“One step at a time is all it takes to get you there.”

~ EMILY DICKINSON ~

Zuka Private Game Reserve - Timeline

1990
1990

The Beginning of The Story

Black and White Butterfly on branch

Coming from his successful almost 40 year old Londolozi where he had already invested decades of hard work, money and belief nurturing the reserve and building a leading eco-tourism destination,…Read more

1991
1991

Phinda Is Born

Bateleur flying - Phinda is born

Phinda, meaning “return” in isiZulu was brought in to its first phase of reality in 1991 as it pioneered the groundbreaking model: Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife…Read more

1992
1992

Care Of The People

Care of the people - kids at school

The core values of AndBeyond (or CCAfrica as it was named then) Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife and Care of the People have been the DNA of…Read more

1992

The Getty Family Commit

Zuka Private Game Reserve Landscape

Dave recounts his pitch to the family in his book Full Circle: “Yes, we are aware that Nelson Mandela is calling for sanctions. And yes, we have bought derelict farms…Read more

1999
1999

Robin James

Robin James - Zuka Private Game Reserve

1999 was a significant moment in the timeline of Africa Foundation. Rob James negotiated the first important endowment for Africa Foundation. Rob undertook Africa Foundation from inception, as a steady,…Read more

2001
2001

The Purchase of Zuka

Paula Louw at the entrance to Zuka Private Game Reserve in 2001

In April of 2001 Tara and I flew from London to Seattle to present Zuka to the Family Trust. Prior to landing on the other side of the world, we…Read more

2002
2002

Munywana Leopard Project

Leopard lazing in a tree at Zuka Private Game Reserve

The leopard is a species that was never reintroduced into the Munywana Conservancy. It was widespread across Zululand and like the spotted Hyena, managed to survive the onslaught of habitat…Read more

2004
2004

Zuka joins the Munywana Conservancy

Hand shake when Zuka joined the Mun-Ya-Wana Conservancy

In April 2004 the fences separating Zuka Private Game Reserve and Phinda Private Game Reserve started to come down, adding an additional 3,300 hectares of land to the Munywana Conservancy.…Read more

2004

Black Rhino Reintroduction

Black Rhino

Another triumph in 2004 was the introduction of Black Rhino in to the Munywana Conservancy. The Black Rhino Range Expansion Programme, an initiative between WWF and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife meant…Read more

2007
2007

Conservation and Community Partnerships

Conservation and Community partnerships - moving of Rhino

From the start in 1990 our core values, Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife and Care of the People resonated in everything that was undertaken within the Munyawana…Read more

2008
2008

Purchasing Sutton

Lioness with cubs at Zuka Private Game Reserve

Zuka Private Game Reserve shared its southern and western boundaries with a property called Sutton, an area of 2,099 hectares. The Sutton property was finally incorporated into Zuka Private Game…Read more

2010
2010

Purchasing Nkonka

Lions drinking at Nkonka - Zuka Private Game Reserve

In the early 1970’s a 610 hectare portion of the original Zuka property called Nkonka was subdivided out and sold. Nkonka lies on our western border and in 2010, we…Read more

2012
2012

Khulani Special School, Mduku

Children outside of Khulani Special School, Maduku

The life of Khulani Special School, in the Mduku community began in 1998; a daily gathering of special needs children, with mild to extreme physical and cognitive difficulties watched over…Read more

2013
2013

Rhinos Without Borders

Rhino calf at Zuka Private Game Reserve

With Rhino poaching at an all time high in South Africa, andBeyond, together with Great Plains Conservation launched their collaborative initiative of translocating 100 rhino from these areas of heightened…Read more

2015
2015

Rhino Translocation

Rhino Translocation via helicopter

In February 2015, soon after launching the programme, 10 more rhino were successfully translocated from Zuka Private Game Reserve and Phinda Private Game Reserve to Botswana as part of the…Read more

2015

Rhino Dehorning

Rhino capture for dehorning

The increased pressure on rhino population in both private and state-owned conservation areas within South Africa catalysed the Munywana Conservancy management team to draw up a renewed security plan in…Read more

2017
2017

Africa Foundation 25 Years

Distinguished guests and Nkosi Gumede at Zuka House to celebrate this 25 year landmark of Africa Foundation

Africa Foundation celebrated its 25th year in May, 2017. Members of the community, andBeyond employees, members of the Africa Foundation team, Africa Foundation Trustees, finalists of the inaugural Africa Foundation…Read more

2018
2018

Bayala

Lion at Zuka Private Game Reserve - Bayala

The Bayala property purchase and removal of the fences expanded Zuka Private Game Reserve on the western side of the Lebombo Mountains. With traverse over the 10 300 hectares of…Read more

2018

Sungulwane and Fever Tree

Cheetah at Zuka Private Game Reserve

Purchasing Bayala presented another opportunity in land assembly and partnership with two existing private, family owned game reserves bordering Bayala: Sungulwane and Fever Tree. The owners of these two properties,…Read more

2018

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and wife Nomalizo Leah Tutu at Zuka Private Game Reserve

Our beloved, indefatigable Arch and Mrs Tutu accepted our invitation to come and stay at Zuka. It was a joy for us to take care of them as a token…Read more

2019
2019

Musa Msweli

Musa Msweli House Manager at Zuka House and Gladstones

As a young boy growing up without parents in Mnqobokazi, a rural community adjacent to Zuka Private Game Reserve, life was not easy or straightforward for Musa Msweli, however, matriculating…Read more

2019

Pangolin Reintroduction

Pangolin at Zuka Private Game Reserve

Pangolins are the most heavily trafficked wild mammals in the world (Chandler et al., 2014) with the demand for live pangolins, their meat and scales, leading to a global decline…Read more

2020
2020

Tembe Elephant Introduction

Elephant lifted by crane and introduced to Zuka Private Game Reserve

It is estimated Tembe Elephant Park, situated in northern Zululand, is home to the largest concentration of Big Tuskers anywhere in Africa. Although these giants once roamed freely across the…Read more

2020

2020

2020 Pandemic Response, packages

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…Read more

2021
2021

2001-2021 Zuka Private Game Reserve Celebrates 20 Years!

Zuka Private Game Reserve Landscape

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…Read more