Manyoni Private Game Reserve

Description

After a decade of hard work and commitment, the Zululand Rhino Reserve has given birth to a new name and identity. Manyoni Private Game Reserve means the “place of birds” in isiZulu and is apt to describe this unique reserve, nestled in the heart of Zululand.

The Manyoni Private Game Reserve was created when 17 dedicated landowners dropped their fences to create a 23 000 ha protected area that was chosen as a release site for the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. In 2005, a founder population of black rhino were released into their new home. While rhino conservation remains the heart and soul of the reserve, it has grown to be so much more.

After the introduction of black rhinos, a herd of elephant from the Kruger National Park were translocated to the reserve. Cheetah were reintroduced in 2009. The reserve achieved “Big 5” status when lions were introduced in 2011. More recently, a pack of African wild dogs, the most endangered carnivore in South Africa, were introduced.