A sanctuary for wildlife, a home for communities

The family-owned and -run Amakhala Safari Lodge was established on three pillars – conservation, community, and to be financially viable well into the future, so as to uphold its ongoing work in sustainable tourism. Nestled within the 8 000-hectare Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape Province, the lodge is split among eight other owner-managed tourism properties.

TThe Big Five game reserve is home to over 50 mammal species, 230 plant species and 75 families. Here, conservation and community exist in harmony surrounded by an ever-beautiful ecosystem. Through the creation of viable economic alternatives for local community members through sustainable tourism, the reserve has witnessed a significant reduction in wildlife and rhino poaching.

Each guest also pays a Conservation and Community Development Levy that helps to fund the reserve’s rhino anti-poaching units, Conservation Education Programmes, and the Amakhala Foundation. The latter is all about empowering local communities and conserving the environment through various community, conservation and educational projects.

A strong foundation

The Amakhala Foundation established the Amakhala Conservation Centre to help educate around 1 500 youth each year through various Conservation Education Programmes. It teaches school learners and tertiary level students how to preserve wildlife and vegetation species, and conserve landscapes. The foundation also drives social empowerment projects on Amakhala Game Reserve and in surrounding communities though school bursaries and the support of various charities, particularly the Isipho Charity Trust.

Paying it forward

Each year, the Amakhala Foundation supports community members through the Ulevana Bursary Programme. One such bursary recipient is Bulela Skosana, who has become a guide at the reserve.

“While I was a student, I applied for the Ulevana Bursary programme, where for 10 weeks I learned numerous things, such as recognising wildlife tracks, trees, plants and animals,” say Bulela Skosana. “The bursary not only educated me, but allowed me to empower myself by using the skill set I acquired,” he goes on to say.                                                                                   

“Bulela Skosana is a hard worker, who is very interested and willing to do the work. He's turned into a great guide, and guests love him – they always come back to us with how knowledgeable he is. We are very fortunate to have him with us,” says Amakhale Lodge, co-owner Mike Weeks.