days was distracting."

The trip began when the girls arrived at the Cheshire

Foundation in Mogoditshane, a suburb of Gaborone, in

Botswana.

This is a residential and day centre for disabled children

and adults.

Mrs Riley said: "We helped with the care of the children

during lessons, playtime and feeding. We also spent time

decorating two of the classrooms with colourful murals."

An overnight train journey north led the party to the town

of Maun, where they enjoyed a boat trip in dugout boats and

bush walks to see elephants, giraffes and zebras.

A game drive into Chobe National Park was followed by a

drive over the border into Zambia, where they had a five-day

trek into the Batoka Gorge and along the Zambezi.

Mrs Riley said: "Our campsites were idyllic and we slept

under the most amazing stars with just our mosquito nets for

protection."

A trip to the Victoria Falls was followed by a visit to

Zambia's capital, Lusaka, to round off the trip.

Mrs Riley said: "We aim to keep in touch with the centre in

Botswana and hope the murals we have painted are a memory of

our being there."

The girls have been completely overwhelmed by the

expedition. Harriet Wiiliams, 16, said: "We experienced

different cultures and ways of life.

"For example, one week we were cleaning our bowls with sand,

the next trekking along the Batoka Gorge and sleeping next to

the Zambezi River.

"It was an amazing adventure I will remember forever."

Fellow pupil Kezi Methuen-Jones said: " I've had the time of

my life, made new friends, seen things I will never see

again.

"It truly is one of the most worthwhile things I've ever

done in my life."

"The beautiful sunset over the Victoria Falls will stay with

me forever," said Hollie Webster, 17.

"Our trip to Zambia and Botswana has been a real adventure

full of highs and lows."

Lizzie Saunders, also 17, said: "Looking up each night at

the edge of the Milky Way and watching shooting stars was truly

amazing."

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