Thanda Safari’s Partners in Conservation
Landscape rehabilitation, alien vegetation clearing, fencing, water monitoring, managing all the complex dynamics of a Big Five game reserve, including translocating or introducing animals to ensure genetic diversity – this is all part of the daily life of Thanda Safari’s conservation team. In addition, a range of ongoing research projects on the reserve ensure that Thanda Safari contributes to leading-edge conservation strategies and methods.
Ezemvelo KZN Widlife
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is the government body overseeing wildlife and environmental conservation in KwaZulu-Natal. It is highly supportive of Thanda Safari’s biodiversity and conservation programmes. Reciprocally, Thanda Safari supports Ezemvelo’s environmental awareness initiatives, including fundraising, educational and sports programmes.
Wildlands Conservation Trust
The Wildlands Conservation Trust (Wildlands) is a not-for-profit organisation working to restore and conserve natural ecosystems in the region. Wildlands and Thanda Safari work together on a number of conservation programmes, of which the biggest is Project Rhino KZN.
Species Protection
Thanda Safari’s critically endangered species conservation initiatives include the African wild dog breeding programme, which is now being continued at Tswalu Game Reserve in the Kalahari. Thanda also partners with the Endangered Wildlife Trust on cheetah breeding and spotted hyena research.
Project Rhino KZN
Thanda is a founder member of Project Rhino KZN, an intensive anti-poaching and conservation collaboration between KwaZulu-Natal’s leading conservation agencies, provincial game reserves, provincial government bodies, private game reserves and anti-poaching security specialists.
Black Rhino Range Expansion Programme
The WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP) tirelessly works at increasing the number of critically endangered black rhinos, by facilitating partnerships with private landowners with suitable black rhino habitats. Thanda Safari is a proud partner.
The Mduna Royal Reserve
Adjoining Thanda is the 6 700 hectare Mduna Royal Reserve, which includes ‘Ipiva’, the game reserve of the Zulu King, His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekhuzulu. To create the Mduna Royal Reserve, Thanda returned the land to wilderness and reintroduced the wildlife. Thanda Safari manages the Mduna Royal Reserve in return for exclusive traversing rights.
Protected Nature Reserve
Thanda’s entire 14 000-hectare property was proclaimed as a protected environment in 2015. The same land was first proclaimed a protected area in 1895 by the then British colonial government of Natal, but de-proclaimed in 1907. In 2015, Thanda was able to reclaim its protected status as one of the first proclaimed nature reserves in South Africa.
ULWAZI RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Participate in wildlife conservation as a volunteer with Thanda Safari’s Ulwazi Research & Volunteer Programme. Safari-style accommodation is provided in thatched chalets at our Intibane Research & Training Centre. The programme is a joint venture between Thanda Safari and Africa Nature Training (ANT).
