24th – 28th August 2026
As this year’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge ramps up, the results are in for the Situp Challenge. Gonarezhou Conservation Trust’s in Zimbabwe won both the men’s and women’s challenge with their Ndlophu men’s team recording 491 sit-ups and their Mhelembe women’s team recording 330 sit-ups. The mixed team category went to Jamanda Community Conservancy’s Team Lioness in Zimbabwe, with 344. A truly extraordinary set of results for two minutes of intense sit-up activity!
Ranger teams across Africa took on the challenge, out in the field, between patrols, often in heat that would send most of us looking for shade and a long sit-down. These challenges reflect the strength and endurance the job demands, and the willingness to keep going when it gets hard. Well done to every team that took part.
Judges were particularly impressed by the accuracy of technique across the board. The women’s results stood out this year and are clearly the product of serious, sustained training.
One training challenge remains, the 2.4km Time Trial, before Race Day on 19 September. Please consider supporting the rangers by making a donation to WRC. Thanks to our founding donor, Mark Scheinberg and other supporting partners all donations are match-funded and therefore doubled.
Congratulations to everyone who took part and particularly to our Top 3 Situp Challenge Ranger Teams.
Top 3 Men’s Teams are:
1st Place:
🥇 Gonarezhou Conservation Trust Rangers – Team Ndlopfu, Zimbabwe – 491 (Verified)
2nd Place:
🥈 Savé Valley Conservancy – Team SavéRhinos, Zimbabwe – 385 (Verified)
3rd Place:
🥉 Africa Nature Investors Foundation – Gashaka Gumti National Park Rangers, Nigeria – 333 (Verified)
The top 3 Women’s Teams are:
1st Place:
🥇 Gonarezhou Conservation Trust – GCT Rangers – Team Mhelembe, Zimbabwe – 330 (Verified)
2nd Place:
🥈 Friends of Hwange Trust – Hwange National Park – Friends of Hwange Team, Zimbabwe – 293 (Verified)
3rd Place:
🥉 Akashinga – Zambezi Valley – Songo Team, Zimbabwe – 228 (Verified)
The top 3 Mixed Teams are:
1st Place:
🥇 Jamanda Community Conservancy – Team Lioness, Zimbabwe – 344 (Verified)
2nd Place:
🥈 Ol Pejeta Conservancy – Team Kifaru, Kenya – 312 (Verified)
3rd Place:
🥉 Conservation South Luangwa – South Luangwa National Park – CSL – Tikondane Wildlife Warriors, Zambia – 304 (Verified)
