The seasons have changed and we are now officially in spring! This means rain and warmer days. However, whatever the weather the conservation volunteers had an action-packed month on Kariega Game Reserve.

The Coral trees (Erythrina lysistemon) have burst into a colourful mass of red flowers at Kariega, showing that spring is well underway in South Africa. The flowers look even more spectacular on the bare branches of the deciduous trees. The dazzling flowers make it one of the best known and widely grown trees in South Africa.

While the battle rages against the poaching of elephant and rhino's, find out why these mega-herbivores are such valuable components of conservation.

Kariega is pleased to be the custodians of a new white rhino calf born on the reserve just a few days after World Rhino Day and a few days ahead of the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos. We are fully aware of the huge responsibility that we have to keep the calf safe and protected from the scourge of rhino poaching.

Join hands in creating awareness against rhino and elephant poaching in this global march on the 4 October 2014.

At Kariega Game Reserve we'll be hard at work sharing our rich natural heritage with our guests. We'll most likely have a braai and traditional boma evening to celebrate too.

On the 2 March 2012 the rhino poaching epidemic became a reality to us at Kariega when one cow and two rhino bulls were poached on the reserve. On World Rhino Day we celebrate Thandi, and all our rhinos, and remind ourselves how important it is to raise awareness about rhino poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn.

Thanks to Paul Mills for sharing this video of Thandi, her companion and her companion's calf ahead of World Rhino Day.

The construction of our new 5-star luxury tented lodge, Settlers Drift, is going well and all is on track to open on 1 December 2014. The lodge is located in a remote part of Kariega Game Reserve with lovely views of the Bushman's River. The area is home to abundant wildlife and birds.

The poaching of three rhinos at Kariega Game Reserve in March 2012, their amazing courage and Thandi's incredible survival inspired trail runner Sian O'Keeffe to take action. He decided to start a trail run, called the Rhino Run, to raise funds and awareness for the plight of our rhino.