Luxury safari company, Ker & Downey Africa, has partnered with the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, a pioneering all-female ranger unit that operates in Balule Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park, in South Africa.

This partnership will form part of the company’s Legacy Partner portfolio, a selection of vetted projects and organisations that contribute to empowering local communities, protecting Africa’s wildlife, and creating a sustainable future for Africa.

“We believe that only a multi-pronged approach that integrates boots on the ground, while simultaneously educating and uplifting local communities, will be effective in the long-term solution to wildlife conservation in Africa,” said Lee Kelsall, CEO of Ker & Downey Africa group.

“That’s why we’ve partnered with the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, who embody this ethos. These fierce females not only play a vital role in on-the-ground conservation work but also strive to educate the local communities of the Great Kruger area about the long-term benefits of protecting Africa’s wildlife.”

Using non-violent methods to prevent poaching, the Black Mambas work unarmed as eyes and ears on the ground and strive to make their area of influence the most undesirable, difficult, and least profitable place to poach wildlife.

The Mambas are also role models in their communities. They are actively involved in educating the local communities in the Greater Kruger area. Their Bush Babies Programme works with over 1 300 local children in 10 primary schools to teach future generations about the long-term benefits of protecting Africa’s wildlife.

For each trip booked with Ker & Downey Africa, guests can choose to donate US$100 or more to one of the company’s vetted Legacy Partners. The donations will play a crucial role in the ongoing operation of the Black Mambas and Bush Babies programme, as well as allow the unit to expand by employing more female rangers and increasing their area of duty.