At Donkey Long Tong, we’ve always said every fire tells a story, and some stories are worth protecting. That’s why we're excited to share more about Rhino Lights. They’re small, handcrafted symbols of conservation, born from the wild and made to protect it. Created by Rhino Rewild and African Parks, these eco-friendly firelighters are made from 100% rhino dung (yes, you read that right), and burn with purpose.
We recently had the privilege of visiting Rhino Rewild to see how they make it all happen and to lend a few hands (and a few Donkey tricks) to help them make even more magic from the muck.
Where It All Began
In the dusty heart of the bush, Project Manager Donovan and Section Manager Janus were looking for new ways to support the rhinos they work tirelessly to protect. Out of that care came an idea so clever it could only be born from the field: what if the dung that rhinos leave behind could help fund their future?
So they began experimenting.
Each Rhino Light starts with rhino dung, carefully dried and sifted to just the right texture. It’s then poured by hand and finished with a cotton rope wick.
The result? A natural, eco-friendly firelighter that burns beautifully and carries the spirit of conservation in every spark.
Production is small, intentional, and personal. Just a three-person team, working batch by batch, with about an hour’s work in every box. It’s the kind of process that feels more like craft than manufacturing and that’s exactly what drew us in.
When Donkeys and Rhinos Come Together
When we first visited the Rhino Rewild Initiative, it didn’t take long before we were covered in dust, grinning, and brainstorming like old friends. They weren’t just making firelighters, they were building a story worth telling.
We spent the day shoulder-to-shoulder with the team, swapping ideas and sharing a few hard-earned lessons from the Donkey workshop floor. It wasn’t about changing what they do, it was about helping them do more of it. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about mass production. It’s about craft, purpose, and a story behind every spark.
By the time we left, we weren’t just partners, but friends connected by the same fire.
Fire With a Purpose
Rhino Lights aren’t your average firelighters. They’re natural, eco-friendly, and carry a story of conservation and care.
Each pack comes with a QR code that links you straight to Rhino Rewild’s mission showing you exactly how your support helps protect rhinos under the care of African Parks.
It’s fire that fights for something bigger. And that’s the kind of story we want to be part of.
Getting Involved
We wanted to do more than just help behind the scenes. So we decided to bring you into the story too.
We'll be helping distribute Rhino Lights soon. It’s a small way for us (and you) to show support for the people out there doing the work.
You get to light your fire with something that carries meaning. Something that connects your braai to the bush.
Because whether it’s a braai under the stars or a fire lit for change, we all share the same spark. One that reminds us that small acts, like lighting a fire, can have a powerful impact.
The Fire That Connects Us
At Donkey Long Tong, we’ve always believed the fire is where everything comes together - stories, friends, ideas, and now, even conservation.
Partnering with Rhino Rewild reminds us why we do what we do. Fire isn’t just heat and light. It’s connection - a symbol of how we can all make a difference when we gather around a shared purpose.
So here’s to the people making change with their hands, to the rhinos that roam freely because of it, and to the fires that keep their story burning.
