A combination of a love for the wild and social conscience led a group of women into the Serengeti to participate in the Serengeti Girls Run, a first-of-its-kind event which takes participants through this protected area, home to lion, cheetah and other predators. The founder of South Africa-based NGO Brave, Katherine Cunliffe, took part in the run and described the adventure, saying, “There’s something so powerful about being in nature and surrounded by something so much bigger than ourselves, especially doing it together as women. That part is what made me want to cry and smile and laugh and everything, all at the same time.”
Image from Conservation Singita
The run took part over a course of three days and the ladies had the opportunity to jog alongside towering giraffes, galloping zebras with a couple of armed rangers, for their safety. They crossed the 350 000-acre Singita Grumeti Reserve in an event organised by NGO, Singita Grumeti Fund that focuses on wildlife conservation and community development work in the reserve.
Image from Conservation Singita
There was more to the race than only running; the women embarked on afternoon game drives (a welcome relief from the many kilometres of running), as well as an opportunity to glimpse the whole of Africa’s Big Five. They spent their nights in Singita Explore’s plush tents. A large part of the Serengeti Girls Run was to incorporate community outreach and to raise funds for females living in the Serengeti. A visit to the local women and girls communities to this end was imperative.
Image from Conservation Singitha
The second annual Serengeti Girls Run will take place from 25–30 October 2019.
