Since our establishment, the Zululand-based Babanango Game Reserve has proven how community-driven conservation, environmentally responsible tourism, and long-term social impact can be achieved. Through a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), The Babanango Foundation, the reserve has become a living legacy of what can happen when conservation and community work together.
Bringing the Vision to Life
In 2017, a group of German philanthropists with a deep commitment to Africa’s wildlife and communities joined forces with three local land-owning community trusts. Their shared goal was to create a pioneering conservation project that would restore wilderness, protect biodiversity, and benefit the people who live alongside the land.
This collaboration led to the formation of Babanango Game Reserve, our Big Five wildlife reserve covering over 20,000 hectares of land in KwaZulu-Natal. Unlike traditional conservation efforts, this project was rooted in community ownership and long-term sustainability from the very beginning.
The majority of the land still belongs to the Emcakwini, Esibongweni, and KwaNgono Community Trusts, guaranteeing that our local communities remain central stakeholders. This co-ownership model ensures that all our conservation and tourism activities are designed to provide tangible, long-lasting benefits to those who call this region home.
Establishing The Babanango Foundation
Central to our mission of community involvement is our PBO, The Babanango Foundation, which is committed to sustainable development in the surrounding communities. The Foundation was born out of the same philanthropic drive that established the reserve, working closely in partnership with our local land-owning trusts, community leaders, as well as public and private sector stakeholders – all of whom share our unified vision of ecologically sustainable economic activity that protects the wildlife while improving the lives of our local communities.
The Foundation’s Four Pillars of Change
In addition to aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, all the work undertaken by our Foundation is anchored across the 4 pillars of change. These include:
Siyavikela (‘We are Protecting’) – Conservation
The Conservation Pillar is dedicated to restoring and protecting our natural ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, and ensuring long-term environmental resilience. It focuses on community-driven conservation efforts, encouraging our local people to lead and sustain meaningful ecological change. This has been achieved through:
- Community-led alien plant eradication, which includes 1,500 hectares of invasive alien species removed.
- The creation of 25 permanent jobs for local communities, 60% of whom are women.
- Rehabilitating degraded land to promote climate resilience, improve wildlife habitats, and support local livelihoods through sustainable land use practices.
Siyafunda (‘We are Learning’) – Education
The Education Pillar focuses on creating access to quality, nature-based learning opportunities that inspire environmental stewardship. By supporting local schools and conservation education programmes, our Foundation provides communities with the knowledge and skills to protect their natural heritage. We also aim to provide a safe environment for children in the community while providing skills training outside the field of conservation. Some initiatives under this pillar include:
- The provision of support for 36 schools on the game reserve’s boundary, including educational resources.
- Conservation education, including hosting 2-day conservation camps and school visits to the Babanango Outdoor Education Centre.
- The support of 500 children through 22 Early Childhood Development (ECD) Sites.
- Teacher capacity building and mentorship for 50 ECD practitioners.
- Minor school renovations.
- The installation of WiFi at two local schools to extend access to information and resources.
- Support for youth sports development, sponsoring 800 youth in soccer and netball.
Siyaphila (‘We are Healthy’) – Health and Water Access
Our Health Pillar is dedicated to improving the well-being of our local communities by supporting access to basic healthcare, health education, and clean, safe drinking water. Our Foundation aims to promote sustainable, healthy living and strengthen resilience in our rural areas through targeted, community-driven initiatives, such as:
- The installation of 13 solar-powered boreholes and 4 borehole conversions, providing some 5 000 residents (more than 300 households) with access to clean drinking water.
- Conducting 500 eye tests and distributing 150 pairs of spectacles to local residents.
- Training communities on efficient water use and sustainable resource management.
Siyakhula (‘We are Growing’) – Entrepreneurship
Finally, our Entrepreneurship Pillar focuses on empowering our local communities through skills development, mentorship, and support for small business growth. Our Foundation aims to create sustainable economic opportunities that foster self-reliance and long-term resilience through initiatives, such as:
- The provision of Community Garden Starter Packs to support household-level food production and income generation for 50 community gardens benefiting 275+ households.
- Establishment of gardening and agricultural programmes supporting co-operatives.
- Vocational training in arts and craft programmes, which can lead to income-generating careers.
- Community upskilling and hiring at Babanango Game Reserve with 184 community members trained as eco-rangers, wildlife photographers, and more, ensuring the eco-tourism economy benefits all.
- Sustainable timber harvesting and value-added processing.
- Hosting 8 tournaments, SAFA league registration, and cultural activities.
Working Alongside Babanango Game Reserve
The success of The Babanango Foundation and its ongoing projects relies on the success of our Babanango Game Reserve. These two aspects are completely intertwined, which is why the work being undertaken at the reserve is central to the Foundation itself.
Restoring Africa’s Wildlife
One of the most remarkable aspects of our story is our ambitious approach to wildlife conservation. Over the last five years, Babanango has undertaken one of the largest game translocation projects in South Africa by reintroducing more than 3,500 large mammals back to the land where they once roamed freely.
Species once lost to the area have been carefully and sensitively reintroduced, including:
- The Critically Endangered black rhino
- Rare antelope such as oribi and klipspringer
- In 2023, elephants marked the return of all members of the iconic Big Five
Our rewilding project has not only revived critical ecosystems but also laid the foundation for a thriving eco-tourism economy that sustains conservation and the livelihood of our local communities.
Eco-Tourism Done Correctly
Every aspect of our reserve has been designed with sustainability and inclusivity in mind, from our low-impact lodges to our locally sourced building materials and community-driven staff hiring practices.
Many of our staff are hired from the surrounding villages, with the reserve providing training and upskilling opportunities that result in long-term career prospects in the hospitality and conservation sectors for these individuals.
This lends a level of authenticity to the tourism experience, whether guests are staying in our back-to-basics family camps or the ultra-luxurious river lodges. They will enjoy:
- A deep connection to nature
- Insight into ongoing conservation efforts
- Locally grown cuisine and handmade décor
- Wildlife viewing in the African wilderness
Model for Community and Conservation Success
Our Babanango model is proof that wildlife conservation doesn’t have to come at the expense of people; rather, it must include communities to better restore ecosystems through shared prosperity. Every garden planted, borehole drilled, animal reintroduced, or child supported forms part of a greater story. This model is unique not only in its ambition but in its execution:
- Community-owned land managed through lease agreements
- Local benefit-sharing through jobs, education, and enterprise
- Joint governance between communities, philanthropists, and conservationists
- Sustainability-aligned development with long-term resilience as the goal
Babanango Game Reserve, through The Babanango Foundation, stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when conservation and community go hand in hand. Explore more about our reserve’s journey and discover how The Babanango Foundation is helping shape a better tomorrow.