ARE you willing to ride more than 100 kilometres to raise awareness for Project Rhino?

After last year’s inaugural Ride for Rhino turned out a success, the event is now an annual one.

The main route will span 350kms, from Hillcrest to Hilltop Camp in Hluhluwe Game Reserve.

Alternate distances of 240kms and 100kms will start from Darnall and Empangeni respectively.

Featuring a gruelling last 35kms from the Centenary centre in iMfolozi Game Reserve, the very park in which the rhino were once saved from extinction in 1961, the cycle is arguably the toughest 1-day mountain bike ride in South Africa.

The first riders will begin at 1am on Saturday, December 12.

Organisers aim to time the other two groups to arrive and ride through the reserve entrance together with the main group.

For safety, the ride has a cut off time of 17 hours, as predators in the Hluhluwe and iMfolizi reserves may pose a threat to the riders after dark.

The ride is a self-funded one; no entry fees will be charged, and each participant will cover their own expenses.

However, donations are welcomed, to further Project Rhino’s awareness campaign.

Donations can be made to the following account: 

Account Name: ACT Rhino Fund

Bank: Nedbank

Branch: Musgrave

Branch code: 13012610

Account no: 1008662976

Deposit Reference: Rhino Ride + your company or surname

Who will benefit? 

Project Rhino performs  many functions in the province and is involved in Rhino Awareness Education in other parts of South Africa, along with ZAP Wing and other ground anti-poaching Units.

This ride is to raise awareness and funds to support their efforts, which includes keeping the ZAP Wing aircraft fueled, sustain foot and vehicle patrols, equipment and so on.

Project Rhino also funds community education projects, targeted primarily at the youth.

Thirty percent of the funds will go to the Ezemvelo Community Rhino Ambassadors.

This funding from the Ride in 2014 enabled 400 Ambassadors to be trained by in Rhino Conservation in four regions.

For more information, contact Grant Fowlds on 083 2641978 or Catherine Carroll on 031-7672911 office hours