10 000 kms, 10 countries, 100 days: here’s an exclusive look at the epic adventures of the world’s first all-women expedition on a mission to save Africa’s elephants. Want to make a contribution to one of the Elephant Ignite Expedition's amazing beneficiaries? Go to http://www.elephantignite.co.za/donate-now Visit www.earthtouchnews.com for updates on this epic adventure Subscribe to Earth Touch now for more amazing nature http://goo.gl/thjT7W

Elephant Ignite Expedition - All female expedition lead by Carla Geyser in 2016 raising money and awareness for elephant conservation. 16 000km driven over 100 days through 10 African countries. Film: Earth Touch

Yesterday, we got to spend some time in the company of horses. Even though I grew up with them, I haven't been on a horse in 20 years and was beyond excited when we got an invite to visit Loyd, Isabel, little Ivory and their beautiful animal-family on a farm just outside of Haenertsburg, Magoebaskloof. At first glance you could mistake Loyd for a cowboy, tall and lean, with his dusty leather chaps but you soon come to realise he is a true horseman. His deep understanding and respect for horses infuses his relationship with them as well as the experience he offers his guests. He says, “All of our work considers the horse first, we go bitless, we go shoeless and we go treeless. We want them to enjoy the experience as much as we do.” Loyd feels strongly that “as a species, we humans have a historical debt towards horses. From fighting for Atilla The Hun, to drawing the cart that led to the invention of the automobile. His partner, Isabel, with daughter Ivory firmly on her hip, elaborates saying, “through horses, our goal is to connect people to nature and the surroundings. We ride through a variety of habitats like the grasslands, indigenous forest and even up to the Iron Crown peak in the Wolkberg Mountain range above Haenertsburg. What the horses do with their calm presence is bring us back to earth, they ground us and allow us to connect and transform.” Saddling up Mbomvu, my equine partner for the afternoon, I could feel my pulse dropping...gently walking along dusty tracks, I could see the world once again through a horse's ears...a different perspective. As we turned a corner the sun kissed my cheeks, and my jaw unclenched. I could breathe. Suddenly I started noticing the small things, the way the light danced with the grass, the salty shimmer on Mbomvu's back and the unique smell of the wintery grassland. In that moment it all came together...I leaned over, gave Mbomvu a hug and whispered a thank you into his ear fo an unforgettable experience which allowed me the time to reflect and reconnect. To book get in touch with Loyd and Isabelle and see Magoebaskloof with new eyes! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Equine Adventures have offered 4 lucky Lovers of Limpopo a picnic outride in the company of horses in one of the spectacular spaces around Magoebaskloof. All you need to do is share this post and tag 3 friends in the comments. Follow Equine Adventures on Facebook and Instagram and win. Winners will be announced next week Saturday 22 May 2021. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ #horsesandmountains #horseriding #horses #horsetrails #equineadventures #lovelimpopo #lovelocal #alongroute71

Its been a challenging time for all - but we have managed to keep the wheels slowly turning.......A little recap of what we have achieved with our humanitarian, conservation and environmental projects over the past 10 months. Email carla@blueskysociety.co.za for any more information Video credits: Black Bean Productions and Earth Touch www.blueskysociety.org

For years we have been doing outreach work for horses, donkeys and mules and their owners in the former Transkei in South Africa. These animals are life-supporting working animals and serve as mode of transport, ploughing fields or to carry water or firewood. Owners struggle with their care due to a lack of resources and knowledge.

The World Youth Wildlife Summit brought together more than 165 youth, 20 adult chaperones (educators and community leaders), 35 conservation role models and 5 keynote speakers to engage, empower, educate and equip the youth to become #WildWarriors: Ambassadors for Conservation and influencers helping to reduce wildlife crime!