Once upon a kitchen table in 2004, a man named David Ryan had a crazy idea and an even crazier passion for Africa. Armed with a clunky computer, a dial-up connection and a dream, he set out to create something extraordinary. And thus, Rhino Africa was born – not with a roar, but with a determined grunt and many cups of coffee!
David during the early days, building Rhino Africa from the ground up
2004 – Penniless to Pioneer
David’s vision was clear: to awe guests, uplift communities, and protect Africa's endangered wildlife. With nothing but empty pockets and mountains of fortitude, he set out to revolutionise the safari industry, facing every challenge with unconventional charm and audacity.
David is a brave and pioneering entrepreneur with a true passion for Africa
2005 – Set the Table for Success
In 2005, just a year after its inception, Rhino Africa began trading. The company quickly grew from a single vision at a dining room table to a team of eight trailblazers. This early growth set the stage for some seriously bold moves that would come to define our innovative spirit.
From humble beginnings to becoming the world's most-awarded safari company
2007 – Sprechen Sie Safari?
Fast forward to 2007, and we were ready to conquer new horizons with the launch of our German division, Rhino Afrika. Suddenly, language barriers were no match for our ambition. But we didn't stop there. Oh no…
Rhino Africa's Travel Experts use their first-hand experience to create personalised itineraries
2008 – The Year We Got Iconic
2008 was a year of epic beginnings. Icon Expeditions, our luxury business division, made its grand debut, and we forged powerful partnerships with Wildlife ACT Fund and Good Work Foundation.
These alliances showcased our unwavering commitment to conservation and education, values that have been at the heart of Rhino Africa from day one.
Wildlife ACT aims to bring our endangered and threatened wildlife back from the brink of extinction
2009 – Riding High and Fabulous
In 2009, we decided to add some wheels to our mission with Challenge4ACause, our fundraising mountain bike event. Our intrepid cyclists set off on their first ride in Damaraland, Namibia, proving that not all heroes wear capes – some wear spandex, too!
Challenge4ACause is our cycling event, which raises money to support conservation and community upliftment
That same year, we launched Out2Africa, Africa’s premier luxury LGBTQ+ website. Inclusivity and diversity? We’re not just talking the talk – we’re pedalling the pedal and rolling out the fabulous!
At Rhino Africa, we roam freely in a culture that treasures every individual
2010 – Our First Boutique Baby is Born
The next significant milestone came in 2010 when MannaBay opened its doors for the first time. This boutique hotel at the foot of Table Mountain represented our first foray into hospitality, offering a sumptuous blend of luxury and local charm that quickly became a hallmark of our brand.
MannaBay was our first elegant boutique hotel to be added to our property portfolio
2011 – Bonjour, Hola, Olá!
In 2011, we set out to conquer new frontiers by launching our French site, bringing a touch of 'je ne sais quoi' to our offerings. Not ones to rest on our laurels, we went global in 2013 with Spanish and Portuguese sites, giving a whole new meaning to 'safari' with a side of 'olé' and 'saudade'.
Branching out into other languages opens Africa to the world
And if that wasn’t enough, 2013 was also the year we strutted up to the podium to be crowned Africa’s Leading Safari Company by the World Travel Awards for the very first time.
The World Travel Awards is the travel industry's most prestigious awards programme
2015 – 10 Years, 100 Rhinos, and a Sleek New Look
By 2015, our Crash had ballooned to a whopping 100 strong! We threw an unforgettable bash for our 10th anniversary. We gave ourselves a snazzy new look with a rebranding and a sleek, mobile-friendly website makeover.
We're constantly evolving, making sure that we are always at the top of our game
It was a game-changing year that proved we could roll with the digital punches while still offering our clients the top-notch service they know and love.
Our Rhino Crash has always been passionate about Africa
2017 – Lodge Debuts and Polyglot Blogging
The following years were an absolute whirlwind of growth and accolades, maintaining the title of Africa's Leading Safari Company for five years running. And, by 2017, our Crash of Rhinos stampeded to a whopping 200 members!
The Rhino Crash was growing and growing!
And we weren't stopping there. We then ventured boldly into the Greater Kruger's famed Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve with the dazzling debut of our luxury lodge Silvan Safari.
Inspired by the spirit of the trees surrounding it, Silvan Safari is the premier luxury South African safari lodge
That same year, we let our voices roar across the globe, launching the Rhino Africa Blog in five languages, cementing our status as the industry's top safari storytellers.
We’ve slept in the beds, tasted the food, met the people, seen the wildlife, and boy-oh-boy, do we have stories to tell!
2018 – The Great Migration
In 2018, we packed our bags and pranced over to our shiny new Rhino Africa HQ, a creative hub reflecting our endless ambition. Not to brag, but it's like a safari lodge and a chic urban loft had a love child!
We moved to a massive new HQ that was designed just for us
2019 – Our Newest Addition
Then, as if we weren't fabulous enough, 2019 saw the opening of our stunning Camissa House. This jewel is the third in our crown of luxury hideaways, sparkling brightly amidst the Mother City's iconic backdrop.
A hotel celebrating the true essence of Cape Town
2020 – Bouncing Back
The global COVID-19 rollercoaster of 2020 tossed us around like a rhino on a trampoline, but our grit and unshakable commitment to our core values saw us through with flying colours. By 2021, we were named the World’s Leading Safari Company by the World Travel Awards, becoming the world's most-awarded safari company.
We pride ourselves on being the authority on African travel
2023 – Two Hundred Thousand Dreams Come True
In 2023, we rolled out the red carpet for our 200,000th Rhino Africa guest. Yes, you read that right – 200,000 adventurers and wanderers have trusted us to make their African dreams come true – a milestone that speaks volumes about the trust and loyalty we've built with our clients over the years.
In 2023, we welcomed our 200,000th guest to Africa
2024 – The Future is Looking Bright
Now, as we blow out the candles on our 20th birthday cake in 2024, we're not just reminiscing about the good times (though there were many), but also strapping on our adventure boots for the next thrilling chapter. The future? Oh, it’s looking brighter than a herd of giraffes in the Serengeti at sunrise!
With David at the helm, we're sure the next 20 years are going to be as legendary as the last!
Come to the Party, You're Invited!
The next two decades are set to be a whirlwind of unforgettable escapades. So, as we enter our roaring twenties, we invite you to join us. We're here to turn your dreams of Africa into reality, crafting magical moments while championing positive change.
Here's to the adventure to come – wilder, bolder, and even more extraordinary!
