The Babanango Game Reserve rewilding project has revived the White Umfolozi River Valley in South Africa, once emptied of its wildlife. Thanks to the collaboration between Zulu communities, conservationists, and global investors, the region now thrives again—with the iconic Big Five roaming freely.
At dawn, field guide Eduan Balt scans fresh animal tracks across the grassland, spotting newly restored apex predators. Lions have returned here for the first time in 150 years. Although colonial farming once displaced native species, a groundbreaking rewilding effort started changing everything in 2018.
Since then, nearly 4,000 medium- and large-sized animals have been reintroduced across Babanango’s 20,000 hectares. As a result, the landscape now supports around 5,000 wild animals, many of which have reproduced naturally.
German philanthropists Barbara and Hellmuth Weisser played a major role by investing almost 1 billion rand (£42.5m). Not only did they finance the wildlife restoration, but they also funded four eco-lodges, including Zulu Rock Lodge, to secure the park’s future through eco-tourism.
However, the road to success wasn’t smooth. Removing 2,600 cows, 300 goats, and 35 donkeys from the land took more than three years. In addition, frequent vandalism challenged the construction of the 81km perimeter fence, delaying progress.
Despite these setbacks, Babanango became a Big Five game reserve faster than expected. Rhinos, buffalo, and lions returned between May 2022 and March 2023. Furthermore, elephants arrived by June 2023, marking a major conservation milestone.
Chris Galliers, conservation manager at Conservation Outcomes, stressed the importance of restoring endemic species. While some animals like kudu and bushbucks remained in small numbers, others had to be fully reintroduced for genetic health and ecosystem balance.
Moreover, the rewilding effort involved extensive health checks. Animals were kept in bomas to control diseases like foot-and-mouth before release. Meanwhile, dehorning the rhinos helped deter poachers and boost survival rates.
Beyond wildlife restoration, Babanango also revitalizes local communities. The African Habitat Conservancy Foundation (AHC) installed 17 solar-powered boreholes, bringing running water to neighboring villages. In addition, removing invasive plants like black wattles has helped restore the region’s groundwater streams.
“We see the direct impact,” says AHC manager Thina Nyathi, “because streams that once dried up are flowing again.” Furthermore, AHC offers vocational training in crafts such as ceramics and beadwork, allowing lodges to promote local artisans and their work.
Today, about 75% of Babanango’s staff come from nearby communities. For many families, this represents the first generation accessing higher education through salaries earned at the reserve.
Nyathi explains it best: “It’s about teaching someone to fish, not just giving them the fish.” By building self-reliance, the project creates long-term benefits for both people and nature.
Babanango also holds 45% of South Africa’s bird species, including the colorful lilac-breasted roller. As the Babanango Game Reserve rewilding project matures, it serves as a powerful blueprint for conservation success on community-owned land.
