Tag Archives: Travel

Join us on The Waterberg Trust Cambs-to-Beds Cycle Ride 2026

February 24, 2026Africa, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Limpopo Province, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorizedadventure, bicycle, biking, challenge cycle ride through Cambridge and Bedfordshire May 2026, Charity fundraising event, cycling, Sponsored bike ride with back up, Sponsored ride, To Do CAmbridge May 2026, TravelSophie Neville

We are cycling again for The Waterberg Trust on Saturday 30^th May 2026. TWT continues its great work helping the people of the Waterberg, enabling all children to attend school regularly and to learn about their environment, helping to improve their life opportunities and conserve their amazing ecosystem.

This year, we will stay local to Cambridge and offer something for everybody. The planned route through attractive by-ways gives us a 75-mile, low incline, all tarmac, circular loop from Cambridge to Southill Park in Bedfordshire and back. The 45-mile option ends at Southill for lunch. All bike types are encouraged: electric, town, hybrid or road bike, whatever you have.

We meet up at 8am at the Saunderson’s Longacre, Haverhill Rd, Stapleford CB22 5BX close to Shelford Station and not far from Cambridge Central Station.

“It’s like no other bike ride I have been on. Classically English. The boys couldn’t quite believe how wonderful it was.” Greg Glass, Australia

After greetings with tea/coffee/bacon rolls/pumps we head north, following cycle ways though Cambridge, past both railway stations and on to the traffic-free cycle route to St Ives. If anything goes wrong, you won’t be stranded: we have back-up in place.

Just before St Ives, we turn South West to Fenstanton, though Hinton and on to Graveley for our mid-morning stop with hot drinks and the famous Franklin’s homemade scotch eggs.

Refreshed, we head South to Abbotsley, through Everton and cross the A1 cycle bridge at Sandy before skirting around Shuttlesworth to reach 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. For those on the 45-mile trip we can help return you and your bike back to the start.

For the keener cyclist, we head back eastward through Stanford, Langford, Ashwell and Morden for a tea stop in Litlington. From there, we wind our way on back roads though the villages of South Cambridge: Meldreth, Shepreth, Fowlmere, Newton and the Shelfords, to finish back to where we started in Stapleford for the riders and supporters after party. 🥂🎈🥳

Please let us know if you’d like to join in, commit to the date and start training by signing up here. And why not persuade your family and friends to come, or organize a team?

We’re hoping to better 2025’s amazing fund-raising total of over £10,000. Everyone should raise or donate at least £100 (£50 for the young). The Waterberg Trust has a JustGiving page that automatically processes Gift Aid to make this simple. We can also take CAF cheques and Direct Debits as detailed on TWT’s website here.

Your support will help reduce rhino poaching, show schoolchildren in the Waterberg how protect their environment and support the only school nurse in the region.

Helping those in need in the Waterberg, South Africa

June 7, 2025UncategorizedCharity, food, TravelSophie Neville

From January to March 2025, our school nurse, Sister Grace continued to provide food parcels, clothes, and other essential items to those identified as in being need. By shopping wisely, we were able to stretch our resources and assist more people.

Some of the food parcels purchased and distributed this quarter

The EMS Foundation based at Shambla Private Game lodge provides weekly vegetables for the community and surrounding schools. Many families are grateful.

PROGRESS:

I managed to identify 3 children aged 5 years-old in need of a safe home. The Fold Childrens’ Home took in one boy and the remaining two will be considered when there’s space to accommodate them.
Other NPOs and foreign business owners are involved in supporting the needy community members with food stuff, school uniform and clothes.
Teenage girls continue to receive free donated sanitary pads (120 sanitary pads distributed this quarter).

Two Babies born to teenage moms were blessed with baby clothes, a blanket and other necessities.

A local business owner donated enough school uniform for 48 children at a primary school children in Leseding township

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Christians from St John the Baptist Church donated various items, clothes and toys.
Guests from Horizon Horseback donated sanitary pads, clothes, stationery and toiletries.
A local business owner donated enough school uniforms to equip 48 local primary school children in Leseding township.
SUSKES

CHALLENGES:

Child neglect by parents due to alcoholism or lack of support.
Social grants for basic needs are often used to buy alcohol or on gambling
Large families struggle to buy food at end of the month before grants arrive.
Unemployment contributes to poverty, leading to community theft and house break-ins by those under substance or alcohol abuse in need of quick money.
Unplanned teenage pregnancies – despite health education on various methods of contraception.
Damaged roads make it difficult reach those who need help.

TWT are grateful for any donations however small. It is easy to send money via Justgiving who accept 8 different currencies and collect gift aid.

Thanks to all who supported The Waterberg Trust Cycle Challenge 2024

May 13, 2024Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Nonprofit, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorizedbicycle, bike, bikes, biking, charity cycle ride, Charity fundraising, charity fundraising bike ride, Charity fundraising event, Cycle challenge Cambridgeshire Hertfordshire Befdfordshire, cycling, Long distance riding, Travel, Waterberg Charity RideSophie Neville

A massive thank you to all who have donated to The Waterberg Trust so generously this year. It really is most appreciated. The Waterberg a small part of Africa where we really can make a big difference.

For anyone who hasn’t quite got around to making their donation yet, it’s easiest on the JustGiving site where +25% GiftAid is easy to add:

https://www.justgiving.com/waterbergtrust/donate

It was a beautiful May morning when around 60 riders gathered in Fen Ditton to take part in this year’s amazing 80-mile TWT charity cycle ride around Cambs, Herts and Beds. Riders made a sterling effort to overcome the dreaded Rail Replacement Bus service by staying locally or joining us from Royston.

After greetings and reunions of TWT ride old-timers over coffee and pastries, the cyclists set of in their groups heading south along the cycle ways of Cambridge, past Addenbrokes’ biomedical campus and out through the Shelfords in the cool of the early morning. Turning west at Duxford, we wound our way up the hills (yes there are some!) of South Cambridgeshire, past Chrishall and Chishill.

Barry acting as sweeper, collecting TWT ride signs, lost his group who had taken a scenic detour via Newton and Thriplow. But all was well as teams arrived for the now world-renown Franklin’s hand-made scotch eggs and flapjacks, heartily consumed with much needed drinks at Reed village hall.

From here we crossed the rolling North Hertfordshire countryside, with spectacular views dotted with chromium yellow rape fields, before heading north where all made it safely back over the A505 to Ashwell. Here we overlapped with a seemingly never ending stream of classic MG cars on a rally as we wound our way through the more pastoral Bedfordshire with a notable uptick in village greens hosting cricket matches, an idyllic English summer’s day!

And indeed the temperature was rising fast, it was baking by the time we made it to our amazing lunch stop and the welcoming hospitality of the Whitbread’s at Southill Park and much needed drinks and sustenance.

Boerewors in rolls with sautéed onions and Mrs Balls chutney gave a very Waterberg, South African touch to a delicious lunch with quiches, salads and lemon drizzle cake from Elaine Franklin.

Such was the enthusiasm of the riders that all but about a dozen decided to continue on the full 80-mile course. We had such an incredible range of cyclist from first comers, who had never cycled more than a couple of miles, to those using the day as a training for upcoming 300km rides. The way home was shorter but somehow didn’t feel it and a rest and tea & cake was enjoyed by many at Wimpole Hall NT cafe.

Coming back in to Cambridge along Grantchester meadows was somewhat tricky for us as half of Cambridge had decided that it was a beautiful warm sunny evening for a stroll! Many of the faster cyclists decided this would be a good time to stop for a beer, and bit by bit everyone made it back home, most to Fen Ditton where, after hot showers and cold beers, vast quantities of rice and chilli-con-carne and bean chilli were consumed to restore tired bodies: a perfect end to a very enjoyable day. Thanks also to Charles and John for great support. Thankfully, and surprisingly for so many riders, they were never called on!

For all those that sadly couldn’t make it this year, there’s always 2025!

Please do save the date: 10th May 2025, the Saturday after the May Day Bank Holiday.

All funds raised go direct to The Waterberg Trust who detail various ways you can make a donation on their website here.

Addiction Support in the Waterberg, South Africa

April 9, 2024Africa, Charity, Community projects, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Waterberg, Youthaddiction recovery programme, Africa, art, Charity, Limpopo Province, photography, Small but effective grass-roots project helping rural people in the Waterberg, South Africa, Travel, WaterbergSophie Neville

An Addiction Recovery Course takes place in Vaalwater every Thursday. Held at the Farmers Hall, it will last for 15 weeks. Nursing Sister Grace, who prepares sandwiches and snacks for the beneficiaries, reported that it is going well.

Addiction Recovery Course currently being held in the Waterberg, South Africa

Sister Grace continues to supply food parcels and donated clothes to the needy in the Waterberg in South Africa. “I use different supermarkets to get fair deals on essential products and food stuffs.” Those meeting the criteria for support from the Social Development were referred to access the required intervention.

Food purchased this month for donating to those in need

The Waterberg Trust would like to thank all those who donated money to buy food parcels back in the year 2020. Those funds are still being used to buy essential supplies. Many families have been impacted. Local people and guests who visit lodges continue to donate various items for school children and the community, which is hugely appreciated.

Food parcels are collected by beneficiaries or their relatives

The Waterberg Trust accepts donations in eight different currencies on Justgiving.com and in more traditional ways as detailed on our How to Donate page on this website.

Kind donations of clothes and sanitary produced being distributed by Sister Grace in Vaalwater.

Highlights of The 5th Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride, 2019

February 11, 2019Africa, Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Waterbergadventure, adventure travel in Africa, Ant Baber, Anthony Baber, challenging horse ride, community projects in South Africa, riding horses in Africa, riding in Africa, riding with game, Riding with rhino, Save the Waterbeg Rhino, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sponsored ride, Travel, Waterberg, Waterberg Living MuseumSophie Neville

Skies looked threatening at the start of The 5th Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride but the game viewing was excellent with herds of zebra and antelope enjoying lush grass.

The ride was hosted by Ant’s Nest who had prepared some of their best horses for what proved to be a 208 kilometre marathon.

Since Ant’s horses usually graze in the bush we were able to get exceptionally close wildlife while riding around the property.

Riders were able to observe rare breeds such as Livingstone eland and sable antelope.

We made our way up to Ant’s Hill in search of rhino, finding the dominant male.

Jessica Babich of Save The Waterberg Rhino gave riders a talk on how funds raised by TWT are being used to install high-tech security equipment to combat poaching.

Early on 31st January, everyone was ready to cross the Waterberg, heading north towards the Palala River.

The horses wore head-collars, lead ropes and long-distance saddles for the journey.

Ant Baber led the team of twelve ladies who soon found themselves passing one of his breeding herds of Cape buffalo.

After pausing to take photos we rode through neighbouring game reserves, crossing wide open plains where wildebeest and blesbok roam.

Lunch was taken at the Waterberg Living Museum, established by Clive Walker and his son Anton Walker, who showed us around. They have a room dedicated to information on rhinos and the poaching situation.

The Waterberg Trust has donated picnic tables, benches and information boards to this centre of environmental education created for local schoolchildren and visitors.

We rode on, spotting giraffe, impala, blesbok and golden wildebeest as we made our way

through another reserve to spend the night at Waterberg Cottages on Triple B Ranch.

It is home for the Baber family who began rearing cattle in the Waterberg in the 1880’s.

There was a solar-heated pool to relax sore muscles and reviving ginger drinks for all.

Dinner was served on the veranda of the farmhouse built by Ant’s grandfather in 1928.

The next morning, we rode through the lovely old traditional Transvaal farm, passing herds of Bonsmara stud cattle.

Summer rain had filled some of the twenty-two dams built by Ant’s father.

We cantered down through woodland, where baboons could be heard barking, and stopped for breakfast at Horizon Horseback Safaris where hippo were in residence.

After crossing plains inhabited by ostrich, we reached another lake on the Melkrivier.

Egyptian geese, African fish eagle and rare spur-winged geese flew up as we passed by.

We crossed through an old cattle farm and cantered along red roads to Lindani game reserve where we stopped for lunch at a dam where crocodile are known to flourish.

Everyone was pretty tired but after a relaxed lunch, when we could rest the horses, we rode into more hilly country.

Lindani game reserve has a high population of giraffe, warthog and other plains game.

Two nights were spent at Motseng Lodge where the horses enjoyed excellent grazing.

This enabled us to pay a visit to Lapalala Wilderness School where we met a python and

enjoyed a game drive on Lapalala Wilderness before exploring a remote corner of Lindani on horseback.

Crossing reed-choked stream beds could be challenging but the horses were brave.

One of the highlights of the ride was reaching the crest of the Buffleshoek escarpment.

After coming across giraffe, we dismounted to descend through thick vegetation for a couple of miles.

It was difficult to believe we had brought thirteen horses down the towering cliff face.

After perhaps the greatest of many long canters up the sandy tracks of the Waterberg

the riders made it to Jembisa game reserve where, after following oryx though seringa woodland,

the team was greeted by chilled champagne set out under a tree.

Our goal had been reached, the ride had ended. Most riders had spent a total of 38 hours in the saddle over 7 days: quite an achievement.

~Photographs by Ant Baber who led The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2019~

The next day, riders were able to visit Lethabo Kids Club in the township of Leseding where we met children who had benefited from TWT’s grant to the ‘Back to School’ project and handed over a donation of sports clothes and underwear for Nurse Grace to distribute. She updated us on how successful Dignity Dreams sanitary packs were proving by enabling schoolgirls to remain in lessons whilst they have their periods.

TWT Trustees saw some of the 24 security camera erected to combat rhino poaching in the Waterberg and discussed plans to install more of these effective deterrents.

Very many thanks to Ant’s Nest and Jembisa who hosted the ride and enabled so many of us to visit community projects supported by The Waterberg Trust.

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

March 2, 2018Africa, Charity fundraising event, Limpopo Province, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Uncategorized, Waterbergadventure travel in Africa, Ant Baber, barbecuing food, Beware of the Crocodile, challenging horse ride, Charity fundraising event, Donate, horse safari, Horseback challenge, Lindani South Africa, long distance horse ride, photographing wildlife from horseback, photos of horses with giraffe, riding horses in Africa, riding in Africa, riding with game, South Africa, Sponsored ride, sprained ankle being bandaged, Travel, travelling with a purpose, Travels in South Africa, watching giraffe from horseback, WaterbergSophie Neville

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:

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018 proves a great success

February 1, 2018Africa, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, WaterbergAchievement, activity holiday, adventure, Ant Baber, challenging horse ride, Charity, Charity fundraising, Charity fundraising event, Community Programmes, Donate, Game reserve, Game vet treating eland, Lapalala Wilderness, Riding, riding in Africa, riding with game, Riding with rhino, Safari, save the rhino, Save the Waterbeg Rhino, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sponsored ride, Travel, watching giraffe from horseback, watching zebra from horseback, WaterbergSophie Neville

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 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 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 Trust Challenge Ride 2018~

Riding through Ant’s Nest Game Reserve on Day One of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017

February 4, 2017Charity fundraising event, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Waterbergadventure travel, Ant Baber, Ant's Nest game reserve, Anthony Baber, challenging horse ride, Events, horse safari, Horseback challenge, horseriding, hot weather riding helmets, image of roan antelope, image of wildbeest, long distance horse ride, Long distance riding, photo of wildebeeste, photographing wildlife from horseback, photos of roan antelope, photos of white rhino, riders with rhino, riding horses in Africa, riding in Africa, Riding on Ant's Nest, riding with game, Safari, Sophie Neville, TravelSophie Neville

We started spotting wildlife the moment we drove in through the gates of Ant’s Nest, a private game reserve in the Waterberg. This young roan antelope was in our path.

twt-ride-day-1-roan-antelope

Twelve riders had flown out from the UK and Australia, at their own cost, to learn about the Waterberg by riding across the plateau with Ant Baber and his experienced guides,

ant-baber-2016

TWT Trustee Sophie Neville, who was once a horse safari guide in the area, met the group at Johannesburg airport and explained about projects supported by the Waterberg Trust, as she accompanied riders on the expedition.

sophie-neville-at-ants-nest-2017

Although we covered some distance on the first afternoon, the important thing was for riders to try out their horses and get used to the long-distance saddles while there was still a chance to make changes. Juliet Maddan, who had gathered the group together, was also wearing a hot-weather helmet for the first time.

twt-ride-day-2-juliet-trying-out-her-horse

It was a delight to come across wild animals who are used to grazing in the reserve with the horses and allow riders to get very close.

twt-ride-day-2-hilly-and-lulu-with-wildebeest

The wildebeest were unperturbed by our presence and the horses were relaxed.

twt-ride-2017-day-1-wildebeest

We saw a variety of plains game and had time to take a few photographs without dis-mounting

twt-ride-day-2-hilly-photographing-zebra

Some riders came across white rhino with Ant Baber that very afternoon, and were able to learn a bit about their territorial behaviour.

twt-riders-2017-encountering-white-rhino

Disaster struck at the end of the day when a gasket blew on a landcruiser as it was going up a steep slope. With no engine power the vehicle slid backwards but the riders were fit and jumped out as the guide steered it into a bush. It proved the start of an adventurous week.

blowing-a-gasget-on-tessas-pass

That night there was plenty to talk about as we gathered around the fire and made plans for the long ride ahead of us.

twt-ride-day-1-fireside

For an overview of the Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017 please click here

If you would like to make a donation to support the work of the trust please click here

Another successful TWT challenge ride

January 24, 2017Africa, Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Education, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Trustees, Waterberg, Youth#wildlifephotography, adventure, Africa, Ant Baber, challenge, challenging horse ride, Horse, horse safari, Horseback challenge, horseriding, Long distance riding, photo of rider, photo of roan antelope, photo of wildebeeste, photograph of wildebeest stretching, photographs of white rhino, riding horses in Africa, riding in Africa, Riding on Ant's Nest, riding with game, Riding with rhino, riding with wildlife, Safari, Sophie Neville, South Africa, Travel, Wildlife on Ant's Nest, wildlife photographySophie Neville

riders-successfully-completing-the-twt-ride-2017

-Ant Baber leading The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2017-

Twelve intrepid riders from around the UK, and one from Australia, successfully completed the third Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride covering 181 kilometers at some speed, crossing rivers and rocky terrain.

twt-riders-2017-crossing-the-melk-rivier

-Riders from Yorkshire crossing the Melk Rivier on horseback-

The six-day expedition proved a real adventure, traversing four different private game reserves and stretching everyone to the limits.

extreme-conditions-on-the-twt-ride-2017

-Climbing up from the Palala River on Jembisa game reserve-

The horses were beautifully looked after by the guides and back-up team from Ant’s Nest who hosted the expedition.

twt-riders-finding-white-rhino-2017

-Riders from Yorkshire encountering white rhino at Ant’s Nest on the third TWT Challenge Ride-

Riders, who paid their own travel and safari costs, had to raise a minimum of £1,000 each for The Waterberg Tust to support community projects in the Waterberg.

some-of-the-twt-riders-before-the-start-of-the-2017-ride

Funds raised will be divided between Save The Waterberg Rhino, Lapalala Wilderness School and Lethabo Kids Club in the township of Leseding, with support also being given to other health, welfare and educational projects. The 2017 riders were able to visit projects already supported by The Waterberg Trust. They all took part in an inspirational workshop on the importance of wildlife conservation at Lapalala Wilderness School on the Palala River.

twt-riders-learning-about-snakes

-Meeting the educators at Lapalala Wilderness School-

The Waterberg Trust riders’ fund-raising efforts in 2016 made it possible for 125 children and their teachers to attend a residential course here. We met the first group from Meetsetshehla Secondary School in Vaalwater:

-Some of the 125 students sponsored by The Waterberg Trust-

Students from Mokolo Primary School in Vaalwater will be able to come another week. As The Waterberg Trust also paid for pupils’ transport, local children from all backgrounds will be able to gain a grounding in environmental awareness, develop leadership skills and establish contact with a mentor who can help with wildlife issues.

-Pupils from Meetshesethla Secondary School learning about treats to wildlife-

Having said goodbye to the horses, riders saw an anti-poaching security post donated to Save The Waterberg Rhino by The Waterberg Trust Riders in 2016.

twt-riders-with-a-new-security-point-2017

-Save The Waterberg Rider’s new security point ready to be manned on a 24 hour basis-

They also met children at Lethabo Kids Club in Leseding township who showed-off the school uniforms purchased with grants from The Waterberg Trust in 2016 to ensure every child goes to school.

twt-riders-2017-visiting-lethabo-kids-club

-Lethabo Kids Club that has been running for 15 years in the township of Leseding-

The needs of older students who have shown more than ten years commitment were discussed. Some are seeking sponsorship for tertiary education.

twt-rider-meeting-youth-at-lethabo-kids-club

-Meeting the youth who help with Letabo Kids Club in Leseding-

It was a joy to meet the people of the Waterberg, learn of their cultural heritage and explore the bushveldt so rich in natural history.

twt-riders-at-the-bushmen-paintings-2017

-TWT Riders on Jembisa-

The ride was led by Ant Baber following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather E.A. Davidson, who explored the area on horseback in early 1900’s.

ant-baber-completing-the-2017-twt-ride

-Ant Baber who has been leading horse safaris for more than twenty years-

The Waterberg Trust, a registered UK charity, was represented by trustee Sophie Neville who, along with the twelve other riders, whould like to extend heartfelt thanks to our hosts, the land-owners and all those who sponsored the ride, especially Ant’s Nest and Jembisa.

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

sophie-neville-having-finished-the-twt-ride-2017

Last Day of The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride

June 4, 2016Africa, Limpopo Province, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Travel, Uncategorized, Waterbergactivity holiday, adventure, African safari, bushmen paintings, Family safari in the African Bush, Fundraising event, Jembisa, Limpopo Province, Long distance riding, photo of bushman painting, photo of termite mound, rock art, South Africa, Sponsored ride, Travel, WaterbergSophie Neville

After six long days in the saddle, TWT riders made it back to the luxury of Jembisa lodge where they were able to kick off their boots and relax.

reaching Jembisa

The delicious food and beautiful interiors were appreciated all the more for being hard-won. Since Jembisa was sponsoring the ride it was interesting to meet the staff and learn more about the game reserve that stretches up into the hills either side of the Palala River.

Jembisa Lodge

The lodge itself was equipped with anything you would need while staying in the African bush. There was even a salt-water pool where riders could sooth aching muscles.

Pool at Jembisa

Jembisa normally offers safaris for families wanting to explore the African bush. TWT riders enthusiastically grabbed the opportunity to find out more about the Waterberg –

Jembisa

finding out about dung beetles and termite activity

Termite mound

and climbing down the rocky cliffs above the Palala River

Riders on foot

to explore sites inaccessible on horseback.

Intrepid explorers

It was under these overhanging rocks that ancient Bushman paintings were discovered,

Bushmen paintings

along with stone tools and shards of pottery used by the San or ‘People of the Eland’.

Bushman painting Jembisa have been staunch supporters of The Waterberg Trust who aid a range of projects in the region and are doing all they can to help in the battle against rhino poaching by fundraising for Save The Waterberg Rhino. If you would like to know more, please contact us using the Comments box below.