As an integral part of the African Experience trip Diana hosts every year, active participation in a field rhino dehorning is the highlight.  All hands are on deck, from monitoring movement of the herd, right down to being in the chase vehicle to prep the sedated rhino chosen for dehorning, blood work, and research.  While no one wants to remove the horn from the rhino in nature, doing so increases their chance of survival by 85%.  Rhino’s biggest and most dangerous predator is the poacher.  By removing the valuable horn, it can take away the value poacher’s place on a rhino.

Mankwe Reserve in the North West Province of South Africa and hosts the annual trips.  Mankwe is an ecology research-based reserve that works with scientists, university students, and conservation groups.

Small reserves like Mankwe are the heart and soul of conservation.  Mankwe is run by Dougal and Lynne Mactavish, a father and daughter team who are legendary in their fierce protectiveness of their resident species and all of the endangered animals across South Africa.
Researchers are able to study animals in their natural habitat for a better look at increasing longevity and survival of disappearing species. They focus on education and conservation, opening their reserve to university students and conservationists alike.