Makalali Private Game Reserve

Makalali Private Game Reserve is situated in Limpopo Provinc

Makalali Private Game Reserve is situated in Limpopo Province near to the Kruger National Park. Makalali, meaning “Place of Rest” in Shangaan, is a unique conservation initiative to expand South Africas green frontier by re-establishing the ancient traditional wildlife migration routes that linked the famous Kruger Park in the east to the lush Drakensberg Mountains in the west. One of South Africa’s premier privately-owned conservation areas, Makalali currently comprises an amazing 61,000 acres (including a 5,000 acre clean buffalo breeding camp)

Over the past decade, Makalali has reintroduced a variety of wildlife onto the reserve, including lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, rhino and the rare sable antelope, making Makalali home to Africa’s “Big Five.” In the process of relocating wildlife, Makalali Private Game Reserve has consistently contributed to conservation efforts to protect endangered species. Elephants were relocated from Kruger sparing them from annual culling. Breeding herds of white rhino and sable antelope were relocated to diversify the free-roaming genetic populations, ultimately contributing to the survivability of the species.

Research activities at Makalali Private Game Reserve

Makalali Private Game Reserve’s research activities are fueled by the support of the reserve’s rangers, together with two resident student programs. The Siyafunda Conservation Initiative, a volunteer program on the southern part of the reserve, was primarily established to assist with existing research projects and to provide reserve management with the necessary data needed to make well-informed decisions. The two most important ongoing monitoring and research initiatives conducted on Makalali are:

• Elephant Contraception - Makalali recognizes the need for alternative methods of elephant population control other than culling and translocation; with the introduction of immunocontraception, a safe, effective and non-lethal biological control method now exists. Since May 2000, Makalali has implemented an immunocontraception programme on their elephant population and 23 cows have been vaccinated to date. These cows are individually recognized by means of identification templates and photographs. Extensive records are maintained, including observations and reactions to the darting and their behaviour thereafter. To date, no unusual behaviour or side effects have been detected. As the Kruger trials proved the vaccine’s efficacy, safety and reversibility, the aim of the Makalali study is to determine the vaccines reliability in controlling population growth. Since August 2002, a 0% growth rate has been maintained indicating very promising applications for population growth regulation of elephants on small reserves.
• Lion/Predator Management - In all small game reserves, a delicate balance between prey and predator species needs to be carefully managed and maintained because they exist in closed environments. The aim of this project is to produce a GIS based model that will act as a tool for correctly managing the predator population at Makalali. This project will allow one to determine the ‘carrying capacity’ of each large predator in the reserve and will also consider the possibility of introducing more predators into the system.

The closest towns to Makalali Private Game Reserve are Hoedspruit and Tzaneen. Hoedspruit is approximately 70kms, or an hour away from Makalali Privatre Game Reserve. Tzaneen is about 90kms, or just over an hour away from Makalali Private Game Reserve.

Accommodation in and around Kruger National Park