Real Africa is delighted to announce its partnership with conservation charity Save the Rhino International (registered charity 1035072) and the launch of their #RealRhinos campaign to highlight the plight of rhino in the wild and raise vital funds towards rhino conservation.

Real Africa, a UK based independent safari specialist with conservation at the heart of its ethos,  will be raising money for programmes supported by Save the Rhino, as well as raising awareness about the plight of rhinos in the wild by attending consumer shows, organising special fund-raising events and selling raffle tickets to win a conservation safari.

The #RealRhinos campaign aims to raise £15,000 by February 2017. 50% of money raised will go towards the anti-poaching Rhino Dog Squads working to protect rhino in Kenya and supported by Save the Rhino, the other 50% of money raised will go to the charities core fund and be directed to where it is most needed.

• Special event: 'Close Encounters' with Benedict Allen at London's Royal Geographical Society, 2 November 2016

Real Africa will celebrate its 16th Anniversary with a fund-raising evening in aid of Save the Rhino held at the Royal Geographical Society, London on Wednesday 2 November 2016. Special guest and Save the Rhino patron, Benedict Allen, author, TV presenter and explorer will deliver a talk about his 'Close Encounters' before a panel of rhino experts, including Save the Rhino Director, Cathy Dean and anti-poaching dog trainer, Darryl Pleasants from animalssavinganimals.org, share their own close encounters along with an in-depth look at rhino conservation and the latest developments in the field.

Tickets are £15-£25 and can be purchased from 1 September via Ticket Source.

• #RealRhinos Raffle

Tickets for the #RealRhinos Raffle in aid of Save the Rhino can be purchased for £1 each. The first prize is a luxurious safari to Kenya and a first-hand experience of rhino conservation. The lucky winner and their guest will have the chance to join an exercise with the Dog Squad protecting the rhino of Lewa and Borana conservancies. The safari prize for two includes all flights and transfers and stays at two luxurious safari lodges  – Borana on the private Borana Conservancy in beautiful Laikipia, known for its commitment to conservation,  and The Emakoko which sits within Nairobi National Park and has a successful breeding population of black rhino.

Raffle tickets can be purchased in person at the shows and events Real Africa attend; online via a donation to their JustGiving page or by text donation – text REAL10 £1 or REAL10 £5 to 70070 and send your name and contact details to raffle@realafrica.co.uk to claim your raffle e-tickets.

• Other ways to support the #RealRhinos campaign – shop at the Real World Store or book a safari in the knowledge you are contributing to rhino conservation

Real Africa via its Real World Store sell a range of merchandise in aid of the conservation charities they support, including Tshirts, premium coffee, cuddly rhinos and beautiful solid silver rhino pendants. Nett profits are donated to their nominated charities, for example 25% of the Save the Rhino Tshirt cost is donated to the #RealRhinos Save the Rhino campaign pot.

Real Africa also offer specific tailormade rhino conservation safari modules which can be incorporated within a longer safari and are designed to give you a more in depth, behind the scenes experience. You can visit rhino conservation projects in both Kenya and South Africa - examples below.  

Real Africa is also offering an exclusive 3 for 2 night stay at Borana Lodge for anyone booking by 31 March 2017.

On behalf of anyone booking a 'rhino safari module' the Real Africa Trust will make a £50 per person donation to Save the Rhino.

Borana Lodge - 3 for 2 exclusive offer

Ol Pejeta Rhino Experience and the Masai Mara safari offer

Wild Kenya Safari offer

Cape, Garden Route and Shamwari Rhino Safari 

• Rhinos – facts and figures

Rhinos were once found throughout Euroasia and Afria but their numbers have dropped dramatically due to human activities. Today very few rhinos survive outside protected areas.

It is estimated that the world population is less than 30,000 rhino. This number incorporates all 5 species including the Southern White Rhino, the most populous species, found in Africa, attributing around 85% of the world's population and the critically endangered Black Rhino, also found in Africa. The other three species are found in Asia - both the Javan and Sumatran Rhino are critically endangered while the Greater One Horned Rhino has a vulnerable status.

Habitat loss, political conflict and illegal poaching for rhino horn are the main threats to rhino. Poaching has increased in recent years, driven by the demand for rhino horn,  prized as a status symbol and used in traditional Chinese medicine. In fact the rhino horn is little more than keratin, just like our hair and nails with absolutely no proven restorative qualities.

Save the Rhino International works to protect all five species of rhino through a great range of field programmes and education initiatives. These include investment in anti-poaching squads, demand reduction campaigns and conservation activities.

ENDS.