Julie Anne Edwards photo by Justine Barry 2011
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I have a wide selection of exciting trips into 12 African countries. Scroll down to get to know a little more about me!
I was born and raised in Rhodesia now known as Zimbabwe, decending from “9 generations” in Africa. Throughout my life I have always had a passion for wildlife and the African bush
I realize now, how very fortunate and unconventional my upbringing was, which were all impressionable years. Growing up in my beloved country, as a young girl, living out in the remote areas, my parents instilled in me an understanding and appreciation for the bushvelt. Importantly, we were taught to have respect and compassion towards animals, wildlife, rural communities and cultures different from ourselves. My father’s work introduced me to interesting areas, such as, farms, villages, game reserves, forests, tribal lands and meeting with chiefs. At a young age we lived in remote areas of Mashonaland and Matabeleland.
“These were all outlying districts of Southern Rhodesia. Being the eldest of four siblings and living in the bush, my brothers and sister, and our pet animals were my friends. The surrounding veldt and animal life became our interest.
MSASA TREES from "To The Banks Of The Zambezi" By T.V. Bulipin
In northern Mashonaland the landscapes of the country were varied. Wide open plains, distant ranges of hills and kopjies mostly covered in endemic belts of Msasa trees which every August/September would transform into autumn shades of orangey coral to signal the beginning of summer. At sunset they were particularly beautiful, warmly revealing their splendour and richness, in the warm golden African sunshine. Many game tracks meandered beneath these tree canopies on the Rhodesian/Zimbabwean highveld.
Lobengula, King of the Ndebele, by Ralph Peacock and based on a sketch by E. A. Maund. Nat Archive of Zim
Matabeleland, is mostly a dry arid acacia belt. It didn’t rain for at least six months of the year and when it did, the smell of the dry parched earth was intoxicating. Electric storms often caused veldt fires in southern Matabeleland, and this area 74 years prior to my advent, had experienced the terror of the Matablele Rebellion. The region, prior to the Matabele occupation, was inhabited by the Rozi Moyo people who migrated from the zone around Gwanda and Belingwe, in this locality as the grass was of an excellent quality, known as ‘Godhlwayo’. Lobegula, King of the Matabele people, use to have huge herds of cattle here, it is said that they had “as many as locusts!” It was here I started school in the small village of Essexvale which was founded in 1894, on an estate belonging to Frederic C. Selous, the man who had been asked by Rhodes to lead the pioneer column to Mashonaland in 1890.
Federick Courtney Selous. Photo copyright: National Archives of Zimbabwe
During the height of the 15 year Rhodesian Bushwar in 1977 we moved to Bulawayo. ‘kwaBulawayo’ is the Ndebele word meaning ‘At the place of He who Kills-With Affection’ or ‘Place of Slaughter’. It is also known as the ‘City of Kings’ which was the original site of Lobengula’s royal kraal. The Colonial development of the City of Bulawayo was founded in 1872. The one most noticeable point about Bulawayo is the great width of the streets. They were built sufficiently wide enough to outspan an entire team of oxen. The rolling dips at each main street intersection were designed to carry forth a raging torrent of water being used as drainage lines in a storm.” (Excerpts from “Hokoyo, Silent Spoors & Parting Blades”, By Julie Anne M Edwards, Published by Plains of Africa, copyright 2009)
I know now, without a shadow of doubt, that my career path was influenced by my childhood. I had an overwhelming urge to continue to explore the real Africa and other wild places around the world, developing an unswerving passion in conservation, particularly for the Black Rhino and African Elephant. However, what became apparent to me from this early age was how the wild lands were being invaded at such an alarming rate and today, the conservation of these reserves has now become a very urgent issue.
Today, 2011, I worry about the future state of wildlife reserves and how rapidly communities are becoming impoverished. Our African heritage is threatened by many elements impacting negatively on the environment. Constant pressure for land, human greed, increased human populations, political instability, over hunting of safari areas, tourism over development in the wildlife reserves, domestic livestock invasion and poaching threatening National Parks boundaries.
The future lies in the hands of responsible people who care enough to save the planets biodiversity. Of paramount importance is sustainable development at a grassroots level in Africa. Active and meaningful participation at all levels in Eco Tourism development.
Here is a few of my life adventures and how they began… too numerous to mention all, but I have listed just a few here!
Go to the link and you may join me on a safari to any of these and many other wildlife destinations in Africa!
1969… Overland adventure into the Gorongosa Game Reserve, Mocambique, with my parents. The exceptional wildlife and vast open plains, Urema river crossings on the old pontoon bridges, staying in the wonderful thatch rondavels, these moments sparked my passion.
1970… Exploring Lake Kariba & the Great Zambezi River - the 4th longest river in Africa, wild remote, incredible fishing and game viewing.
Elephant herds in Hwange National Park
1971… Journey to Victoria Falls & Wankie National Park where I witnessed for the first time herds of elephant and buffalo, a 1000 head strong!
1975… Overland - Bembezi to the Cape of Good Hope - a journey to the tip of Africa!
1986 … Overland into Botswana to explore the Chobe, Okavango Delta, & Tsodilo Hills. My goal was to interact and learn about the Bushmen surviving in the Kalahari. I explored channals of the Okavango Delta by “Mokoro” (dugout canoe). This was also the time when the Savuti Channel in Chobe Game Reserve had dried up, where I witnessed the desperation of the game congregating around the last remaining waterhole.
Cycling out of the Rift Valley, Southern Tanzania 1988
1987/88… Riding a bicycle from the UK to Zimbabwe raising a million dollars for Save the Rhino Campaign. This expedition was an amazing life journey including meeting with world leaders and celebrities with all the international media coverage for the cause.
For this I recieved several accolades:-
Natural Rescources Board “Gold Medalon” – the highest award for Conservation in Zimbabwe – 1988
Freedom of the City of Victoria Falls & Harare, “Ride for the Rhino”, Zimbabwe – 1988
Rothmans International “Zimbabwe Communicator of the Year Award” – 1989
Rolex International “Role of Honour List” For Conservation, “Ride for the Rhino Campaign” – 1989
Kampi Ya Simba (Camp of the Lions) - Meeting Bwana George Adamson 1988
Some of the people we met included: His Holiness Pope John Paul @ The Vatican, HRH Prince Phillip, Hon Margaret Thatcher @ # 10, Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick, Gilly Taylforth, Terry Wogan Show, Chris DeBurgh, Depeche Mode, Bwana George Adamason, Jason Connery, Mayors of many cities, and Government Ministers.
1990… Co-founded the Environment 2000 Foundation, today known as Enviro Africa, now a leading Environment organisation in Africa. It was here that I initiated community conservation at the Grassroots level.
1990… Launched the release of my first book, “Exitinction is Forever, The Inspiration Behind The Rhino Girls Story”, with Allan Munn & Charlene Hewat, published by Munn Publishing in Zimbabwe.
At the Victoria Falls, with my friend Grey, (an Arab cross originally came from Ghanzi, retired in Kenya)
1991… Journeyed over 1000km for 7 weeks on horse back through the remote rugged Zambezi Valley from Kasane in Botswana to Kariba in Zimbabwe, following the course of the Zambezi River, on the Ride For Sudan expedition.
2000… 10th Anniversary of Environment 2000/Africa and Ride For Rhino’s “Bambanani Tose”, (Altogether Now for the Environment)! - 1200km bicycle ride from Victoria Falls to Harare, Zimbabwe, rasing funds for community conservation projects for Environment Africa!
Elephant Bull - The Hide
2002 … Journey to Equador into the Amazon Jungle where I discovered the remote tribe of the Achuar Indians. It was here I had the privilage of learning about the bio diversity of the worlds largest tropical rainforest and stayed an Eco Lodge run and owned by the Achuar.
2000 to 2005… In Zimbabwe, I operated privately guided ‘Rhino Girl’ safaris into wildlife areas of the country.
2005… Relocated to South Africa, from where I established Plains of Africa Safaris, offering more destinations to my ever increasing client base. To read what these guests have to say about my safari go to “Testimonials“!
Hokoyo Book Launch with John Edmond
2009… I completed my second book, “Hokoyo, Silent Spoors & Parting Blades“, “Book of the month” in “Country Life”, a prestigious magazine in South Africa. John Edmond, famous Southern African country singer supports Hokoyo!
Julie Anne on Trans Kalahari Trek with my Kalahari Boerperd friend, Photo copyright Dale Morris 2011
2010… Traversed the Central Kalahari on horseback with the San Bushmen, bringing attention to the diminishing Black Rhino population. All monies raised go towards the development of a Black Rhino breeding sanctuary and expansion ranges through Hokoyo Wildlife Foundation.
Distribution of Black Rhino - Copyright International Rhino Foundation
2010 … “Rhinos Have Rights Too!” My most recent development includes the establishment of “The Hokoyo Wildlife Foundation”, to assist in the ethical conservation of Black Rhino.
