Each year, international tourism into Africa provides a critical contribution to the funding for the ongoing work of conserving national parks and wilderness areas, and protecting the wildlife within these areas. Travel and tourism is one of the single largest employers in many African countries. Many families who live in remote areas close to the boundaries of these wilderness areas, are almost entirely reliant on the salaries of family members who work at nearby safari lodges or camps. With the dramatic reduction in tourism this year, and little or no government funding to provide support, the vital funding required to support conservation work and ensure the welfare of the local communities, has reduced to a trickle.

From Thurs 4th to Sun 6th Sept, a small team of 5 guys are aiming to complete a 3 day cycle challenge, organised by one of the directors of Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge, Gonarezhou, Zimbabwe. The 300km route through the Swiss Alps includes 6 challenging mountain climbs, with a total elevation gain of 8,000m. We are raising funds for 2 causes:

1) Ride 4 Rangers is an initiative by the UK Africa Travel Industry, in partnership with conservation charity Tusk, which will see the travel industry cumulatively cycle 30,000 km - the equivalent of cycling around Africa.

The Ride 4 Rangers Challenge aims to raise funds as part of a wider fund being coordinated by Tusk and Natural State – a new initiative specifically designed to support the salaries and deployment of African Rangers during this crisis. Via Tusk all monies raised as part of Ride4Rangers will be match funded and so will double the impact on the ground. All funds raised will be distributed by Tusk across some 60 reserves and protected areas throughout Africa . The fund aims to raise and disburse US$10 million into the field over the next 6-9 months supporting over 5,000 rangers and their wider families.

2) The Mahenye Charitble Trust is a UK charity, established by directors of Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge, which seeks to support the remote Mahenye village, on the border of Gonarezhou National Park. The Trust aims to support its people and the Shangaan culture, by funding carefully selected initiatives. The Trusts’ donations over the past few months have been critical to ensure that sufficient food and medical supplies continue to reach the families in the local Mahenye community.