Real Africa, a sub-Saharan travel specialist, will celebrate its 16th Anniversary at London's Royal Geographical Society on the evening of 2 November 2016. Tickets are sold in aid of Save the Rhino International, a UK registered charity working to protect all five species of rhino. This special event forms one part of Real Africa's #RealRhinos campaign which aims to raise funds for rhino conservation as well as awareness about key issues.

Special guest Benedict Allen, explorer, broadcaster, author and patron of Save the Rhino will take to the stage in the Ondaatje Theatre to recount some of his 'Close Encounters'. Allen will be followed on stage by further special guests, experts in rhino conservation, each working to secure the survival of this precious species.

Tickets for the event can be purchased from Ticket Source now.

Benedict Allen

Benedict Allen became established as one of the world's leading adventurer-explorers through expeditions famously achieved not with a phone, GPS or "backup", but by preparation alone with remote indigenous communities. Dispensing with a film crew, he went on to pioneer the recording of extreme journeys for TV. Some of his incredible journeys, including a 1000 mile trek in the Namib Desert, Namibia, are depicted in six television series for the BBC. Benedict Allen is due to return to the BBC this autumn – he is currently filming with security correspondent Frank Gardner.

Expert rhino conservation panel

Benedict Allen will be joined on stage by Cathy Dean, Director of Save the Rhino, and Darryl Pleasants from animalssavinganimals.org who later in the evening will provide a fascinating insight into the world of rhino conservation.

Darryl Pleasants trains dogs here in the UK to work with anti-poaching squads across Africa. At the current rate of poaching wild rhino will be extinct within the next 10 years.  The border between South Africa and Mozambique is one of the worst-hit areas, Darryl says that the life expectancy of a rhino is reduced to just 12 hours once it crosses the border from South Africa to Mozambique.

 Anti-poaching dog squads, as we have seen in Kenya, can be incredibly effective in the battle against poaching.  Bloodhounds and Belgian Malinois are the preferred breeds due to their incredible track and scent skills. They can hold the scent of a single footstep for up to 48 hours as well as helping rangers track poachers they can detect firearms and rhino horn at transport hubs. 50% of all money raised by #RealRhinos will go towards the anti-poaching canine units. Real Africa clients have the option to visit a number of conservation projects during their safari if they so wish, including one of the dog squads in the beautiful Lewa Conservancy in Kenya. 

To find out more about Real Africa's #RealRhinos campaign in aid of Save the Rhino please visit click here.