HERD in the Wild: Connecting People, Nature and Purpose

This year marked an exciting first for HERD as we took part in Outdoor X, one of South Africa’s leading outdoor lifestyle events. It gave us a valuable opportunity to step beyond our reserve and connect directly with people who share a deep appreciation for nature, wildlife, and meaningful conservation work. 

Outdoor X brought together a diverse audience of outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, and animal lovers. Many visitors arrived with a genuine interest in conservation. Others discovered HERD for the first time, but from the moment the doors opened, our stand became a space for conversation, curiosity, and connection.  

Merchandise with meaning and our special infused gin 

One of our unique talking points is always our JabuGem, which is our special elephant dung infused gin.  

The concept began with a bold question: how can we create sustainable value from the natural world while directly supporting elephant conservation? 
 
The answer lies in a remarkable partnership between nature, innovation, and purpose. The Jabulani herd forages the botanicals and the African bush shapes the flavour. 

More than a premium craft gin, JabuGem represents a circular approach to conservation, where waste becomes opportunity, sustainability becomes action, and every purchase contributes to the care and protection of elephants. 

Every bottle purchased helps support the elephants in our care while contributing to a future where conservation is innovative, sustainable, and impactful. 

Our other merchandise, including our T-shirts, sport socks and JabuLadies’ products, drew steady interest throughout the event. Each item we offered carried a clear link back to HERD’s work and local impact. 

A raffle for lasting impact 

One of the highlights of the weekend was our raffle competition, which played an important role in raising funds for the In Memory of Limpopo Research Centre. Visitors to Outdoor X were asked to buy a R50 ($3) raffle ticket to stand a chance to win special elephant experience with accommodation. 

Stay at the Aerotel  

Aerotel partnered with HERD to offer accommodation as the main prize for the raffle. The prize included two nights’ accommodation for two people in one of their cabins.  

The Aerotel is retired presidential jet and a Boeing 737 transformed into luxury cabins, located in Hoedspruit, South Africa. Every stay includes a full breakfast, complimentary WiFi, and access to a pool, garden, and Wing Walk deck with views of the Drakensberg mountains. 

Founded by Martin den Dunnen, Aerotel was born from a passion to restore dignity to retired aircraft and create an experience unlike anything else on Earth. 

Thank you very much to the team at Aerotel for their generous donation to our cause.  

Meet our bulls at Elephant Moments 

Our winner also received an Elephant Moments Experience for two people.  

Elephant Moments is an inspirational elephant experience, also located just outside of Hoedspruit. Nothing quite prepares you for your first encounter with the Jabulani elephants. Their mammoth size and vibrant presence are always humbling. Arrive at sunrise for your personal introduction to a very special family. 

In their 90-minute experience, Elephant Moments invite guests to be inspired, enlightened, educated and enthused by a memorable and respectful opportunity to meet and learn more about some of the Jabulani herd elephants and their passionate carers. 

Thank you very much to Elephant Moments for sponsoring this amazing prize.  

Spend a morning supporting endangered species 

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) sponsored entrance for our winners and a two-hour tour.  

HESC presents a fascinating insight into rare, vulnerable and endangered animal species, and animal conservation efforts at large. It offers fun and informative tours, and other specialised excursions to visitors. Funds raised through tourism activities contribute directly to our conservation projects and daily operating costs. 

The two-hour tour with a knowledgeable guide gives an overview of HESC’s conservation programmes and a close-up of the various species in our care. Seeing the cheetahs and rhinos is always a highlight. Equally popular is the Vulture Restaurant where the vultures descend in their hundreds when food is put out for them. You’ll also see wild dogs, leopard, sable antelope and our ground hornbill. 

Looking ahead 

Our first experience at Outdoor X confirmed something important. People want to connect with authentic conservation work. They want to understand where their support goes. And they value opportunities to engage in a tangible way. 

We are grateful to everyone who stopped by, supported our work, and helped us make our first Outdoor X experience such a meaningful one. 

Congratulations to Janette du Plessis, our lucky prize winner.