Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape has opened The Ian Player Rhino Awareness Centre, launched as part of the Forever Wild campaign.

The Shamwari Group joined forces with the Wilderness Foundation’s Forever Wild campaign earlier this year to help raise awareness and funds for the endangered rhino. As part of the initiative, guests at the Shamwari properties who donate R100 per person per night will receive a special rate of *R3 500 per person per night sharing. The Shamwari Group will donate R500 to the Wilderness Foundation for every room night sold.

The centre, which is currently only open for Shamwari guests, can be found at the Shamwari offices and has been created to educate and inform about the growing epidemic of rhino poaching in South Africa. It has also been created to complement the Born Free Foundation and Rehabilitation Centre at the reserve.

At the launch on June 7, a cheque for R182 800 was presented by the Shamwari Group to the Wilderness Foundation. The money will be used by the Wilderness Foundation to raise public awareness on the rhino poaching crisis. Dr Ian Player, founder of the Wilderness Foundation and guest of honour, presented a short talk expressing his life passion for the conservation of rhinos.

The Wilderness Foundation also unveiled nine unique rhino displays at the launch. Each display has a powerful message and has been designed for the purpose of educating guests on rhino conservation and the poaching issues facing South Africa and South Africans.

Volkswagen has also come on board and donated six VW Amarok bakkies to the Wilderness Foundation. One was given to Indalo, an Eastern Cape Private Nature Reserve Association that has been active in the fight against rhino poaching.

A donation box will be placed on site for anyone who wishes to contribute towards the Forever Wild Campaign and all proceeds will go to the Wilderness Foundation.

Shamwari also said that in the near future, it would expand awareness centre to include a comprehensive paleontological section.