HELPING RHINOS & KARIEGA FOUNDATION PRESENT:
HELPING RHINOS CONSERVATION SAFARI
Join Helping Rhinos in May 2025 for a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes and experience a real-life rhino conservation safari at the inaugural Helping Rhinos Conservation Safari.
Guests will not only enjoy the rich diversity and natural beauty of the amazing wildlife and stunning landscapes on Kariega Game Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape but will participate in exclusive rhino conservation initiatives and play a very real part in safe-guarding rhino in this key rhino stronghold.
Home of miracle poaching survivor Thandi and her ever-growing family of rhino children and grandchildren, the incredible Helping Rhinos Conservation Safari will take place 6th to 12th May 2025 for 6 nights and will be a must for the discerning rhino conservation supporter and luxury safari goer.
During your stay, you will be at the beating heart of rhino conservation as a valued part of an exclusive group of like-minded wildlife conservationists for a truly behind the scenes rhino conservation experience led by Helping Rhinos’ CEO Simon Jones.
The team have curated this unique and special stay with this in mind where you will:
- Participate in a rhino veterinary procedure with world-famous wildlife vet, Dr Will Fowlds
- Hear about the history of the Reserve and meet Kariega Foundation's Director, Lindy Sutherland, who will also give insight into the developing conservation picture at Kariega and the broader Eastern Cape
- Spend a morning on the reserve with Kariega's in-house ecologist and learn
- about the complexities of reserve management and ecological considerations
- Share a love of nature with experienced Field Guides on multiple Safari drives including sundowners with spectacular views and vistas, where you will learn how you are contributing to rhino conservation
- Meet the Anti-Poaching Unit and experience a K9 and Mounted Horse Unit training demonstration
- Go on a bush walk and experience approaching wild animals on foot in their natural habitat, perhaps even the opportunity to get close to Thandi and her family
- Take a river cruise along the upper reaches of the Bushman's River for exceptional bird-watching, peace and tranquillity and enjoy lunch in the coastal town of Kenton-on-Sea
- Enjoy time to simply relax in the lodge; read a book by the pool or book a spa treatment (at additional expense)
EXCLUSIVE RHINO CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE – ONLY 8 GUEST PLACES AVAILABLE!
This exclusive Helping Rhinos Conservation Safari costs £4,995 per person for two people sharing* (with only four rooms available) and you will stay at two luxury properties directly on Kariega Game Reserve: the beautiful Ukhozi Lodge and the award-winning Settlers Drift Lodge.
*single supplement available.
Your safari includes:
- 6 night Rhino Conservation Safari staying 3 nights each at Ukhozi Lodge and Settlers Drift Lodge on Kariega Game Reserve
- All meals, selected beverages and safari activities
- Exclsuive behind-the-scenes rhino & wildlife conservation experiences
- A dedicated guide and vehicle
- Return transfer from Port Elizabeth International Airport
- Conservation levy
Your safari excludes:
- All Flights
- UK airport transfers
- Travel insurance
“Kariega Game Reserve is the perfect safari location! It boasts the 'Big Five' and the world famous rhino Thandi, the first known rhino to survive a poaching attack. A rhino very close to Helping Rhinos’ heart and the inspiration for me starting the charity.
Whether you are a birder, an animal lover or just want to escape in the African wilderness, the biodiversity of Kariega will leave you speechless. I hope you join will me there on our first Helping Rhinos Conservation Safari!”
Simon Jones
Founder & CEO, Helping Rhinos
YOUR FULL HELPING RHINOS CONSERVATION SAFARI DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1 - UKHOZI LODGE
6 May 2025
14:00 - Arrive and enjoy a warm welcome to Kariega Game Reserve’s stylish and uniquely designed Ukhozi Lodge from the in-house team
14:15 - Settle into your luxurious room and then enjoy a light lunch in the lodge
15:00 - Depart on your first afternoon safari drive to view the magnificent wildlife on the reserve and enjoy a relaxing sundowner in the breathtaking scenery. Fingers crossed you’ll see miracle poaching survivor Thandi and her family!
19:00 - Welcome drinks with Helping Rhinos in the warmth and comfort of the lodge and roaring fires
20:00 - Dinner under that African sky in the Boma, hosted by Simon Jones, CEO of Helping Rhinos. Simon will warmly welcome you to your first dinner at Kariega and he will share Helping Rhinos’ journey so far, the inspiration Thandi had on him starting the charity, the special relationship between Helping Rhinos and the Kariega Foundation and the ongoing plans in the Eastern Cape to establish secure Rhino Strongholds. You will have a chance to ask Simon any questions you have about rhinos and the charity
DAY 2 - UKHOZI LODGE
7 MAY 2025
06:00 - Wake-up call, tea and coffee
06:30 - Depart for your morning safari game drive, with a bush walk and the possibility of approaching a wild animal, (white rhino, giraffe, zebra) on foot if conditions allow. Observing wild animals on foot is a very connected experience. A respectful distance is kept so as not to stress the animals (or guests!)
09:30 - Return to the lodge for breakfast
11:00 - Time to relax and enjoy Ukhozi Lodge’s fantastic facilities (including the stunning pool and spa) and bask in the panoramic views of the African plains with your very real chance of spotting rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and many other species of wildlife directly from the pool and lodge patio
14:00 - Enjoy a light and delicious lunch in the lodge
15:30 - Depart on your afternoon safari game drive – which wildlife species will you see on this day? Enjoy another stunning spot for your sundowner drinks where you will be joined by Lindy Sutherland, family-owner of Kariega Game Reserve and Director of the Kariega Foundation who will speak to you about the history of the reserve, the incredible work of the Kariega Foundation and conservation in the wider Eastern Cape
20:00 - Dinner hosted by Lindy Sutherland
Day 3 - UKHOZI LODGE
8 May 2025
07:00 - Wake up call, tea and coffee
08:00 - Meet for an exclusive behind-the-scenes and immersive rhino veterinary procedure, including collaring and health check procedure hosted by renowned local veterinarian Dr William Fowlds
08:30 - Depart for your wildlife procedure and experience a game drive along the way. This is a special opportunity for you to witness the reality of rhino conservation and the efforts of the veterinary and conservation teams to protect the rhinos in their natural habitat on this reserve
11:00 - Return to the lodge for breakfast
14:00 - Light lunch in the lodge
15:30 - Depart for your afternoon safari game drive and enjoy another wonderful chance to see the stunning landscape of Kariega Game Reserve and the wildlife that call the reserve home
19:00 - Drinks back at the lodge and informal chat with Dr Will Fowlds who will share his experiences of growing up in the Eastern Cape and his career choice as a wildlife vet in the region
20:00 - Dinner hosted by Will Fowlds
DAY 4 - Settlers Drift
9 MAY 2025
(Transfer to Settlers Drift Lodge on this day)
07:00 - Wake up call
08:00 - Early Breakfast at the lodge
09:00 - Pack and check out of Ukhozi Lodge
10:00 - Depart Ukhozi Lodge in safari vehicles for a truly behind-the-scenes visit to meet the Anti-Poaching Unit and watch a K9 training demonstration
11:00 - Enjoy a safari drive to the jetty bound for your next destination
13:00 - Transfer to a boat cruise to Settlers Drift Lodge and your unique 5-star luxury tented safari suite.
14:00 - Arrive at Settlers Drift, settle in and enjoy a light lunch in the lodge
15:30 - Depart for an optional afternoon safari game drive or sit back and enjoy the remote surroundings of the stunning Settler’s Drift
19:00 - Drinks in the bar
20:00 - Dinner in the wine cellar
Day 5 - SETTLERS DRIFT
10 May 2025
06:00 - Wake up call, tea and coffee
06:30 - Depart on your morning safari game drive to explore the newly expanded habitat on the reserve – a real success story that you will see first-hand
08:30 - Meet up for a bush breakfast with the Kariega Game Reserve ecologist and enjoy your chance to experience an exclusive Q&A session on ecological and wildlife management, research projects and wildlife range expansion
10:30 - Return to the lodge and enjoy time in your luxurious tented suite or admire the view from the lodge’s decks overlooking the Bushman’s River before lunch
14:00 - Light lunch in the lodge
15:30 - Depart for your afternoon safari game drive
19:00 - Drinks with informal chat by Alan Weyer on the history of the frontier landscape of which Kariega Game Reserve is a part. Alan is the foremost raconteur in the area and was General Manager of Kariega Game Reserve for a decade
20:00 - Dinner hosted by Alan Weyer
DAY 6 - Settlers Drift
11 MAY 2025
06:00 - Wake up, tea and coffee
06:30 - Depart for your morning safari drive and to enjoy another early start in the South African bush
09:30 - Return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast
10:00 – Enjoy the luxury facilities at Settlers Drift Lodge – take a dip in the pool, relax on your private viewing deck or treat yourself in the onsite spa. Make the most of your free time to really indulge yourself in this gloriously remote setting of the Kariega Wilderness
14:00 - Light lunch in the lodge
15:30 - Depart for your afternoon safari game drive and final sundowner drinks out on the reserve
19:30 - Final dinner hosted by Simon Jones, CEO of Helping Rhinos. This will be your chance to ask any final questions and reflect on your experiences at the Helping Rhinos Conservation Safari. Share your highlights with your new friends as you celebrate the end of your fantastic trip!
Day 7 - Departure day
12 May 2025
06:00 - Wake up call, tea and coffee
06:30 - Depart for your final morning safari game drive and enjoy your last view of the fantastic landscape and wildlife sightings on the reserve
09:30 - Return to the lodge for your last breakfast
11:00 - Say goodbye to newfound friends and depart Kariega Game Reserve to head to the airport bound for home or on to your next travel destination (if you are extending your stay in South Africa or beyond!)
If you would like to stay on at Kariega Game Reserve to experience more of the luxury safari life and incredible wildlife viewings, you will have the opportunity to book extra nights at any of the onsite safari lodges (subject to availability) at the time of booking on to your Helping Rhinos Conservation Safari.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
We hope this exciting itinerary has whetted your appetite to join us on the first-ever Helping Rhinos Conservation Safari in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. As a reminder, these are the trip highlights:
Trip dates: 6-12th May 2025
Maximum of eight places available
Six-night stay at two luxury lodges on Kariega Game Reserve – three nights at Ukhozi Lodge and three nights at Settlers Drift Lodge on a full board basis
Enjoy two game drives per full day
Go behind the scenes on an exclusive veterinary procedure with Dr Will Fowlds and watch a special demonstration by the K9 APU and mounted unit teams, meet and learn from the Kariega ecologist, hear about the work of the Kariega Foundation, see abundant wildlife on the reserve and discover the reality of Helping Rhinos’ mission to create Rhino Strongholds.
Details on how to book your place are below!
BOOK YOUR SAFARI TODAY!
As well as enjoying the most memorable safari in the company of like-minded conservationists, a donation from your booking on this incredible Helping Rhinos Conservation Safari will help the Kariega Foundation to fund sustainable, long-term solutions for wildlife conservation, to protect wildlife species and realise Helping Rhinos' ultimate vision of establishing long-term rhino strongholds in South Africa's Eastern Cape.
To book your place and join us for this once in a lifetime rhino conservation safari experience, please email rhino@helpingrhinos.org.
We can’t wait to welcome you to South Africa’s stunning Eastern Cape!
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