The outreach can also be followed on Facebook & Twitter.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Toyota Enviro Outreach
Although the name has changed to Toyota Enviro Outreach, the mission hasn't. Please visit http://www.toyotaoutreach.com for this year's Outreach into Zimbabwe & Malawi.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Letter of Thanks to Goodyear
Mr. Myles Dent
Manager: Marketing & Promotions
Goodyear South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Dear Myles
On behalf of the Africa Committee of the Game Rangers Association of Africa, I would like to thank you for your substantial support of the inaugural Toyota 4x4 Conservation Outreach that took place during August 2008.
The Game Rangers Association of Africa realized a long-time dream with the Outreach becoming reality and this would not have been possible without the generous support of Goodyear. Apart from establishing contact with rangers in the field, we were also able to expand our membership base in Africa by almost 10%. With only two flat tyres during the entire 6000km journey, the Outreach also proved the durability and reliability and was certainly a great endorsement of the quality of tyres that you produce.
We look forward to continue this very successful partnership with you in future.
Warm regards
André Botha
CHAIRMAN
Game Rangers Association of Africa.
Manager: Marketing & Promotions
Goodyear South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Dear Myles
On behalf of the Africa Committee of the Game Rangers Association of Africa, I would like to thank you for your substantial support of the inaugural Toyota 4x4 Conservation Outreach that took place during August 2008.
The Game Rangers Association of Africa realized a long-time dream with the Outreach becoming reality and this would not have been possible without the generous support of Goodyear. Apart from establishing contact with rangers in the field, we were also able to expand our membership base in Africa by almost 10%. With only two flat tyres during the entire 6000km journey, the Outreach also proved the durability and reliability and was certainly a great endorsement of the quality of tyres that you produce.We look forward to continue this very successful partnership with you in future.
Warm regards
André Botha
CHAIRMAN
Game Rangers Association of Africa.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Letter of Thanks from the SAWC
Dear Ferdi
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The Southern African Wildlife College would like to take this opportunity in thanking Toyota SA for the support and sponsorship given to the Conservation Outreach 2008. This outreach was made possible because of very generous Toyota sponsorship.
The SAWC management has always dreamt of visiting past students and witnessing firsthand the effect that the College is having on conservation in Africa. This dream was made a reality thanks to your support. Not only did we meet with 26 students from 13 different conservation areas encompassing 4 different countries, but we realized that the work done at the SAWC has far-reaching results. A total of 24 of these 26 students have been promoted to management positions subsequent to their training at SAWC. People’s lives have been changed, both personally and professionally. A big thank you to you for giving me the chance to see this!
Conservation training needs were also identified during the conservation outreach. It was very evident that training is urgently needed in the management of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA’s) and managing human-wildlife conflict. It was interesting to see the difference in management between South African wildlife areas and those areas elsewhere in Africa. No fences around Parks mean that people have to find a way to live with wildlife. This is being done relatively successfully, but an increase in human population size means that more human-wildlife conflict will occur around the protected areas. Managing this ‘buffer zone’ will require a very special set of skills, and the SAWC will now develop the courses to address these needs.
It was a privilege to spend 3 weeks with such an enthusiastic team of people. The support team was second to none. The food was always delicious and very nutritious. The vehicles were superb. Only two flat tires in 3 weeks in the whole of the vehicle fleet was impressive by anyone’s standards!
Once again a big heartfelt thank you,
Kindest of Regards,
Theresa Sowry
Executive Manager – Southern African Wildlife College
.JPG)
The Southern African Wildlife College would like to take this opportunity in thanking Toyota SA for the support and sponsorship given to the Conservation Outreach 2008. This outreach was made possible because of very generous Toyota sponsorship.The SAWC management has always dreamt of visiting past students and witnessing firsthand the effect that the College is having on conservation in Africa. This dream was made a reality thanks to your support. Not only did we meet with 26 students from 13 different conservation areas encompassing 4 different countries, but we realized that the work done at the SAWC has far-reaching results. A total of 24 of these 26 students have been promoted to management positions subsequent to their training at SAWC. People’s lives have been changed, both personally and professionally. A big thank you to you for giving me the chance to see this!
Conservation training needs were also identified during the conservation outreach. It was very evident that training is urgently needed in the management of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA’s) and managing human-wildlife conflict. It was interesting to see the difference in management between South African wildlife areas and those areas elsewhere in Africa. No fences around Parks mean that people have to find a way to live with wildlife. This is being done relatively successfully, but an increase in human population size means that more human-wildlife conflict will occur around the protected areas. Managing this ‘buffer zone’ will require a very special set of skills, and the SAWC will now develop the courses to address these needs.
It was a privilege to spend 3 weeks with such an enthusiastic team of people. The support team was second to none. The food was always delicious and very nutritious. The vehicles were superb. Only two flat tires in 3 weeks in the whole of the vehicle fleet was impressive by anyone’s standards!
Once again a big heartfelt thank you,
Kindest of Regards,
Theresa Sowry
Executive Manager – Southern African Wildlife College
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Day 19: Wrapping up
Conservation Outreach Team
Debriefing time!
The “Outreach Song”, written, composed and sang by Bryan Havemann, National Director of Conservation WESSA
With our trusted and reliable Garmin GPS guiding us through Africa, as the sun rises over Botswana
Distance travelled on the outreach: 5482.4km driving 91 hours and 28 minutes!
We travelled 5482.4km on this outreach driving a massive 91 hours and 28 minutes in the Toyota Vehicles, officially tracked by Garmin, our GPS of choice on-road and off-road!
Thursday morning was time for final debriefing as the team discussed the Outreach and the successes and goals we have achieved. Each team member shared and it was remarkable to hear everyone’s comments & observations.
We finished off our meeting with Bryan Havemann singing the ‘Outreach Song’ that he wrote and composed on the trip.
After the final packing up, it was time to say goodbye, but we all left with expectation and excitement for what has taking place and what will take place in the future with the Toyota 4x4 Conservation Outreach!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Arriving back at Kruger National Park
We travelled a staggering 1165km from 04:50 (Botswana) until 19:45 to arrive here at Twanana in Kruger National Park. Everyone is delighted to be back here.
We'll try to update photos tomorrow amidst the final packing and departure.
We'll try to update photos tomorrow amidst the final packing and departure.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Day 18: Final Day
Our final meeting of the Conservation Outreach
Pieter Klerk admiring the view
Farewell to the swamps of Botswana
Final sunset in Botswana
As expected the hippos came to graze very close to our tents around 02:00 this morning. Most of us watched from the comfort of our tents as the hippos walked past. A wonderful experience!
We travelled on thick sand roads through the Mopani Forest from Moremi Reserve to be in time for our final meetings in Maun. It was a very exciting day for the SAWC because we met with a Maun delegation of past students comprising 5 individuals (expected only 2!) that range from the District Head to Senior Wildlife Officers. All students which had done the long-term courses at the College had been promoted after their training. Training needs identified were once again Human Wildlife Conflict, CBNRM and Trans Frontier Conservation Management. The Moremi Ecological system is part of the new TFCA comprising 5 different countries, namely, Botswana, Angola, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe and therefore the identified TFC training will be of huge benefit to such managers.
During the afternoon we met with the Botswana Wildlife Training institute (BWTI) and initiated discussions for further collaboration between BWTI & SAWC. This meeting was extremely beneficial and hopes to culminate in a formal memorandum of mutual understanding in the near future.
This was the final day of work for the hugely successful Toyota Conservation Outreach 2008. We will leave early tomorrow morning to make our way back to Twanana at Kruger National Park.
We will spend the next 2 days travelling with our last evening together being tomorrow night! Thank you for following the outreach with us. Reports will be posted on the website as soon as we analysed the results of the Outreach.
A big thank you to all our supporters making this Outreach a reality and a big success!
Day 17: En route to Moremi Game Reserve
Interview with Marius Fuls, Reserve Manager for Exxaro Wildlife Division
6000 kilometres of African Bush and still going strong
3 weeks of ice cold drinks! Thanks National Luna!
Preparing for afternoon coffee
Enjoying the final hours of sunlight
Most people were awake this morning around 02:00 when a honey badger dragged one of our trash bags through the camp making a bit of a noise! The night before we had elephants and buffaloes visiting us, with the calls of lions and hyenas in the background.
We left at 06:00. It's amazing that we always leave on time. We only need 90 minutes to pack up everything and that is at a fairly leisurely pace.
The road we travelled today was mostly in sand, and some tracks were well worn, making it very bumpy! But what a small price to pay to see a spectacular sunrise, stunning scenery and lots of game.
We are currently camping just outside the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, right on the river. While putting up camp, the hippos very nonchalantly swam past us, with everyone speculating which tent would be in the path of the hippos!
Tomorrow we will meet with students and park officials again and hopefully fit in a flight over the delta.
Please remember to send messages of support via satellite sms or comment on our website by clicking on comments at the bottom of each post!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Day 16: Chobe National Park
Intensive talks & Cobus doing what he does best!
Eish! they say I have to work!
Hope the food smells better
“Die plek het baie diere”
The one you can trust
That’s why I shave my beard!
One day I will remember everything!
Eendag gaan ek ook so groot wees!
One day I will be able to handle this with my hands!
We had a very good meeting with Obert Gwapela, Principal Wildlife Officer Kasane about Chobe National Park. It was exciting to see the two sides bring their experiences to the table, with the SANParks members being able to see early warning signs to some potential problems which they learned and solved the hard way. Both parties saw the need for better cooperation and networking. Obert joined the GRAA following in the footsteps of the current President of Botswana, a long time GRAA member.
We are currently on the final leg of the Conservation Outreach and will continue our journey in Botswana leaving for the biggest delta in the world. More about this tomorrow.
Please remember to send messages of support via satellite sms or comment on our website by clicking on comments at the bottom of each post!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Day 15: Arriving at Chobe National Park
Crossing the Zambezi for the last time
Paparazzi
We can’t swim
Toyota, lead the way.
Eish, this broadcast doesn’t work!
Jacques, Johan & Hendrik
Arriving at Chobe National Park
I’m not a people person
Our first night at Chobe
A photographer's dream
After the 4 days in Livingstone, the team was a bit slow off the mark to get the camp packed up, but we left in good time under the official ZAWA Escort to the border to cross over into Botswana. The visit to Livingstone was a huge success!
With the help of Steven, the ZAWA (Zambia Wildlife Authority) official, we crossed the border in good time, with all our vehicles getting on the ferry. Thank you ZAWA for making our outreach into Zambia a memorable and very successful one, till the very last moment!!
Our 125 kilometre journey took us to Chobe National Park and upon entering we saw hundreds upon hundreds of elephants! A spectacular sight, especially with the breathtaking sunset as a backdrop!
We all very excited to be here and looking forward to meeting with more students and more rangers:
Please remember to send messages of support via satellite sms or comment on our website by clicking on comments at the bottom of each post!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Day 14: Leisure day in Livingstone
Our able kitchen team (from left, Frank Carlisle, Jocelyn Oelofse, Gwenet Constantinides, Griselda de Witt, Wilna van Greunen, Elmarie Groenewald)
Great minds think alike (Willie van Greunen and Steven Malungo, Park Warden)
Cobus Bester interviewing Bryan Havemann of WESSA at the Victoria Falls
Oom Willie sit die pot mis...
... maar behou sy naam
Next Thursday the rhinoceros will be joined by 4 more!
We bid the Falls farewell for the last time.
The Park Warden, Steven Malungo showed us one of his treasures
The lady and her husband who make things work! Thanks to the Wildlife College
Fuel is still a problem in Zimbabwe!
Z$8 trillion buy you some eggs!
Maybe there is still some law & order in Africa?
Today was a leisurely day with everyone doing different things from visiting Zimbabwe, white water rafting to High Tea at the Royal Livingstone Hotel!
We had a wonderful few days here in Livingstone and will leave tomorrow for Botswana, officially escorted by the Park Warden. A brilliant end to a fantastic visit to Zambia!
We received an SMS today about paying bribes at the border posts. No bribes have been paid on this trip or any of the previous trips. With a lot patience and friendliness border posts are bearable! It’s absolutely no reason to stay away from these beautiful countries.
Please remember to send messages of support via satellite sms or comment on our website by clicking on comments at the bottom of each post!
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