Conservation, Community, Anti-Poaching

Amakhala Game Reserve. A Place Where Magic Happens. 

Ask Siseko, who was born on Amakhala and is now a qualified commercial pilot. Ask Holly, the baby white rhino born safely this year. Ask the over 1,500 school children who visit our conservation centre annually. Ask Ivory, the male cheetah who grew up in captivity. Released and rewilded on Amakhala, he has recently fathered two wild cheetah cubs. Or ask our new hippo calf, the first hippo to be born in these parts in over 100 years.

All these stories are interwoven in a vision that sees Amakhala Game Reserve being the custodian of 8,000 hectares of land, over 50 mammal species, 230 plant and tree species and 75 families. A precious ecosystem where conservation and community thrive alongside each other to make a valuable contribution to the world we live in.

Learn more about our three pillars in the above video

The Three Pillars (1)

1. CONSERVATION

Conservation on Amakhala is based on the principle that we can only preserve what we understand, and so considerable effort is put into analysing the current and projected status of the reserve. Organised focus areas are supported by comprehensive programmes of research and monitoring that informs all of our conservation management decisions. Offering a diverse, multi-faceted experience is one of the pillars on which these decisions are based. 

Environmental factors in terms of soil types, vegetation, climate, and the availability of water all combine to determine the carrying capacity of the reserve. The population of large mammal species is particularly salient, as it is the alluring megafauna and predators that largely drive ecotourism demand, and, their presence is also indicative of the health of our ecosystem. The reduction in poaching through the creation of viable economic alternatives for local community members has contributed to an increase in animal populations. There have been confirmed sightings of rare species such as Bat Eared Foxes and Blue Duiker, Aardwolf, along with all the major predator species here on Amakhala.

Securing and protecting wilderness areas is critically important for biodiversity conservation and is a large focus for us. Ecosystem integrity and managing the land so that it can support and maintain ecological processes in the face of changing environmental conditions is essential to biodiversity. 

2. COMMUNITY

 The Amakhala Foundation ’s main focus is literacy and environmental education, with the aim of weaving opportunities for solid education and a love of environment into our community’s lives. On the AGR literacy education begins with children aged 3-5 years old. Education of primary school children continues through a bursary programme and Library Hour and a range of literacy programmes.

On the environmental education front, AF begins by introducing tiny tots to the theme of loving animals and continues with age-appropriate programmes until high schoolers fledge into the adult world. Our numerous programmes include, themed BIG Days for the 6-9 year olds, a partnership with Coaching Conservation to inspire 10-11 year olds and Nature Club for the high schoolers. Promising candidates can apply for bursaries to secure a guiding qualification. Through these programmes, 1,500 visitors are welcomed to the Conservation Centre annually. All visitors have the opportunity to enjoy seeing wildlife in its natural environment. About 70% of the visitors see wildlife for the first time aboard a purpose-built 22 seater game vehicle which is dedicated to these programmes.

Through a Craft Centre based on the reserve, local women are able to use their sewing and beading skills to hand craft items for sale to guests and visitors. AF also has a strong and long standing relationship with Isipho Charity Trust. This organisation works tirelessly with the vulnerable children of the nearby town of Paterson, supporting their education and providing psycho-social support.

Find out more about the Amakhala Foundation's great initiatives.

3. ANTI-POACHING

On the ground our K9 unit and our horseback patrols work day in and day out scouting for potential threats. In the sky, our 'Eye in the Sky' is flown daily. Our Zero-Poaching approach focuses on the below: 

  • Assessment; regular training of field rangers;
  • Technology: use the best available tools and technologies;
  • Capacity: increase our Field Ranger staff ability;
  • Community: engage with local communities;
  • Prosecution; improve prosecution; 
  • Cooperation: share information regularly. 

There is no substitute for a team of well-trained, well-equipped and strongly motivated anti-poaching scouts. However, through innovative deployment of modern technology, we can significantly increase their effectiveness. For example, we deploy detection equipment such as GSM-enabled camera traps and night vision equipment to feed information through digital communication networks to web-based monitoring. The added efficiency derived from these systems assists teams in increasing the rate of arrests of poachers and reducing wildlife losses whilst simultaneously deterring other would-be illegal hunters who recognise the increased risk of being apprehended. 

Leopard On Amakhala   Brad Louwrens 3

Our love for South Africa and our passion to protect her diversity, in particular, her endangered wildlife species and shrinking wild areas, as well as her vulnerable communities, is at the core of everything we do. 

Wrad Blog Images Credit Tammy Smith & Petro Rossouw  (23)

Story Of The Week:

The Amakhala Foundation recently hosted 40 primary school learners for this years World Environment Day celebration. By incorporating World Oceans Day into the theme, our incredible team went full circle covering various environmental issues, including plastic pollution and shark finning.

Activities included fun arts and craft projects, detective games and a painted pledge, promising to always create awareness, care for and protect all animals.

Our ability to fund all of these initiatives and keep our three pillars in operation has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as tourism to the area has come to a halt. However, we are determined to continue doing what we do. If you would like to partner with us in this work, you can make a difference by contributing to the Amakhala Conservation Fund’s Add-A-Bit account.  No matter how big or how small, every little bit counts #give5fortheBig5.

Donate Online

To quickly visit the fund on your smartphone, scan the QR code below:

Qrcode (1)

GIVE 5 FOR THE BIG 5
Bank ABSA Bank
Branch Code 632005
Account Name ADD A BIT (Pty) Ltd
Account Number 4096600890
Payment Reference AMAKHALA FUND
Swift Code ABSAZAJJ
Account Type Current

For overseas transactions:

  • Account Name: ADDaBIT (Pty) Ltd
  • Branch Name: Sandton
  • Branch Code: 19205
  • Account Number: 022720472
  • SWIFT CODE: SBZAZAJJ
  • Bank Name: STANDARD BANK OF S.A. LTD.
  • Bank Branch Address: Ground Floor Alice Lane, Cnr Fredman Drive and Fifth Street, Sandton, Saxonworld, Gauteng 
  • Bank Phone: (011 ) 898-4200 

Kindly use reference 'Amakhala Fund' when donating.

If you are donating from overseas and require more information or further assitance, please reach out to amakhalafund@lionroars.com and support@addabit.co.za and we will assist.

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