BMW Motorrad Ride for Rhinos
To benefit anti-poaching efforts, Alex Jackson and a group of riders on various models of BMW GS motorcycles have set off on a trip covering more than 5000 km throughout South Africa.
The inaugural Ride for Rhinos tour took place back in 2017 where Alex and six other riders, rode 5,574 km to raise funds and awareness for anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park. With the first trip successfully raising more than R264 000, Alex and his fellow riders once again set off on the 4th of August 2019. The trip will have four riders taking part on BMW F 750 GS, F 850 GS and R 1250 GS models provided by BMW Motorrad South Africa. The trip started in the north of South Africa and will conclude in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga after passing through Kuruman, Springbok, Cape Agulhas, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant Park, Port St Johns, Port Shepstone and the Kruger National Park.
“Alex and Ride for Rhinos have previously been shown to have a considerable impact on rhino anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park. As BMW Motorrad South Africa, we have assured our sponsorship of the motorcycles, as well as the donation of R111 000 to the Ride for Rhino fund (in lieu of the cost of hiring the motorcycles), will bolster the conservation efforts of the team. We wish them well on this exciting journey!” Edgar Kleinbergen, General Manager: BMW Motorrad South Africa.
BMW Group South Africa has been supporting similar causes for some time, one of which is the Rhino Orphanage which in August 2018 received the keys to a BMW X3 from Tim Abbott, CEO of BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Rhino Orphanage specialises in caring and rehabilitating injured baby rhinos to release them back into the wild.
Alex Jackson will be posting updates on the tour on his Instagram account @Kaapstadtours even though the entire tour is being filmed for broadcast in 2019 on the Travel Channel’s World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides.
“Since I started travelling across southern Africa by motorcycle in 1998, Ride for Rhinos has, by far, been one of the most rewarding ‘jobs’ I have ever had. Having the support of BMW Motorrad South Africa on this year’s Ride makes the experience that much more meaningful since I am comforted to know we are not alone in our fight against rhino poaching,” Alex Jackson.
