MANYONI GAME RESERVE
History
The Manyoni Private Game Reserve, previously Zululand Rhino Reserve, was created when 17 dedicated landowners dropped their fences to create a 23 000ha 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. A significant achievement was the proclamation of the reserve as a Nature Reserve under the Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 (the highest conservation status possible). Manyoni Private Game Reserve is recognised as a site of biodiversity importance and contributes to the provincial conservation targets and endangered species meta-populations.
Wildlife
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.
And besides that the reserve is also home to hyena, jackal, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, bushpig, warthog, chacma baboons, vervet monkeys, honey badgers, mongoose and various antelope species including kudu, nyala, impala, reedbuck, bushbuck, duiker, and a variety of tortoises, terrapins, snakes and lizards plus a variety of bird species.
The Manyoni Private Game Reserve, previously Zululand Rhino Reserve, was created when 17 dedicated landowners dropped their fences to create a 23 000ha 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. A significant achievement was the proclamation of the reserve as a Nature Reserve under the Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 (the highest conservation status possible). Manyoni Private Game Reserve is recognised as a site of biodiversity importance and contributes to the provincial conservation targets and endangered species meta-populations.
Wildlife
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.
And besides that the reserve is also home to hyena, jackal, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, bushpig, warthog, chacma baboons, vervet monkeys, honey badgers, mongoose and various antelope species including kudu, nyala, impala, reedbuck, bushbuck, duiker, and a variety of tortoises, terrapins, snakes and lizards plus a variety of bird species.
where to stay...
From our many visits to Manyoni Game Reserve, we have first-hand knowledge of the hotels and below you can find the ones we most commonly use. Those hotels include mainly our favourites sorted from low-key to deluxe, which are usually smaller hotels with very personalised service, but also some bigger places, if they are the best or only option available. Open, close, then open each tab again to display the images fully.
KwaZulu Natal ITINERARIES
Below you can find safari itineraries in three price ranges. But these lists are by no means exhaustive. For bespoke itineraries, please contact us directly to discuss your project.
