The Toyota 4x4 Conservation Outreach has reached the final stretch in its 22 day adventure. The Outreach is a joint venture between Toyota South Africa, the Game Rangers Association of Africa, the Southern Wildlife College, Peace Parks Foundation, and the Klipbokkop 4x4 academy.

The purpose of the project is to send a team of rangers and specialists to visit key conservation areas in Africa. The plan is to meet with the managers and field rangers in these areas and assess what the training, development, and management needs are.

The project is under the experienced guidance of Gerhard and Elmarie Groenewald (Klipbokkop 4x4 Academy and Conservation Outreach). The Conservation Outreach set off from the Twanana Camp in the Kruger Park and traveled to areas such as Gorongoza National Park in Mozambique, South Luangwa National Park, Lower Zambezi and the Sioma Ngwezi National Park in Zambia as well as the Chobe National Park in Botswana. Toyota South Africa and Toyota Financial Services (TFS) have generously supplied the Hilux and Fortuner vehicles required for this tough journey.

“The vehicles have never let us down throughout the 6 500km journey through some of the most remote areas of the continent,” said Groenewald, adding that he expected nothing less from the 14-strong convoy, having used Toyotas in a number of 4x4 Eco Challenges in the past five years. “We traveled on some of the worst roads I have even seen, and sometimes had to do some serious 4x4-ing, but not one of the vehicles ever faltered.”

The overall feeling is that the expedition has been a successful one. Says Theresa Sowry, Executive Manager of Training at SAWC: “The interaction with past students have been truly heartwarming and we are proud to report that the majority of our alumni have been promoted into managerial roles within the various parks upon completion of the training with the College.”

“For me, the Conservation Outreach has been fulfilling in that we achieved our ultimate goal of experiencing the challenges faced by these parks and rangers first-hand; while extending a hand of cooperation and assistance,” says Willie van Greune, Toyota’s representative ‘in the field’.

He added that the hand-over of the two Toyota sponsored Land Cruisers earmarked for the Peace Park Foundation’s Climate Change project has been one of the highlights of the trip.

Another important outcome of the project was undoubtedly the 80-odd rangers from neighbouring countries that signed up for GRAA membership. Says GRAA Chairman, Andre Botha: “The membership will be instrumental in further support and cooperation between National Parks in southern Africa, affording rangers to share knowledge and experience and finding new and innovative ways to overcome problems.

Check out the Conservation Outreach project here.