Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel Celebrates World Rhino Day on 22 September

Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel will mark World Rhino Day with a special "Dining for the Horn" bush dinner, offering guests an exclusive look into the hotel's long-standing rhino conservation efforts. This dining experience will be hosted by Picket Chabwedzeka, the reserve's Game Reserve Manager, and will highlight the urgent need to protect these iconic animals and celebrate the tireless work of those on the front lines of conservation.

The Black Rhino Once abundant across sub-Saharan Africa, black rhinos now teeter on the edge of extinction. Poaching decimated 96% of their population between 1970 and 1990. Today, with only 3,142 mature individuals remaining, according to the IUCN Red List, their survival depends on urgent, hands-on protection.

These species are both symbols of Africa’s wild heritage and vital beings in the ecosystem. They shape landscapes by grazing on vegetation (controlling growth), creating waterholes and fertilising the soil. To lose them would be to lose an integral part of our planet’s natural order.

Conserving the Future of Rhinos in Zimbabwe Just beyond the mist of Victoria Falls, Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel is quietly leading a powerful conservation story. At its centre stands Picket Chabwedzeka, Game Reserve Manager and guardian of the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve.

Each morning, before the sun crests the horizon, Picket and his team set out. They track and monitor rhinos twice daily. They navigate the reserve, observing movement, identifying threats, and safeguarding a fragile balance.

With a deep knowledge of the bush, Picket’s work extends far beyond protection. He plays a fundamental role in scientific research, and he works with local communities to promote wildlife stewardship. When guests of the hotel join a game drive, he inspires them with his knowledge of, and commitment to, the rhinos on the land.

The reserve is home to the Big Five, as well as the elusive pangolin and rare roan antelope. But the black rhino remains its most precious resident, and thanks to the tireless efforts of Picket and his team, their numbers are slowing rebounding. 

Two Decades of Successful Breeding

Launched in 2006, the reserve’s black rhino breeding programme is the only one of its kind in the region. Starting with just three rhinos, the population trebled. Next year, the reserve will welcome a new breeding bull and other rhinos will be relocated to bolster other national parks and to strengthen the genetic resilience of the population.

From collecting dung samples for DNA testing to leading anti-poaching patrols and spearheading research, every detail is handled with dedication. Due to Picket’s stewardship, there have been no poaching incidents in a decade.

A Shared Responsibility This World Rhino Day, the hotel honours the resilience of these magnificent creatures and the quiet heroes safeguarding their future. The "Dining for the Horn" event will allow guests to learn directly about conservation efforts and the impact of their stay. Every reservation at Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel directly supports the survival of one of Africa’s most endangered animals.

By keeping nature wild, we enrich our world, and protecting the rhinos is a crucial part of that mission.

For more information about conservation at Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel, please contact stanley.livingstone@anantara.com

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