In the 1970s there were 70,000 black rhino in Africa. Today they number 3,000.  Slaughtered for their horn, which fetches up to US$65,000 a kilo in the Far East, African rhino are being killed at a rate of almost two a day.

One of the latest initiatives to raise awareness comes from Borana Conservancy in Kenya's northern Laikipia region, where around 20 black rhino have recently been translocated to an area they last inhabited some 40 years ago. With the population now settled, this new conservation safari aims to give guests a hands-on insight into the real world of wildlife preservation and the hard tasks facing those striving to save this extraordinary animal.

Guests staying four nights will be able to experience the full range of conservation and community efforts on the ranch which include:

• Monitoring rhino and lion with telemetry  receivers
• Tracking rhino on foot with a team of scouts
• Identifying lion using the whisker spot ID method
• Using rhino ID sheets for identification purposes and reporting findings to HQ
• Mountain biking along fence lines checking voltages
• Accompanying the Lolomarki sniffer dogs on training drills
• A morning with the mobile clinic in one of two community outreach centres
• Visiting one of the local schools supported by Borana. 
• Spending time with Michael Dyer (MD of Borana) or Sam Taylor (chief conservation officer) to get an insight into the workings of the conservancy.

Originally a sheep and cattle ranch, and in the Dyer family for three generations, wildlife became the primary focus at Borana in 1992.  Today the lodge provides an idyllic setting for a safari in an area where wildlife populations are second only to those found in the Masai Mara. Activities in addition to those above number day and night game drives, riding, bush walks, and fishing. Families are welcome here and children will find enthusiastic guides, age friendly activities and fun accommodation.

Cost for a family of three travelling with a child under 12 is from £4,415.  This includes four nights' full board accommodation, safari activities and return transfers from Nairobi.

Available through Aardvark Safaris, 01980 849160 (www.aardvarksafaris.co.uk)