Personal message

A group of Running buddies got together and decided to book for the Skukuza Half Marathon.  All of us being avid nature enthusiasts are counting down the days until we get to run in the wild on the 3rd of August, 2019

Skukuza Half Marathon

A unique race run in a unique place. The Kruger Park half marathon held in and around the small staff village of Skukuza in the heartland of one of Africa's greatest wildlife refuges - the Kruger National Park.

Two hours before the start of the race a squad of rangers whose task it is to ensure the safety of all athletes during the race, travel by vehicle and on foot along the course to herd off any big game which would disrupt the race. At the same time the SAN Parks helicopter lifts off on its first flight to ensure that no elephants, rhinos and lions get too close to the route.

  With the rise of poaching, we saw it as an opportunity to raise funds and add some meaning to our half marathon.  We contacted the Sanparks Honourary Rangers and they do an amazing job with the k9 anti-poaching unit.  We will raise funds for this unit and any money donated will go straight to them!  Please give generously!  Every cent we raise will make a difference!!!  Our initial goal is to raise R1000 per KM but hope to exceed this

 Be sure to watch the youtube video ''A day in the life of a ranger's dog''

See more on the k9 unit:

Poaching in our national parks remains a major conservation challenge in South Africa. The K9 AntiPoaching Unit is considered a game changer in the Kruger National Park. During 2017, all encounters with poachers that involved dogs resulted in arrests.
Well-trained dogs, including breeds such as Belgian Shepherd (or Malinois) and Bloodhound-Doberman crossbreeds, are perfectly suited to track poachers in the field and detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through park gates. These remarkable dogs follow scents which may be hours old over impressive distances. Tracker dogs are deployed by helicopter or vehicle and operate throughout the Park.
Since its inception in 2012, the K9 Anti-Poaching Unit in the Kruger National Park has grown from 3 to 55 dogs. Following its success, the project has been extended to other national parks, with a total of 75 dogs now working across the country, playing an important role in both counter-poaching and, in certain parks, visitor safety.
An integral contributor to the success of this unit is the support of the SANParks Honorary Rangers, the official SANParks volunteer organisation. These volunteers give freely of their time and skills to foster conservation in South Africa’s national parks. Their initiatives raise the funds and support that projects such as the K9 Anti-Poaching Unit owe their existence to.
K9 PROJECT WATCHDOG NEEDS YOUR HELP.
Vaccinations, preventative medicines, optimum pet nutrition and safe, secure kennelling are paramount to ensuring a long and healthy life for these animals.
Your donation to ‘K9 Project Watchdog’ goes towards looking after these dogs to ensure that they receive care of the highest possible standard in support of the vital work they do.
Already, the project has achieved enormous success. The dogs not only provide the rangers with a loyal friend and companion, but with the benefits of their incredible scenting ability. Wherever they operate, the poaching figures drop and the arrest rate increases.
Our wish list items include: • Trained dogs • Training of handlers • Kennels • Veterinary clinics • Tracking collars • Training facilities • Retirement plans for the dogs once they’ve completed their duties. • The erection of memorials to our canine heroes lost in the line of duty

Donations