Rhino dehorning isn’t a comfortable topic to discuss. But the reality is that rhino horns are among the world’s most expensive wildlife products – their value rooted not in science, but in myth, status, and greed. I recently had the honour of going on a rhino dehorning experience in Africa. Although it's heart-breaking that it has come to this, rhino dehorning saves many rhino lives and ultimately helps protect this special species' survival.
A rhino dehorning experience will stay with you forever
Why is There a Demand for Rhino Horn?
Urban legends told over centuries have convinced a large following that rhino horn, when ground into a powder, can cure illnesses like cancer and act as an aphrodisiac.
However, the reality is that rhino horns are simply made of keratin, the same protein as human fingernails and hair. So, effectively, you’d get the same effect from chewing your own nails! Yet, there is a war happening in the African bush based on this delusion, and rhinos are paying the price.
A close-up of a rhino horn, showing the keratin fibres
Preparing for a Life-Changing Experience
When I first heard I’d have the chance to witness a rhino trimming, I knew this wouldn’t be your average safari most people book when coming to Africa. But I was certain it would leave an unforgettable mark on me.
We arrived at our lodge, welcomed and shown to the rooms where we’d spend the next few nights. That afternoon, we were treated to a game drive, much like one you’d experience at most safari lodges, but on this particular drive, I couldn’t shake the apprehension of what I would be a part of the next day.
But it was still spectacular, with elephants, zebras, and giraffes greeting us. The day ended the way a safari should: gin and tonic in hand, staring at a beautiful sunset.
Heading out into the bush gives me a newfound appreciation for Mother Nature every single time, Image Credit: Janine Gous
Witnessing the Dehorning Up Close
I hardly slept that night, and before I knew it, there was a knock at my door to start the day. With a hot cup of coffee in hand, we climbed into the Land Cruiser.
We were off, racing against the sunrise as we neared the secret location of where we would meet the team of conservationists, or as I had come to know them, the superheroes (unknown to the world at large, but keeping the world a better place).
Pure humility shone through these individuals as they explained in detail what we were about to experience. Included in the group were an experienced wildlife vet, a team of hard-working, “into-the-thick-of-it” men and women, and a helicopter pilot who could have been part of the Top Gun movie cast.
Questions were asked and answered, we had many nervous toilet breaks, and when the time was right (a.k.a. the team found a suitable candidate by circling with the chopper), we were off again!
Taking to the Skies
The helicopter lifted into the sky, carrying the experienced vet whose task was critical – delivering a dart with the precise dosage needed to sedate the rhino just long enough for the team to work safely without causing harm to the animal. With over 30 years in the field, he knew what he was doing.
“It’s a privilege,” the vet had murmured to me after we had headed into the bushes, following their trail in the sky. After all these years, these conservationists continue to fight tirelessly for these magnificent creatures, driven only by a deep sense of purpose and the knowledge that they’re doing what’s right. Despite the challenges, they remain unjaded by these animals' raw, timeless beauty.
Spotting our rhino from a bird's-eye view, Image Credit: Janine Gous
A Delicate, Careful Rhino Dehorning Experience
We circled the enormous sedated animal, which was breathing heavy exhale after heavy exhale. She was blindfolded along with earplugs in both of her funnel-shaped ears as a precaution the team takes to limit the sensory overload during the procedure. The clock was ticking to get everything done before she woke up again.
The vet used clinical precision to trim the horn down to the base but never touched the growth plate (essential to avoid permanent harm). At the same time, the rest of the team monitored vitals, measured, and noted down the rhino’s characteristics to keep in a log book. My heart was pounding, my hands were shaking, and I had an overwhelming need to join this fight.
Team on the ground doing the careful rhino dehorning work, Image Credit: Janine Gous
The Emotional Side of Conservation
My adrenaline was racing, but at the same time, my heart ached deeply for the harsh reality these animals face. Watching such a majestic creature lose its horn, a part of what defines it, felt unnatural. But I kept thinking: if this is what it takes to keep it alive, isn’t it worth it?
But is there another way? We asked the team, and while the answer might surprise many, it has proven to be effective: legalise it. It's a controversial topic, many would argue, but if there's a group of people I would trust, it’s the people on the ground, doing the work and seeing the devastation first-hand.
A real rhino dehorning experience is eye-opening and heart-stirring, Image Credit: Janine Gous
Changing Perceptions
It may sound like an unconventional idea, but legalising the sale of rhino horn could actually help curb poaching and reduce the number of rhinos killed each year. With regulation, reserves and conservationists could manage horn trimmings responsibly, and the profits could be reinvested into conservation efforts, benefiting not just rhinos but other wildlife.
There’s also a theory that once something becomes more accessible, it loses its allure and value. Perhaps, one day, the myths and misconceptions surrounding rhino horn will fade, and it will no longer be the prized commodity it is today.
A rhino horn is really just keratin, like our human hair and nails
Why Rhino Dehorning is Necessary
As I mentioned at the beginning of this recollection, rhino horn is made of keratin, and just like our nails grow back after we trim them, conservation efforts require the rhino horn to be consistently monitored and trimmed to try and deter poachers from harming the animal.
Dehorning isn’t a cure-all. But it buys time. Without a horn, the rhino is less of a target, meaning the difference between survival and slaughter. Poaching is driven by profit from the illegal rhino horn trade. Poachers kill rhinos to harvest the horn, which is sold on the black market. As a result, conservationists and veterinarians carry out dehorning as a protective measure to reduce the risk of rhinos being poached.
The Rhino's Plight
Dehorning does not harm the animal in the long run. While uncomfortable, it’s necessary for survival in areas where poaching is rampant. The horn regrows over time, and the procedure is repeated every 12-24 months as part of ongoing conservation efforts.
The reality is conservation – as humble as it is – costs money. It takes funds to keep helicopters in the air, to administer the specialised darting dose required to safely sedate a rhino weighing over 3.5 tonnes (3,500 kg), and to care for the orphaned and injured survivors of poaching. And that’s just for one species. Other vital conservation projects are fighting just as hard to protect pangolins, African wild dogs, cheetahs, and more.
The rhino is one of the Big 5 and one of our favourite species, Image Credit: Marc-Quireyns
How You Can Help Protect Rhinos
If you're planning a trip to Africa, chances are it's the wildlife calling you, the chance to see a lion’s mane, an elephant’s trunk, or to capture that perfect photo of a giraffe or rhino. But here’s the truth: if we don’t actively protect these animals, none may be left to see let alone photograph.
Come for the wildlife, but stay to learn, understand – and help, where you can. Conservation begins with awareness, and it’s something powerful every guest can take home with them.
You have a choice: be conscious of where you go and how you travel. Do your research. Choose safari lodges and organisations actively involved in daily conservation and fighting to protect wildlife and preserve habitats for future generations.
This calf's future is in our hands
Travel with Purpose
Where you choose to stay on safari can directly impact conservation efforts; often in ways you’ll never see. And if you’ve travelled to Africa before, there’s a good chance you’ve already contributed to this fight without even knowing it.
Now, imagine knowing. Imagine coming to Africa and being part of something bigger – knowing that your journey, your presence, your choices are directly helping protect all the incredible wildlife we’re so privileged to share this planet with. That’s the kind of travel experience you’ll carry with you forever.
At Rhino Africa, conservation is a core part of who we are. Each guest who travels with us directly positively impacts our continent's landscapes, communities, and its endangered wildlife. Are you ready to leave your legacy in Africa and shape a brighter future? Let's tailor your dream African safari – with purpose.
