Zuka Private Game Reserve is the cornerstone property of a pioneering land assembly that was founded in 2001. Today, 20 years later, this progressive rewilding project has thus far expanded to 10,300 hectares of environmentally restored and protected northern Zululand and stands as a beacon of light as to what is possible on our planet.
“Caring for wilderness, wildlife and people is multifaceted. There are many models. This is ours.”
~ TARA GETTY ~
“Caring for wilderness, wildlife and people is multifaceted. There are many models. This is ours.”
~ TARA GETTY ~
Where we are
Zuka Private Game Reserve is 10,300 hectares of the Mun-Ya-Wana Conservancy, a formal Protected Area bordering a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
Zuka Private Game Reserve’s proximity to the Indian Ocean, and the Lebombo Mountains creates dramatic topography with varied geology and soils from the ancient sea bed and historic volcanic activity; in turn supporting an array of habitats and vast biodiversity.
WORLD LION DAY 2022
Lions are officially classified as “vulnerable”. Habitat is key to their survival and a healthy thriving population on the planet. As we continue expanding @zukaprivategamereserve, and we further extend this wilderness area by thousands of hectares, we extend and protect living space for these animals to predate, breed, form new prides and maintain optimal health.
#Pantheraleo
#Worldlionday
#Habitat
#Expandinggreenfrontiers
#Zukaprivategamereserve
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Bayalaprivatesafarilodge
#Sungulwane
#Southafrica
@faunafloraint
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
UP CLOSE
Being in the bush, you never know what might come across your path and snakes, no matter how tiny, trigger a multitude of reactions! This little Green Spotted Bush Snake is harmless, non venomous and, if you can gently catch this speedy little reptile (ideally with a pair of professional hands), they are wonderful to study up close for a few minutes before releasing.
📸 @jessica.s.d.getty
#Greenspottedbushsnake #Gentlehands #Studyupclose #Safariguide #Restored #Protected #Preserved #Wild #Zukaprivategamereserve #Bayalaprivatesafarilodge #Sungulwane #Thisisafrica
WILD AND WISE
Here on @zukaprivategamereserve we see leopard frequently, up close and relaxed.
This was not always the case. Twenty years ago, the Mun-Ya-Wana Leopard Project was launched as a long term research project. This study, spanning 10 years, changed the course of survival and numbers of this iconic cat. The results of the study catalysed interventions that have dramatically increased numbers of leopard living and, viewed daily within the conservancy and reflect a healthier population thriving outside of protected areas today.
📸 Mike Kirkinis
#Protected #Wild #Impact #Pantherapardus #Zukaprivategamereserve #andbeyondphinda #Bayalaprivatesafarilodge #Sungulwane #Pantheracats #Conservation
WORLD RANGER DAY
Spending time with a ranger is to enter another world. Alson and Skampu pictured here can detect things that seem invisible. It takes years for a ranger to build knowledge and develop a conversation with the natural world.
Rangers demonstrate ultimate respect for the natural world and show us things we would otherwise miss. They are our guides and experts in the bush. They translate for us the tracks and sounds, behaviours and mere traces that lead us safely in and out of a close up experience in the wild. Celebrating rangers and their diverse work around the world today!
📸 @the.minerals
#Tracking #Guiding #Uniquelyskilled #Inthewild #Takingcareofthenaturalworld #WorldRangerDay #Zukaprivategamereserve #Bayalaprivatesafarilodge #Sungulwane
WORLD CONSERVATION DAY
Protecting the officially Critically Endangered black rhino (Diceros bicornis) and Near Threatened white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) is what we do here on @zukaprivategamereserve.
A simple fact: poaching of these creatures and the illegal trafficking of rhino horn is their greatest threat. The surviving population of these huge land mammals are found in private game reserves and protected areas in just a few countries in Africa.
Courage, innovation, dedication, funding and risky work is behind the success of conserving these precious creatures; gratitude to everyone who contributes in countless meaningful ways.
@simonjamesnaylor
@drmiketoft
📸 Lawrence Weitz
#Worldconservationday #Positiveimpact #Restored #Protected #Preserved #Wild #Zukaprivategamereserve #Andbeyondphinda #Bayalaprivatesafarilodge #Cycleoflife #Sungulwane
HABITAT TEAM
From previous posts, you know we are excited about ecology here on @zukprivategamereserve! An important area of focus is on alien plant species that find their way here.
Sizakele is in the habitat team and with a careful targeted approach the team works hard to maintain the reserve in an optimal, balanced state.
📸 @june_joubert_photographer
#Healthyhabitat #Girlscandoanything #Excitedaboutecology#Caringfortheland #Restored #Preserved #Protected #Wild #Zukaprivategamereserve
OCEAN ADVENTURE
“…it’s filled with life - life of such immense abundance and variety - so many creatures that occur only in the sea and nowhere else on the planet…”
“The curiosity of creatures in the ocean …it’s such innocence…..you never know what you’re going to see….it’s never the same…”
Dr Sylvia Earle, 8th July, 2022
Dr Sylvia Earle was interviewed by @boatinternational Ocean Talks in association with @oceanfamilyfoundation
📸 @myscubacentre @dylan_pons_photography
🎼 @_paintmusic_
🎬 @jessica.s.d.getty
#Zukaprivategamereserve #Indianocean #Biodiversity #Returntothewild #Lettheadventurebegin
MALACHITE KINGFISHER
One of over 450 bird species we find here on @zukaprivategamereserve the Malachite Kingfisher with incredible jewel colours, almost looks too exotic for the African bush! Sitting quietly by a water body, their rapid flight and flash of colour triggers everyone to reach for binoculars excited to watch their acrobatic fishing!
📸 Mike Kirkinis
#Birdingparadise #Zukaprivategamereserve #Healthyhabitat #Restored #Preserved #Protected #Wild #Malachitekingfisher #Bayalaprivatesafarilodge #Sungulwane
A GLASS OF WATER
We eliminated the use of single use plastic water bottles here on @zukaprivategamereserve five years ago. We endeavour to not use plastic in as many areas as possible. Being conscious about it, we keep finding alternatives and creating new habits and practices. It’s not always easy, but we will keep at it.
We can all apply our minds to it. We can all try. @aplasticplanet #plasticfreejuly #earthshot
📸 @june_joubert_photographer
#Aglassofwater #Zukaprivategamereserve #Bayalaprivatesafarilodge #Sungulwane #Restored #Preserved #Protected #Wild
PEARL SPOTTED OWL
One of the smallest owls in Africa, and commonly referred to as an “owlet” because of their diminutive size, this Pearl Spotted Owl (Glaucidiu perlatum) photographed here on @zukprivategamereserve, is often seen active during the day, not just at night.
These little owls, thrive in bushveld and woodland habitat, nesting in holes already created by the excavation work of another bird such as a woodpecker.
📸 Mike Kirkinis
#Owlwisdom #Zukaprivategamereserve #Birdingparadise #Restored #Preserved #Protected #Wild #Zululand #Southafrica
GOLDEN HOUR
“Have you ever seen
Anything
In your life
More wonderful
Than the way the sun,
Every evening,
Relaxed and easy,
Floats toward the horizon…”
~ Mary Oliver ~
📸 Mike Kirkinis
#Zukaprivategamereserve #Sunset #Silhouette #Holidays #Horizons #Endoftheday #Bayalaprivatesafarilodge #Sungulwane #Thisisafrica
ON FOOT
“You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions”
~ Karen Blixen ~
Walking on @zukaprivategamereserve you never know what a morning might offer up!
📸 @jessica.s.d.getty
#feelalive #Onfoot #Liontracks #Bushlanguage #Inthewild #Thisisafrica
#Zukaprivategamereserve
AFRICA DAWN
“I’ll tell you how the the sun rose -
A ribbon at a time.“
~ Emily Dickinson ~
Zuka means dawn or sunrise in multiple languages, so we love the symbolism of this here @zukprivategamereserve.
The dawn of this era of conservation.
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
#Sunrise #Conservation
#Zukahouse #Zuka.africa
#Zukaprivategamereserve
#Aloes
#Zululanddawn #Anewday
#dylanlewissculpture
WILD BABIES
Born in litters of one or two, up to six and occasionally more, cheetah cubs develop in to slender adults built for bursts of extreme speed. These little cubs have a characteristic fluffy teddy bear crest running from top to tail making them irresistible to watch!
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
#zukaprivategamereserve #protected #wild #cheetah #fastestlandanimal #vulnerablestatus
GAME DRIVE
Heading back to @zukaprivategamereserve from a day at the ocean, you never know what you might see!
📸 @jessica.s.d.getty
#zukaprivategamereserve #landrover #gamedrive #restored #protected #preserved #wild #adventure #safari #bigfive
LAKE SIBAYA
There are a great diversity of ecosystems on @zukaprivategamereserve and in our immediate surrounds. Heading east towards the Indian Ocean coast, we travel through @isimangaliso wetland park and stop for a picnic on the wild, white sandy shores of Lake Sibaya.
Tucked next to the forested coastal dunes that run the length of this protected coastline, Lake Sibaya, and its sparkling clear water is estimated to be 7,750 hectares in size and is listed as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance.
📸 Mike Kirkinis
#zukaprivategamereserve #lakesibaya #wetlandsystems #biodiversity #yellowbilledkite #adventure #wildlocation #indianocean #coastalduneforest #southafrica
PARTNER PROPERTIES
“Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work; a future.”
~ DAVID WHYTE ~
“Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work; a future.”