Tag Archives: endangered wildlife

Arriving in South Africa for The 4th Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018

February 8, 2018Africa, Charity fundraising event, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Waterbergadventure travel in Africa, animals, Anthony Baber, challenging horse ride, combatting rhino poaching, endangered wildlife, Game viewing at Ant's Nest, horse safari, Horseback challenge, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, Photo of white rhino, photos of white rhino with people and horses, Rhino conservation, riding in Africa, riding with game, save the rhino, Save the Waterbeg Rhino, South Africa, Southern Africa, travelling with a purpose, travels, Watching rhino at Ant's Nest, Waterberg, Wildlife on Ant's Nest, wildlife photographySophie Neville

Something very special happened the night riders gathered at Ant’s Nest in South Africa on the eve of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride this January.

We were having a drink out on Ant’s Nest game reserve when some local residents approached us:

Rhino at Ant's Nest

Five white rhino emerged from the bush at the same time as six members of the team arrived on horseback, led by Ant Baber.

It was as if the rhinos were coming to thank us for raising funds to assure their security.

Ant Baber approached the animals to assure them all was well.

And as the sun went down we were able to observe the rhinos in their natural habitat.

They are docile animals, sadly under threat as markets in the Far East place a high value their horn – even though it is no more than keratin, akin to human fingernails.

Please read more about Save The Waterberg Rhino, here

To find out about other projects supported by The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride, please click here

~Riders taking part in The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018~

Visiting Lapalala Wilderness School on Day 5 of the TWT Challenge Ride 2016

April 26, 2016Africa, Community projects, Education, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, WaterbergAfrica, Clive Walker, eco school, endangered wildlife, environmental education, Limpopo Province, Making a Difference, Nature Conservation, Rescued python, rhino skulls, South Africa, WaterbergSophie Neville

Lapalala Wilderness School

While the horses enjoyed their grazing the riders paid a visit to Lapalala Wilderness School.

Lapalala Wilderness School display

A number of rhino skulls were included in an environmental display in the lecture room.

LWS staff

We met staff working at the eco-school along with the writer and artist Clive Walker who founded the project with Dale Parker thirty years ago.

LWS meeting Clive Walker

Clive gave us an illustrated talk on the plight of the five different species of rhinoceros.

LSW Talk on Rhino

Having established Lapalala Wilderness as a rhino sanctuary, Clive also founded the Endangered Wildlife Trust, the Elephant and Rhino Foundation and Chaired a number of other conservation bodies in South Africa.

LWS Clive with riders

Riders were then introduced to one of the schools teaching assistants – a Burmese python.

LWS python

Pupils at the school never forget handling such a large reptile.

LWS pupils with python

It is a highlight of their four-day residential course when they have fun while learning about the importance of nature conservation and re-cycling. Their stay leaves a lasting impression. Some pupils take up a career working in conservation as a result.

LWS pupil

Looking around the well-established project was certainly memorable for TWT riders

LWS looking around

and we are grateful to the Director, Mr Mashudu Makhokha, for making it possible. To find out more about Lapalala Wilderness School please click here.

LWS Mashudu

Wildlife spotted on The Waterberg Challenge Ride 2016

April 9, 2016Africa, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Nature Conservation, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Uncategorized, Waterbergadventure, Africa, Baby rhino at Ant's Nest, Charity, Charity fundraising, Charity fundraising event, endangered wildlife, Fundraising event, Game viewing at Ant's Hill, Game viewing at Ant's Nest, horse safari, Horseback, Limpopo Province, Long distance riding, photo of Livingstone eland, photos of buffalo, photos of rhino calf, photos of white rhino, Riding, riding in Africa, riding with game, South Africa, Sponsored ride, Watching rhino at Ant's Nest, Waterberg, wildlife, Wildlife at Ant's Hill, wildlife conservation, Wildlife on Ant's NestSophie Neville

Buffalo by Anne Lester

Anne Lester, who came on The Waterberg Challenge Ride in South Africa this March, has just sent in some of the photographs she took of wildlife encountered on horseback.

Giraffe by Anne Lester

We rode close to giraffe, and were able to watch a group of eleven browsing.

Livingstone eland by Anne Lester

This is a breeding herd of rare Livingstone eland, the largest antelope species found in South Africa. We also spotted waterbuck, kudu, nyala, grey duiker, sable, roan, blessbok, oryx, red heartebeest and numerous herds of impala.

Riding with rhino by Anne Lester

You can see how close we were able to get to animals on Ant’s Nest game reserve, a sanctuary for white rhino. Poaching in South Africa has become such a threat that these rhinoceros have had their horns impregnated with poison so they have no market value.

Rhino cow by Anne Lester

The rhinos are accompanied by armed guards 24 hours a day. This is expensive but meant that the animals are well habituated to horses and we managed to get very close.

Baby Rhino by Anne Lester

The good news is that the rhino are breeding well and are in good condition. This calf was born two months ago after a two-year birthing interval.

Riding up to a rhino calf by Anne Lester

We are currently fund-raising for Save The Waterberg Rhino who are striving to protect this special area as well as organising community projects so that local children can learn about the importance of nature conservation and ecology. If you can help, please go to The Waterberg Trust Justgiving.com page here. We have a Facebook page here.

TWT supporter running 20 miles at Tarpley 10/20

February 3, 2016Africa, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Nature Conservation, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Waterberg20 mile marathon, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Donate, endangered wildlife, running club, running marathon, Saint Edmund Pacers, save the rhino, Save the Waterbeg Rhino, sponsored run, Tarpley marathon, West SussexSophie Neville

On 28th February 2016, Becky Overy Owen, from Woodbridge in Suffolk, will be running 20 miles in the Tarpley 10/20 Marathon 2016 for The Waterberg Trust – 50% of funds raised will to go to Save The Waterberg Rhino and 50% to Lapalala Wilderness School to ensure the message of wildlife conservation is taken to the next generation.

New baby rhino born at Ant's Nest, South Africa

Do help Becky to raise funds for the anti-poaching unit protecting these endangered animals. She is currently in training and raising sponsorship on Just giving.com