A QUIET MIRACLE
IN THE LITTLE KAROO
A QUIET MIRACLE
IN THE LITTLE KAROO
HECTARES PROTECTED
YEARS IN CONSERVATION
ENDEMIC PLANT SPECIES
It started with an audacious dream in 2011.
That same dream is now a living reality on the arid plains of the Little Karoo
Over 500km² of agricultural land was earmarked for the creation of a 54 000ha reserve that would attempt to conserve the heritage, ecosystems and landscapes, while creating employment opportunities in one of South Africa’s most dire rural areas. This dream was a big one.
Baba Boutjies, Gibbaeum heathii | Photo by Anthea Bothma
Baba Boutjies, Gibbaeum heathii | Photo by Anthea Bothma
‘rewilding’ IN THE
arid Karoo
In previous decades, the ‘rewilding’ conservation model had been successfully implemented across South Africa, but this would be the first attempt in an arid Karoo environment. There were no case studies or scientific literature to inform the process, but slowly – with grit and determination – the dream was born on Sanbona Nature and Wilderness Reserve.
The journey was long and winding, like the hundreds of kilometres of internal fencing material removed to allow wildlife free movement across Sanbona. In a leap of faith, species that had been locally extinct for hundreds of years were reintroduced; elephant, hippopotamus, cheetah and lion again roamed their historical ranges in the Little Karoo. A dedicated conservation team monitored their success, and still does.
Then in 2015, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve entered a new visionary phase when it was bought by the non-profit CALEO Foundation. Their goal is to protect critically vital ecosystems, endangered wildlife and plants. Sanbona was a perfect fit, since the reserve conserves two global biodiversity hotspots: Succulent Karoo and Fynbos. Quartz fields create additional microhabitats that support rare and threatened succulent species that occur nowhere else on earth.
Photo by Jannie Swanepoel
Photo by Jannie Swanepoel
highly respected player in conservation
Sanbona is a special place and a highly respected player in conservation. This ethos extends to the guest experience across its three luxury lodges: Tilney Manor, Gondwana Family Lodge and Dwyka Tented Lodge. Previously for profit, the lodges have now been transferred to a registered non-profit company with the sole goal being to maintain the reserve and everything on it as a wilderness refuge for future generations.
%
OF THE LITTLE KAROO REMAINS IN PRISTINE CONDITION
All funds generated from tourism on Sanbona will be used for sustainable conservation and community development.
CONSERVATION
PROJECTS
This is a milestone for conservation and, in particular, for the protection of threatened ecosystems and endangered wildlife.
Black rhino
Cheetah
Cape Mountain Zebra
RIVERINE RABBIT
Photo by www.bionerds.co.za
Anti-poaching Unit
SANBONA has long been a role player with ground-breaking conservation initiatives; first with establishing the most genetically diverse Cape mountain zebra population to contribute to the metapopulation, and most recently in reintroducing desert black rhino back into the Little Karoo. This will greatly contribute to the protection of this Near Threatened species.
CONSERVATION
PROJECTS
This is a milestone for conservation and, in particular, for the protection of threatened ecosystems and endangered wildlife.
Photo by www.bionerds.co.za
SANBONA has long been a role player with ground-breaking conservation initiatives; first with establishing the most genetically diverse Cape mountain zebra population to contribute to the metapopulation, and most recently in reintroducing desert black rhino back into the Little Karoo. This will greatly contribute to the protection of this Near Threatened species.
Twenty years after a seemingly impossible dream took flight, it has been realised. Sanbona is a benchmark of conservation success and credibility. The reserve has truly lived what Nelson Mandela said in:
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
