You've heard about the shocking numbers, you've probably even had the misfortune of seeing the gruesome pictures; you've perhaps been generous and made a donation to conservation groups trying desperately to save them. The tale of the rhino is a sad one and there is no denying that unless we do everything we can, they will disappear forever. As sad as their story may be, there is still a glimmer of hope. South Africa has a number of parks and reserves where you can watch the beautiful rhino live happily in their natural habitat. First Car Rental has put together a list of places where you can get a glimpse of rhino in all their splendour.

Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga

If you are looking for an unmatched wildlife experience, the Kruger National Park is the place to be. Home to the famous Big 5 and about 5 000 rhino, both black and white, Kruger gives you a fantastic opportunity to watch the majestic rhino in their natural habitat. The guided game drives and the amazing nature walks with knowledgeable rangers give you a great deal of insight into the life and behaviour of rhino in the wild. Spotting rhino shouldn't be hard even if you are on a self-drive safari. The southern half of the park has the highest density of rhino and they are seen on most game drives. Accommodation facilities range from camp sites to luxury lodges making this park perfect for everyone.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve, North West

Situated in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province and next door to Sun City, Pilanesberg is a stunning retreat that sprawls over 572 km² of pristine bushveld terrain. At Pilanesberg you can go on guided game drives and spot black rhino along with the many other birds and animals in the reserve. Remember that all game drives have to be booked in advance. Self-drive safaris are also permitted here. The luxurious, African-inspired accommodation has been strategically placed in the reserve for privacy and a wondrous African experience.

Shamwari, Eastern Cape

The Shamwari Game Reserve is doing its bit to create awareness and support rhino conservation. The gorgeous game reserve houses a Rhino Awareness Centre that provides visitors with useful information about rhino in South Africa. The reserve also has an animal rescue centre and a rehabilitation centre. The reserve organizes guided game drives and guided game walks with experienced rangers. The stunning accommodation facilities have been designed to capture nature’s beauty and give you a peaceful space where you can enjoy nature like never before.

Aquila Game Reserve, Western Cape

The Aquila Game Reserve is a great place for people holidaying in Cape Town to see rhino and enjoy an amazing safari. The reserve is situated in the Southern Karoo - just 2 hours away from Cape Town - and offers a number of safari options including day safaris, night safaris, horseback safaris and quad bike safaris. Aquila offers beautiful accommodation that captures the essence of the bush without compromising on comfort.

Dinokeng Game Reserve, Gauteng

The first and perhaps the only Big 5 game reserve located so close to an urban area, the Dinokeng Game Reserve gives everyone the opportunity to plan a trip to view rhino. Located close to Pretoria North in Gauteng province and just 25 minutes from Wonderboom airport, Dinokeng Game Reserve offers guided safaris deep into the bush to view rhino roam free. The reserve has quaint accommodation and boasts of spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

uMkhuze Game Park, KwaZulu-Natal

uMkhuze is situated in Northern Zululand and is roughly 335 km from Durban. If you are on a self-drive safari here, keep your camera handy; white rhino are easy to spot and the black rhino appear occasionally as well. The best feature of this game reserve is that during the drier months hundreds of animals, including several rhino, appear at the watering hole for a drink and it’s quite a spectacle.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal

Established in 1895, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest game park in Africa and is the only Big 5 reserve in KwaZulu-Natal that is managed by the government. This beautiful game reserve, located in the rolling hills of Northern Zululand, offers ample opportunities to view plenty of white rhino and, if you are lucky, you might spot some black rhino as well.

Self-drive Safaris

Most of the game parks mentioned in this guide allow self-drive safaris. This means you can go find rhino in your car. But please remember that when going on a self-drive safari you do so at your own risk. Listen carefully to the instructions of the rangers before beginning your self-drive as they will clearly indicate where you can and cannot go during your self-drive.

Plan ‘a trip for the rhino’ and share your stories with First Car Rental. Don’t forget to use #Rhinos1st to become a part of our campaign to help support The Rhino Orphanage – the first non-profit organisation in the world dedicated to caring for and rehabilitating baby rhino affected by the illegal trade in rhino horns. Find out more about First Car Rental’s Rhino Orphanage Campaign here: www.firstcarrental.co.za/Post-your-Selfie-Campaign.htm