Like most travelers, one of the items on my bucket list has always been to take an African Safari so I can see the Big Five (Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos and Buffalo) in the wild.  Unfortunately, I might have waited too long.

Anyone with an interest in animals has heard of the poaching problems in many parts of Africa.  According to Green Global Travel, “Africa is losing an average of 5 Lions per day, 5 Elephants per hour, and a Rhino (whose horn is currently valued at around $65,000 per kg) every 7 hours in South Africa alone.”  It’s gotten to the point where trucks of armed guards roam the parks hunting the hunters in order to protect these precious animals.

The white rhino, through intensive conservation efforts, has recovered from the brink of extinction and there are now an estimated 20,000 of them in the wild – though many of them are in South Africa, which is experiencing an upsurge in poaching.  The black rhino, on the other hand, is not doing so well.  With only an estimated 5,000 left in the wild, unless something is done, it is only a matter of time before these amazing creatures are only found in Zoos.

Enter Rhinos Without Borders.  Their goal is to relocate 100 rhinos from South Africa to Botswana, which has fewer poaching problems, to develop a new breeding ground and hopefully save the population.  Unfortunately the cost of each relocation is $45,000.  Travelers Building Change is helping to sponsor a single move.  To date they’ve raised over $10,000 towards that goal, and you can help!  By making a donation through Travelers Building Change, not only can you help save these amazing creatures, you can win some amazing prizes.  More than 20 travel companies have donated over $30,000 in goods and services that you will have a chance of taking home!  The minimum donation to win a prize is $20 but if that is too rich for your blood, you can donate directly through Rhinos Without Borders for a minimum of $1.

I personally think someone should also start a kickstarter for this so if someone does, let me know!

Read what other bloggers have to say about the project (If your post isn’t listed, put it in the comments and I will add it):