Tag: Challenge4ACause

By Daryll Williams on July 2, 2019April 21, 2022

At least once in a lifetime, you might find yourself faced with the questions, am I brave enough? Do I have what it takes? Am I strong enough to try my hand at the impossible? And sometimes, most times, the only way to find out is to take the leap.

10 Rhinos (Rhino Africa staff) have taken this leap and accepted the challenge. And on 23 July 2019, they will embark on another gruelling adventure that is Challenge4ACause.

No challenge too mean for the spandex-wearing team

You might be wondering what is Challenge4ACause (C4AC) exactly?

Driven by a burning desire to give back to Africa, uplift its people and preserve the wildlife of our magical continent, Rhino Africa launched C4AC. And thus, this crazy initiative was born.

Crazy for two reasons. Firstly, it consists of multiple days of extreme mountain biking, over 400km from start to finish; secondly, the route traverses some of the most remote and barren parts of Africa. Envision empty horizons, no civilisation and lots and lots of sand.

So it’s fairly obvious where the challenge element of this comes in. But, what about the cause? Well, Rhino Africa is a company founded on the principle of giving back. Africa is such a magical place and everyone – all around the world – should have the privilege of experiencing her charm. And only through the preservation of her wildlife, the protection of her incredible spaces and upliftment of her warm people can this be possible.

What better way to raise awareness and funds, than by exploring the most remote and inaccessible parts of our beautiful continent. As they say, the pain might be temporary (and self-inflicted) but the experience, scenery, camaraderie and sense of purpose makes this one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

Stiff competition, stiff legs and stiff drinks are on the menu

After conquering the harsh Namibian desert (or at least trying our best to) for over 10 years, we thought it was time for new challenges on new horizons. This year, Rhino Africa has partnered with our close friends at Wilderness Safaris and are proud to embark on our inaugural Challenge4ACause; Tour de Tuli edition. True to Rhino Africa’s pioneering spirit, this four-day mountain biking challenge will see our Rhinos tackle the harshest terrain of not only one country, but three: Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

After all, what’s a challenge if it can’t be tripled?

If your teammates don’t chase you, the elephants probably will

A multi-day mountain bike tour is not for the faint of heart. Think freezing cold temperatures in the morning, teeth chattering in the icy breeze, soon followed by the scorching heat of the blazing midday African sun, with no reprieve from the elements.

This voyage encompasses a daily average of 7 hours on the bike, delicately meandering along ancient game-trodden trails, singletracks across sprawls of loose stones and Moab-style steep cliffs and ridges. This is Africa’s true wilderness. Wildebeest, giraffe and warthog encounters are fairly common and, if you’re “lucky”, an elephant-sized “wake up call” to get the heart pumping.

It would be poetic if not for the pain

Why would anyone do this to themselves you may ask?

Well, the answer is simple: C4AC and Tour de Tuli are built around raising money for organisations dedicated to leaving a powerful and lasting impact in Africa. Over the past 12 years, C4AC has raised over R10 million ($720 000). An incredible achievement which has contributed to the protection of Africa’s most endangered animals as well as uplifting children and communities who need it the most. Our Impact Partners, Wildlife ACT, the Good Work Foundation, Khumbulani Educare Centre, The Click Foundation and Save the Rhino Trust have all done incredible work in preserving and building a better Africa for the future.

But there is still so much more to be done. This year, the Rhino Riders are aiming to raise R100 000 ($7,000) through our crowdfunding platform. All funds raised will be collected by the Rise Africa Foundation (our non-profit, overhead-free organisation) who directly support these worthy causes and the vital work they do.

Be bold, be brave, take the leap with our riders and become an ambassador for Africa – donate to C4AC now – and leave your legacy in Africa.

To everyone tackling Tour de Tuli 2019: best of luck! And don’t worry about getting lost, you’ll get an extra dose of gloriously unspoiled terrain to explore – all to yourself and some friendly local elephants too.

By Matthew Sterne on July 27, 2017May 26, 2023

If there’s one thing we love at Rhino Africa, it’s a good celebration. One look at our Christmas party pics will tell you that. So when the tenth anniversary rolled around for Challenge4ACause, our annual cycling event in Namibia, we made sure it was going to be extra special.

Last week 26 mountain bikers rode deeper into the Damaraland and Skeleton Coast concession than ever before, giving them a better chance of encountering the desert rhinos, elephants and lions within the concession. This was a very unique route and had never been done by bike before. Not only did they explore new landscapes but one afternoon they also went on a walk tracking the endangered desert-adapted black rhino.

There were a handful of experienced ‘Challengers’ this year but we spoke to one of this year’s first-timers, Rouleaux van der Merwe, to find out about his experience. Rouleaux is a gentleman who is more at home in a DJ booth than a desert so it was a completely new experience for him, and, as expected, very gruelling.

“I didn’t expect it to be that tough, but it was extremely fulfilling. You feel like you’ve accomplished something really special. It’s not a race, there’s no competition, it’s just a personal feeling. I don’t know if you can actually really prepare for it. You get all these weird pains in your hands and neck. It was definitely a mental challenge, specifically the second day. Up until 35 km on the second day I was feeling really good but after lunch there was this sandy river bed and mountain course that really took it out of me. It’s very tough to cycle in sand. There were a couple of times when I thought of getting in the van but it became a personal thing of just pushing through and getting to camp.”

Rouleaux smiles when remembering what it was like to finally reach camp. “Ah man, camp is like a sanctuary. There’s a real feeling of bliss once you get there. Staying out in the sun till late in the day is difficult, but camp is the reward. It’s the best beer you’ve ever had,” He says, then adds, nodding seriously, “really.”

“We had a great group of people, and they made the experience so much better. We had a crazy cross-section of people who wouldn’t ever have crossed paths otherwise, but over there we were all in it together and brought together by the cycling. Everybody goes through the same struggle and difficulty. Obviously some people handle it well because they’re accomplished cyclists but it’s super inspirational to see the pros make it look effortless. The support crew were amazing and really cool people.”

“All in all, it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, an unforgettable and amazing experience and I feel really privileged to have gone.”

The following photos give you an idea of the vast landscapes, personal battles and desert camaraderie of the 10th Challenge4ACause…

By Matthew Sterne on July 5, 2017April 21, 2022

It started with a vision, a passion and an obsession to succeed. Others said it couldn’t be done. But they did it. They made the impossible possible. And when they did, their lives became a symbol of the power of imagination – a testimony to human determination and ingenuity.

That’s what they said about the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, the pioneers and creators of aviation. But the same could be said about Challenge4ACause, Rhino Africa’s one-of-a-kind desert fundraising event.

Both stories also happen to be linked with bicycles. The Wright brothers opened a bicycle shop in 1893 in Dayton, Ohio – they even designed and hand built their own brand of bike. That was the start of much bigger world-changing things to come. And Challenge4ACause is a cycling event that changes the world on a smaller scale, one life at a time.

Challenge has even more in common with the Wright Brothers’ invention than you might think. To explain this further we sat down with David Ryan, Rhino Africa’s CEO, who helped Challenge4ACause take flight against the odds.

How did Rhino Africa get involved with Save the Rhino Trust?

In 2008, occupancies in the Kunene area started to drop as a result of the financial crisis. Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) was dependent on hospitality revenue and needed to turn things around. That’s when we were approached by Wilderness Safaris and introduced to SRT, whose work we found very inspiring. We liked how their approach aligned with our ethos of how conservation, communities and hospitality should work hand in hand.

Where did the idea of a cycling event come from?

We had been playing with the idea of a physical event that could be used to create awareness for conservation. We were considering Kilimanjaro but then we discovered SRT. We realised we could cycle through the area and it evolved from that. It made sense because it gives participants an opportunity to experience the area they are supporting firsthand.

What was the first year like?

It was hard! We had no idea what to expect so we arrived very unprepared. We didn’t know what the terrain was like in Damaraland. I think everyone thought Namibia was flat and had soft-but-not-too-sandy roads and it was quite the contrary – full of rocks and boulders. We were cycling on traditional jeep tracks, which were never produced for mountain biking. We all arrived with bikes that were single suspension, so our bums felt every single bump. But hey, it was fun and a real challenge.

How does that compare to today?

We haven’t changed it significantly, we’ve just altered the route a bit. We keep the groups small, generally no more than 20 because we are conscious of the impact we have on the environment.

What are your favourite parts of the Challenge4ACause experience?

It’s so remote that you have a complete digital detox. You get a week of really good meditation time because you spend about six hours a day on your bicycle. You’re on your own riding through these vast landscapes and arrive in camp around lunchtime. And because it’s a really nice, small group full of interesting people from various parts of the world and walks of life, the conversations around the campfire are really fascinating and stimulating.

We also have amazing, close wildlife experiences. We’ve had lions in our camp at night and had hyenas steal our shoes and drop them in the riverbed. We also often get elephants in the camp at night.

What is the goal of Challenge4ACause?

It’s all about having a bit of fun and a detox while creating awareness for not just rhinos but all our keystone species and the decline in biomass on our planet. These ecosystems and animals play a vital role in ensuring the planet stays healthy. It’s a great platform for awareness and fundraising.

We know we’re not going to save the rhino by 18 people riding through the desert, we’re aware of that, but it makes a big difference to the anti-poaching efforts in the area.

What do you think participants take away from Challenge4ACause?

It is mentally and physically gruelling. But you do it and you learn out there that you’re not restricted by your situation. If you step well outside of your comfort zone your sense of achievement is so much greater because you realise that you actually are capable of doing so much more than you thought you were able to do. That’s why it’s life-changing because it gives you the confidence to take on other challenges in your life and you realise anything is doable.

Anything is doable, whether it’s tackling rhino poaching or man learning to fly. If you have that passion and vision, the world is as big as your dreams.

By Matthew Sterne on June 30, 2017April 21, 2022

In the north-west of Namibia, alongside the treacherous Skeleton Coast is a desert as old as the dinosaurs. This spectacular semi-desert wilderness is Damaraland, one of Namibia’s most scenic areas – an enormous, Mars-like, ruggedly beautiful region.

This is the setting for our annual fundraising event Challenge4ACause in which a group of intrepid mountain bikers cycle 350 km over the course of a week through the unforgiving terrain and harsh climate. It’s a gruelling week of riding, but it’s a special privilege for the riders to cycle through the incredible terrain, which is accessible to only a handful of people each year.

2017 marks the 10th anniversary of Challenge4ACause and in celebration, we thought we’d look back at the past ten years. Here is a unique look at Challenge4ACause in numbers…

By Matthew Sterne on January 22, 2016November 7, 2019

Challenge4ACause, our annual fundraising cycle event in the Namibian Desert, is an epic expedition into one of the remotest corners of the world. Over the course of six days, the riders tackle the rugged and starkly beautiful landscape and camp in places that we have exclusive access to.

And we want you to join us this year!

If you do, you’ll contribute to the conservation of Damaraland’s critically-endangered black rhino. The rhinos here are unique due to their ability to live in the desert conditions. You’ll be travelling through its hauntingly beautiful backyard, with potential sightings of rhinos and other wildlife adding to the excitement of a day’s ride.

To get a taste of what awaits you in the desert – the stirring landscapes and the physical demands of the Challenge itself – watch last year’s superb video.

Your involvement will make a massive difference to three non-profit organisations! Save the Rhino Trust Namibia is dedicated to protecting the critically endangered desert-adapted black rhino and its habitat. Wildlife ACT work tirelessly to protect the endangered species such as the painted dog and the black rhino. They have collared and monitored 50% of the painted dog population in South Africa. And Good Work Foundation is an NGO that empowers rural communities through online learning and is looking to reach 100,000 learners by 2020.On the brand new Challenge4ACause website, you will find a detailed itinerary of the trip that describes the course of each day, frequently asked questions, a map and the sign-up form. For more information on Challenge4ACause, visit their website here.

To find out more about contributing to something bigger than yourself while seeing Namibia in a unique way, watch an inspiring video about this rewarding experience.

By Matthew Sterne on May 29, 2015November 7, 2019

In the north west of Namibia the coastal dunes of the Skeleton Coast run for hundreds of kilometres, from the Swakop River in the South up to the Angolan border and beyond. Inland from the coast the huge dunes become vast plains and then dry valleys, gorges, hills and eventually mountains. This spectacular semi-desert wilderness is Damaraland. It is one of Namibia’s most scenic areas, an enormous, untamed, ruggedly beautiful region.

It is through Damaraland that the charity, Challenge4ACause, hosts their annual cycling event. To the uninitiated the event can seem ludicrous – cycling 330kms through a desert that is renowned for its unforgiving terrain and harsh climate. Make no mistake it is a gruelling week of riding but it is a special privilege for the riders to cycle through the incredible terrain which is accessible to only a handful of people each year.

Challenge4ACause was started in 2009 by Rhino Africa Safaris to give their team, customers and members of the travel industry the chance to give back to a continent that has been exceedingly generous to them. The primary purpose of Challenge4ACause is the conservation of Africa’s endangered wildlife. Participants get to undertake a personal and physical challenge and raise funds and awareness for a noble conservation project.

Rhino Africa’s CEO, David Ryan, explains, “The motivation behind cycling across the unforgiving desert is to protect the desert adapted black rhinos that call Damaraland home. It is our chance as an industry to give back to the wildlife and landscapes from which we make a living. Without Africa’s precious wildlife there would be no tourism industry in Africa.”

The proceeds of the event will go to Save The Rhino Trust which works to conserve the black rhinos of Damaraland, The Wildlife Act and the Good Work Foundation. The work of each of those charities is incredibly important and we urge you to have a closer look at what they do or donate to the causes here.

On the 27^th of June 16 riders will start their 6-day epic cycle across Damaraland, with another team starting on the 25^th of July. They will cross rock-strewn dirt tracks, sandy ravines and steep inclines and all this amidst the searing heat. Good luck to everyone riding – we can’t wait to see your sun-scorched, blistered bodies and hear your incredible stories when you get back!

By Matthew Sterne on March 10, 2015November 7, 2019

Join us for an exclusive Mountain Bike adventure through the Namibian desert.

Mountain biking through the dramatically spectacular Namibian desert is an opportunity very few people will ever be offered to experience. Now, for the first time, Challenge4ACause is inviting members of the mountain bike community to take up the Challenge, help support endangered species conservation and cycle through some of the most isolated yet majestic landscapes in Africa from 25 July to 01 August 2015.

The 6-day cycling journey sees these lucky few negotiate 336 kilometres of the Damaraland desert – a region in Namibia renowned for its unforgiving terrain, low human population and the largest free-ranging desert-adapted black rhino population in Africa.

Challenge4ACause, which is an initiative brought to life by Rhino Africa Safaris, is more than a unique mountain biking event; the driving force behind the initiative is a fierce loyalty to the cause. We also rely heavily on our philanthropic partners to help bolster the donations to a significant figure.

Riders will explore the rugged desert landscape for the benefit of two active foundations which protect endangered species, including the endangered black rhino, and uplift rural communities through digital learning.

The participation fee of R50 000 (less than $5000) per rider includes return airfares from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Windhoek, Namibia, plus all transfers, accommodation, meals and refreshments. Be a trailblazer-adventurer-come-cyclist-come-philanthropist to ride the Challenge.

After a 4 to 6 hour day in the desert, return to camp and refresh under a hot shower before relaxing around a convivial campfire. The spectacular African night sky is unforgettable and the chance of spotting the elusive Desert Rhino in their own terrain makes this ride unique.

For more information on Challenge4ACause visit www.challenge4acause.org or view the promotional video. If you’re anything like us you’ll be hard pressed to watch it without a dose of goose-bumps.

If you’re hankering for an adventure of your own and the wide open spaces shown above stir something within in you, then follow your instincts by contacting one of our travel experts who will begin planning a tailor-made itinerary to meet your specific needs.