Run with Rangers. Race for Wildlife.

On 16th September the 2024 Wildlife Ranger Challenge brought together more than a thousand rangers from across 20 countries in Africa. They ran in a coordinated 21km virtual race from their respective protected areas. Almost 1,500 public supporters from around the globe joined them in solidarity – running, or walking, wherever they were in the world, to show they are #ForWildlifeRangers.

Race Day Results

The full Ranger Team leaderboard from the 2024 Wildlife Ranger Challenge can be found here

The Top 3 Teams are:

African People & Wildlife – Tarangire National Park – Tarangire Ecosystem Team (A) – Tanzania – 2:01:25
Rangers: Ezekiel Loserian, Ramadhani Mustafa, Mwasudi Nasiru, Milya Hodati

African People & Wildlife – Tarangire National Park – Tarangire Ecosystem Team (B) – Tanzania – 2:04:26
Rangers: Alex Kipii, Saruni Piikini, Jackson Thomas, Tendee Masangusi

Gonarezhou National Park – Gonarezhou Conservation Trust Team – Zimbabwe – 2:20:07
Rangers: Foster Mahlahla, Taurai Mtombwera, Polite Musoni, Lordwin Hlengani

The Top 3 Female Teams are:

Conservation South Luangwa – South Luangwa National Park – CSL Atsikana – Zambia – 2:45:27
Rangers: Maureen Mulenga, Beauty Ntala, Loveness Kumwenda, Aliness Chilepa

Frankfurt Zoological Society – Nsumbu National Park – Nsumbu Rangers Women Team – Zambia – 2:53:35
Rangers: Esnart Mulenga, Memory Chansa, Mildred Chishimba, Dinah Chansa

Transfrontier Africa – Olifants West Nature Reserve – Team 2 & Team 3 – South Africa – 3:36:49
Team 2 Rangers: Rethabile Mokgalaka, Nurse Molamodi, Tiisetso Charity Raganya, Everjoy Mathebula
Team 3 Rangers: Lucendar Monyela, Mirren Mathebula, Yenzekile Mathebula, Remember Karabo Madike

Wildlife Ranger Challenge Hub Events

This year, for the second time, select ranger teams gathered at locations in Kenya, Zambia, South Africa and Uganda for Wildlife Ranger Challenge Hub Events. These events give ranger teams the opportunity to compete directly with their regional counterpart, facilitate knowledge sharing and enable partnerships to be forged. Alongside the regional events, thousands of rangers took part virtually in teams from their respective protected areas across the African continent. They all competed for the Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2024 title.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy – Kenya

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya played host to 11 teams from across the country as they competed in the 21km race. Teams from Lewa, Mount Kenya Trust, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lion Landscapes and beyond all took part for a chance to be crowned Kenyan regional champions.

Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda

Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area was the setting for the country’s regional event. Teams competed from Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Vallet, Murchison Falls and Kibale National Parks. They were joined by supporters from Uganda Conservation Foundation and beyond in a show of solidarity for rangers. 

Kafue National Park – Zambia

Zambia’s Kafue was the location for ‘Kafue Wild’, a celebration of the National Park and its biodiversity.

8 ranger teams took on the Wildlife Ranger Challenge as part of the celebration. Teams from Kafue National Park, Musekese Conservation, Game Rangers International, Liuwa Plain National Park, North Luangwa National Park (Frankfurt Zoological Society) and Nsumbu National Park (Frankfurt Zoological Society) all competed for the regional title.

Liuwa Plain, North Luangwa and Nsumbu participants are all cadet scouts, currently undertaking training at Chunga Wildlife Training School.

Kruger National Park – South Africa

Southern African Wildlife College in Limpopo Province was home to a weekend dedicated to wildlife rangers. Teams from Kruger National Park, the Black Mambas, and the Southern African Wildlife College went head-to-head in the South African regional event race. They were joined by supporting teams from Sabi Sands and Game Rangers Association of Africa. The weekend was topped off with the celebration of the African Conservation Awards.

Join In

We shared all the action from race day on our social media channels. Make sure to follow @tusk_org on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to keep up to date, and share your Wildlife Ranger Challenge race day experience with #ForWildlifeRangers.