A DARING Spa student exploring the great planes of Africa has reported home to say her trip is going well

Adventurous Vivien Searle, left for Ghana in February, to spend three months living under the stars.

The 18-year-old is travelling with Rally International, the group Prince William recently visited Chile with.

The former Droitwich Spa High School pupil is working on three projects including building a school, teaching and working with rangers.

She has written home to tell family and friends about her incredible journey.

The Searle family, of Moreland Road, has submitted an update to The Vine, a Spa church magazine.

The reports says Vivien has spent six days canoeing on Lake Volta, and she assures loved ones it's crocodile free.

At night, the teenager and other travellers camp in villages, usually on the football pitch.

Their daily diet is porridge for breakfast, crackers and cheese for lunch and rice or pasta for tea, supplemented with bread and exotic fruits.

She is now trekking across Mole National Park, carrying everything including water.

In her last letters she told relatives: "I'm having a fantastic time, so can you please thank everyone on my behalf for their support."

The teenager is enjoying a gap year before heading off to Cardiff University and had to raise £3,000 for the trip.

Her mum Shirley said: "If anyone had told me a couple of years ago my daughter would be going abroad for three months with little more than a change of clothes I would not have believed them."