2024

When African Parks, the non-profit organisation that takes on responsibility for the management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities throughout Africa became the official custodian of 2,000 southern white rhino (from the breeding programme Platinum Rhino) they were clear with their intention to re-wild them over a ten year period. In May 2024, the ambitious rewilding phase – named Rhino Rewild – was officially launched and this is where we came in to collaborate as part of the first move of this continent-wide effort.

As a member of Munywana Conservancy, Zuka Private Game Reserve played a pivotal role in this large-scale rhino conservation effort when African Parks called on our optimal habitat, our secure and well managed protected area, to relocate 40 of these animals here. Not only providing a safe haven for this intake, but bolstering our current population and genetic diversity enhances future rhino translocation opportunities too as a successful strategy in helping to mitigate risk to the future of this species.

This is an effective collaboration in the huge effort to address the critical decline of southern white rhino and by incorporating these rhinos into the conservancy, Munywana contributes to the re-establishment of stable populations in wild ecosystems, furthering our conservation mission and supporting biodiversity in the region .

2023

Inspired by Kiss The Ground, the non profit organisation, and Carole Bamford, the founder of Daylesford Farm both leading voices in their advocacy for regenerative agriculture as a viable solution for healthy soil and its powerful influence on our climate, water and healthy organic food production, we decided to get to work!

We acquired 25 hectares on the boundary of Zuka Private Game Reserve and in 2023 created our regenerative agriculture farm, which we named Khula Farm – meaning “grow” in isiZulu.

Regenerative food production can regenerate natural systems and takes us towards actually benefitting our planet and the human population. This integrates naturally with Getty Asterism and our goals, as we adopt a variety of sustainable agriculture techniques and practices to minimise plowing, rotate crops, protect our top soils, and enhance soil health.

Khula Farm is the source of great learning, discovery and nourishment for us and our soil as we grow nutritious organic food for our guests, staff and the wider Zuka Private Game Reserve community.

We are excited to grow, harvest and create – bon appétit!

2022

In 2022, Zuka Private Game Reserve embraced its inaugural participation in Tusk’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge, marking the start of this annual event that unites the reserve’s staff, partners and neighbours!

The challenge, a fun-filled, competitive series of push-up and sit-up challenges leading up to the main event: walking or running a choice of 5km or 10km and for the courageous, the full 21km run through the reserve, has become a highlight of Zuka’s calendar. Event day culminates with well earned medals, trophies and a celebration at the wonderful Bayala Private Safari Lodge.

Meanwhile there is some serious business of fundraising!

Reaching out to friends and guests around the world as we participate in this challenge, our funds raised go to Oceans Without Borders Marine Rangers. Tusk have the immense support of The Scheinberg Relief Fund who generously committed $1million in matched funds to support of rangers most in need, and, if that wasn’t brilliant enough, Tusk give further catalyst grants, which again enhances the impact of our participation for Oceans Without Borders.

Zuka’s partnership with Tusk is deepening, effective and fun, as we grow our Wildlife Ranger Challenge year by year! We are aligned in our endeavours and work in creating lasting impact in the conservation sector. Our combined efforts not only provide crucial financial support to ranger teams but also highlights to a global audience the importance of wildlife protection and community engagement in preserving our planet’s diverse ecosystems.

2021

While celebrating 20 years of restoring, protecting and preserving the wild that is Zuka Private Game Reserve, Tara and Jessica created Getty Asterism.

At this stage, our first 20 years of rewilding, conservation and preservation had shown us the possibilities of wilderness restoration. Throughout this time, we attracted some passionate individuals and by formalising this growing team, with their extraordinary discoveries across the reserve, we created Getty Asterism as a multifaceted ecology venture.

Getty Asterism, as an alchemy of Zuka Private Game Reserve, research, scientists, opportunities, solutions and a platform is dedicated to research opportunities for students, to craft formal scientific projects, for ecological innovations and partnerships and to be the heart of the interrelated areas of land, wildlife and humanity on Zuka Private Game Reserve.

This fully funded vehicle and unique department gives the opportunity to individuals to settle into the reserve, work on ideas, make discoveries, innovate and sensitively apply solutions, and for us to expand the integrated conservation model that is Zuka Private Game Reserve. This freedom and innovation could mean that our impact evolves and ripples outwards to be significant in the future.

2001 – 2021

Words by Jessica Getty

Nature.

Thriving and beauteous in her perfection, she needs nothing from us.

We are called to be with her and to watch, witness, observe and learn. Nature is our axis that inspires an instinct to revolve around her and respond.

Zuka is our response.

Under our auspices since 2001, Zuka has an infinitely wide matrix of history before it and around it; angles, truths, humans and circumstances that account for and construct a different beginning before our own. For Tara and me, to put Zuka and our personal commitment in to context, 1990 is the rightful starting point to our story and the germination of what would birth 10 years later: Zuka Private Game Reserve.

Zuka is one of myriad examples around the world of the common point where humanity meets the natural world in order to protect her.

Every minute since 2001 has been filled with nature playing her role, there for us to coexist, to immerse in wonder. Simultaneously, every minute since 2001, has been filled with the best intentions from a vast human collective connected to Zuka. All those minutes have turned in to days and years threaded together bringing us to this place in time, 2021, where we allow ourselves a pause, to notice and celebrate.

We honour 20 years of this collective of human hearts, attributes and actions. These humans have been on board and held on tight over 20 years with tenacity, expertise, passion, kindness, willingness, loyalty and mercifully, a sense of humour!

2021 is our vantage point to look back, be here, notice Zuka quietly thriving and with gratitude and vigour, go onwards.

2020

Words by Musa Msweli
House Manager Zuka House & Gladstones

Food insecurity is a reality for many South African households with approximately 50% of households living below the poverty line and unable to afford food for basic healthy eating.

The spread of the 2020 global Covid-19 pandemic across South Africa added pressure to vulnerable households as they faced temporary or permanent employment interruptions. In addition, the primary care givers of these households had more mouths to feed with children that previously benefited from the national school feeding programme.

From the outset, and through the lockdowns of Covid-19, Zuka Private Game Reserve, responded to what quickly became the most urgent needs of our surrounding communities: food and personal protection.

We put our human resources, funding and donations in to compiling, transporting and distributing much needed food parcels, masks, sanitisers and essentials.

During these critical months, Zuka Private Game Reserve delivered these essentials to 10,500 people in urgent need of assistance in KwaNgwenya and Mnqobokazi.

Our gratitude to all who participated, for your kind and generous support.