&Beyond Kwandwe celebrates 10 years of Conservation success

The pristine 22 000 hectare &Beyond Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Great Fish River Valley of the Eastern Cape opened ten years ago and is now renowned as a socio-economic and ecological success, with several conservation milestones achieved along the way.

&Beyond Kwandwe opened in 1999 when several farms were transformed into the wildlife-rich area it is today. The Reserve now boasts approximately five thousand animals on a vast tract of private wilderness that straddles both banks of the Great Fish River that meanders 30 kilometres through the Reserve. This protected corner of Africa owes its creation to Carl DeSantis and a wide number of dedicated individuals who committed themselves to a common vision of establishing an extraordinary game reserve here.

A team of wildlife specialists and researchers worked together to establish the conservation core of the Reserve, and to this day continue to improve the management of &Beyond Kwandwe with well researched information. Kwandwe has also enabled several research opportunities for young scientists. The appointment of
Dr Charlene Bissett, who now heads up Kwandwe’s Sustainability and Resource Management Division, is the result of one of these research opportunities.

Guests who stay at one of Kwandwe’s four luxurious lodges today have very little idea of the enormous task that was undertaken ten years ago. Twice-daily game drives now enable guests to view a diverse range of wildlife, such as lion, black and white rhino, buffalo, elephant and cheetah, to name a few.  

Meaning “Place of the Blue Crane” in Xhosa, Kwandwe is a haven for a population of these rare and endangered birds, and also provides a sanctuary for other threatened species, such as the Knysna woodpecker, Cape grysbok, black wildebeest, crowned eagle and black-footed cat. There is also a recovering population of the red billed oxpecker.

The Angus Gillis Foundation was established to address the empowerment of local communities neighbouring the Reserve. It now has a presence in 12 rural villages, concentrating on health, education and income generating projects.

Some of &Beyond Kwandwe’s community and conservation achievements include:

• Created employment for 170 community members

• Currently conserves five endangered species

• Only one of seven privately owned black rhino populations in South Africa   

• Established Angus Gillis Foundation

• Built two schools; provides Conservation Lessons to children

• Developed Safe Parks for children to play under supervision

• Created income generating projects in local communities

Please visit www.angusgillisfoundation.co.za for more information on Kwandwe’s community programmes, and www.andBeyond.com for more information about the Reserve.  

Ends

Issued by: media@andBeyond.com

&Beyond    
T: +27 11 809 4300; F: +27 11 809 4511

www.andBeyond.com

About &Beyond

&Beyond , formerly CC Africa, owns and operates 46 luxury lodges and camps in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya and India. Many of their lodges and camps are regular recipients of prestigious international travel awards. The company was established more than 18 years ago and its commitment to outstanding local hospitality, sustainable responsible travel and community empowerment is world renowned.

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