In times of crisis, people need to pull together. Rhino conservation is no different and partnerships are key to ensuring the end to the on-going poaching crisis in our country today. Save the Rhino, is an international Non-profit organisation based in the UK that raises funds for Rhino conservation globally. Save the Rhino recently partnered with local NPO the Wildlands Conservation Trust to hold the second ‘Rhino Trek’ – a hiking adventure taking trailists through the heart of Zululand in support of Wildlands Rhino conservation initiatives.
Four friends of Save the Rhino participated in the Rhino Trek held in May 2012 in Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal. Jo Paulson, Paul Paulson, Renata Loj and Yvette Chamberlain walked more than 60km over 5 days through Somkhanda Game Reserve and Zululand Rhino Reserve, both very important properties with key rhino populations. The aim of the Rhino trek was to allow people who raised money for rhino conservation to participate in an extreme wilderness trail through big 5 country, sleeping under the stars, viewing rhino and elephant up close, and enjoying the remote areas our rhino populations inhabit.
The Rhino Trek was led by experienced trail guides from Zululand Walking Safaris, which is a small freelance guided trails walking company based at Leopard Mountain Game lodge in the Zululand Rhino Reserve. Their small team of guides pride themselves in being able to offer clients unforgettable wildlife experiences and personalized service, which was definitely the case during the 2012 Rhino Trek.
In walking from the Somkhanda Game Reserve through to Zululand Rhino Reserve in the middle of the Trek, the participants walked through the Mandlakazi community and ended off their epic journey with a night of luxury at the Leopard Mountain Lodge in the Zululand Rhino Reserve.
”We really appreciate the support from Save the Rhino,” said Wildlands Strategic Leader for Stewardship, Kevin McCann, who joined the trekkers in the evenings during their expedition, “I hope the trailists had a life-changing experience, and will take the message back to the UK, making many more people aware of the plight of our rhino populations.”
Funds go towards Wildlands Wildlands Project Rhino Tracker and Project Rhino Aerial Support projects which aim to increase surveillance in KZN’s community and private reserves.
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)