The desert wind howled across the plains, sculpting the landscape and teasing our resolve, but over four extraordinary days in Namibia’s remote northwest, we were reminded again and again why we ride.

The 2025 RMB & Wilderness Ride for Rangers took us deep into one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas, across stark valleys, dry riverbeds, and golden savannahs that pulse with life and silence in equal measure. Though the wind was relentless, nature offered its own kind of encouragement. Every morning began with a spectacular sunrise, every evening was bathed in the soft glow of a desert sunset, and every moment in between was filled with movement, discovery, and awe.

This ride was more than just a physical challenge. It was a celebration of the rangers, game guards, and communities who protect this land and its wild inhabitants. Formerly known as Ride for Rhinos, this annual cycling tour has entered a new chapter. Ride for Rangers honours the boots on the ground – the individuals who dedicate their lives to safeguarding the black rhino, desert-adapted elephants, lions, hyenas, and countless other species that call this landscape home.

On day one, as if nature itself was welcoming us, we encountered a herd of elephants in the Hoanib River. Young calves tumbled gleefully down sandy embankments while the adults ambled slowly behind them, unhurried and serene. For many of us, it was our first time seeing elephants so relaxed, so close, so alive in their element.

The cycling was tough. Some climbs seemed endless, the gravel unforgiving, and the sun unrelenting – but it was all worth it. Each day ended around a crackling fire under a full moon, where conversations flowed as freely as the laughter. We spoke of Namibia, of its people and wild spaces, of conservation victories and the challenges that remain. The stories shared were as powerful as the landscapes we had crossed.

One afternoon on a nature drive, we witnessed something truly special: a lone black rhino browsing quietly among the brush. We kept our distance, respectful and still, sipping gin sundowners as the animal moved unaware of our presence. To observe a rhino like this – in peace, undisturbed – felt like a blessing. A rare privilege. A reminder of what’s at stake.

We also spotted giraffe among Ana and Shepherd’s trees, zebra camouflaged against the stones, springbok darting across the plains, and even an aardwolf that darted across our path at dusk. Each sighting added a new layer to the story we were living — wild, unscripted, and deeply moving.

On our final day, we were joined by Emsie Verwey, researcher and head of the Skeleton Coast Brown Hyena Project based at Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. Her talk offered a fascinating glimpse into one of Namibia’s most elusive carnivores and reminded us that conservation doesn’t stop with the charismatic megafauna. Every species matters. Every effort counts.