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Please be a part of this incredible recognition and VOTE!

AFAR Traveler’s Choice Awards 2019 Finalist Nomination – Ulwazi Volunteer & Research Programme.

We are extremely excited to announce that Thanda’s research organisation – Ulwazi – has been nominated in the AFAR Outfitter Category (subcategory: Travel for Good) with just 7 other companies, and alongside the well known and established AltuVistas and Intrepid Travel.

Get it touch to find out more!

 

As we all know, these magnificent creatures have been facing a plight of poaching for many years, however in efforts to deter the unnecessary slaughter of our beloved rhinos we actively de-horn where needed.

The rhino horn is made of keratin which is the same material as fingernails or hair and holds no medicinal value at all. The horn grows from a growth plate and can be ‘trimmed’ multiple times throughout its life.

 

Everything seems to have things to do and places to be!

We have had a lovely bit of rain in the last few days and oh has it energised the bush!!

Termites have taken flight, bees are harvesting pollen, birds are drying their wings and millipedes are moving house!

The roads also take a beating when the rain comes down heavily, with fine clay-like soil it becomes muddy and easily washes away. Being a part of the Ulwazi team we assist in combatting soil erosion and learning new methods of road maintenance.

Come get your hands dirty! if you would like to join us for our one of our 2019 courses, ask us how!

 

 

 

Summer is certainly here, temperature is hovering around 40 degrees Celsius and it’s not even noon!

This beauty dagga** boy has got the right idea. Elephant, rhino and warthog here at Thana will wallow in the mud to protect their sensitive skin from the harsh sun and any biting flies that may accompany that heat.

An important role for the wildlife team and volunteers is recording rain capture data. This is imperative to understand when we can intervene if the water holes become to dry. The rain data is also important to communicate to the guides at Thanda as many of the roads here are un-drivable in 10mm of rain!

This is one of many new rain meters our team is placing around Thanda to record and assess rainfall data.

Top photo: Amanda Lessard
Bottom photo: Marianna Venter

**Dagga boy is a term used for solitary bull buffalo that have been pushed from the main herd. Sometimes they join together in small numbers. Dagga is a term for mud.   (umdaka- in Zulu)

Please contact us at ulwazi@thanda.co.za if you have any enquiries.