Tag Archives: Charity fundraising event

TWT Cambs-Beds Cycle Ride on Saturday 13th May 2023

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TWT supporters are taking part in a sponsored cycle ride through Bedfordshire and around Cambridge on Saturday 13th May 2023

The route is fantastic, designed for every level of rider and the refreshments will be good. Let us know in the comments below if you can join us another time.

The Waterberg Trust needs funds to continue employing a school nurse. Sister Grace enables children of the Waterberg to attend school regularly, helping to improve their life opportunities. She runs an Environmental Club and manages a number of small but effective projects from four school vegetable gardens and a recycling project to the distribution of food parcels for the needy. You can see recent photos here.

TWT chairman Barry Burles is raising funds on Justgiving here

TWT trustee William Orme has an Orme Family Justgiving page for the cycle ride here

Sister Grace donating packs of eco-sanitary pads in schools fo the Waterberg

This year’s fundraising cycle ride offers something for everybody. The carefully planned route takes in the cycle-paths of Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire with an 80-mile circular loop from Fen Ditton to Southill Park and back.

TWT Cambs-Beds Cycle Ride 2023

There is a 47-mile option that ends at lunchtime.

All bike types are encouraged: town, hybrid, road bike or electric – whatever you have.

We meet 8.30am at the Orme family’s house Fen Ditton – close to Cambridge North Station for those coming by train. We head down the cycleway via Hemingford Grey to St Ives, enjoying our first party-stop.

Refreshed, head south to Sir John Soane’s Moggerhanger Hall  before reaching Southill Park for some Whitbread family hospitality and lunch at their beautiful home. This is where the 45-mile route ends, 4 miles from Biggleswade station.

Southill Park, near Biggleswade

Keener cyclists will head east, taking back lanes through the villages of South Cambridgeshire, pedalling via Grantchester, through the cycle lanes of historic Cambridge and along the River Cam, to finish back in Fen Ditton for a riders’ & supporters’ after party chez Orme. 🥂🎈🥳

Please let us know via the comments box below if you’d like to commit to a date and start training for 2024. Why not persuade your family and friends to come too, or organize a team?

We’re hoping to double TWT’s amazing fund-raising total of over £9,000 raised in 2022. Everyone should plan to raise or donate at least £100. For those on the 45-mile trip we can help with returning you and your bike back to Fen Ditton.

TWT has a Justgiving page for donations here and can accept cheques – details here

TWT Chairman Barry Burles has a Justgiving page dedicated to the ride here

TWT North Norfolk Cycle Ride 2022
TWT’s Fundraising Cycle Ride, 2022

Ideas for Christmas gifts that benefit people of the Waterberg

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Would you like to make a donation to charity instead of giving or receiving a Christmas or Birthday present?

Here are a number of helpful gifts – that keep on giving:

  • £5 will buy seedlings for a school vegetable garden – enabling pupils to learn how to grow food. The produce is made into nutritious school dinners or used in cookery classes by vocational Hotel and Catering courses. School vegetable gardens are watered and maintained by community workers over the holidays.
Help schools grown peppers, spinach, tomatoes, garlic, carrots and kale.
  • £7 will buy enough wool to knit 7 childrens’ hats – effectively keeping the disadvantaged warm. This gift is a great encouragement to volunteers of the Waterberg Knitting Club who obtain wool at wholesale prices to produce blankets and warm clothing for the needy. They are distributed by nursing Sister Grace when she conducts home visits and pave the way for her to help the needy.
The Vaalwater Knitting Club
Hats to keep children of the Waterberg warm
  • £10 will buy a pair of hard-wearing school shoes – equipping disadvantaged pupils and encouraging parents to register their children for school at the beginning of the academic year in January. This results in children walking to school with enthusiasm and prevents a ‘street kid’ culture developing. It is carefully administered by volunteers running Lethabo Kids Club in the township of Leseding.
Girl's school shoes in South Africa
School shoes worn in South Africa
  • £12 will equip a school-girl with sanitary protection while she is in secondary school. Packs of washable eco-pads made by Dignity Dreams, a not-for-profit NGO thats provide sewing-at-home work for women in Pretoria, are distributed by a school nurse after pupils receive a talk on puberty and the importance of contraception. We want to equip every girl in the region so that they do not share pads or miss lessons. This gift encourages communication with the school nurse who is trying to reduce teenage pregnancy that instills poverty and limits girls from reaching their potential.
Dignity Dreams eco-sanitary pads that come in sets of six
  • £15 will buy a food parcel to feed a needy family for a week – food purchased at competitive prices is packed by volunteers and carefully distributed to about fifty needy people in the community every month. It is usually the chronically ill, the elderly, orphans and or very young single parents who benefit, along with needy people who do not qualify for official social security support for some reason. Local farmers add to the food parcels when they can. Food parcel distribution opens the door for additional nursing support with advice on health and hygiene.
Food parcels for the needy
  • £110 will send a pupil on a 5-day residential course at Lapalala Wilderness School – this grants a fantastic opportunity for a promising student to learn about ecology, achieve good academic results and find out about careers in wildlife conservation. It is one of the best ways of promoting understanding about the importance of anti-poaching.
Students learning about conservation at Lapalala Wilderness School in the Waterberg

Many of these gifts benefit schools of the Waterberg and encourage volunteers.

THANK YOU for funding The Waterberg Trust and the projects we support.

Donating through JustGiving works well as UK Gift Aid is automatically claimed and they accept 8 different currencies. Please click here and specify what gift you would like to chose.

donate_white Justgiving button

There are a number of other ways you can donate listed on our website here.

If you would like a card with details of the gift that you can give away, please leave a comment in the comments below and we will get back to you.

The Waterberg Trust challenge ride 2022

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The North Norfolk bike ride 2022 held on Saturday 7th May 2022

THE 77 MILE ROUTE ACROSS NORTH NORFOLK IN THE UK

Grey skies and Great Northern’s cancellation of trains from Cambridge to Kings Lynn was not the most auspicious of starts for the TWT 2022 North Norfolk fundraising cycle ride.

But Barry, plus trailer, and several cars with racks, meant we were in good time for a scrumptious welcome at Kings Lynn with the famous Franklin’s homemade scotch eggs, croissants, hot tea and coffee.

TWT North Norfolk Cycle Ride 2022

After much munching, chatting and two puncture repairs, the assembled throng of 30 cyclists, in three variable speed teams, were ready for the off.

TWT North Norfolk Cycle Ride 2022

Following Route 1, we wound our way north up the cycle paths of Lynn til breaking open countryside at the charming village of Castle Riding.

Passing spectacular views of spires and coastal meadows, we entered the Sandringham estate. Only Barry and part of the ‘C Team’ found time to scale the walls for a cheeky view of the Queen’s garden.

The sun shone, legs were fresh and the slight northerly breeze didn’t dampen anyone’s high spirits as they headed north up and down country lanes to our first pit stop at Ringstead Down. Tea and Dutch currant buns, flapjacks and bananas recharged riders young and old as they met up. Much refreshed, the faster A and B teams headed East as the Barry and the back markers arrived.

TWT North Norfolk Cycle Ride 2022
Refreshments provided enroute

Taking the narrow inland road that runs parallel to the main coastal road, we passed just a single tractor, before rounding Burnham Market and reaching The Lord Nelson at Burnham Thorpe for the second pitstop. Some were keen to push on for lunch while others took the opportunity to sample some Norfolk ale.

The Chairman of TWT corrupting volunteer fundraisers

The route took us through the Holkham estate with its long drives, obelisks and landscaped parkland.

TWT North Norfolk Cycle Ride 2022

From Wells, much to the consternation of the purist road cyclists, route 1 cut cross country up to Wighton. A puncture or two later we emerged to witness the results of the impressive Wighton scarecrow competition.

The church at Wighton – spot the gruffalo scarecrow

From there, a mere two hops via the Piper-esque ruins of Binham Priory to Langham and lunch hosted by Sarah Burles.

After much needed refuelling and regaling, cyclists chose their afternoon: relax at Langham, back to Kings Lynn by car, or cycle or onward to Cromer.

TWT North Norfolk Cycle Ride 2022
Near Cromer

It was a hardy dozen that braved a chilly Norfolk fret that blew in over the coastal hills across Felbrigg Hall.  

The Norfolk fret at Felbrigg

Sadly not the seaside ice-creams by the pier we’d envisaged but cups of hot tea, biscuits and cake from the back of the Whitbreads’ support vehicle.

TWT North Norfolk Cycle Ride 2022
Felbrigg Hall

The route back cross country proved a navigational challenge for Tusa’s A-Team, but included the rhododendron rides of Sheringham Park and steam engines along the North Norfolk railway.

It was just after 7pm that the last riders made it back to Barry and Sarah’s where the after party was well under way with bottles of Italian wines and cauldrons of chilli-con/senza-carne.

Almost £8,000 was raised by the gallant riders for The Waterberg Trust

If you would like to sponsor them, TWT have a Justgiving page here.

If you are able to provide matched funding, please contact TWT here

You can see photos of the projects in the Waterberg that will be supported here

TWT TRUSTEES TAKING PART IN A FUNDRAISING CYCLE RIDE IN MAY 2022

A massive thank you to all the support crews and meal providers. Can’t wait until next year: Saturday 6th May 2023. See you there!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART IN THE WATERBERG TRUST NORTH NORFOLK BIKE RIDE NEXT YEAR, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW

“Thanks, Barry and William for such a great ride yesterday, and to Sarah and Jane and all others for wonderful support and hospitality.” Andrew Tusa

“Loved every bit of it. Great day. Great route, superb organisation, fantastic rescue team, amazing scotch eggs, wonderful people, inspiring cause. Thank you all at Waterberg Trust. Have booked out every weekend in May for next year.” Nick Froi

Very many thanks to you Barry for pushing this hard and getting us all involved and for raising a very decent sum for such a good cause. Loved being part of it this year and look forward to next! Thank you to everyone else for making it such an enjoyable day – from have the reassurance of back up to the delicious spread at the end of it. Ivor

“‘C Group’ knew its place in the pecking order, free of aspiration or status we had immense fun!“ James Bradley

Pint outside the Lord Nelson at Burnham Thorpe

“Thank you everyone for a great day out and hope we raised lots for The Waterberg Trust :)“ Benjamin Aluwihare

The gift of a vegetable garden

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The environmental consulting company Environmental Impact Management Services (EIMS), based in Gauteng, has made the astonishing gift of a vegetable garden to aid sister Grace in her work teaching life orientation skills at Meetsetshehla Secondary School at Vaalwater in the Waterberg.

Andrew Smith and his team of twenty environmental scientists wanted to contribute to the work of The Waterberg Trust by making a gift of their know-how before spending a weekend in the African bush.

We never guessed that they would arrive with 33 bags of compost.

The staff and pupils gratefully accepted trays of lettuce, spinach, beetroot and onion seedlings as well as a variety of much-needed seeds. ‘I was speechless,’ Nurse Grace said. It was an answer to prayer. They even brought seed markers.

EIMS also donated garden netting, watering cans, tools and ordered treated poles from a local supplier so that pupils could erect shade-netting to protect the seedlings from birds and drying out in the sun.

The team from Environmental Impact Management Services also bought a year-planner and books that provide information and advice on when to plant and how to gain optimum productivity.  Nurse Grace said, ‘We learnt a lot about keeping vegetables healthy and effective planting methods.’

School exams were in progress but the team were able to meet some of the pupils and explain how best to sustain the vegetable garden established by Nurse Grace a year ago. While Meetsstshehla has been acknowledged as a leading Green School in the Limpopo Province, nurse Grace plans to share the vision with other schools that she visits in the Waterberg.

Nurse Grace had time to discuss other plans for the community. Environmental Impact services are generously donating 95 packs of washable sanitary pads so that all the Grade 8 school girls can participate fully in school activities. A team from Dignity Dreams  in Pretoria will come to instruct both boys and girls on menstrual health when exams finish.

~Explaining to guests about our green school project~

Andrew Smith said, ‘We have been involved in developing an air quality awareness campaign for one of our clients over the last 12 months. The programme is aimed at education focused specifically on how burning practices in the homes and communities can negatively impact the air we breath. Burning of waste and the use of coal fires in the home for cooking and warmth during winter are some of the issues the campaign focuses on. We have rolled the campaign out in some primary schools as well and we’ve developed puzzles, colouring books, quizzes and drama competitions. We have asked our client whether they will allow us to use the material elsewhere and we’re waiting for their comments. This educational content might be something Nurse Grace, or other teachers, could use during some of the Life Orientation classes.’

~Showing EIMS part of the garden and how we make compost manure from waste~

Andrew Smith's donation 4

If you would like to make a donation towards the creation of a school vegetable garden in the Waterberg or towards multi-use sanitary pads for pupils please click here detailing your wishes. Sets of sanitary packs cost R220  and last for approx 48 months. We are hoping to raise enough money for all the school girls in the Waterberg to be kitted out.

Day 6 of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018

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TWT Ride 2018 - DAY 6 walking down to the Palala River (2).jpgAfter walking the horses down a steep track on Jembisa game reserve, we finally made it to the Palala River. It’s normally too deep to cross on a horse but the drought of 2017 resulted in unusually low water.

The rocks looked slippery but Ant Baber decided we could walk across.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 6 - Riders crossing the Palala River going north.jpg

As we made our way the Rooisloot valley we came across interesting plants such as this Transvaal gardenia.

Greater kudu enjoy eating the green seed pods and had effectively pruned the bushes.

The aim was to ride up to the wetlands at the very north of the reserve.

We had entered at the gate just south of Emily’s Camp. Today we reached Kwarriehoek near the road to Makopane, which you can see at the top right-hand corner of this map.

It was good to have reached the open grasslands after having spent six days in the saddle.

 

Mission accomplished. We could ride no further north.

A highlight of the day was lunch at a house on the game reserve which has a pool with an incredible view, looking north down the Palala River Valley towards Lapalala Wilderness where we had been the evening before.

We mounted the horses and crossed back over the Palala, which flows north into the Limpopo on the South African border with Zimbabwe.

TWT Ride DAY 6 2018 crossing the Palala River - photo Sophie Neville

Without pausing to remove our helmets, we dismounted and climbed up the steep cart track in our hot clothes. The horses were fine but it was hard on the riders.

Once we reached the plateau, it wasn’t long before we were met by the back-up team.

They had brought us champagne to celebrate the end of the challenge ride.

Everyone was tired, but happy, if a little dazed.

No one had fallen off. There had been no injuries or mis-haps. The horses were still in good condition. We had explored a new route, which had proved varied and exciting. Ant Baber decided the ride had been a success.

We’d made it!

We had come so far and seen so much. The experience had challenged and extended each one of us..

We climbed back into the saddle and had a cheer from the team from Newbury, before making our way back to the lodge.

The riders enjoyed one last exciting gallop before bidding farewell to the horses, who had all done so well. We’d covered 187 kilometres in total – 197kms if you counted the ride before the official trek began six days before.

Very many thanks to all our sponsors and donors who encouraged us on our way. The funds raised will go a long way to help Save The Waterberg Rhino increase security in the area and will support community projects run by trusted charitable organisations that uplift the emerging generation by providing education or healthcare.

If you would like to make a donation to The Waterberg Trust please click here

~TWT Trustees: Belinda Chaffer and Sophie Williams-Thomas~

Visiting Boschdraai Primary School on day 4 of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018 –

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TWT Ride 2018 DAY 3 - view from Bushwillow

The fourth day of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018 was one of contrasts. We woke to clear weather although rain was forecast. This was welcomed as we had a long way to go and needed cool conditions.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 4 - Riders leaving Windsong.jpg

We left Windsong Cottage, mounted our horses and rode to Boschdraai Primary School at the nearby Sesotho village.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 4 - Boschdraai Primary School who received gifts of pens and pencils from riders.jpg

The riders had brought pens and pencils for the 140 children who expressed their thanks by singing three very touching songs. Pupils have really appreciated books donated by TWT riders over the years.

Books donated to Waterberg schools by TWT riders

The headmistress, who has been working at the eco-school for 24 years, needs a new printer with ink cartridges. She needs set pupils work as she only has one other teacher and three classes of children.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 4 - Michael riding in the dust

We passed wild fig trees as we cantered down sandy farm tracks to Horizon Horseback’s game reserve and picked our way through the natural rock formations of Ghost Kopjie.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 4 - Riders approaching Ghost Kopjie.jpg

Fissures in the old red-standstone, said to be formed in the pre-Cambrian era some 4 millions years ago, is home to nocturnal creatures such as owls and porcupine.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 4 - Helena riding through Ghost Kopjie.jpg

At one stage it got too tricky for the horses but we had never taken this route before.

We had to double back a bit but we made it down to the grasslands below.

We saw jackal as we crossed the plans plains, took a break by a lake, and rode on down long marrum roads that run between game reserves. The vegetation became lusher.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 4 - cantering down the road in the rain.jpg

Rain set in and the going became slippery but the horses kept cantering.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 4 - Mary and Pip riding in the rain.jpg

It was not long before we reached Lindani game reserve where the back-up crew had set up lunch in a paddock where we could unsaddle the horses and let them relax.

Ant warned us that there had been a crocodile attack on the nearby dam.

But it hadn’t been seen for a while and the horses were able to roam freely.

The riders enjoyed a barbecue lunch by the wetland.

Some were in need of reinforcements.

That afternoon we saw zebra, wildebeest and warthog as we cantered across the plains.

As we rode into a belt of acacia woodland we came across giraffe with young.

They allowed us close enough to take photographs.

Giraffe have a different gait to other animals, although horses can be trained to walk as they do, which is meant to be more comfortable for the rider.

It was a long but varied day.  Sandy tracks across the reserve to Motseng Lodge.

We were thirsty by the time we reached the paddock where the horses were to spend the night but Ant and the riders were still smiling.

To see footage taken from the helmet of one of the riders on this day – please click here

You can see a little of what Lindani is like and take a look at Motseng, the lodge where we spent the night here:

Visiting the Waterberg Living Museum on day 3 of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018

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Riders set off early from the stables and were led across Ant’s Nest by Anthony Baber.

We learnt more about the Waterberg as we crossed into neighbouring game reserves.

The African grasslands look benign but tend to be full of holes made by termites or burrowing animals, so it is safer to ride in single file, only cantering along tracks.

We watered the horses at dams and waterholes wherever possible and rode on.

The aim was to cover as much ground as possible before the heat of the day.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 3 - Michael and the team riding north

A herd of zebra and other game were spotted that morning and a fair distance was covered.

We were expected at the soon-to-be-opened Waterberg Living Museum. Here we met one of South Africa’s leading conservationists, the artist and writer Clive Walker, who explained the need for education in conservation, ecology and bio-diversity.

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Clive founded the Endangered Wildlife Trust and set up the Lapalala Wilderness School which we were due to visit later in that week.

The Waterberg Trust had provided the museum with funds to purchase picnic tables and benches, which the riders found useful both during and after lunch.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 3 - Catherine asleep on a bench at the Living Museum donated by TWT.jpg

Back in the saddle, the riders let their horses drink before crossing another game reserve.

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018

We traversed open grasslands where we saw zebra, blesbok and red heartebeest, spotting a baby waterbuck and rare golden wildebeest that are bred in the area.

It was a joy to cross wide open plains as giraffe looked on from a distance.

At one stage we found ourselves cantering along beside running wildebeest, some of which crossed in front of the horses.

The going was good and as the horses picked up speed it could be difficult keeping a safe distance from the one in front.

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018

‘Was it dusty?’ I’m asked.

‘When fifteen horses are cantering, it is.’

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 3 - Lizzie arriving at Windsong .jpg

We finally reached  Waterberg Cottages where Ant grew up. The horses were able to relax and roll in a sandy kraal where they spent the night.

The gardens were verdant after the summer rain and birdsong filled the air.

Some relaxed with a cold beer and made new friends or had a swim.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 3 - Michael with the Calcott's dog.jpg

As dusk fell, one the riders held a Pilates lesson.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 3 - Pilates class.jpg

We were entertained by Ant’s sister, Juliet Calcott, who teaches at a local school. Her family had rescued this little bushbaby and were re-rehabilitating it.

That evening we were treated to a home-cooked meal on the veranda of Windsong Cottage, the farmhouse built in 1928 by Alfred Baber, who farmed the land we’d been riding across using horses and oxen. Historic photographs of the Baber family, which hang in the dining room, can be seen here.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 3 - dinner at Windsong

Juliet’s husband, Dr Philip Calcott, who is listed as one of the Great Guides of South Africa, then took the riders on a Night Sky Safari – giving a lecture on the constellations of the Southern hemisphere.  You can find more information on Waterberg Cottages here and see learn how Night Sky Safaris began here:

The Waterberg Living Museum is now open and can be contacted on:  info@livingmuseum.co.za

Day 2 of The Waterberg Trust challenge Ride 2018

Africa, Charity fundraising event, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Uncategorized, Waterberg, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

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The Waterberg Plateau rises to about 1,400 metres on Ant’ Hill: 4,500 feet above sea level. We covered some distance that morning, climbing an escarpment and riding across the game reserve as the sun beat down.

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Although we had encountered a number of waterholes it was only when we reached the highest dam at noon that we took the chance to swim the horses.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 2 - Viv swimming her horse

They loved being able to cool down and play in the water.

As we rode bareback , staying on board wasn’t as easy as you might imagine.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 2 - Lizzie swimming her horse

Later that day, when back in the saddle, we came across a herd of Livingstone eland that hadn’t been seen for some time. One of the cows was badly in need of veterinary treatment.

TWT Ride 2018 - Ant Baber

Ant Baber called in a helicopter to collect his game vet, Paul, and asked the riders if they would volunteer to help by following the eland once it had been darted with anesthetic.

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The riders and horses came into their own, cantering through dense bush after the herd of large antelope while the helicopter was buzzing overhead.TWT Ride 2018 DAy 2 - Helicopter and Game Vet

The vet was able to land in a clearing as one of the guides caught the female eland by the horns and calmed her with a mask before she received treatment to her wounded rear-end.

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It was exciting to take part in the game capture and to be able to observe the procedure. The wound was caused by a tick infestation that had become critical. It would not have healed naturally.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 2 - MC on her horse with game vet team.jpg

The wound was dressed and the cow  given anti-biotics, de-wormed and sprayed with insect repellent to increase her chances of survival, before being released back into her herd.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 2 - eland after vetinary treatment

While the helicopter and vet were on hand, Ant decided to capture the eland bull and translocate him to another breeding herd as it is important to introduce fresh genes.

TWT Ride 2018 - DAY 2 riders help translocate an eland bull.jpg

The riders were needed to help carry the anesthetized bull into the truck, which would transport him into a neighbouring area. Although sprayed for ticks, he was in excellent condition.

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Although cantering some of the way, it was dark by the time the riders returned to the lodge when they still had to pack for the days ahead. The plan was to rise early and ride out of the reserve and across the Waterberg, heading north-west towards the Palala River.

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You can get a feel for what it’s like to ride at speed through the African bush in this video:

Day 1 of The Waterberg Challenge Ride 2018

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TWT Ride 2018 DAY 1 - Jessica taking on Save The Waterberg Rhino
An introductory talk from Jessica Babich of Save The Waterberg Rhino

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018 began with a talk on Save The Waterberg Rhino who will receive 50% of funds raised on the ride to increase security in the area.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 1 - 5 rhino sleeping.jpg

While the rhino themselves were resting under a tree, the riders gathered to embark on an afternoon ride across Ant’s Nest game reserve to gain an understanding of the area.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 1 - riders having tea before setting out

The route was planned by Ant Baber, who would use his experience to lead the challenge ride over the next six days. Everyone had been in training, working on their fitness.

The horse managers at Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill had carefully chosen and prepared horses for each rider. They needed to be young and hardy enough to cope with the challenge.

Some riders had found vented hot-weather helmets and wore gloves to keep off the sun. Long-distance McClellen saddles were used with specialist neoprene numnas.

It was magical to be riding through the African bushveldt. Being high summer in South Africa, everything was green and the dams were filling after last year’s drought.

The riders soon came across a number of giraffe browsing on blooming acacia.

TWT Ride 2018 - DAY 1 Sarah with giraffe.jpg

A mature adult male giraffe was happy to let us get fairly close.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 1 - Viv with giraffe.jpg

As the horses normally graze out on the reserve, the wild animals are used to their presence.

TWT Ride DAY 1 - Mary with three giraffe.jpg

We let the horses browse to reassure the wildlife that all was well.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 1 - giraffe and riders

The riders moved on to see zebra, wildebeest, warthog and a variety of antelope.

Ant Baber was also able to show us his breeding herd of Cape buffalo that tend to prefer thick bush.

This would normally be a rare sighting but the animals were peaceful and behaved naturally.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 1 - Ant showing Pip buffalo.jpg

We then picked up speed and managed to cover quite a bit of ground.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 1 - Sarah and Mary riding in evening light.jpg

It was not a hard ride but we learnt a great deal and got used to dodging thorn trees.

Riders ended up gathering at Ant Baber’s house to as the sun went down to learn more about Save The Waterberg Rhino and the anti-poaching initiatives currently in place.

Here they could observe a number of white rhino who arrived with a few warthog in tow.

It was an opportunity to met some of the armed security guards who watch over the rhino around the clock and are in contact with the South African police.

TWT Ride 2018 DAY 1 - Sophie with armed guards at Ant's house.jpg

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018 proves a great success

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Sophie Neville on the waterberg Trust Challenge Horse Ride 2018

‘It was demanding but the greatest fun.’

Fifteen riders crossed seven different game reserves in six days, covering 187kms while learning about Save The Waterberg Rhino and visiting community projects that benefit young people in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018 ~The Waterberg Trust Challenge Horse Ride 2018~

The ride began at Ant’s Nest game reserve where team members from the United Kingdom and Bermuda learnt about Save The Waterberg Rhino.

~Rhino walking up to riders gathered on the plains at Ant’s Nest~

The challenge ride was led by Ant Baber whose family have lived in the Waterberg for five generations. He has spent the last twenty-one years re-introducing wildlife to the area.

~Ant Baber~

Today, white rhino, giraffe, buffalo, warthog, baboon, zebra, wildebeest, eland, kudu, nyala, impala, blesbok, a variety of other antelope can be spotted from horseback.

 ~TWT riders observing zebra on Ant’s Hill game reserve~

January proved a good time of year for there were many newborn animals.

We were able to observe breeding groups of rare species such as sable and roan antelope.

Sable antelope at Ant's Nest

The riders helped to capture a sick eland so it could receive treatment from a game vet.

The game vet ministering to an injured eland on Ant's Nest~A sick eland cow receiving veterinary treatment~

We learnt more about the area while traversing six other game reserves.

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride crossing Lindani game reserve in 2018~TWT Riders crossing Lindani game reserve~

~Observing young giraffe from horseback on Lindani~

We saw golden wildebeest, red heartebeest, vervet monkeys, ostrich, black-backed jackal, bushbuck, oryx and waterbuck as well as species we’d seen previously.

Descending the Waterberg escapement on the Water~Descending an escarpment on foot~

~Reaching the Palala River on Jembisa game reserve~

Over the week riders were able to visit a number of charitable projects supported by The Waterberg Trust, which gave us a chance to meet local people.

~Discussing conservation issues with Clive Walker at the Living Museum~

~The Waterberg Trust Riders at Lapalala Wilderness School~

~The ‘Back to School’ project at Lethabo Kids Club in the township of Leseding~

~Nurse Grace telling TWT riders about her work in local schools~

‘What a trip. It was totally WOW!! I can’t quite believe I have done it …’The Waterberg

~The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018~