The original 13,076 hectares (32,311 acres) selected was identified as key conservation land. Wildlife had originally occurred here, but for almost a century this area had been dominated by pineapple, cattle, sisal and game farms, and was severely overgrazed and degraded. The founding vision was to rehabilitate this depleted tract of land, and reintroduce all the large mammal species that had originally lived in this region.
Care of the land, wildlife and people: the business model supporting this ambitious project was based on the principle that by harnessing international capital through low-impact, high-yield tourism, conservation can provide economic viability while also generating meaningful benefits for neighbouring rural communities.
Today, &Beyond Phinda is not only a flagship property boasting six globally recognised and award-winning luxury safari lodges, but it is also a proven impact case study that is widely regarded as one of the world’s most far-sighted and successful blueprints for international ecotourism.
Munywana Conservancy
In 2007, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve returned 9,085 hectares to its ancestral owners, the Makhasa and Mnqobokazi communities, both of whom requested that the land continue to be used for conservation purposes.
Through this legacy, the Munywana Conservancy is now (in 2024) a 29,866-hectare reserve, made up of a collaboration of community and private landowners that include the Makhasa Community Trust (of which the Makhasa and Mnqobokazi are members), &Beyond Phinda and ZUKA Private Game Reserves.
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