A Bradford student swapped the classroom for jungle survival techniques on an African adventure of a lifetime.

Sixth-form student Nadia Ahmed, 18, of Manchester Road, Bradford, was one of five competition winners from around the country who joined the British Army for Operation Kenya - a week of canoeing, combat training, sailing and safari.

In temperatures of more than 100 degrees Nadia was put through her paces by the King's Regiment who are spending six weeks in Kenya honing their survival skills.

Nadia, who said she was looking forward most to seeing wild animals, had her dream come true when she saw herds of elephants, a leopard and baboons while on safari in the Aberdare National Park. However, the Buttershaw Upper School pupil said the highlight of the trip was watching a huge lion, known locally as Simba, stalking his prey around a waterhole only 50 yards away from where she was sleeping.

She said: "One night I stayed up nearly all night watching lions trying to catch their prey. I have never seen anything like it. It was fantastic."

During the week Nadia, who was picked from more than 17,000 entries because of her resilience and adventurous spirit, got a taste of Army life when she took part in a night ambush operation and lived off army ration packs.

She also experienced native Kenyan life when she met elders of the Masai Kikuyu tribe and took part in a warrior dance.

But Nadia said that Kenya had not been what she expected. She said: "I will always remember this trip; it was an experience I will never forget.

"The jungle was absolutely green. It wasn't what I expected. I expected Kenya to be hot and dusty.

"The soldiers really helped me. I am a vegetarian and they had to make me special meals, so I really stood out in the crowd.

"The dog rats played under my hammock all night. Even when I shone the torch on them they ignored me.

"The heavy machine guns were exciting but they were difficult to handle. I was scared at times but I knew the Army would take care of me."

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