We’re excited to announce our participation in the 2025 Wildlife Ranger Challenge (WRC), taking place on Saturday, September 20th! Now in its sixth edition, the Wildlife Ranger Challenge is the continent’s largest annual celebration of rangers, the often-unsung heroes safeguarding Africa’s natural heritage.

Organised by Tusk and the Game Rangers Association of Africa, WRC 2025 brings together over 170 teams across 24 countries, culminating in a synchronised 21km half-marathon with rangers running in full gear, carrying 22kg backpacks. The Challenge showcases the physical and mental demands faced daily by rangers on the frontline of conservation.

  We’re proud to be part of this global movement to raise awareness of the evolving role of rangers. While the image of men with guns patrolling fences still lingers in the public mind, today’s ranger is far more.

Across Africa, nearly 60,000 rangers now serve as educators, peacekeepers, first responders, and community leaders – bridging conservation with human development. From protecting wildlife and carbon-rich landscapes to responding to emergencies and supporting livelihoods, rangers are essential to both planetary and community resilience.

As is now tradition, UCF will host a national WRC event at Murchison Falls National Park, where teams from Uganda’s national parks will compete alongside several supporters’ teams. A few participation slots are still available, so if you’re up for the challenge, form a team of four (friends, colleagues, or fitness enthusiasts) and run shoulder to shoulder with the rangers.

Not running? You can still back the cause. Support a ranger team from Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, Kibale National Park or Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. Your donation helps teams participate, represent their parks, and raise funds to protect wildlife.

Donate here:

Murchison Falls: https://bit.ly/WRC2025-MurchisonFalls

Queen Elizabeth: https://bit.ly/WRC2025-QueenElizabeth

Kibale: https://bit.ly/WRC2025-Kibale

Kidepo Valley: https://bit.ly/WRC2025-KidepoValley

Ziwa Rhino: https://bit.ly/WRC2025-ZiwaRhino