GKEPF vet, Gunter Nowak, and ceo, sharon haussmann, inspect the ear of a tranquillised rhino prior to attaching a tracking device @ cathan moore

What’s Going on in African Rhino Conservation?

Published on 27 September 2024, Last updated on 14 April 2025.

By Andrew Hofmeyr in African Animals & Conservation.

Rhino conservation in Africa is a tough battle, but there’s progress. Thanks to anti-poaching efforts and rewilding projects, populations of African rhinoceros are slowly bouncing back. Countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa are stepping up, using everything from drones to dehorning to keep rhinos safe. It’s not a done deal yet, but with ongoing support and some serious determination, there’s hope for these incredible creatures.

Kenyan Government

The northern white rhino population plummeted from 500 in the 1970s to just 15. Despite a brief recovery in 2003, only four remained by 2006, all in Garamba National Park, where war and unrest fuelled poaching.

Kenya is ramping up efforts to prevent the extinction of the critically endangered northern white rhino, with only two females remaining, both under constant protection at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, this is the front line of rhino conservation

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano announced significant scientific advancements in using in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to save the species.

The BioRescue team has harvested 29 oocytes, sent to Italy for maturation and fertilisation with sperm from Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, who died in 2018. Additionally, Kenya is strengthening anti-poaching measures by deploying new technologies, such as drones, and increasing law enforcement personnel.

Sudan, captured from the wild in 1975, was the last male northern white rhino. Despite intensive care, he was euthanized in March 2018 due to a severe leg infection. He fathered Najin and Nabire.

The country hosts 1,890 African rhinos, including 966 black rhinos, making it the third-largest rhino population in the world after South Africa and Namibia.

Kenya is also home to 80% of the eastern black rhino subspecies, spread across eight national parks and reserves, with over half residing in the Laikipia region.

The government continues to protect wildlife through robust laws and international agreements, such as CITES, to ensure the survival of these iconic species.

Ol Pejeta is not only an excellent rhino safari destination, but also one of the best places in East Africa to support rhino conservation in Africa.

Hluhluwe takes drastic measures for rhino conservation success

In the early 20th century, South Africa's white rhino population dropped to just 10, while black rhinos numbered 110 by 1933. Thanks to conservation efforts at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, both species have made a recovery, with the park playing a crucial role in breeding and protecting these African rhinos.

The mass dehorning of African rhinos in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, KwaZulu-Natal, has led to an 80% reduction in poaching since the initiative began in April 2024.

This ongoing effort is a collaboration between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Wildlife ACT, Save the Rhino International and Zululand Wildlife Vets.

In the 1950s-60s, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and Dr. Ian Player launched "Operation Rhino," saving white rhinos from extinction through successful breeding efforts. By 1960, the black rhino population also recovered to 100,000, marking a major conservation milestone in South Africa.

So far, approximately 120 rhinos have been dehorned, and eight orphaned calves have been rescued after their mothers were killed. According to Cooke, the dehorning is a temporary solution, giving the park time to develop more sustainable anti-poaching strategies.

By the end of 2023, the park had already lost about 300 rhinos, and projections indicated that without the intervention, the number could have reached nearly 400 by this year. The initiative has been a crucial step in protecting the remaining rhino population while long-term conservation solutions are pursued.

Rhino safaris to Hluluwe-iMfolozi National Park are a great way to support rhino conservation in Africa.

7-Day Kruger, Hluhluwe & St Lucia South Africa Budget Safari

What Tanzania has been doing right in rhino conservation?

Tanzania has reported a significant increase in its black rhino population, rising from 162 in 2015 to 263 in 2024.

The black rhino population in Tanzania dropped from about 10,000 in the 1960s to fewer than 200 due to relentless poaching, especially in the mid-2010s. The black rhino is the only rhino species found in Tanzania.

This rhino conservation achievement, announced by Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Dr. Pindi Chana on World Rhino Day, is credited to successful anti-poaching and conservation efforts.

The government's initiatives, including collaboration with the Global Environment Facility and the implementation of a national anti-poaching strategy for 2023-2033, focus on strengthening enforcement, enhancing international cooperation, and involving communities in wildlife conservation.

This positive trend in successful rhino conservation is expected to boost Tanzania’s tourism sector, which contributes 17% to the country's GDP and 25% of its foreign exchange earnings. Dr. Hassan Abbasi, the permanent secretary, noted that safari tourism has created jobs for over two million people, with foreign earnings reaching $3.6 billion and international tourist numbers increasing to 1.9 million in the past year. Rhino safaris to see the African rhinoceros are a part of these impressive figures.

The recovery of the black rhino population is especially notable, given the species’ sharp decline from around 10,000 in the 1960s to fewer than 200 due to poaching. The government calls for continued public support to sustain rhino conservation efforts and protect this endangered species.

The best place to see black rhino in Tanzania is in the Ngorongoro Crater

GKEPF vet, Gunter Nowak, carefully guides a sedated rhino to a translocation crate @ cathan moore by Cathan Moore

African Parks get serious about boosting African rhino populations

In 2023 African Parks purchased 2,000 white rhinos from an intensive rhino breeding farm, Platinum Rhino. Now they are leading one of the largest African rhino translocation efforts in history. You can be a part of this landmark rhino conservation effort.

White rhinos play a vital role in combating climate change by shaping and restoring Africa's grasslands and savannahs. As megaherbivores, their grazing promotes plant diversity, prevents destructive wildfires, and creates open spaces that benefit other species. Grassland ecosystems act as significant carbon sinks, capable of storing up to 75% of the carbon that forests can store in the same area.

Capture team guiding rhino towards transport crate 2024 gkepf translocation by Michael Dexter

African Parks is leading the largest multi-national wildlife translocation in history through Rhino Rewild, a 10-year initiative to rewild 2,000 southern white rhinos in protected areas across Africa.

So far, 160 African rhinos have been relocated to safe areas in southern Africa, and the goal is to rewild 300 annually.

You can help support this crucial rhino conservation effort at any level, including covering the full translocation cost of a rhino and having your name placed on a rhino crate.

Though the exact locations are not released for obvious reasons, 120 of these rhinos have been moved to areas that border the western edge of the Kruger National Park into privately owned parks known as the Greater Kruger National Park.

Rhino and calf in greater kruger sabi sands

Take a rhino safari to Greater Kruger for a chance to see white rhinos in their ideal habitat

Choose a rhino safari and be a part of rhino conservation

Rhino conservation is vital for protecting Africa's rhinos from poaching and habitat loss. Thanks to dedicated efforts, African rhinoceros populations are slowly recovering. Rhino safaris raise awareness and funding, helping preserve these iconic species for future generations to experience in their natural habitats.

Contact one of our experienced safari consultants and start planning your rhino safari today.

Andrew Hofmeyr Senior Safari Blogger

Andrew Hofmeyr is a seasoned travel writer with over 10 years of experience. He’s travelled widely in Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe, with favourites including Bali, the Drakensberg, and the Amatole Mountains. His writing covers conservation, wildlife, and travel advice, with work featured in Wild Magazine and the Kingdom of Eswatini Tourism. He also conducts insightful interviews with global experts.

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