Run Wild for Rhinos Wraps Up!

Run Wild for Rhinos

Sharon Jessop set off on World Rhino Day, 22 September 2021, on a massive journey to raise awareness and funds for rhino conservation as well as the raising awareness for the plight of communities affected by extended lockdowns and retrenchments in the tourism industry.

This 21 day ±550km journey was also Sharon’s contribution to the “OLLIMove” for the One Land Love It (OLLI) Foundation. The run started from the Mantis Founders Lodge, where it all began for wildlife conservation and tourism in the Eastern Cape due to Adrian Gardiner’s ambitious task to rewild the region to what it once was and also included Amakhala Game Reserve, Kwandwe Game Reserve, Great Fish Nature Reserve, Buffalo Kloof Safaris, Sibuya Game Reserve, Kariega Game Reserve, Lalibela Game Reserve, Shamwari Game Reserve, Addo Elephant Park and finished at the Hopewell Conservation Estate just outside Port Elizabeth. Sharon was on the road for 21 full days, all in the name of doing what she loves: promoting tourism and conservation.

“On this journey I’ve met the most incredible people and seen the most beautiful places and wild spaces, I’ve also realised that South Africans are resilient and a beautiful nation, and we will recover. We also have a duty and responsibility to ensure that we protect our natural heritage, our rhinos so that their living legacy remains intact.” concludes Sharon. This may mark the end of this run – but only the start of much bigger plans. The entire journey was captured on film and many role players interviewed.

Sharon will be producing a documentary for television which will be aired early in 2022. The war against poaching and poverty is nowhere near over, and at the time of going to press South Africa have just been removed off the red list by the United Kingdom and we can only hope that the tourists will return shortly. “In the meantime, I implore all South Africans to come to the Eastern Cape and treat yourself and your family to a weekend, a week, or a longer holiday traversing our amazing game reserves. Not only are you treating yourself, but you are contributing to conservation and to creating much needed jobs.” Says Sharon.

Should you wish to contribute to this campaign and support rhino conservation, simply go to www.sharonjessop.co.za/donate and do your bit.