/ 15 October 2005

High hopes for new Zululand reserve

The Zululand Rhino Reserve could develop into the KwaZulu-Natal equivalent of Mala-Mala and Timbavati, provincial arts, culture and tourism minister Narend Singh said on Friday.

Speaking at the official launch of the 24 000ha privately owned reserve in the Msunduzi River valley, near Mkuze — where 21 endangered black rhino were released to mark the occasion — he said the project will significantly augment the eco-tourism product offered by government through Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife.

”The lodge accommodation provided on the farms that make up the reserve is of the highest standard in terms of luxury and aesthetics, much of it with the most spectacular river-valley views.

”This is the kind of product that is calculated to appeal to overseas visitors especially, and I can see Zululand Rhino Reserve developing into KwaZulu-Natal’s equivalent of Mala-Mala and Timbavati, in Mpumalanga province.

”I see it becoming a very significant part of the wilderness/eco-tourism component of KwaZulu-Natal’s tourism product,” Singh added.

Zululand Rhino Reserve has come about through a decision by 25 private landowners to drop their fences and switch to game ranching. The project is supported by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife and the WWF, and aims to increase numbers of the endangered black rhino.

The reserve is already home to other endangered species: the wild dog, the red-billed oxpecker, the leopard tortoise and Bell’s hingeback tortoise. It also contains white rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo.

Lion are to be introduced, which will give the reserve ”Big Five” status.

The switch from farming has also already increased employment tenfold in the district.

There are now about 700 permanent jobs, as game wardens, field guides and hospitality staff have been taken on. — Sapa