Mind-blowing biodiversity and birding mecca of the Kruger
Makuleke Large Mammal Reintroduction Project
In 2005, six white rhino, eight blue wildebeest, Burchell's zebra and impala were moved from the central district of the Kruger National Park and taken north to the Makuleke Concession. This was the first phase of the Makuleke Large Mammal Reintroduction Project, the overall aim being to establish a breeding nucleus of white rhino and other species in the Makuleke region of the Kruger National Park. The achievement of this will result in improved marketability of the ecotourism projects in the area and also in the improvement of the ecological integrity and diversity of the area.
In 2006, the project moved into its second phase, the objective being to understand the local ecology of the white rhino in an area from which it has been absent for so long, and, in so doing, to provide this information to the broader conservation community. Phase three would ideally see the establishment of further species in the area.
See the Trust website for updates: Makuleke Large Mammal Reintroduction Project
Children in the Wilderness
2005 saw Children in the Wilderness begin running yearly programmes at Pafuri for the local Makuleke schoolchildren. This is particularly significant, as this gives the children a chance to see the very land from which their grandparents were evicted so many years ago. They are able to appreciate its wealth of beauty and diversity and to learn from and be inspired by those members of their villages who have become knowledgeable guides and staff at Pafuri Camp.
Read more: Children in the Wilderness South Africa
Community Partnerships
In a country with increasing population and habitat use pressures, the concept of community-based conservation has come to the fore as perhaps the most appropriate mechanism for wildlife protection in the future. Up until a few years ago, areas were often protected at the expense of their human inhabitants. The extreme north of the Kruger is a case in point: in 1969, the Nationalist Government forcibly removed the Makuleke people from their ancestral lands around Pafuri. In 1998, the Makuleke won their land back, and recognising its unique conservation value resolved to retain it within the Kruger National Park. In 2003, they partnered with Wilderness Safaris in building and managing Pafuri Camp within the concession.
Central to the success of the venture has been tangible economic benefits for the Makuleke community who live outside the Kruger Park. Accordingly 8% of revenue generated by the camp is paid directly to the community body in which ownership of the land vests. This income is used for communal improvements and benefits the entire community. In addition to this are the benefits of employment: more than 100 Makuleke were employed during construction, with a further eight employed as game guards in the anti-poaching unit and nearly 50 others in the running of Pafuri Camp.
This is a small proportion of the total community population of course and in seeking to spread the benefits more widely Wilderness Safaris in partnership with a German NGO and the South Africa Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) has begun a small loan scheme that amongst other projects has the operation of a community Bed & Breakfast at which guests of Pafuri Camp are able to stay.
Another is the Makuleke Hydroponics Tunnel Farming Project that produces quality fresh vegetables for Pafuri Camp and a number of other lodges in the area. With funding and input from the German NGO and Wilderness Safaris the project is starting to mature and tomatoes, spinach and three varieties of lettuce are being produced for commercial sale. The first delivery to Pafuri Camp took place in April 2007 and has continued on subsequent Wednesdays!
Pack for a Purpose is an innovative way that guests of Wilderness Safaris can help school children in this area. See their website.