Rhino safaris: Getting involved on the ground

Experience the rare opportunity to participate in real rhino conservation activities, from locating and darting rhino by helicopter or 4×4 safari vehicle to assisting with tasks such as pouring water over the rhino and checking its temperature. You will be included in the entire operation and have opportunity to get close-up to this magnificent, endangered animal. Your team vet will explain the whole process and be with you throughout. Depending on the lodge, darting of rhinos facilitates implanting microchips in the horn, ear notching and/or collecting data on the rhino – all part of ongoing efforts to build a national DNA database of all South Africa’s rhinos.

NOTE: these are genuine conservation projects where lodges endeavour to protect as many rhinos as possible:

&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve and &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve both offer rhino notching activities for black rhinos, combined with facilitating human-animal cohabitation and tackling the other challenges facing rural communities.

Camp Jabulani offers a unique white rhino conservation safari during which participants assist a veterinary specialist with the tracking and chipping of a rhino.

Madikwe Game Reserve has established The Honorary Officers Counter Poaching Unit (HOCPU), headed up by Phillip Haungh and guests at Madikwe Safari Lodge and Jaci’s Lodges have the unique opportunity to contribute to critical conservation in action.

Kwandwe rhino conservation safari offers you the opportunity to participate in rhino darting and notching under the supervision of experts.

Kings Camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve offers a rhino chipping experience in an effort to combat rhino poaching.

For a wider animal experience, Tuningi Safari Lodge in Madikwe provides an exhilarating hands-on experience with some of Africa’s biggest icons; such as rhino protection, and DNA sampling, collaring or contraception programmes for lions and elephants.

Further afield, Wilderness Safaris’ Desert Rhino Camp in Namibia offers guests the exhilarating opportunity of tracking rare desert-adapted black rhino on foot or by vehicle with trained Save the Rhino Trust trackers.

The Rhino Bill of Rights is a manifesto to save and protect endangered rhinos in Africa; a proclamation to affect real change, before it’s too late. Timeless Africa Safaris will donate R21 for every signature, up to a set amount, to high-impact rhino conservation projects and non-profit organisations dedicated to their survival. Share it with everyone you know, spread the importance of this message far and wide, and let’s take action against the loss of this precious species.