In the footsteps of giants
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS
A mountain-biking adventure fueled by purpose
Unzipping the door flap of my tent and stepping out into the morning air, I’m left a little confused. Yesterday I was in a barren red landscape surrounded by rocks and sandstone cliff faces – dramatic and otherworldly in its isolated, rugged splendour. Today, I’m surrounded by mist. I can’t see much further than the tents nearest to me as the thick fog covers the valley where we have set up camp. How easy it is to forget that we’re actually quite close to the coast and that for most of the year this thick fog bank is the main source of life for the area. Towards the south of our camp, completely shrouded in the blanket of moisture, lies the Aba-Huab River. Unbeknown to us, one of the mammals we’ve come to support in this dramatic region is slowly making its way down the dry ephemeral river, meandering across the soft sandy slopes and between salt bush and patches of salvadora or mopane. Here it roams undisturbed, well-adapted to its natural habitat which to most would seem completely inhospitable. We are unaware of its presence as we awaken to this misty morning. Later, once the fog has cleared and we’ve spent a few hours on a mountain bike traversing the rugged terrains, we will find his spoor left behind in the soft sand and know that he was near. Appreciating his presence and existence despite not having seen him in his horned magnificence with our own eyes, just knowing he survives here is enough. We’ll hopefully catch up with him later. For now, though, we are here to explore the beauty of Damaraland and the Aba-Huab Valley on a mountain bike. A group of twenty cyclists at the tenth iteration of this unique and special experience… riding for rhinos.
Text Elzanne McCulloch | Photographs Shawn van Eeden
From the Spring 2024 issue
In the heart of Namibia’s northwestern Kunene Region, the 2024 RMB & Wilderness Ride for Rhinos event took a group of adventurers on a remarkable journey through the stunning landscapes of Damaraland. From 5-9 June, twenty enthusiastic mountain bikers, accompanied by an experienced crew, embarked on a four-day expedition through diverse terrains. This journey was not just an adventure, but a mission to raise funds and awareness for black rhino conservation and the communities that live and fight to protect this special species.
The landscape is vast and varied. As we gaze across the valley below, the Aba-Huab River, with its towering Ana trees, winds its way through rugged mountains along its southern banks. Further north, the terrain transitions to the red rocky hills so quintessential to Damaraland. In between lies a wide strip of soft sand. Namibia’s northwestern Damaraland, which stretches across the Kunene and Erongo regions, forms the home range of the desert-adapted black rhino, Diceros bicornis bicornis. After a shocking decline of 98% due to poaching between 1960 and 1995, the population stabilised towards the end of the nineties, followed by a resurgence in poaching in the years 2012 to 2017. Today, Namibia is home to the last free-roaming population of black rhino outside official protected areas, but the problem and threat of poaching persists.
Behind this conservation success story is the visionary approach of the government of Namibia to allow communities to become custodians of the endangered black rhino. This has been supported by an efficient, coordinated response from both government and non-governmental organisations to help apply the technical demands of meeting this responsibility.
This year marked the tenth edition of the Ride for Rhinos, a tour that has grown significantly since its inception in 2015. Started by Venture Media and supported by title sponsors RMB Namibia and Wilderness, along with technical support from CYMOT, the event has consistently championed the cause of rhino conservation and community involvement in the plight to preserve this unique population of black rhinos. The tour’s primary goal is to support two crucial organisations that are actively involved in the fight against poaching, namely Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT) and Children in the Wilderness, ensuring a future for both Namibia’s black rhino and the next generation of conservationists.
An intimate encounter with nature
The RMB & Wilderness Ride for Rhinos offers participants an unparalleled experience in nature. Guided by experienced mountain bike guide Johan Fourie, riders traverse challenging terrains, experiencing firsthand the beauty and harshness of Namibia’s landscape. Evenings are spent in a wild camp set up by the tour crew, where participants enjoy delicious meals and fireside conversations about Namibia, conservation and the plight of the black rhino.
The riders are joined by rangers from Save the Rhino Trust, who share their expertise on rhino conservation. These rangers, who patrol the rugged terrain on foot for 21-day shifts, provide invaluable insights into the daily challenges of monitoring and protecting the black rhino. The experience highlights the contrast between the riders’ high-tech bicycles and the rangers’ relentless dedication on foot, underscoring the difficulty and importance of their work.
A legacy of conservation
The Ride for Rhinos was conceptualised by Venture Media, who sought to address the surge in rhino poaching by creating a platform that would engage Namibian companies and individuals in conservation efforts. Their vision was to blend adventure tourism with a meaningful cause, drawing on Namibia’s natural beauty and the growing popularity of mountain biking.
Partnering with Wilderness and CYMOT, the tour quickly gained traction, with enthusiastic support from sponsors like RMB. Over the years, the event has evolved into a significant conservation initiative, raising funds and awareness while providing participants with a transformative experience in nature.
Beyond the thrill of the ride, the event has a profound impact on rhino conservation and community development. Save the Rhino Trust’s efforts in monitoring and protecting Namibia’s black rhinos are bolstered by the funds and in-kind materials raised through the tour, as well as the links and connections made between the organisation and tour participants and their respective companies. Additionally, Children in the Wilderness empowers young Namibians to become future conservation leaders, fostering a deep connection to their natural heritage and inspiring a passion for nature preservation at grassroots level. The aim is to ignite a spark in the hearts of children from the region, who will hopefully one day become future community leaders and protectors of this flagship species.
This year’s tour culminated in a celebration of its ten-year milestone, bringing together longtime tour supporters and partners such as Conrad Dempsey, head of FirstRand Namibia and one of the tour’s founders, Philip Chapman, head of RMB Namibia, Axel Theissen, group chairman of CYMOT, Alex Henderson, managing director of Wilderness Namibia, Alexandra Margull, group chief operating officer of Wilderness, Andrew Malherbe, chief operating officer of Save the Rhino Trust, and Agnes Tjirare, project lead of Children in the Wilderness. The final evening, spent fireside beneath the endless starry night sky at Wilderness’ Damaraland Camp, was a testament to the success and impact of the Ride for Rhinos. It celebrated not only the tour’s decade-long journey but also the accomplishments of its beneficiaries. The gathering underscored the collaborative spirit and commitment of all partners involved, highlighting the tour’s role in fostering a community dedicated to conservation.
As the Ride for Rhinos celebrates its tenth anniversary, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and dedication. The participants, sponsors and organisers have all played a part in this incredible journey, riding not just for the spirit of adventure, but for the preservation of Namibia’s natural treasures and the future of its wildlife. TN
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