Helping Rhinos Conservation Safari

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!