Sustainability

Kluane National Park and Reserve Canada Photography Kalen Emsley

Oceans Without Borders marine rangers on Benguerra Island, Mozambique. Photography: Dylan Royal.

Turning innovative ideas into African Wildlife and Marine Ranger-driven conservation solutions

By Tiffany West

Briefly …

United through the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, marine and wildlife rangers from Africa’s land and sea stand together to protect ecosystems, restore habitats, and strengthen communities.

Led by Tusk, in partnership with the Game Rangers Association of Africa, the Wildlife Ranger Challenge is an annual, continent-wide campaign that shines light on the dedication of Africa’s rangers by raising critical funding to equip and support them in safeguarding the continent’s last wild places. Culminating in a unifying 21-kilometre (13 miles) run, the campaign has raised over USD$21 million since 2020, supporting more than 11,500 rangers across 103 conservation areas.

For more than 35 years, Tusk has worked to accelerate the impact of African-driven conservation. Since its formation, Tusk has boosted an impressive range of successful conservation projects across more than 20 countries. These initiatives have not only increased vital protection for more than 40 different threatened species but have also contributed to poverty reduction through sustainable development and education amongst rural communities living alongside wildlife.

Tusk partners with the most effective local organisations, investing in their in-depth knowledge and expertise. By supporting and nurturing their conservation programs, Tusk helps to accelerate growth from an innovative idea to a scalable solution. The charity, which has Prince Wiliam as its Royal Patron, has invested over USD$100m into African conservation since its founding in 1990.

Founded in 1970, the Game Rangers Association of Africa is a non-profit organisation and the oldest, largest, and most representative ranger association in Africa. As an organisational partner of the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, the Game Rangers Association of Africa plays a critical role in building networks of wildlife rangers, advocating for their interests, and providing expert guidance on ranger-related issues.

Oceans Without Borders’ marine rangers deploying one of the artificial reef structures off Mnemba Island, Zanzibar. Photography: Hans Ngoteya.

The 2025 Wildlife Ranger Challenge campaign will once again find the Wild Impact/&Beyond marine ranger teams flying the flag for the Bazaruto Archipelago of Mozambique, and the seascape surrounding Mnemba Island in Zanzibar. These Indian Ocean biodiversity hotspots are protected through the Oceans Without Borders program that combines hands-on conservation and long-term ecological research with community partnership.

Oceans Without Borders’ marine rangers working on one of the artificial reef structures off Mnemba Island, Zanzibar. Photography: Hans Ngoteya.

The Wildlife Ranger Challenge plays a crucial role in enabling this work by raising funds that directly support marine rangers as they restore coral reefs, monitor sea turtle populations, track fish catches and beach erosion, and collaborate with local leaders to promote sustainable marine practices. Beyond their fieldwork, these rangers serve as educators, advocates, and protectors, bringing deep knowledge of their environments to every survey and community engagement.

Wild Impact (formerly Africa Foundation) is a non-profit organisation working in partnership with conservation-led luxury travel company &Beyond, with the aim of nurturing resilient communities and conserving wild places. A collaborative methodology with over 130 partner communities, local government, and key stakeholders underlines Wild Impact’s community and conservation endeavours across the 14 landscapes and seascapes in which they operate.

Oceans Without Borders marine rangers at work off Benguerra Island, Mozambique. Photography: Wild Impact.

“The support from the Wildlife Ranger Challenge has been truly empowering for us as marine rangers under the Oceans Without Borders program”, James Sumari, Wild Impact Oceans Without Borders Project Officer and Marine Ranger told The Solo Traveller. “It has strengthened our ability to protect marine ecosystems, monitor endangered species like sea turtles, and carry out coral restoration work more effectively. Beyond the fieldwork, the Challenge has made us feel seen, valued and supported. Knowing we are part of a wider conservation mission means a great deal to us.”

Tiffany West is The Solo Traveller’s Editorial and Pictorial Assistant Lead. This feature includes information provided by international news agencies and public relations representatives, published here with editorial oversight. You can read The Solo Traveller’s editorial policy regarding external sources here.