Author Sophie Neville plans to ride across the game reserves of South Africa

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2018

Are you up for a challenge?

Would you help Sophie Neville raise awareness for Save the Waterberg Rhino along with educational, health and welfare projects that uplift communities in the area?

Following the success of our third annual ride, we have gathered a team of fit and experienced riders to join us on a sponsored horse safari in January 2018 through the private game reserves of the Waterberg.

This will be Sophie's 5th challenge ride since she rode 175kms across South America to raise funds for the Waterberg Welfare Society in 2008.

- Sophie Neville watching white rhino - 

Saturday 20th Jan: the team of riders depart the UK for Johannesburg 

DAY 1 - Sunday 21st Jan The team of twelve riders will be met by Sophie at Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg and driven about 3 hours north to Ant’s Nest Private Game Reserve deep in the African bush. After settling into the lodge we will go for a game ride looking for zebra and wildebeest to try out the horses.It will be high summer in South Africa, so the bushveld will be green. We’ll be able to hear about plans for the ride as we have dinner by the fire that evening.

DAY 2 - Monday 22nd Jan We’ll spend the day riding up to Ant's Hill, viewing game on horseback and looking for a breeding herds of buffalo, as well as rare sable and roan antelope. As the sun goes down, we’ll meet white rhino living on the reserve while Tessa Baber gives a talk on the work of 'Save the Waterberg Rhino'. 

~ Tessa Baber of Save The Waterberg Rhino~

The Waterberg is home to the third largest population of rhino in South Africa, so their protection on the plateau is vital.

DAY 3 - Tuesday 23^rd Jan We set off early, riding east through the reserve and onto sandy roads where we can canter for miles. We are planning to ride to the newly opened ‘Living Museum’ where we can learn more about rhino from the author and wildlife artist Clive Walker, one of South Africa’s leading conservationists. That afternoon we hope ride through a reserve breeding rare golden wildebeest up to Triple B Ranch, the cattle stud owned by Anthony Baber's family for over a hundred years. We’ll stay at Windsong Cottage - the farmhouse built by Ant’s grandfather, Alfred Baber.

DAY 4 - Wednesday 24^th Jan We will ride through the Sesotho village on the farm and down through the game reserve at Horizon, which will give us the chance of seeing impala, zebra, giraffe and eland along with primate species as we might spot vervet monkeys and baboon. 

Lunch will be enjoyed at a dam with the hope of spotting hippo. We’ll have a long ride in the afternoon, as we make our way over the hills and through Lindani private game reserve for the night. There is a good paddock here for the horses, a pool and we should be able to see game from the lodge. I’m assured we'll see a large number of warthog.

DAY 5 – Thursday 25^th Jan We will ride through Lindani, up a kloof to find game on plains that look down past a north-facing escarpment. We should see warthog, zebra, giraffe, eland, red hartebeest, wildebeest and greater kudu. We ride under high red cliffs, where vultures nest, to Jembisa, a private game reserve on the Palala River where we will have lunch. We’ll ride across the reserve and be able to relax at the lodge, enjoying comfy beds and hot baths.

DAY 6 – Friday 26^th Jan The Waterberg Trust enables local children to go on a residential course at Lapalala Wilderness School near Jembisa. We hope to be able to see around this project before riding across Jembisa that morning.

We should find hippos and perhaps see crocodile before riding up to a view-point to grab a few photographs before bidding our horses farewell.

DAY 7 – Saturday 27^th Jan After breakfast outside we will take a game drive to see ancient bushmen paintings on the reserve before brunch and drive back via an excellent sewing project selling curios and an educational project in the township enroute to the airport.

~TWT riders visit Letabo Kid's Club's Back to School project~

Sunday 28^th Jan - The flight will arrive back in the UK early am. 

The horse safari will be hosted by Ant Baber who owns Ant's Nest. Sophie Neville, a trustee of TWT who became a safari guide in the Waterberg back in 1992, will lead the group and take riders around established charitable projects in the area.

The ride is a unique opportunity to ride alongside wild animals in this beautiful area, now proclaimed a UNESCO biosphere. The itinerary may change - but only for the better! The group of 12 riders need to be fit as there will be approx 25 – 40kms of riding per day.

We plan to visit a number of projects being supported by The Waterberg Trust and meet local people who will benefit from the funds raised by the riders.

To participate team members need to raise a minimum sponsorship of £1000 for The Waterberg Trust. As a registered UK charity, Gift Aid can then be added. 50% of sponsorship raised will go to Save the Waterberg Rhino Trust and 50% will go to community projects in the Waterberg. 

While we encourage riders to find sponsorship some of us are raising the donation of £1,000 in other ways such as hosting a sale or asking for donations instead of birthday gifts.

- Sophie Neville-

For more information, please contact Sophie 

sophie@sophieneville.co.uk

You can see photos from previous rides, along with information about the projects and info on how to make donations on The Waterberg Trust website: http://thewaterbergtrust.com

Travel with a purpose

- Author Sophie Neville in South Africa - 

I have been passionate about promoting the conservation of the rhinoceros all my adult life. This year we gathered a group of twelve experienced riders to generate funds for Save The Waterberg Rhino and associated community projects in rural South Africa.

The idea was to raise sponsorship by riding 180kms across the Waterberg hills to the Palala River, a six-day trek through the big game country featured in my memoir 'Ride the Wings of Morning'. Each rider paid their own safari costs and raised £1,000 or more for The Waterberg Trust - a small but effective UK registered charity.

We set out on 20th January. It was high summer in southern Africa where the bush was blooming after recent rains. We came across zebra and wildebeest enjoying lush grazing after a year of dought. 

To our joy we saw animals great and small from warthog to giraffe.

We came across Cape buffalo

along with a number of different species of antelope, including rare roan antelope recently been re-introduced to the area.

And then we encountered white rhino.

I was cautious about approaching these two young males but they are used to horses, who graze with them on the game reserve, and I was able to get pretty close. 

-The author Sophie Neville riding with rhino-

The threat of poaching is so accute that their horns have been saturated in poison to negate their astonishing commercial value. They also have a 24 hour armed guard.

Details of the current crisis were revealed by Save The Waterberg Rhino. There are five different species of rhinoceros in the world. All are threatened, some to the edge of extinction. In South Africa along, poachers have been slaughtering about four white rhino a day. These are breeding animals. Females with small calves are shot, their horns hacked off and exported to the Far East. 

There is a huge market for the horn. It is only keratin and can smell revolting but sadly it is fashionable to own what has become a symbol of wealth. 

The good news is that The Waterberg Trust raised over £30,000 this year. 50% of funds will be used to install a vital security post with high-tech vehicle recognition systems. 

-Sophie Neville with some TWT Riders outside a security post about to be installed-

The remainder will go to established community projects in the area that benefit local children. £2,000 has been sent to Lethabo Kids Club for the provision of school shoes and bags. 

-TWT riders financing a 'Back to School' project-

We've been able to send more than 100 pupils from the township of Leseding on a residential course at Lapalala Wilderness School to learn about nature conservation. After gaining environmental awareness some chose to work with wildlife or in education and there is a marked committment to re-cycling.  

-Sophie Neville speaking to the students of Metshesethela School-

If you would like to know more or get involved please contact us at The Waterberg Trust

  

Getting ready for The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2016

Photo of new baby rhino by Ant Baber at Ant's Nest

We are packing our bags and making plans for The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2016 , which is being organised to raise funds for Save the Waterberg Rhino along with associated community education projects, to help fight rhino poaching and teach local children about the conservation of these amazing animals at the Lapalala Wilderness School.

Over 5,000 rhino have been killed by poachers in South Africa alone. The Waterberg is home to a signification concentration of rhino, second only to Kruger National Park.

PROJECTS REQUIRING FUNDING & STRATEGIC PARTNERS:
Rhino horn treatment
Tracking devices for rhinos
Equipment, such as:
• Binoculars
• Night vision
• Thermal vision
• Hi Tech solutions
• Bullet proof vests
• Crime scene equipment
• Uniforms and kit for scouts
Anti-poaching scouts for rhino protection
Tracker Dogs
Training for Anti-Poaching UNITS
Management Courses for Rhino Owners

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

• Donate via The Waterberg Trust Justgiving page:

As a UK registered charity, we can claim Gift Aid on eligible donations, and organise transfer of funds to South Africa efficiently. Add a note to specify 'Save the Waterberg Rhino' with your donation.

• If you'd like to organise your own fundraising event, and learn more about the charity contact sophie@sophieneville.co.uk

• Support the project on Social Media and receive news:
• For Save The Waterberg Rhino's Facebook page, please click here.
• For The Waterberg Trust's Facebook page, please click here
• For the Lapalala Wilderness School's page, please click here

To find out about Save The Waterberg Rhino, click on the banner below:

The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride 2016

Are you up for a challenge in 2016?

Would you help us raise funds for Save the Waterberg Rhino along with health and education community projects that uplift communities in the area?

Following the success of last year, we are looking for fit and experienced riders to join us on a sponsored horse safari.

Ant's Nest have offered to take riders through the private game reserves of the Waterberg whose owners have generously offered to host our party.

Overall dates: 11th March to 19th March 2016 

Friday 11th March: Fly out to Johannesburg

DAY 1 - Saturday 12th March

You will be met off your International flight at Oliver Tambo Airport, Johannesburg and driven north, about 3 hours, to Ant’s Nest Private Game Reserve deep in the Africa bush.  Lunch will be served on your arrival.

After settling into the lodge we will go for a game ride so that you can try out your horse. If you are not totally happy you can try a different mount the next day - there are about forty to chose from.

As the sun goes down, you will meet the white rhino living on the reserve, and have a drink while Tessa Baber gives us a talk on the work of 'Save the Waterberg Rhino'.

The Waterberg is home to the second largest population of rhino in south Africa after the Kruger Park, so their protection on the plateau is vital.

DAY 2 - Sunday 13th March

We will spend the day riding across Ant's Nest, up to Ant's Hill, viewing game on horseback and looking for a breeding herd of white rhino, along with buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and antelope.

We will have lunch in the bush, hopefully by a dam where you can swim with your horse. We'll return to Ant's Nest for the night.

DAY 3 - Monday 14th March

We set off early, riding north through the reserve looking for antelope and along sandy roads where we can canter for miles over the hills on our way to Kwalata Game Reserve. We'll ride up to a point where the horses can be stabled and take a game drive to the lodge where we are staying the night.

DAY 4 - Tuesday 15th March

We ride into Lapalala Wilderness, which will give us another amazing opportunity to see game. We have the chance of seeing elephant and black rhino along with other species such as vervet monkey, baboon and even lion. The night will be spent at Kolobe Lodge where the leaders of South Africa have stayed and hope to be given a talk on community projects by the warden.

DAY 5 - Wednesday 16th March

We ride to Jembisa, a private game reserve on the Palala River where we hope to find more plains game including giraffe, jackal, warthog and red heartebeest. The plan is to sleep out under the stars after supper around the camp fire.

DAY 6 - Thursday 17th March

We hope to spend the morning visiting charitable projects in the Waterberg when we can meet those running health and welfare and initiatives that help the local people.

We'll ride across Jembisa that evening hoping to find hippos and perhaps see crocodile in the river before reaching the furthest point of the ride and grab a few photographs before bidding out horses farewell. There will then be time for a swim or a long hot bath before dinner at the lodge.

DAY 7 - Friday 18th March

After breakfast outside we will take a game drive to see the ancient bushmen paintings on the reserve before lunch and drive back via an excellent sewing project selling curios enroute to the airiport.

Saturday 19th March - your flight will arrive back in the UK

The itinerary may change - but hopefully only for the better!

If anyone would like to stay on for a night or two this can be arranged.

The cost is £1,500 per person, sharing, inclusive of all meals, local alcohol and soft drinks, accommodation, riding, game drives and bush walks, as well as road transfers to and from standard flights landing by 9.00am on morning of Saturday 12th March and returning pm on Friday 18th March.

It does not include flights, tips or travel insurance - which you will need. To secure your place Ant's Nest will require a non-returnable deposit of £500. The balance of £1,000 must have been paid 6 weeks before the trip commences.

We are hoping for a group of 10 experienced riders. You'll need to be fit as there will be approximately 25 – 40km’s of riding per day. You must be someone who rides at least twice a week, be comfortable at an extended canter and be able to cope with long hours in the saddle.

We can take non-riding partners. It will be high summer in South Africa, so the bushveldt will be green. It can be hot and sunny and could be overcast or rainy but will not get cold.

To see photos of the horses please click here

It will be an exploratory venture, indeed a unique opportunity to ride alongside wild animals in this beautiful area, now proclaimed a UNESCO biosphere.

The horse safari will be led by Ant Baber who owns Ant's Nest. Sophie Neville, a trustee of TWT who was once a horse safari guide in the Waterberg will be leading the group. 

If you have any questions or would like to book your place, please contact Sophie Neville ~ sophie@sophieneville.co.uk

To participate you need to raise a minimum sponsorship of £1000 for The Waterberg Trust. As a registered UK charity, Gift Aid can then be added.

50% of sponsorship raised will go to Save the Waterberg Rhino Trust and 50% will go to community health and welfare projects in the Waterberg.

We can help you with fundraising ideas.

While we encourage riders to find sponsorship some of us are raising the donation of £1,000 in other ways such as hosting a sale or asking for donations instead of birthday or Christmas gifts and then gaining matched funding.

To make your own Justgiving page - please click here

To see Sophie's 2016 Justgiving page as an example - click here

Information on the camps:

Click here for where we are in South Africa

Ant's Nest ~ website: www.waterberg.net

Lapalala Wilderness ~ website: http://lapalala.com

Kwalata ~ website: http://www.kwalata.co.za/

Jembisa ~ website: www.jembisa.com

Save the Waterberg Rhino

Flights and Transfers: We find it is best if people book their own flights to Johannesburg - try Trailfinders or Flight Centre. It's great if riders can liaise and fly out together.

NB: please book flights that arrive in S.Africa no later than 9.00am and depart from Johannesburg no earlier than 7.00pm. Should you need to arrive late or depart early, a private transfer will be supplied at additional cost.

Make your way to the information desk in the arrivals hall where you will be met and driven to Ant's Nest for lunch.

At the end of the safari we will arrive at Johannesburg airport at a time suitable for all flights departing after 7 pm.

Do I need a visa? You must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months after your return date and has at least 3 blank pages. Visas are not needed for those with British passports. Please check if you come from elsewhere.

What vaccinations do I need? Vaccinations and malaria medications are not required however we recommend your tetanus to be up to date.

Are riding helmets compulsory? Yes, hard hats are mandatory and you will not be able to ride without one and suggest you bring your own hot-weather model. We do not provide half-chaps but might have the odd pair extra should they be needed.

What should I bring? As well as comfortable riding clothes and your hard hat, please bring the following; Bum bag, lip salve, strong sun protection cream factor 20 or higher, short boots and chaps. (Long rubber boots are not advised), swimming costume, light weight long sleeved shirts, raincoat, camera with memory cards and camera batteries, small torch (head torch style highly recommended) and toiletries.

Is there a laundry service? We hope to be able to offer a limited laundry service. When packing do bear this in mind as it helps not to have too much luggage.  We can normally turn laundry around within 48 hours (excluding the 30 or so days a year that it rains!) Do bring out any children's clothes, especially grey/black/white school uniform or sports wear as we can donate it to one of the schools or welfare projects in the Waterberg.

What is the accommodation like? This will be comfortable lodge accommodation with bathrooms. There are twin and double rooms. There are shared bathrooms at one lodge. We will have picnic lunches, evening meals cooked around the fire and hope to sleep out under the stars on one night, weather permitting.

Single supplements? Bookings are taken on a 'willing to share basis'. If you want a single room there would be 50% supplement.

What are the horses like? They have been carefully chosen from various South African breeds, known for being able to walk-out well while being able to cope with tough going. the live in the bush so are familiar with wildlife. Breeds include Friesan-cross, Boerperds, Anglo-Thoroughbreds, and the S.A. Warmblood. They range in size from 14.3h. to 17h. Tack is McClellan long-distance saddles and usually snaffle bridles.

Do cell phones work?  Yes, although there will be areas of no coverage

Useful contact numbers: Please give loved ones who may need to contact you for any reason the Ant's Nest phone numbers:

Tel 1 : +27 (0) 83 287 2885
Tel 2 : +27 (0) 87 820 7233
Tel 3 : +27 (0) 83 681 8944 (Emergencies only)

These can also be used the case of a badly delayed flight

Money: We suggest you don’t change too much money into the local currency as your holiday is fully inclusive - however there is a local craft shop! Gratuities are at your discretion and can be paid in pounds, euros or dollars.