95% of the world rhino population has been killed.

At the turn of the 20th century over 500 000 rhino roamed freely across Africa and Asia. 

Today, due to relentless poaching driven by the illegal trade in rhino horns, only 27 990 rhino remain. The second, most significant threat to the rhino species is loss of habitat.

Kariega Game Reserve has not escaped the poaching scourge and was particularly hard hit between 2009 and 2012.

On 2 March 2012 the reserve suffered a devastating triple poaching. One bull died during the attack. The second bull died 24 days later due to injuries sustained during the poaching; but the cow, now affectionately known as Thandi, survived the ordeal and after enduring a long and painful recovery, has gone on to gift us with five calves and three grand-calves to date.

Over the past decade, and in response to the poaching crisis, we have developed an holistic and multi-layered approach to the protection of this endangered species which rests on four main pillars:

1. Building a conservation-minded community through a holistic investment in education and youth development with a focus on environmental education and connection to our natural heritage, rhino in particular.
2. Community skills development, culminating in a professional, well trained and resource Anti-poaching-Unit and K9 Unit our from local communities.
3. Advanced technology surveillance and rhino monitoring systems.
4. A comprehensive dehorning programme. 

Uniting a Conservation Community 

The implementation and management of rhino protection is costly at, approximately:

• R7500 per days
• R230 000 per month
• R3 000 000 per year

These costs would not be attainable without the support of the Kariega Game Reserve guests who pay a nightly conservation and community donation levy; and several other key partners, collaborators and donors many of whom were inspired to join our conservation community by Thandi.

Conscious Gifting

Three of our key partners offer you the opportunity to get something awesome for yourself or a loved one and support our rhino protection efforts at the same time.

• Invest in a piece of stunning Rhino Tear Jewellery
• Buy an iconic pair of Kariega Veldskoen
• Adopt Thandi and her family via the Helping Rhinos Adoption Site.

Thank you for your support.

We are a united and conservation minded community working together to protect, preserve and benefit our planet, people and wildlife ... rhino in particular.