rhino – thompsonsafricadbn

Rhinos return to Matusadona – life-changing moments for us all

June 5, 2026June 5, 2026Posted in conservation, Safari Stays, Sustainable Travel, Travel with PurposeTagged africa, conservation, rhino, safari, translocation, wildlife, zimbabweLeave a comment

There are moments in conservation that feel truly historic and the return of black rhino to Matusadona National Park is undoubtedly one of them. Just last week, a group of critically endangered black rhino was reintroduced to Matusadona, marking the return of a species that once defined this landscape.

More than 20 years ago, rampant poaching led to the disappearance of rhino from the park, with the last remaining animals removed to safer locations in a desperate effort to protect them. Today, thanks to decades of dedicated conservation work, their descendants have ‘come home’.

‘Words cannot describe the feeling of watching these rhino touch ground once again in Matusadona. It is a moment filled with pride, hope, and belief in the power of long-term partnership and shared vision. Today is not only about the rhino themselves, but about the extraordinary dedication shown over the past 25 years by rangers, conservationists, partners and local communities who helped safeguard these animals for their eventual return to their rightful home range.’ – Reilly Travers, Conservancy Manager of Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservancy

The reintroduction is a powerful symbol of Matusadona’s remarkable recovery. Since African Parks and ZimParks entered into a long-term co-management agreement in 2019, the park has undergone an extraordinary transformation. Wildlife populations are rebounding, protection and law enforcement have been strengthened and species such as wild dog, sable and now black rhino are once again part of the ecological diversity for which Matusadona was once renowned.

For your clients staying with us at Changa, this is an exciting reminder that they are witnessing a conservation success story in real time. While rhino sightings are not yet part of the safari experience, their return represents something even more significant: a future in which Matusadona once again thrives as one of Africa’s great wilderness areas.

Every game drive, boat excursion and guided walk takes place within a landscape that is being carefully restored, protected and re-wilded… for years to come.

Article compliments of The Hide & Changa Safari Camps

BIG ‘Little G’

September 22, 2018September 20, 2018Posted in UncategorizedTagged adoption, big five, conservation, gertjie, hesc, hoedspruit endangered species centre, rhino, wildifeLeave a comment

Happy World Rhino Day!

World Rhino Day is celebrated on September 22 every year. This special day provides the opportunity for everyone to celebrate rhinos in their own unique ways.

Thompsons Africa is a proud supporter of Gertjie, an orphaned rhino cared for by our partners Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Gertjie is a male white rhinoceros (ceratotherium simum) born on the 19th of February 2014. On arrival at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, he weighed JUST 100KGS and today he can’t be weighed anymore as he may well break the scale! He is believed to be well over a ton!!

Today, Gertjie is a very happy rhino sharing an enclosure with his ‘brother’ Matimba as well as two other rhino survivors, Lions Den and Dingle Dell. He loves his daily feeding of lucern and will even try and eat it off the feeding vehicle while the curators are busy off loading the food. He is doing very well and it is amazing to see how much he has grown from the ‘Little G’ who arrived at the centre in 2014.

The funds donated by Thompsons Africa towards the fostering of Gertjie go towards his food and general upkeep, maintaining his living arrangements, medical expenses and the cost of his security.

Ask us how you too can play a part in supporting the Rescued Rhino’s @ HESC. From as little as R 1 950 per annum, you can make a VERY real difference!

Watch Gertjie in action on our Thompsons Africa home page ‘Featured Video’ http://www.thompsonsafrica.com

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve

August 19, 2015August 19, 2015Posted in UncategorizedTagged big five, kingfisher, leopard, lion sands private game reserve, rhino, sabi sand, safari, ulusaba private game reserve, wildlifeLeave a comment

The renowned Sabi Sand is one of the oldest and largest proclaimed private reserves in South Africa. It is well known for exciting leopard sightings – this fact alone being testimony to the incredible wildlife experience that this healthy, game-rich area has to offer.

Lion Sands River Lodge - Leopard — Lion Sands River Lodge – Leopard

History of the Sabi Sand Reserve

Already proclaimed in 1898, the original Sabie Reserve was a forerunner to the massive Kruger National Park. Former land owners, excised from the area when the 1926 National Parks Act was passed, created the Sabi Private Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park in 1934. Six families who formed part of these pioneering land owners still own land in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve which was formally established as an association in 1948.

Location of the Game Reserve

Located in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve takes its name from the Sabi River and the Sand River which flow through the wilderness area. The Reserve spans across 65 000 hectares (650 square kilometers) of land.

Wildlife in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve

In addition to the Big Five, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is home to 145+ mammal species, 500+ bird species, 30+ amphibian species, 110+ reptile species and 45+ fish species.

Fences

Due to the threat of foot and mouth disease and the ever present threat of hunting, fences were erected between the Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve in 1961. The eastern border fence was removed after negotiations in 1993 allowing wildlife to roam freely between the two parks.

The Big Five ‘Born’

The name ‘Big Five’ was originally a name given by hunters to the five largest and most dangerous African mammals: rhinoceros, elephant, buffalo, lion, and leopard. In the 1970’s, when the birth of the luxury safari was gaining momentum, marketers ‘rebranded’ the concept of the Big Five and today, the Big Five are the most sought after wildlife to see while on a safari…., the ULTIMATE goal of any safari experience.

On Safari in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Accommodation varies from the absolute thrill of a luxury tented camp to the graciousness of award-winning deluxe lodges with the most sensational décor, health spas and gourmet cuisine.