Conservation

The Timbavati Conservation Fund is used for the management of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The management of a large wildlife area, 54 300 hectares in size, is costly and needs numerous vehicles and staff to function on a daily basis. The reserve is enclosed on two sides by game fences, covering approximately 60km. These fences are maintained and checked daily. The reserve management maintains 120km of boundary and internal firebreak roads, which is done using heavy machinery that run at a high cost.

The reserve also has a dedicated ecological division that oversees the monitoring of ecological processes and animal populations. This monitoring system is extensive and informs management decisions. One such monitoring event is the annual aerial game survey, where all large animals are counted to record animal population growth and numbers. Annual veld condition assessment, and elephant impact monitoring surveys are also conducted. Part of the ecological maintenance is an ongoing erosion reclamation programme, where all human-induced erosion is actively mitigated.

The Timbavati Conservation Fund has a dedicated anti-poaching team, which is responsible for all area integrity-related actions. Due to the size and shape of the reserve, many kilometres and hours are spent patrolling the boundaries and internal areas of the reserve on a daily basis. Being a declared protected area in South Africa, the Timbavati has many legislative requirements that have to be met, which increases the administrative load. In addition to the massive task of maintaining the reserve, the Timbavati conservation fee, paid by guests visiting the lodges, also finances an important community outreach project – The Timbavati Foundation.

The Timbavati Traverse is an annual ultra-marathon run, a half-marathon walk and a half-marathon run event hosted in the beautiful Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. There is one goal – to make a difference to our endangered wildlife and wildlife communities. Runners and walkers participate to help protect the Timbavati’s wildlife and their guardians and to raise funds to support the Timbavati Foundation which does incredible work for the neighbouring rural communities.