Tag: Rhino Africa

World Rhino Day 2011 – United Against Poaching

General
1 comment
By Matthew Sterne on

“Boom Boom Boom – let me hear you say Rhino. Rhino!”

A rhino is dying every 22 hours. The poaching has to stop now!

This was the message promoted by Rhino Africa and friends – including Getaway Magazine, Green Renaissance, Wildlife ACT, Aquila Game Reserve, the DA and Saving Rhinos – outside Parliament in Cape Town today to mark the second annual World Rhino Day. Several hundred people attended the event including representatives from the press and media.

The DA backs World Rhino Day

World Rhino Day March 2011

After an introduction from David Ryan, CEO of Rhino Africa, Gareth Morgan MP, read out a statement by Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape:

“This Thursday, the 22nd of September 2011, the Democratic Alliance joins the many concerned South African’s who have gathered at parliament to commemorate the second annual World Rhino Day. It is crucial that we come together as South Africans to stop rhino poaching. I would have loved to have been there in person, but let me take this opportunity to offer my full support to your efforts to stop the poaching of rhinos.

The fact is that there has been a huge surge in rhino poaching over the last two years. In South Africa, nearly 600 rhinos have been killed since the beginning of 2010. We have to stop the killing.

On behalf of the party I lead, and the government of the Western Cape, we commend the efforts of the thousands of South Africans from government, civil society and business who work so tirelessly to stop rhino poaching.

On Tuesday the Democratic Alliance raised a motion in parliament, in which we condemned the cowardly act of rhino poaching. We will continue to raise this issue at the highest levels to ensure it remains firmly at the forefront of the national agenda.

As we commemorate World Rhino Day, let us redouble our efforts to protect rhinos and indeed all of our natural heritage. We cannot afford any further delay. Thank you.”

Helen Zille

It was a successful march outside Parliament

Save the Rhino

View the News24 Video Here

As a member of the tourism industry Rhino Africa has a vested interest in sustainable tourism. Africa does not have the historic cities of Europe – we have magnificent landscapes and spectacular wildlife. It is critical that we protect our most precious resources for generations to come.

Already this year, 287 rhinos have been killed in South Africa, 16 of them the critically endangered black rhino. Most were killed in the Kruger National Park, a huge draw for wildlife loving tourists.

There is so much collective willpower but with so many initiatives out there, individuals do not know who or what to support. The Government needs to take the lead. Government needs to set out a clear, long term strategy and co-ordinate the private sector who have the resources and finances to put an end to poaching. The South African Government also needs to put more pressure on Asian Governments where the demand stems from.

Talks at the World Rhino Day gathering

Asian and African governments must work together to disrupt trade chains and to bring wildlife criminals to justice. Demand for rhino horn and elephant ivory is threatening to destroy a large part Africa’s natural heritage. We want to see illegal markets for these products in Asia shut down for good.

While government is spending money to combat poaching, the fact remains that poaching is on the increase. Urgent and co-ordinated action is required. Understandably, African governments often neglect wildlife conservation in favour of more pressing social and economic agendas, meaning that a private sector initiative is paramount if we wish to stave off the decimation of this unique species. But while individual efforts are hugely commendable the only way we are going to vanquish poaching is by working together.

World Rhino Day in red

Colourful World Rhino Day supporters

282 crosses

For World Rhino Day the Green Renaissance team together with a few passionate volunteers made and erected 282 wooden crosses at Sea Point in Cape Town to symbolize the Rhinos killed this year in South Africa. When you have to make this many crosses you realize just how many Rhinos have been killed. If you have time try go to Sea Point promenade and walk through the crosses to fully understand the plight of our Rhinos.

Photos By Green Renaissance

Green Renaissance

Green Renaissance

Thank you to all of those who turned up today and for all those who have shown their support in other ways. Thank you in particular to our valued clients without whose patronage none of the good work that we do would be possible. By booking with Rhino Africa you allow us to continue the critical conservation and community work that we undertake.

For more photos from the event, visit out Facebook Album, and for more about rhino poaching, click here.

The DA backs World Rhino Day

Doing Good
7 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

22 September is World Rhino Day. Once again Rhino Africa will be leading a gathering outside Parliament in Cape Town between 11:30am and 1:30pm. Remember to wear red to show your support!

The purpose of the gathering is to raise awareness of the continuing scourge of rhino poaching that is threatening the extinction of the species. It is also intended to show support for South Africa’s rhino warriors – the men and women at the frontline who risk their lives daily against the sophisticated, ruthless and heavily-armed international criminal gangs who run the illegal rhino horn trade.

On Tuesday 20 September the Democratic Alliance, the governing party in the Western Cape province, had a motion unanimously passed at the National Assembly in support of World Rhino Day. The following motion was read out by DA MP Santosh Kalyan:

The DA moved without notice that the house:

1)      Notes that 22 September 2011 is World Rhino Day and that this is the second time this day has been commemorated;

2)      Further notes with shock and concern that approximately 300 rhinos have been killed by poachers to date in 2011;

3)      Condemns the cowardly acts of rhino poachers;

4)      Commends the work of all South Africans, both in civil society and in government, who are involved in efforts to protect our rhino population from poachers;

5)      Recognises that poaching is often conducted by well-armed international criminal syndicates, therefore making the work of the brave men and women who defend our rhino populations in the field even more commendable;

6)      Urges all South Africans who understand the plight of rhinos to share this information with people who are not yet aware of rhino poaching;

7)      Urges all South Africans to join the fight against rhino poaching and to report any suspicious activity to their local law enforcement and conservation authorities;

8)      Urges all South Africans to visit our game reserves, both public and private, to see these majestic animals in their own habitat.

Helen Zille has reiterated the DA’s support and confirmed that, “We will continue to raise this issue at the highest levels to ensure it remains firmly at the forefront of the national agenda.”  This goes to show the impact that an initiative such as World Rhino Day can have in making a real and tangible difference.

While government is spending money and launching initiatives to combat poaching, the fact remains that we are in the same position as we were last year. In fact poaching is on the rise.

More needs to be done and we are therefore encouraging greater Government and Private Sector co-operation to put an end to poaching. African governments often neglect wildlife conservation in favour of more pressing social and economic agendas, meaning that a private sector initiative is paramount if we wish to stave off the decimation of this unique species. But while individual efforts are hugely commendable the only way we are going to vanquish poaching is by working together.

Helen Zille

The bottom line

Government should facilitate a more coordinated anti-poaching campaign – from stemming supply and demand through to policing, prosecution and sentencing. Bringing in the army was a hugely positive step, but what next? Government needs to be more transparent and to communicate and set out its plans to tackle the problem more effectively, harnessing the finances and will power of the private sector which is obviously enormous. The private sector in turn needs to work together to optimise their resources with long term goals and strategies.

Government needs to take the lead to engage more with Asian governments and markets to tackle the demand at source as well as supporting existing initiatives on the ground in Africa.

Presently, Helen Zille, party leader, is on a business trip to Germany but has released a statement regarding World Rhino Day that will be read out at the World Rhino Day event outside Parliament on 22 September, in support of the event and World Rhino Day. This is the sort of high profile attention that has been lacking. Constructive and urgent action from Governments around the world is required.

rhinos in the wild

The Stats

Every 22 hours a rhino is poached.

Rhino horns are coveted in certain foreign countries because they are believed to have special healing properties. Rhino horn is actually made of compressed hair – similar to horse hooves. It has been scientifically proven that there are no health benefits in eating keratin. It’s no different to biting your nails.

The last few years have seen a surge in poaching. There are five species of Rhino in the world. Two in Africa and three in Asia. Two of the three Asian populations, the Sumatran and the Javan, are on the brink of extinction. There are no more than 27,000 rhinos left on Earth.

In the 1960s African black rhino numbered 100,000 but it waned to 2,400 in the early 1990s. Today there are about 4,800 black rhino in Africa, which is still low but heading in the right direction. The success has been the rebound of the white rhino. There were as few as 50 alive a century ago. Now, there are around 20,000. But the last few years have seen a huge increase in poaching. From 2000-2007, only about a dozen rhinos were poached each year in Southern Africa (where nearly 90% of all African rhino live).

Last year 333 were slaughtered. So far in 2011, more than 285 rhinos have been lost to poaching in South Africa alone (at least 170 of those in the Kruger National Park) – experts predict that more than 475 animals will be killed by the end of the year. This figure is not yet high enough to suppress the natural population growth, but is edging ever closer to the tipping point where the numbers killed will exceed the number born.

Government threats of a maximum R250 000 fine, or ten years imprisonment for rhino poaching, have not abated the slaughter.

The gruesome reality of rhino poaching

Combating poaching

In terms of how to combat poaching – this is a question for the conservation experts – we are not advocating any specific strategy. Opinions will differ, but what is crucial is that the leading minds work together and agree on a strategy.

In relation to the legalisation of the trade in rhino horn, it is certainly a debate that needs to be had. What matters is the survival of the species – we need to be open to ideas as to how best to achieve this.

According to Consultancy African Intelligence (CAI), the international trade in rhino horn was banned in 1976 and the Chinese government banned the trade in 1993. However, there is a loophole in South Africa’s Biodiversity Act, that states rhino horn may be traded as a trophy – if it is obtained with a legal permit. Government is currently debating whether to make all hunting of rhino illegal.

Poachers mostly belong to highly organised syndicates that are impossible to track down, and if one is brought to task then another one will simply take its place.

Legalisation and regulation will help stem demand by diminishing the rewards and will also raise money for conservation, but on the other hand, legalising the trade creates positive reinforcement and abets demand. The best way, therefore, to combat poaching is to get all interested parties working towards a clearly defined and holistic strategy –  from halting demand through to sentencing and population rehabilitation.  The price per kilogramme of freshly cut rhino horn is currently between US $25,000 and $40,000. With an increased rhino horn supply, the price would most likely drop, dampening the poaching incentive. In addition, legal trade would be easier to control than the illegal trade running rampant today. Funds derived from sales could be ploughed back into rhino conservation programmes.

Another solution currently being implemented across the country is that of organised de-horning, where reserves and sanctuaries safely remove the rhino horn while the animal is under sedation, thereby removing the poacher’s trophy and the incentive to poach. It’s a successful deterrent, but a sad concession to poaching which humbles this great member of the Big 5. Poisoning of the horn is another solution in practice.

Government could also initiate a compensation programme encouraging breeding programmes or make greater resources available for government-led breeding programmes. This is the sort of programme that needs to be recognised and encouraged. Re-energising the rhino population is a vital part of saving the species.

We do not want to bring guests to see the Big 4!

Rhino Africa is Africa’s leading online tour operator, bringing over 15,000 guests to Africa every year. For us, the most important thing is sustainable tourism. It’s not just about being green – it’s about ensuring a long term future for South African tourism. We have to realise that our primary tourist resources in Africa are wildlife and natural beauty. We do not have the historical and architectural attractions of Europe and so we need to protect those resources. Sustainable tourism requires complete buy-in from government and communities.

Challenge4aCause

Challenge4aCause

While we believe in supporting the initiatives of our partner companies, we have also started our own initiative called Challenge4aCause which aims to support the conservation of Africa’s endangered animal and plant species and will finance projects that seek to uplift poor communities.

We do this by running an Annual Challenge. This year our more intrepid members of the team cycled 330km across the Damaraland desert in Namibia to raise over R800,000 for the Save the Rhino Trust and other charities. The Save the Rhino Trust focuses on anti-poaching of the endangered desert-adapted, black rhino population of Namibia.

Ultimately though, the answer will be a focused, coordinated campaign involving government, NGOs and private enterprises.

Find out more on Rhino Africa’s Facebook Page and Challenge4aCause’s Facebook Page.

World Rhino Day 2011 – Thursday 22 September 2011

General
12 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

Taking a stand!

After a hugely successful awareness raising campaign in 2010, we’re aiming even higher in 2011. With the momentum from the devastating recent events at Aquila Private Game Reserve, a Big 5 Game Reserve close to Cape Town, we are planning an enormous show of strength outside Parliament in Cape Town.

Everyone is feeling passionately about putting a stop to poaching. So whether you’re with Rhino Africa, Getaway Magazine, Wildlife ACT Fund, Africa@Heart, Saving Rhinos (Facebook: Saving Rhinos), Walking for Rhino Rights, Chishakwe Ranch, Aquila Private Game Reserve (Saving Private Rhino Initiative) or just a passionate individual, let’s get together, stand tall and speak with one voice.

Date: Thursday 22 September 2011
Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm (come down after the rugby and in your lunch break)
Where: Congregate by the Louis Botha Statue outside Parliament in Cape Town. We hold the necessary permissions from the City of Cape Town and the Magistrate Office.
What to wear: Red!
What to bring: Bring placards with an anti-rhino poaching message; water; sun cream and a hat. Bring good cheer, a loud voice and your vuvuzelas!
For event updates: follow Rhino Africa on Facebook.

Join our World Rhino Day event on Facebook and remember to invite your friends to gather with us outside Parliament! Help us spread the word.

If you have any suggestions for clever placards and slogans, then why don’t you share them on our Facebook wall. You can download printable versions of some of the existing posters on Facebook.

It’s important to note that this is not a ‘protest’ against Government, but an awareness raising campaign – encouraging greater Government and Private Sector co-operation to put an end to poaching. We will be encouraging Government to engage more with Asian governments and markets to tackle the demand at source as well as supporting their existing initiatives on the ground in Africa. Some great work in this regard is being done by SavingRhinos.Org, through their Rhino Horn is NOT Medicine campaign.

We need constructive, co-ordinated and urgent action from Governments around the world. The last few years has seen a startling increase in poaching. From 2000-2007, only about a dozen rhinos were poached each year in Southern Africa (where nearly 90% of all African rhino live). Last year 333 were slaughtered. So far in 2011, a total of 279 Rhinos have been poached, with 169 of them in the Kruger National Park. This figure is not yet high enough to suppress the natural population growth, but is edging ever closer to the tipping point where the numbers killed will exceed the number born.

There are five species of Rhino in the world. Two in Africa and three in Asia. Two of the three Asian populations, the Sumatran and the Javan, are on the brink of extinction. In the 1960s African black rhino numbered 100,000 but this waned to just 2,400 in the early 1990s. Today there are about 4,800 black rhino in Africa, which is still low but heading in the right direction. The encouraging thing has been the successful rebound of the white rhino. There were as few as 50 alive a century ago. Now, there are around 20,000 in Africa.

Watch the ETV interview with Rhino Africa during last year’s march:

And government’s role?

The private sector needs to work hand in hand with government, in order to take calculated and co-ordinated action against the pandemic. African governments often neglect wildlife conservation in favour of more pressing social and economic agendas, meaning that a private sector initiative is paramount if we wish to stave off the decimation of this unique species. But the bottom line is that government should lead this process and facilitate a more coordinated anti-poaching campaign – from stemming supply and demand through to policing, prosecution and sentencing.

Bringing in the army was a hugely positive step, but what next? Government needs to be more transparent and needs to communicate its plans to tackle the problem more effectively setting out some long term goals and milestones.

At Rhino Africa we specialise in tailor-making luxury safari holidays to Africa. Our wildlife and landscapes are our most precious resource and we certainly don’t want to be bringing guests to see the Big 4 in years to come. As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility programme, we started our own fund raising initiative called Challenge4aCause back in 2009. We raise money for the Save the Rhino Trust and other charities by running annual cycling events. This year we cycled through the Damaraland Desert in Namibia (home to the desert adapted black rhino) and also through the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana.

Watch the video of this year’s Challenge4aCause here:

So tell your friends, spread the word and let’s make as many of the news channels and radio stations as possible. The time for talking is over.

See you on Thursday 22 September!

[For the video and photos of the event, click here!]

An Incredible Sabi Sand Safari: Part II – Singita Ebony Lodge

Kruger National Park,South Africa
0 comments
By Craig Harding on

or –  How I bagged a future wife – Part II

After a fantastic start to our safari at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge and a not so fantastic start to my bid to bag a future wife (read why in Part I), I was determined that I would get it right, sooner rather than later. Although there were still four nights left on our safari the stress and nerves were starting to get to me, I was even dropping things… and by now the burning sensation from the ring had me patting my pocket repeatedly. She was sure to catch on if I didn’t get this right, soon!

So on arriving at Singita Ebony Lodge for the second part of our safari, meeting Monique, our host, and Shadrack, our smiling Butler, and being suitably blown away by our accommodation, I took Monique aside for a private word. Enthusiasm was catching and she simply said; “leave it to me”.

Zebra drinking at Singita Ebony Lodge

Sunlight at dawn

Top Safari Tip:
Dress warmly. Seriously, it gets cold in the mornings and evenings and the wind chill factor on an open safari vehicle is hectic. No matter the time of year, take enough warm clothes for game drives and no, it doesn’t matter if your look like an eskimo, the animals won’t mind.

Lilac breasted roller
Lilac breasted roller
Lilac breasted roller takes flight
Lilac breasted roller takes flight

A fork tailed drongo between an elephants legs

Opulence and Great Game Viewing

Singita Ebony is a colourful lodge in a colonial style; warm reds abound and that’s not just the colour of the décor, there’s also a wine list several feet long. The best bits by far are the rotating fire place, which is lit to warm your suite before you return from your evening game drive, and the heated pool with a view of the river. We spent several hours one afternoon swimming and watching a breeding herd of elephant feeding in the river below. Africa doesn’t get much better than that. Although a full body massage was also a highlight 🙂

The afternoon of our arrival we met Marc, our ranger, a great character who is quick to share his love of the bush with his guests, and Mish our tracker who could find a needle in a haystack. I would recommend these two to anyone visiting Singita Sabi Sand. While we didn’t see any leopard at Singita, we did track down some animals that I had always wanted to see. Amongst those a pack of wild dogs and their pups was the highlight. These rare dogs are endangered and because of their constant movement are particularly hard to find, it took us three game drives but we eventually found them – and what a sighting!

On one late night game drive a Verreaux’s Eagle Owl turned up with its distinctive pink eyelids, Spotted Eagle Owl, Genet, White Tailed Mongoose, Side Striped Jackal, two male Lion and best of all the elusive Civet. The sunset drinks breaks were proving a hit with safari-virgin Tessa and our drink of choice – that notable safari tipple, the gin and tonic had by now become a tradition. Sunsets over the Blyde River Canyon in the distance were simply breathtaking.

Wild dog pups

Wild dog

Following wild dogs at Singita

Mish tracking
Our tracker searching for spoor
Marc our ranger at Singita
Marc our ranger at Singita showing us the difference between male and female Bateleur Eagles

Top Safari Tip:
While we won’t emphatically say you shouldn’t drink anything else, round here we hold the gin and tonic to be the ultimate safari drink with its roots in colonial explorer days.

Check out our blog about safari drinks

Side striped jackal
Side striped jackal

Elephant Drinking

Elephant Close-up

Baby elephant

Baboon sunning themselves at Dawn
Baboon sunning themselves at Dawn
Sunset
Sunset over the Blyde River Canyon

Did you know:
The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world!

The Moment Comes!

Our first evening we were escorted to our dinner venue by Shadrack and what a venue, it was perfect. A small boma alongside the main pool had been cleared out for our exclusive use. The trees around the pool were sprouting oil lamps like glowing fruit; there must have been thirty of them. Two outdoor heaters kept the inside of the boma toasty and there were enough tea-light candles scattered about to be a definite fire risk. My pocket too was aflame, the ring wanted to come out.

Our meal was fantastic, I thought my nerves would spoil the taste of the food… but Singita’s food is on a par with the top restaurants in Cape Town. Champagne flowed and each course was paired with a wine, I’m not ashamed to admit, I needed the Dutch courage!

Between mains and dessert I panicked a bit. You see, I had told Shadrack to allow for a break somewhere around dessert, but in my nervous state I had forgotten whether I had asked for the break before or after dessert… and was it just my imagination or was dessert taking an age to arrive. There was nothing for it but to take the plunge!

So there I was down on one knee, ring in hand, asking the question I had planned for so very long and her answer?

“Shadrack, oh!”

You see I had made a small error. Shadrack walked around the corner with a delicious chocolate fondant in his hands at that very moment. His sheepish smile and shade of red was something to behold and the two of us will always hold a special place in our hearts for him. Recovering from her nerves and when our giggling had subsided, she gave me the answer I was looking for and made me the happiest man in the Sabi Sand.

Our safari wasn’t done yet, but now with my nerves settled and ecstatic happiness and romance fueling the trip; it was only getting better and better. Our second night at Singita followed in the traditions of the first, another private dinner and yet another foam and rose filled bath. Singita certainly knows how to do romantic.

If you missed it read Part I here and Part III.

Marc, Monique, Tom, Shadrack, Mish and Co. You guys made our stay amazing. Thank you very much!

Shadrack our amazing Butler
Shadrack - Thank You!

Some Useful Links:
Part I of this story and Part III.

Find more Photographs of Part II on Facebook and on Flickr

Watch the Singita video on our Youtube channel
Read all about Singita Ebony Lodge on our website
Read more about the Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Contact Rhino Africa to get your very own tailor-made tour

Happy 7th Birthday, Rhino Africa!

General
1 comment
By Tamlin Wightman on

Hip Hip Hooray!

What a great way to start a Monday! …toasting to our 7th Birthday here at Rhino Africa with sparkling Graham Beck Brut Rosé in our glasses and decadent chocolate cake on our plates. Who said anything about Blue Mondays…?

Yip, today, a lucky seven years ago, our Founder and MD, David Ryan, began work on what is now Africa’s leading online tour operator, bringing over 15 000 guests per year to Africa. David cut the cake today to celebrate how far the company has come and we had no problem polishing it all off.

We aim to keep showing you eager travellers the best parts of what this grand continent of Africa has to offer. We’re ever more passionate about it, the more we get to stick our feet deep into the mud of Rwanda‘s forests or Madagascar‘s warm Indian Ocean waters, the more we experience Africa’s wildlife in all its glory – wildebeest traipsing across the Serengeti in the world’s greatest mammal migration or whales frolicking off the Cape’s waters.

The team stand, champagne in hand, listening to David's words

PLUS: In celebration and as a gift to you, we’re offering these two great new specials exclusive to Rhino Africa:

1. MannaBay – Grootbos – Chitwa Chitwa

SAVE 27% – PAY ONLY: ZAR 56,062/USD 8,284/EUR 5,799/GBP 5,073

With this special, you’ll be staying at the luxurious MannaBay in Cape Town, spotting the Marine 5 at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, AND enjoying an exclusive Big 5 safari at Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.

Valid for Travel 1 August 2011 – 15 December 2011

2. MannaBay – Grootbos – Tswalu

SAVE 27% – PAY ONLY: ZAR 56,062/USD 8,284/EUR 5,799/GBP 5,073

With this special, you’ll be staying at the luxurious MannaBay in Cape Town, spotting the Marine 5 at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, AND enjoying an exclusive Big 5 safari at Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.

Valid for Travel 1 August 2011 – 15 December 2011

Congrats to us!

If you’d like to chat to us more about the company and how we can tailor make your African trip of a lifetime, contact us.

David says a toast to celebrate

Meet the Rhino Africa Communications Team: a look behind the scenes

General
2 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

Q & A with “The Creatives”

Wondering who these strangers are talking to you through the computer screen – on Rhino Africa’s blog, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more? Well here we are. The Communications Team. We all sit in the same cave here in the Rhino offices and are the loudest by far.

We thought we’d open up a bit and answered these travel-related questions:

  1. Where was your last holiday?
  2. What did you enjoy most and least while there?
  3. Where is your favourite destination and why?
  4. Where would you not go in a hurry?
  5. Where would you go right now if you could go anywhere?
  6. Who is your fantasy travel partner?

Ross Bowers – Marketing & Communications Manager

Ross Bowers

Ross is our boss and spends a lot of time cracking one liners nobody gets. Still, he has redeeming qualities and is a great ringleader. Having spent half his life in South Africa and the other in the UK, Ross switched from working as a lawyer in one of London’s top corporate law firms to join us in the travel industry. He can usually be found with a good book and a glass of wine.

  1. Umhlanga, Kwa Zulu Natal
  2. 25 Degree sunshine in mid-winter. It was at the time of the Royal Wedding between Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene – the Oyster Box Hotel was abuzz. I suppose what I liked least was that they wouldn’t let me into the party. Odd.
  3. Botswana – the Okavango Delta is special place indeed.
  4. I’m not sure, but that does remind me of a joke. A snail gets mugged by a tortoise. The snail goes to the police station to the report the crime. ‘What happened?’ said the officer on duty. ‘I don’t know’, said the snail ‘it all happened so fast’.
  5. I’m itching to go and explore the Seychelles.
  6. Tough one. I think Stephen Fry would be good company. Wait a minute… Is this a sex question?

  Craig Harding – Social Networking & Copywriting

Craig Harding

Craig Harding is a copywriter, graphics designer, web designer and general go-to guy at Rhino Africa. Hailing from Nelspruit in the lowveld of South Africa, this man from Mpumalanga has the perfect credentials to take our website to the next level. Plus he’s pretty chilled out so he’s the right guy to have by your side on an intrepid adventure. He says ‘the journey is the destination’ so we just all nod and agree – it’s better that way…

  1. Holiday? This is not a word I’m familiar with. But I do often retreat for weekends away in Plettenberg Bay, the sunrise over the Tsitsikamma Mountains is enough on its own to make the drive from Cape Town worth it.
  2. What’s not to enjoy on the Garden Route? I really enjoy heading down to the beach to collect mussels for dinner… But cleaning the mussels is not enjoyable in the least.
  3. I love Mozambique! I used to live right on the border between South Africa and Mozambique close to the Kruger Park and would drive through to spend weekends on the beaches around Maputo. If we had more time we would drive as far up as we could, the further North you go in Mozambique the more tropical the beaches become and the warmer the ocean, that’s why Pemba is so amazing.
  4. Anywhere cold!
  5. There are three reserves in Africa I would give my left… arm to visit. All three are remote, inaccessible and off the beaten track. Katavi National Park and the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania. Katavi boasts a herd of buffalo several thousand strong! And Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. Gorongosa used to be one of Africa’s most incredible parks with the largest lion population in Africa, until civil war in Mozambique hit. Now with peace in Mozambique, Gorongosa is on the road to recovery and though most of the animals were hunted during the war the spectacular scenery remains and the animals are being reintroduced.
  6. I would love to travel with William Shatner, Ricky Gervais, Zach Galifianakis, Stephen Fry and Terry Pratchett. That’s the funniest bunch I could think of and there’s nothing like a good laugh while you’re travelling. 

Tamlin Wightman – Copywriter

Tamlin Wightman

Tamlin Wightman is Copywriter Supreme at Rhino Africa, and has three years working as a photojournalist specialising in travel in Africa under her belt. She’s realised that joining a passion for writing and travel means getting to wine and dine and recline at Africa’s best (and sometimes worst) retreats and restaurants as a job.

  1. Franschhoek
  2. Wine tasting at Maison Estate around the fireplace and visiting that graveyard… Worst: Hangover.
  3. Cape Winelands. I like the pace and luxury in the winelands; and have many childhood memories of it.
  4. Afghanistan. It’s not particularly women-friendly.
  5. In Africa – Serengeti Migration by 4×4. World – Nova Scotia – they’re always singing about it in songs and it’s a good excuse to wear a fluffy hat, but mainly to see the Northern Lights. Anywhere in Canada/ Finnish Lapland would do, thanks.
  6. Jim Carrey

 Ian Rowett – SEO Copywriter

Ian Rowett

Ian has worked with Rhino Africa as a freelance copywriter since the very beginning. With his own web company, a journalism degree and years of travel industry experience, he’s well on his way to becoming a veteran SEO travel copywriting hack – probably a bit faster than he’d like. A modest but proud chap, Ian is quick to point out he didn’t write all the content on our website – only the good stuff.

  1. Zim, Zim, Zimbabwe
  2. It’s a long list: watching a far-off  lightning storm from a houseboat on Kariba on New Year’s eve was pretty average; the sunset boat cruises with elephants, hippos, impala, birds, verdant bush, garrulous friends and sneaky puff adders were also quite ordinary; and staying in a stone cottage, hiking in the mountains and swimming under waterfalls in the Eastern Highlands was rather forgettable. I loved paying R550 for a visa to go home.
  3. Zimbabwe. Why? The dancing doorman at Caribbea Bay
  4. Zimbabwe – you simply cannot hurry in that country
  5. Winter in Cape Town sets off dreams of big blue skies, palm-fringed beaches, balmy nights and seafood bonanzas. I’ve heard Mozambique does deliveries.
  6. Donald Trump’s credit card.

Ryan Rapaport – Videographer

Ryan Rapaport

Ryan is a Capetonian through and through having grown up in Rondebosch. He got his BA in Creative Brand Communications from Vega and specialised in Multi-Media Design and Brand Strategy. Ryan is now the Rhino Africa videographer responsible for our in-house production. He does all the filming, editing, animation, compositing and motion graphics. The toughest part of his job is having to visit each of our favourite lodges to film!

  1. Grootbos Nature Reserve
  2. Most – horse back riding; least – not being able to stay longer
  3. Sabi Sand – best game viewing in the world.
  4. Anywhere Ross is…
  5. Mozambique
  6. My girlfriend… ahhhhhhhhhhh (or Gisele Bündchen, I’m not picky…)

Watch out for more behind the scenes posts when we throw similar questions to the rest of the Rhino Africa team. Should any of these African destinations mentioned here interest you, feel free to contact us to find out more.

Lion Sands, The Taj and the Twankey bar

Cape Town,Kruger National Park,South Africa,Traveller's tales
1 comment
By Matthew Sterne on

A big thanks to PJ, Warren and the rest of the Lion Sands team for hosting the Rhino Africa team at the Twankey Bar at the Taj Cape Town. A great night was had by all as the wine flowed and delicious canapés were nibbled. The Twankey bar could easily have stepped out of Faringdon or Shoreditch in London as a relaxed and stylish, post-work bar. A great spot to sup a G&T and catch up with a friend or colleague. Oysters, champagne and cocktails dominate, but there is a great selection of beers from &Union, as well as Guinness and Jack Black on tap. A must for anyone living or working in the city.

Some Photo’s from the Lion Sands Evening

Lion Sands in the Sabi Sand private game reserve is a firm favourite with Rhino Africa and is regularly recommended by our expert consultants due to the luxurious accommodation, high quality game viewing and relative affordability.

Thanks again to the Lion Sands team and keep an eye out for our Lion Sands video. Coming soon to a website near you.

IGLTA Convention – The Industry, The Market and The Association

Cape Town,South Africa,Traveller's tales
0 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

Unleashed by name, unleashed by nature. Fort Lauderdale and the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) did themselves proud at this year’s annual convention.

A key sentiment at this year’s event was that the gay and lesbian travel segment is no longer a ‘niche market’. The whole convention lent enormous credibility to that, delivering a tourism convention to rival any mainstream tourism convention. The IGLTA is here to stay and what’s more, it’s growing exponentially.

IGLTA Convention in Fort Lauderdale

The State of the Global Travel Industry

Before looking at the LGBT market specifically, it is worth taking a look at the industry as a whole. Despite the harbingers of doom, ash clouds, terrorism and rising oil prices, the tourism industry and the appetite for travel continues to grow strongly. The travel industry accounts for 6-7% of global employment and is leading economic development around the world.

According to the UNWTO (the World Tourism Organisation), worldwide tourist arrivals numbered 528 million in 1995 compared to 935 million in 2010. The forecast is for this to increase to 1.5 billion by 2015, fuelled partly by the prosperity of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), a growing and ageing population and the young and affluent travelling for the first time from those emerging markets.

Regional forecasts predict steady growth in 2011 with African visitors expected to grow between 4 – 7 %. This is particularly impressive considering the strong African growth in 2010 (6.4%) driven by the FIFA World Cup.

We are competing in an ever more open and global market with countries outside of the Top 15 destinations making up 44% of the global travel market compared to 25% in 1970.

The LGBT Market

It is now estimated that the LGBT market makes up close to 7% of the North American population. And that 7% has a high propensity for travel. To put that into perspective, we’re talking about nearly 40 million people. Almost the entire population of South Africa.

Some interesting statistics about the global LGBT market:

86% take a minimum of 2 vacations per year
89% of these will take more than 4 a year
78% are long-haul destinations
56% will fly premium cabin
87% will choose boutique/design led properties
90% will only stay in 4+ star properties
Yet, just 29% will choose gay-only properties
57% admit that they don’t really check the property’s gay-friendly status

Below is a table of the most popular vacation destination for LGBT travellers in 2010.

US/CANADA

  1. BUENOS AIRES, ARG
  2. BANGKOK, THAILAND
  3. SAO PAOLO, BRAZIL
  4. LONDON, UK
  5. PARIS, FRANCE

EUROPEANS

  1. BUENOS AIRES, ARG
  2. BANGKOK, THAILAND
  3. LAS VEGAS, USA
  4. MIAMI, USA
  5. GREEK ISLANDS, GREECE

There is no reason why Cape Town should not feature in both the above lists. It is simply a question of pulling together as an industry and promoting the city to that market.

One of the best ways for us to do this is through the IGLTA.

IGLTA Convention in Fort Lauderdale

The IGLTA and the 2011 Convention

The 2011 convention was a great success attended by over 600 global delegates. It was a phenomenal event offering second to none networking opportunities, high level educational sessions, an extremely busy consumer show and a media summit.

Fort Lauderdale really showcased itself as a world class gay and lesbian travel destination. The convention was a huge boom for Fort Lauderdale, supported and attended by the Broward County Mayor and Nicki Grossman, President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB. Her estimate was that the gay and lesbian travel market had contributed over $1 billion to the Fort Lauderdale economy.

The Fort Lauderdale Hilton Marina provided the perfect base for seminars, networking lunches, a pool party welcome reception and of course a few strong cocktails and some all too short tanning time.

The hotel was a short ride away from the gay district of Wilton Manors, which ranks 3rd in the U.S. for its percentage of gay residents as a proportion of total population, which no doubt accounts for the well attended consumer show and provided delegates with rather too many late night options. Strong coffees were the order of the day in the morning educational sessions.

The whole convention was meticulously planned and executed and a tribute to the hard work of the staff and board of the IGLTA, from the sponsored lunches, conference guides, welcome packs, educational sessions, drinks receptions and discount cards through to the culmination of the magnificent gala dinner at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Centre. Every moment was crammed with useful and thoroughly enjoyable events. And of course it wouldn’t be a gay event without some fabulous singers, Crystal Waters and Kristine W (not to mention the butterfly boys).

IGLTA Convention in Fort Lauderdale

The convention also offers a fabulous opportunity to travel to new destinations, experience new cultures and experience the industry from a different point of view. It’s great returning from a convention like that brimful of ideas and renewed enthusiasm. The encouraging thing was that at the convention and throughout the States, there was huge interest and enthusiasm about South Africa.

Click here to visit the post-convention page which contains, press entries, photos and the detailed presentations from the educational sessions. There is also plenty of information about social media and ideas on how to better target the gay and lesbian market.

IGLTA Convention in Fort Lauderdale
All the IGLTA ambassadors

David Ryan, as South African Ambassador, is working hard to expand the South African membership base and encouraging increased involvement with the association with the hope of bringing the convention to Cape Town in the near future.

Unlike any other travel association, the IGLTA works tirelessly to provide direct benefits to its members. One of David Ryan’s roles is to bring gay and gay friendly businesses in South Africa together in an effort to harness the potential of gay and lesbian travel to our shores. His primary role however, is to enable South African members to maximise their IGLTA benefits, whether it be advice on your presence on the IGLTA website, hosting Fam Trips for gay media or tour operators, or simply an introduction to particular market segments.

The 2012 IGLTA Convention

Florianopolis, Brazil
April 11 – 14 2012

IGLTA Convention in Floripa 2012

https://www.igltaconvention.org/
PDF about the 2012 convention

What better excuse to visit Brazil?! A country currently booming and bursting at the seams with eager potential visitors to South Africa. We’d encourage as many of you as possible to attend next year’s convention which we have no doubt will be worth it. The great news is that the 2012 convention does not coincide with Indaba and as it takes place in the Southern hemisphere, we’re hoping that a number of you will be able join us. With enough support we can convince the IGLTA to put together a Spotlight on Africa session.

IGLTA Convention in Fort Lauderdale - David recieving his award

South Africa Receives Pioneer Honours

David Ryan and Rhino Africa received the IGLTA Pioneer Award for their contribution to sustainable tourism, community upliftment and wildlife conservation in Africa at the 2011 convention. A great honour and some great recognition for South Africa and the good work that tourism to South Africa can achieve.

IGLTA Convention in Fort Lauderdale - David with his award

Not yet a Member of the IGLTA?

You can join online by either filling in the application form and submitting it by email or simply registering online. If you have any problems whatsoever, just call the IGLTA Member Services at +1 954 630 1652.

Africa’s Big Cats – The Leopard

Kruger National Park
0 comments
By Craig Harding on

Stealthy, agile and a devastating hunter, the most widely distributed of Africa’s big cats is also the most seldom seen. Elusive and solitary it is only at certain private game reserves in the Greater Kruger National Park where Leopards are regularly seen and habituated to the presence of man. But wherever you might be on safari you can count yourself lucky if you get to see one of these magnificent animals in the wild.

Mating leopards
A leopard close up
Their scientific name is Panthera pardus and they are a member of the same family of big cats as the lion, tiger and jaguar. While the leopard is found in Indonesia, Pakistan and even in China it is in sub-Saharan Africa where the largest populations remain, having been hunted and pressured out of most of its once extensive range. A highly successful predator the Leopards ability to constantly change its hunting patterns and adapt according to its habitat and prey behavior is one reason why it is still found over such a large and diverse area. The leopard is a cunning, successful hunter with a incredibly varied prey catalogue; from strong-scented carrion, fish, reptiles and birds to mammals such as rodents, hares, hyraxes, warthogs, antelopes, monkeys and baboons.

A leopard in the Sabi sand
Did You Know? The Leopard of Rudraprayag was a male man-eating leopard, claimed to have killed over 250 people. It was eventually killed by famed big cat hunter and author Jim Corbett.

A leopard in the Kalahari Game Reserve
A leopard spotted on game drive at Leopard Hills private game reserve
Able to run at speeds approaching 58 kilometres per hour and with the strength and ability to climb trees even while carrying dead weight equal or greater than its own body-weight, the Leopard is a marvel of nature. Largely nocturnal your best chance of seeing a leopard is often on a night game drive, but unfortunately night game drives aren’t on offer at every lodge, ask your Rhino Africa consultant for more information about where to go in search of this stealthy predator.  The private game reserves of the Sabi Sands; such as Leopard Hills, Londolozi and Mala Mala are traditionally the best option. At Londolozi they have been tracking and viewing the same extended family of leopards since 1979!

A leopard rests in a mopani tree
A leopard can not change his spots
~ Proverb

A leopard in long grass

Cape Town Voted Number 1 Best Destination in the World by Trip Advisor Travelers

Cape Town
1 comment
By Craig Harding on

Stop the press! Cape Town has won yet another major travel award. As the home of Rhino Africa Safaris (our lovely new offices are in Gardens, Cape Town) we are especially proud of our favourite city and clearly the rest of the world is in agreement.

Trip Advisor traveler’s have voted Cape Town as the number one best destination in the world! Competing with cities like Sydney, the Machu Picchu and Paris it’s tough up there at the top, but Cape Town has got what it takes. Great weather (most of the time 🙂 ), awesome beaches, fine wines and a whole host of activities make it an ideal travel destination, we’re not surprised Cape Town won.

Have a look at the full list of  Traveler’s Choice Awards for 2011 on the TripAdvisor website.

Cape Town Voted Number 1 Best Destination in the World by Trip Advisor Travelers

And it’s not the first award Cape Town has garnered, check out this list of previous awards Cape Town has won.

We have a great Cape Town section on our website with loads of information. If you’re looking for a place to eat in Cape Town there’s our own Horny Grazer restaurant reviews. You might also want to watch the video on our V&A Waterfront page for a look at Cape Town’s most famous destination and we also offer day tours in and around Cape Town!

If you’re already a fan of Cape Town, this might be a good time to Vote for Table Mountain in the New 7 Wonders of nature campaign!

Tailor-Made Safaris Get an Upgrade at Rhino Africa!

General,Kruger National Park,Safari,South Africa
0 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

We’d like to invite you to visit the new Rhino Africa Website! The new site is crammed with Rhinotastic goodness and more exciting features than you can shake a USB stick at. It’s all designed to make it easier for you to explore Africa, to learn about our magnificent continent and to plan your ultimate tailor-made, African holiday with our expert consultants.

So what’s all the fuss about? Well, apart from looking rather swanky we have a host of new features including:

1)     Catherine is our nubile pop-up site guide who will help you navigate the site and give you some top tips. Visit her!

2)     Exciting HD videos will give you a real taste of Africa – check out the new Kruger video in particular… Watch it!

3)     Genuinely discerning and engaging reviews of the top hotels and lodges in Africa – we judge for ourselves and tell it as we see it ! We’ve even got a whole new Cape Town Restaurants section with some brutally honest reviews by our in-house Horny Grazer;

The Horny Grazer Review

4)     Improved navigation tabs on the right of the screen making it easier to find your perfect destination in fewer clicks;

5)     Beautiful new maps that have clickable destinations so you can navigate by geographic location Explore them!;

6)     There’s an updated We Recommend section that contains our favourite safari lodges as well as an updated Our Tours section with some mind boggling itineraries designed by our expert consultants to whet the appetite and inspire your dream holiday;

7)     Greater focus on doing good in Africa through our Going Green,  Sustainable Tourism and Doing Good sections;

8)     In our Downloads Section you can fill your phone or desktop with spectacular images of Africa;

9)     Don’t forget to visit our much improved Blog and our Facebook Page where we’ll keep you up to date on Special Offers and all things African.

There are many more exciting features on our new site. We’d like to invite you to come and explore the digital world of Rhino Africa! We’d also love your feedback about our site – the good and the bad, so if you have any feedback, please email ross@rhinoafrica.com

The French, The Artist and the Luxury Villas.

Cape Winelands
3 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the arrival of the first French Huguenots in the Cape of Good Hope after the religious persecution they suffered in Europe. They brought with them skills and culture, which have greatly influenced the way of life in the Cape – wrought iron craftsmen, couturiers and, most importantly, winemakers. Fast forward a couple of hundred years and you can now visit an area in the Cape Winelands literally called the ‘French Corner’: Franschhoek.  Here amid luscious vineyards and gracious Cape Dutch farmsteads, a picturesque village emits proud, ever present memories of 17th Century Huguenot culture. Many of the vineyards still bear original French names as well as Manor houses in the Provencal style with one in particular being a favorite of Rhino Africa: La Residence!

La Residence in Franschhoek

La Residence is a Tuscan-influenced Cape Dutch Farmhouse with more than a hint of Louis XV (that could be why this is one of Elton John’s favourites)! The product of a union between an interior designer and an art historian, this small hotel is a wickedly garish montage of exposed roof beams, Tuscan arches and loggias, dazzling period pieces and Victorian art deco.

We have always been incredibly impressed with La Residence and the rest of the Royal Portfolio and we now have another reason to return: Villas in the Vineyard!

The Villas at La Residence offer laid back luxury in a tranquil and timeless setting. Commanding spectacular mountain views and nestling amid vineyards and orchards, they provide a new level of privacy and exclusivity. A stone’s throw from the property’s Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz vines, the six individually-designed Villas have been beautifully decorated by owner Liz Biden. Once again, Liz has brought together her love for vibrant colours, fabric, furniture and family living to produce an excitingly different concept in stylish country retreats.La Residence Villas in Franschhoek

The Villas are set apart from one another but share a spacious open-plan Terrace Room where butlers and private chefs offer personalized service of the highest order. The elegant but relaxed and child-friendly environment includes a state-of-the-art widescreen television, a rimflow swimming pool and lush green lawn. Along with the total privacy afforded by the secluded location, the essence of the La Residence Villa experience is flexibility. Meals can be served in your own Villa and enjoyed either outside on the terrace or inside beside a roaring open fire. And while all six share the same cool travertine floors and dramatic vistas, each one has a unique configuration of rooms so all possible requirements can be catered for. For example, Villa 3 with its sumptuous oversized bedroom and giant four-poster, would be perfect for the ultimate honeymoon or anniversary treat while the interlinked Villas 4 and 5 would provide a wonderful venue for a party of ten gathering to celebrate an occasion or simply enjoy a holiday in the Winelands.

La Residence Villa Bathroom

The décor throughout the Villas is refreshingly eclectic. A bold interplay of scale, pattern and colour conveys a sense of exuberant joie de vivre. Shades one might find in a traditional Tuscan retreat – soft greens, ochres and parchment – are enlivened and offset by bright pinks and eye-popping reds and purples. The classic and the contemporary, the subtle and the strong – artful juxtaposition is the key. These are interiors that stimulate, amuse and delight. Arresting modern paintings and outsize furniture add energy and drama. With characteristic panache Liz has created a series of highly original spaces which abound in confident and unashamed theatricality. With their luscious swags of silk and glittering chandeliers, these Villas form an inspired counterpoint to their majestic mountain surrounds whilst remaining reassuringly comfortable and easygoing.

La Residence in Franschhoek

This is truly informal opulence at its best. I highly recommend that you contact one of our travel consultants to book your stay at the Villas in the Vineyard at La Residence before they are booked out for months in advance… If I didn’t have to work from the office, that is where you would find me!

Follow us @rhinoafrica