Karongwe Private Game Reserve: White Rhino and Calf Grazing

We found a southern white rhinoceros mother and her calf grazing in the bush as the sun set in the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa. The southern white rhino is the largest of the five living species of rhinoceros with bulls weighing an average of 4,400 - 5,100 lbs and the cows an average of 3,500 - 3,800 lbs.
While there is a relative abundance of southern white rhinos, the northern white rhino is critically endangered. It is reported to be extinct in the wild and only two females remain at a sanctuary in East Africa.
Our guide said that rhinos of all types are vulnerable to poaching since they are relatively unaggressive and have very poor eyesight. They are prized for their horns used in traditional Asian medicine. To reduce incidents of poaching and help save the rhinos, park officials anesthetize the rhinos, cut off their horns, and release them back into the wild. In South Africa, rhino poaching can carry sentences of 12-15 years in prison.
This experience was part of The Great Southern African Safari organized by G Adventures working in partnership with National Geographic Expeditions.
You can read about the technical aspects of this trip in the 'Tech on Travel - The Africa Edition' blog post by Allison Sheridan at
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