Insimbi Legacy Projects: Rhino Conservation

jeeksparties8
Nov 4
3 min read

When You Sign Up for a Hiking Trip That Isn’t (Apparently) About Hiking

So, this trip was booked early in the year - one of those weekends that flash by on social media and make you think, “Ooh, bucket list! Future Me will definitely love that.”

So I booked it.

Fast forward, and Present Me was (as always) questioning my decision.

Because, naturally, I hadn’t read the full event details - do I ever? - nor did I ask questions. Mostly because I try to limit how often I annoy people. (It's not working in case you were wondering.)

It was a few days before departure that I discovered this so-called “hiking weekend” involved:

A five-hour drive each way,

No actual hiking,

And, allegedly, some “education.” Yes. Education. As in, someone talking at me while I battle to absorb information and quietly die inside.

OOh, and did I mention the scorpions? Because apparently, that’s also a thing now.

Had I known all that upfront, I absolutely would’ve found at least five completely valid reasons not to go.

But am I glad I didn’t.

Finding My Travel Bud (and a Convoy)

This was my first away weekend with the Centurion Hiking Club (CHC) - a group I’ve periodically tagged along with on day hikes for a while now.

When I posted in the group chat desperately seeking a travel buddy, a kind soul volunteered.

I calmed down.

Kind of.

A few days later, the club offered a convoy option—and obviously, I jumped on that faster than you can say, “I still get lost in parking lots.”

So off we went: me, my newly acquired travel buddy, and the CHC convoy crew (a.k.a. “L Squared”) - on our way to the Insimbi Legacy Project, a rhino conservation programme tucked away in the bush.

On arrival, the staff greeted us with such warmth I almost forgot I couldn’t feel my lower back after that five-hour drive.

The Briefing: Rhinos, Rangers and a Side of 007

The briefing felt very James Bond: Safari Edition: Members of the anti-poaching unit would accompany us at all times in the bush.

No showing faces, no license plates, no location tags.

Basically, we knew nothing and were to tell no one.

Which honestly suited me fine—finally, my terrible memory was a legitimate security feature.

We climbed into the game vehicles, and rolled out for an evening drive.

Every time someone even thought about stepping out, the rangers were already out, scanning the horizon.

It felt like travelling with bodyguards - which, as it turns out, I highly recommend. (Wonder if they offer week day rates?)

Within an hour, we’d seen rhinos twice - just casually existing, majestic and unbothered.

When we stopped for sundowners by the watering hole, three rhinos appeared, on cue, perfectly framed in the golden light of the sun setting.

I’m still not convinced they weren't paid actors.

Water was boiled over an open fire for coffee - with a splash of liqueur for those who like their caffeine with courage - and as darkness settled in, I suddenly realized I’d lost track of the rhinos.

But like true professionals, they had vanished as they had first appeared ... with impeccable timing.

It all made for a surprisingly perfect start to the weekend — even if I was still waiting for the “hike” part of this “hiking weekend.”

Dinner in the Bush

When we returned, we were guided down a lantern-lit path to a surprise bush dinner.

It looked like something out of a travel documentary - candles lining a makeshift runway, a bonfire crackling, and the smell of braaied meat.

There was pap, sauce, laughter, and the kind of attention to detail that made you forget you were surrounded by things that bite, sting, or or plot your demise.

It was all very “glamping meets heritage safari.”

Then someone mentioned the after-dinner walk with the anti-poaching unit., but my bed and I have a committed relationship, and 11 p.m. was already pushing it.

The only thing standing between me and sleep? A brief scorpion bed inspection that could best be described as dramatic, yet necessary.

Besides, there was another walk planned for 6:30 a.m. - my favourite time of the day!

**The Club's resident tree expert sharing knowledge**

In Conclusion

Day 1 brought no steep climbs, no endless trails, no sweeping views.

But it turned out to be as special: an up-close look at conservation in action, proper African bush, and a reminder that sometimes saying “yes” before you overthink it leads to an amazing experience.