The reserves we work on
Wildlife ACT has initiated monitoring projects on various Reserves across Zululand, South Africa. The Zululand ecosystem is among the most diverse and productive wild lands in the world, yet amid its gallery of wildlife, conservation efforts face tremendous challenges. Some of these challenges include: rapid encroachment and fragmentation of natural habitat; poaching; insufficient research and inadequate funding for monitoring and research; coupled with the occurrence of many endangered species. Zululand makes a dramatic backdrop to our initiatives as it is a place of unspoilt beauty with cultures as diverse as its landscapes. The rolling green hills are disturbed only by the zig-zagging of rivers, and the picture-perfect coastlines are framed by abundant forests. Zululand is a rare place where age-old cultures and traditions live hand-in-hand with modern culture, living and conservation efforts.
Current wildlife monitoring & tracking locations
Because we work across so many Reserves, volunteers get the opportunity to experience the different approaches used to meet each Reserves’ unique conservation goals. Furthermore, the fact that we work in small teams of no more than four volunteers per Reserve ensures that you will have one-on-one time with the monitors, gaining hands-on conservation experience. The Reserves we focus on at the moment are:
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game reserve
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game reserve is the oldest and second larges game reserve in Africa, where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is also famous as the place where the White Rhino was saved from certain extinction. Today, Africa's 'Magnificent 7' stalk the flourishing savannah and covers a massive 96 000 hectares, making it the second biggest reserve in South Africa and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and characterised by hilly topography.
Mkhuze Game Reserve
Mkhuze Game Reserve is one of Africa’s oldest Game Reserves, founded in 1912. It is famous for its immense biodiversity. The Mkhuze River, with a beautiful stretch of fig forest along its banks, curves along the Reserve's northern and eastern borders. The Mkhuze Game Reserve constitutes the north western spur of the recently declared World Heritage Site: the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. Wildlife ACT’s main focus on Mkhuze is the monitoring of the African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Elephant herds and Vultures.
Thanda Private Game Reserve
Home to the super 7: Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, African Wild Dog and Cheetah.
Recently a number of indigenous keystone species, including African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Lion, Elephant, Buffalo and White Rhino have been reintroduced to this Reserve. Wildlife ACT initiated their monitoring efforts to help assess the progress of these reintroduced species with a focus on the African Wild Dog.
Tembe National Elephant Park
Situated in Northern Zululand, and adjoining the Mozambique border, Tembe National Elephant Park is most widely known for having over 200 of the world’s largest Elephants, which are also the last remaining indigenous herd in KwaZulu-Natal. The area now known as Tembe Elephant Park is real wild country. The land was historically owned by the Tembe tribe, the ancestral custodians of the area.
