Rhinos: Guardians of the Grassveld

Rhinos in South Africa continue to face serious threats from poaching driven by demand for horn. Nationally, 420 rhinos were poached in 2024, a 15% drop from the previous year. Progress, though shadowed by loss. 

One of the most effective strategies has been dehorning: in a recent 7-year study across 11 reserves in the Greater Kruger region, 2,284 rhinos were dehorned in eight of those reserves, leading to a 78% drop in poaching where dehorning was in place. While these numbers show its value as a deterrent, the reality is bittersweet. Dehorning may save lives, but it also robs them of the very feature that makes them iconic. Rhinos were never meant to roam the veld without their horns ~ it's a heartbreaking reminder that human greed has forced nature to adapt unnaturally, and that it falls to human intervention to keep them safe.

Madikwe is home to both the Critically Endangered black rhino, as well as the Near Threatened white rhino. It's also one of the few reserves where rhinos still live with their horns intact. Remarkably, the reserve is also now approaching two years without a single poaching incident, a milestone that stands as a tribute to the tireless work of conservationists and anti-poaching teams on the ground. Guests who take part in rhino conservation experiences at Madikwe directly fund this effort: every ranger patrol, surveillance camera installed, and emergency response mobilised is supported in part by your stay.

For many, rhinos are more than just one of the Big Five. They are symbols of resilience and ecosystems in balance. Seeing a rhino in the wild, with all its presence and power, is a poignant reminder of what’s worth protecting. 

This World Rhino Day, we honour the life of every rhino born under our skies and the efforts of all those supporting their conservation. We share in the hope that everyone would value them for what they are, and not what they carry.

• Join a rhino conservation experience when you visit us at The Royal.
  
• Consider supporting anti-poaching, fundraising, or community outreach programmes through donations.
  
• Spread awareness where and when you can ~ talk about what rhinos mean to the wild, and why continued conservation is necessary. Because when a rhino walks with its horn intact across the veld, it's a powerful testament: that purpose and partnership can truly make a difference.